Written Answers Nos. 62-78
62. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the electoral reform Bill will be introduced in Dáil Éireann; the timeline for its implementation; if he will provide an overview of the aspects that will be covered in the Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60718/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government - Our Shared Future commits to the establishment of a statutory, independent Electoral Commission. The legislative provisions for the Electoral Commission are being progressed as part of an Electoral Reform Bill, which also provides for the modernisation of the electoral registration process, the regulation of online political advertising during election periods and provisions which are aimed at assisting with the holding of electoral events where Covid-19 restrictions are in place.
Following Government approval of the drafting of an Electoral Reform Bill, the Bill's General Scheme was circulated to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage in January for pre-legislative consideration. The General Scheme is available on my Department's website at www.gov.ie/en/publication/34cf6-general-scheme-of-the-electoral-reform-bill-2020. The Joint Oireachtas Committee carried out a thorough pre-legislative scrutiny process, taking in the views of a wide range of stakeholders and policy experts over seven sessions between January and August of this year. The committee's pre-legislative scrutiny report was published in August and is available from the Oireachtas website at www.oireachtas.ie/en/committees/33/housing-local-government-and-heritage/. The recommendations in the report are currently being considered by my Department. My Department is continuing to work with the Attorney General's Office on the drafting of the Electoral Reform Bill and good progress is being made. The Bill is included on the list of priority legislation in the Government's current legislation programme and I expect that it will be published and will commence its progress through the Oireachtas in the new year.
In addition to the legislative work that is being advanced, progress is also being made in respect of the practicalities of the Commission's establishment. In this regard, a team was put in place earlier in the year and is working on the preparatory institutional and administrative arrangements for the Electoral Commission, pending its formal establishment.
63. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the housing passport (details supplied) has been introduced; and if not, when it will be introduced. [60725/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government provides for a package of social housing reforms, including a social housing passport to allow households move from one local authority waiting list to another.
There is already a degree of flexibility regarding waiting lists. The four Dublin local authorities have arrangements allowing social housing applicants apply for housing in up to two of the other Dublin authorities simultaneously. Similar arrangements apply in the two Cork and two Galway local authorities. Households may also move and relocate between housing authority areas under the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Scheme where the household income is within the relevant income limits.
Provision for wider tenancy movements is being examined and I will consider proposals regarding such movement along with the other reform package measures.
64. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the current tenant purchase scheme will be reviewed to allow social housing tenants who have been allocated housing since 2015 to purchase their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60866/21]
View answerThe Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme was introduced on 1 January 2016. The scheme is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the scheme. Currently, tenants must meet certain criteria to be considered for the scheme, including having a minimum reckonable income of €15,000 per annum and being in receipt of social housing support for at least one year.
The Housing (Sale of Local Authority Houses) Regulations 2015 governing the scheme require certain specified classes of houses be excluded from sale, including houses provided to local authorities under Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended); houses specifically designed for older persons; group Traveller housing; and houses provided for people with disabilities transferring from institutional care to community-based living.
It is a matter for each local authority to administer the scheme in accordance with the governing legislation and in line with their housing requirements. Accordingly, local authorities may also exclude certain houses they consider should not be sold, for example, to ensure proper stock or estate management.
Housing for All, A New Housing Plan for Ireland, commits to maintaining the right of social housing tenants to purchase their own home, with some changes to eligibility. I expect to finalise changes to the scheme before the end of the year.
65. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will examine a passport application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60655/21]
View answer68. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason passports have not been finalised for persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60775/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 65 and 68 together.
With regard to the applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.
66. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason a passport application (details supplied) has not been finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60660/21]
View answerFirst time passport applications are necessarily complex to process, since they are essentially applications for Irish citizenship. The Passport Service must validate the true identity of the applicant and take measures to confirm the applicant’s entitlement to Irish citizenship.
In the case of first time passport applications for children, the consent of guardians must also be thoroughly validated. Verification of consent of all guardians is vital to protecting the integrity of the passport itself and the rights of the child and its guardians.
