Wednesday, 9 Feb 2022

Written Answers Nos. 77-92

Passport Services

Questions (77)

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

77. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will be provided for a child (details supplied) in Dublin 17; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6904/22]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued the passport to the applicant.

Question No. 78 answered with Question No. 76.

Consular Services

Questions (79)

Emer Higgins

Question:

79. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of staff that are employed in each foreign embassy based in Ireland. [7009/22]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

There are currently 63 resident diplomatic missions in Ireland. The table below sets out the total number of staff (diplomatic staff, administrative and technical staff, and service staff) notified to the Department of Foreign Affairs by each resident diplomatic mission under Article 10 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961.

This information is based on Article 10 notifications received by this Department as of 7 February 2022. The number of staff fluctuates regularly due to the staff rotations of other states.

Locally engaged staff are not notified to the Department of Foreign Affairs and this Department does not hold information in relation to the number of locally engaged staff at resident diplomatic missions in Ireland.

	Resident Diplomatic Mission	Number of staff (diplomatic staff, administrative and technical staff, and service staff) notified to the Department of Foreign Affairs under Article 10 of the VCDR
1	Algeria	6
2	Argentina	2
3	Australia	2
4	Austria	4
5	Belgium	3
6	Brazil	9
7	Bulgaria	3
8	Canada	3
9	Chile	6
10	China	26
11	Colombia	3
12	Croatia	6
13	Cuba	1
14	Cyprus	2
15	Czech Rep.	6
16	Denmark	2
17	Egypt	14
18	Estonia	2
19	Finland	3
20	France	19
21	Georgia	3
22	Germany	12
23	Greece	7
24	Holy See	6
25	Hungary	7
26	India	12
27	Iran	6
28	Israel	6
29	Italy	9
30	Japan	9
31	Kenya	5
32	Korea (Republic of)	12
33	Latvia	5
34	Lesotho	5
35	Lithuania	6
36	Malaysia	3
37	Malta	1
38	Mexico	8
39	Moldova	5
40	Morocco	10
41	Netherlands	4
42	New Zealand	2
43	Nigeria	10
44	Norway	2
45	Pakistan	8
46	Palestine	3
47	Peru	4
48	Poland	10
49	Portugal	11
50	Romania	11
51	Russia	31
52	Saudi Arabia	28
53	Slovak Republic	3
54	Slovenia	2
55	South Africa	3
56	Spain	12
57	Sudan	1
58	Switzerland	1
59	Turkey	12
60	UAE	6
61	UK	22
62	Ukraine	6
63	USA	73
	Total	524

Question No. 80 answered with Question No. 76.

Passport Services

Questions (81)

Richard O'Donoghue

Question:

81. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the inconsistency in the time-scale of the issuing of passports given that some persons are waiting extremely long periods and others receive passports in a couple of days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7113/22]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

The Passport Service is currently processing 45% of adult online renewal application in one working day, while 99% of online child renewal passports are issued within the advertised processing time of 15 working days. The processing times for these standard online renewal passport applications compare very favourably to processing times internationally in countries such as the UK, United States, Canada and Australia.

The Passport Service is currently experiencing high demand for first time passports, particularly for children. First time passport applications do take longer to process and there are a number of reasons for this:

- It is important to check the applicant’s identity and their entitlement to Irish citizenship. The Irish passport was recently ranked 5th in the Henley Global Passport Index as it provides our citizens with visa-free access to 187 countries. This is something we can all be proud of. However, in order to maintain this ranking and to protect the integrity of the Irish passport, the Passport Service must validate the true identity of the applicant and take measures to confirm the applicant’s entitlement to Irish citizenship. Accordingly, a rigorous analysis process is in place to verify the identity and citizenship status of first time applicants

- In the case of children, it is essential that the Passport Service verifies the consent of the child’s guardians before a passport can issue. This ensures that the Passport Service protects the rights of the child and their guardians.

- Due to the intensive analysis and extra measures undertaken by highly trained and experienced staff, first time applications take 40 working days to process.

While there is a very high volume of applications in the system, this does not represent a backlog. Figures show that there are currently 76,000 (53%) applications that are fully complete and are being processed by the Passport Service. There are also 67,000 applications (47%) in the system where the Passport Service is waiting for the customer to complete the application. In these cases, the onus is on the customer to submit the required documents to the Service.

In the case of children's passports, recent Passport Service figures show that in the case of 77% of incomplete children's first time and renewal applications, parents have completed the online registration process but have not yet submitted the witnessed identity and consent form or important documents such as the child's birth certificate. In these cases, the Passport Service simply cannot move the application forward until the required documentation is received and the processing time will take longer. The Passport Service makes every effort to contact applicants in such circumstances. However, their experience is that many applicants take weeks and sometimes months to send in the necessary documents.

The current turnaround time for An Post’s mail-in “Passport Express” service is 8 weeks. Proposed turnaround times for 2022 aim to reduce this processing time. Passport Online is the priority channel for applications as there are many efficiencies built into the system for both the applicant and the Passport Service. The Passport Online Service is four times quicker than paper-based applications for adult and child renewal applications and is the fastest, easiest and safest way to apply for a passport. Over 90% of applicants now apply online compared to 47% of applications received online in 2019.

My Department has been pro-actively planning to ensure the necessary resources are in place to meet the current and expected level of demand in 2022. The Passport Service is currently implementing a number of measures that will positively impact the current turnaround times and improve customer service including the allocation of additional staff, intensive training of new staff and upskilling of existing staff and the prioritisation of first time applications.

In addition, a new document management process is being put in place that allows for a much quicker turnaround time when an applicant is asked to submit additional documents. Once these documents are received, they will be prioritised and complete applications will be processed in 3 weeks. This will greatly reduce the waiting time for applicants who are missing documents in their initial application.

I strongly urge anyone who is considering travelling overseas this year, particularly families with young children, to check the validity of their passports before booking travel and to apply for their passports online in plenty of time.

Passport Online can be accessed by all first time applicants, irrespective of age, both children and adults, in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Great Britain, Europe, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USA. All Irish citizens, including children, can use the online system to renew their passports from anywhere in the world.

Departmental Budgets

Questions (82)

Duncan Smith

Question:

82. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Defence the amount returned by his Department to the Exchequer for the past four years by year in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6927/22]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

On an annual basis, the Defence Sector budget, comprising of Vote 35 (Army Pensions) and Vote 36 (Defence), is determined within the overarching budgetary framework and approved by Dáil Éireann, with multi-annual capital envelopes determined as part of the overarching National Development Plan.

The return of amounts to the Exchequer from the Defence Sector budget arises for two reasons. Appropriations in Aid are amounts received by the Department and include payments from the UN and other organisations. Government accounting rules require that any additional Appropriations in Aid received, above the estimate, must be surrendered to the Exchequer. In addition, any amount of the budget allocation not fully expended must also be surrendered.

Expenditure under the Army Pensions Vote is essentially demand-driven and non-discretionary. In any given year, it is very difficult to predict accurately the exact number of voluntary early retirements from the Defence Forces with entitlement to immediate payment of retirement benefits and as a result, there can be an underspend or a requirement for additional funding. Such additional funding is met through the Supplementary Estimate process. In 2018, an additional €3.5 million was required and in 2019, an additional €1.9 million was needed. These amounts were met from savings in the Defence Vote.

In relation to the Defence Vote, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, any savings arising in the Vote, when not utilised to meet requirements in the Army Pensions Vote, are normally reallocated to address spending pressures elsewhere in the Defence Vote. However in 2021, similar to many other Public Service organisations, the impact of Covid-19 and supply chain difficulties limited the extent to which my Department was able to re-direct these savings.

The tables below show the Net Exchequer Surrender and its constituent elements, including the total underspend for both Votes.

Table 1 – Vote 35 Army Pensions

Vote 35 Army Pensions	Net Exchequer Surrender (€m)	Additional A-in-As Received (€m)	Underspend (€m)
2018	€0.5	€0.2	€0.3
2019	€0.2	€0.1	€0.1
2020	€8.1	€0	€8.1
2021*	€2.7	€0	€2.7

*provisional figures

Table 2 – Vote 36 Defence

Vote 36 Defence	Net Exchequer Surrender (€m)	Additional A-in-As Received (€m)	Amount Reallocated for Vote 35 Supplementary Estimate (€m)	Underspend (€m)
2018	€17.0	€11.1	€3.5	€2.4
2019	€11.4	€9.4	€1.9	€0.1
2020	€6.2	€6.1	n/a	€0.1
2021*	€29.1	€6.1	n/a	€23.0

*provisional figures

Defence Forces

Questions (83)

Duncan Smith

Question:

83. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Defence the breakdown of the infrastructural development plan for the Defence Forces; the total amount allocated; the amount allocated to each barracks and training centre; the timeframe involved in the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6928/22]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

The Defence Forces built infrastructure programme (IDP) as published in January 2020 provides a blueprint for investment in the Defence Forces built infrastructure over a multi annual timeframe. The IDP is a rolling plan and as such is iterative in nature thus ensuring that it remains relevant and that investment is targeted where most needed. It provides a breakdown of projects per formation while further outlining the individual location of each project.