Passport applications are valid for six months for a number of reasons including International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) regulations on the requirement for a recent photograph. The ICAO is a UN specialised agency which defines in detail the required format for a passport. This timeframe also ensures that a refund of the fees can be processed electronically where required. If the refund is not made electronically within six months then it can take up to 12 months to process a refund by bank transfer.
With regard the specific application about which the Deputy is enquiring, the Passport Service was in contact with the applicant's guardian to request the correct supporting documents required to approve and issue the passport. Unfortunately, these documents were not submitted by the time the passport application had come close to expiration and the application was cancelled. The passport fee has been refunded in this case.
The Passport Service has been in direct contact with the applicant's guardian and has explained what is required to re-apply for their child's passport with the correct documentation and consent form.
67. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the outcome of the meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference held on 2 December 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60734/21]
View answerA meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference (BIIGC) took place in London on 2 December 2021. The Communiqué which was made public after the meeting is attached for your reference.
Minister McEntee and I represented the Irish Government while the British Government was represented by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Brandon Lewis MP, and Conor Burns MP, the Minister of State at the Northern Ireland Office.
The Conference was established under Strand Three of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement “to promote bilateral co-operation at all levels on all matters of mutual interest within the competence of the UK and Irish Governments”. The Conference is also an important forum for discussions on the broader British-Irish relationship: both Governments agree on the deep value of strong bilateral cooperation at all levels.
The most recent meeting of the Conference had a wide ranging agenda which covered; East-West matters; Economic Cooperation; Rights and Citizenship; Security Cooperation; Legacy; Political Stability; Covid; and for the first time, we also discussed energy cooperation and the outcomes of the recent COP26 Conference in Glasgow.
At the Conference I took the opportunity to note, and express appreciation for, the strong levels of cooperation and partnership between our respective Consular teams in Dublin, London and across the world during 2021.
Looking at our significant and important economic relationship, we each agreed to work to explore synergies between the UK and Ireland’s respective Levelling Up initiative and the National Development Plan to ensure maximum benefit for the peoples of these islands.
In our first discussion about the environment, in this particular forum, we noted the positive outcome at COP26 in Glasgow, and recognised the ongoing importance of cooperation between the United Kingdom and Ireland to act on the agreement in Glasgow, and accelerate climate action in this critical decade.
The Forum provided an opportunity to discuss the current security situation and the threats posed by terrorism, paramilitarism and the associated criminality. We paid tribute to the ongoing high levels of cooperation between the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the Security Services and An Garda Síochána which are central to effectively combatting these threats.
The Conference provided a timely opportunity to engage with Secretary of State Lewis on the British Government’s legacy proposals set out in its command paper. We reviewed the discussions to date as part of the multiparty legacy engagement process agreed at the meeting of the Conference in June and had an exchange of views on next steps. This was an important engagement where we were able to speak in depth about the issues. I also took the opportunity to raise issues of concern in respect to a number of individual legacy cases.
The political strain of Brexit, the Protocol and COVID has weighed on the NI Executive and Assembly for some time. It is incumbent on the two Governments to work in support of all of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement institutions given their interdependent and interlocking nature. As a Conference and as the two Governments, we reinforced our commitment to continuing close co-operation.
I look forward to the next meeting of the Conference in early 2022 and to building on the work undertaken since regular meetings of the Conference resumed in 2018.
69. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education if school bus services returned to operating on a 100% capacity basis from 19 November 2021; if a review has been conducted of same; her views on whether this is advisable in view of the current Covid-19 situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60582/21]
View answer70. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education if school bus services returned to operating on a 100% capacity basis from 19 November 2021; if there has been a review of this position; her views on whether 100% capacity is advisable given the current Covid-19 situation; the latest public health advice in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60592/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 69 and 70 together.
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.
For the 2020/21 school year, based on public health advice the Department provided for School Transport Scheme services to fully operate, but with additional measures in place including the operation of post-primary transport services at 50% capacity. Primary services operated at 100% capacity but with additional measures and hygiene requirements in place.
For the 2021/22 school year, planning for school transport scheme services 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 the term began in this new school year. This included the operation of post-primary services at 50% capacity. The Department has kept this position under review as the vaccination programme for children on post-primary services was rolled out and as the lifting of restrictions on public transport services proceeded.
In line with the lifting of restrictions on public transport, and with effect from the return of schools following the October mid-term break, implementation commenced for post-primary school transport services to resume operating at 100% capacity. All other measures relating to hygiene, pre-assigned seating, cleaning and the wearing of masks by post-primary students will remain in place subject to further review. With regard to primary transport, measures relating to hygiene, pre-assigned seating and cleaning continue to be in place also.
With regard to post-primary special needs transport services, the Department is working with schools on a case by case basis where such services may be required to continue operating at 50% capacity.
71. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Education her plans to provide targeted financial assistance to parents in relation to the cost of providing face masks for children in schools given the recent Covid-19 related health advice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60618/21]
View answer83. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education if public schools will be given free, high-quality masks for every child in the interest of public health; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60746/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 83 together.
The Department of Education has always been guided by Public Health as to the mitigation measures needed to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in our schools. NPHET has recommended and the Government has approved a measure introducing the wearing of face masks by children in a number of settings including in 3rd class and above in primary schools. The measure is being introduced on a temporary basis and is subject to review in mid-February 2022.
Given that masks are now in use in a range of settings, students are encouraged to bring their own face coverings. If a student forgets or misplaces their mask, schools are asked to provide them with a spare mask. Schools have also been provided with significant additional resources of €639m in the last academic year to keep schools safe in line with the covid-19 response plans.
Further funding of €57.6 million has been paid by way of Covid-19 capitation to schools in September for the implementation of infection prevention and control measures for this term. This funding will cater for school costs related to hand hygiene measures, PPE requirements including masks, and enhanced cleaning supports and supervision. Further funding for next term will issue to schools in January.
72. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the guidance for mask-wearing in a classroom in which there is a hard of hearing child who requires lip reading to effectively engage and communicate with their teacher and classmates. [60648/21]
View answer73. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that some general practitioners will not provide medical certificates for children to obtain exemptions from mask wearing in primary school (details supplied); and the actions parents should take in this situation. [60649/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 72 and 73 together.
The Department has provided guidance for schools, including publishing an FAQ to assist schools engage with parents where there are particular difficulties arising for individual children. Where issues arise, schools will engage pragmatically and sensitively with parents to explore any particular difficulties arising for an individual child. The FAQ can be found at the following link here
The guidance recognises that in the case of certain children with additional needs, schools may be already aware of difficulties they may face in the appropriate use of face coverings. Schools will be best placed to identify those children whose complex needs are such that the wearing of face covering may not be possible for them, and to discuss this with parents as required. In such circumstances, schools do not require medical certification to provide an exemption to the wearing of face coverings.
In the case of children who have a hearing impairment and or reply on lip reading, the guidance provides for schools to use visors or consider other solutions that do not present an impediment to communication.
74. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education if she will take steps in respect of a certificate of exemption from studying Irish for a student (details supplied). [60681/21]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that the Department has taken the necessary steps to resolve this case.
75. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Education the recourse the parents of primary school children have if they are of the view the windows and the doors of the classroom are being kept open for the duration of the school day to the point of discomfort; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60684/21]
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. This should enable the appropriate balance to be achieved between good ventilation and managing comfort levels in the classroom.
The Department's guidance outlines 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. The provision of portable CO2 monitors provides schools with the flexibility to focus their use to those rooms where most beneficial to inform strategies for optimising ventilation in the school.
In excess of 35,400 monitors were delivered to schools nationwide at a cost of circa €4 million which assists in guiding their ventilation strategy.
My Department's approach on good ventilation in schools, as part of a layered strategy of protective measures to control the spread of the virus, is fully consistent with Public Health advice and the Expert Group recommendations on good practices, the use of portable CO2 monitors and the targeted deployment of HEPA air filter devices where necessary for poorly ventilated areas.
76. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education the average teaching hours received per eligible child under the Covid learning and supports scheme. [60698/21]
View answer77. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education the number of teaching hours and amount of funding already allocated and drawn down under the Covid learning and supports scheme. [60699/21]
View answer78. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education the way schools assessed students as eligible for the Covid learning and supports scheme. [60700/21]
View answer79. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education if all students in schools under the DEIS model qualified for the Covid learning and supports scheme. [60701/21]
View answer80. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education the number of students in County Cork deemed eligible for the Covid learning and supports scheme. [60702/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 76 to 80, inclusive, together.
The COVID Learning and Support Scheme (CLASS) has been put in place for the 2021/22 school year to help schools mitigate the adverse impacts of Covid-19 on pupil/student learning loss and wellbeing arising from the periods of school closures in 2020 and 2021.
Under the programme, a block of additional teaching hours has been provided to each recognised school, from which schools can provide additional teaching support for the pupils/students who have experienced difficulties in settling back into school and engaging with learning.
These extra teaching hours for the 2021/22 school year are additional to 13,600 special education teachers who support the additional learning needs of pupils in mainstream primary and post primary schools.
They are also additional to:
- A supplementary education programme which provided additional teaching hours for pupils/students with SEN during the period of school closures in 2021 in which over 14,000 pupils/students participated
- The roll-out of a significantly enhanced Summer Programme for summer 2020 and 2021.
- The early provision of Information Communication Technology (ICT) funding to schools, to support the provision of devices to students and families, where needed.
Under CLASS, provision is being made for up to €52 Million in extra teaching hours for schools.
This is in addition to the €40 Million already allocated for this year’s enhanced summer education programme. €10 Million has also been spent this year on the Supplementary Education scheme, which provided extra teaching support for pupils with complex special educational needs.
When combined with the additional provision now being made for CLASS, this will bring the total package of support for enhanced educational programmes this year to €102.6 Million.
The allocations under CLASS have been provided to each school on a graduated and proportionate basis, based on school size, using the 2020/21 school enrolments data, as published on the Primary and Post Primary Online Databases (PPOD). Enhanced allocations have been provided for special schools and schools which are in the disadvantaged (DEIS) scheme. The hours were available to schools from October of this year and can be used throughout the 2021/22 school year.
Full detail of the programme is set out in my Department’s Circular 045/2021 which is available at www.gov.ie/en/circular/aec0a-covid-learning-and-support-scheme/
Pupils in Cork who require additional teaching time in schools are eligible to receive support under the CLASS programme.
Pupils who attend DEIS schools are also eligible to receive support under the CLASS scheme.
Circular 0045/2021 notes that the allocation of CLASS hours is a whole school provision and that schools may target the support to whichever pupils most need it.
Guidance has been provided to help schools on how to identify pupil who need additional supports. The guidance also advises schools in relation to how the additional teaching hours should be best used and as to how schools should identify and prioritise pupils for support.
This guidance is available at:
Covid-19 Learning and Support Scheme (CLASS) Guidance for Primary and Special Schools: www.gov.ie/en/publication/0b4a7-covid-19-learning-and-support-scheme-class-guidance-for-primary-and-special-schools/
Covid-19 Learning and Support Scheme (CLASS) Guidance for Post Primary Schools: www.gov.ie/en/publication/31e9f-covid-19-learning-and-support-scheme-class-guidance-for-post-primary-schools/
The amount of teaching time provided per child under the CLASS scheme is a matter for each school. There is therefore not an average amount of teaching time provided under this programme, by schools, per pupil. Rather schools allocate the most support to the pupils who have the greatest level of need.
Because schools may draw down CLASS hours at any time over the 2021/22 school year, details of the total number of hours drawn down under this scheme, and total expenditure under this scheme, will therefore not be known until the school year has concluded.