The capital allocation for 2022 in respect of such projects stands at approx €35m. In addition, a further €10m is being provided to the Defence Forces for the purposes of maintenance of current stock.

The Deputy may wish to note a selection of projects which are under construction or scheduled for commencement in 2022.

- Upgrade of Block 8, Haulbowline - €4m

- Remediation of Spencer Jetty at the Naval Base, Haulbowline - €3.1m

- Cadet School, DFTC - €4.1m

- Upgrade of Former USAC Block, Renmore - €8.4m

- New Accommodation Block, Collins Barracks - €3.5m

- New CIS Workshop Facility, Defence Forces Training Centre - €7.3m

- ARW New HQ Building - €4.4m

- Upgrade and refurbishment of two buildings at McKee Barracks - €15m

Defence Forces

Questions (84)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

84. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Defence if his Department is undertaking a feasibility study on the future use of Cathal Brugha Barracks as correspondence confirms that the Land Development Agency is not; if his attention has been drawn to that the fact that it has been confirmed that the Land Development Agency has not had engaged with his Department or the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6958/22]

Written answers

Minister for Defence (Deputy Simon Coveney)

My Department has secured funding, under the Housing For All implementation fund, to engage consultants to carry out a cost-benefit analysis and feasibility study in relation to the viability of relocating Cathal Brugha Barracks to another city centre location or location on the outskirts of Dublin City.

It should be noted that this is an exploratory exercise, the purpose of which is to allow for the identification of all the implications and practicalities of such a possible relocation. The completion of the study will facilitate an informed debate on the feasibility, costs and indeed the practicality of a relocation of DF operations from Cathal Brugha Barracks.

My Department, together with the Defence Forces, is now developing a tender proposal and will go to the market in the coming weeks. This study will compromise three fundamental aspects:

- Consideration of Whole Life Cycle Costs and Benefits– including new land acquisition costs and provision of a new build Barracks;

- Assessment of the operational and security implications and risks associated with a relocation;

- Determination as to the feasibility of relocating incorporating internal comparators as to how other States manage the threats & risks to their capital infrastructure.

This project should take some 9 to 12 months to complete and all relevant Stakeholders will be briefed as this project progress.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (85)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

85. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education the status of an application by a school (details supplied); if this application will be examined under the additional accommodation scheme; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the project is linked to another major project already approved and is delaying works; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6772/22]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department received an application for capital funding, under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme from the school authority referred to by the Deputy.

The purpose of the ASA scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom and Special Education Needs (SEN) accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.

Officials in my Department have had recent engagement with the school authorities and confirmation of the approval of temporary accommodation has issued to the school. In respect of the application for permanent accommodation, formal confirmation of the decision on the application will issue shortly to the school authority.

Child and Family Agency

Questions (86)

John Paul Phelan

Question:

86. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Education if she will amend the current regulations in which pupils enrolled in and attending primary schools are not counted by the Tusla education support service when doing school returns given that they are under the age of six; if regulations will be changed to cover all pupils once they attend primary school; the number of pupils falling into this particular category in recent returns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6786/22]

Written answers

Minister for Education

Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) operates under the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000. Schools are obliged to notify Tusla in line with the provisions of the Education (Welfare) Act 2000.

Under the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000 a “child” is defined as a person resident in the State who has reached the age of 6 years and who (a) has not reached the age of 16 years, or (b) has not completed 3 years of post-primary education, whichever occurs later, but shall not include a person who has reached the age of 18 years.

Schools maintain a school register and a school roll. The purpose of the school register is to preserve a permanent record of the school history of each pupil/student. The purpose of the school roll is to record the daily and cumulative attendance of individual pupils/students.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (87)

Michael Creed

Question:

87. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 131 of 1 February 2022, if she will reconsider and elaborate on the content of her reply given that it appears to be at variance with a statement issued by her Department immediately prior to her reply (details supplied); if she plans to proceed with this alternative site in view of the fact that the site in question was only visited by her officials after the press announcement issued; the outcome of that site visit; and if a commitment will be given to ongoing consultation and dialogue with the school principal and the board of management. [6842/22]

Written answers

Minister for Education

The site visit to which the Deputy refers took place on 31 January 2022. The purpose of the site visit was to identify on the ground what practical matters need to be addressed to accommodate both schools. This includes addressing the possibility of the provision of SEN facilities in both schools for the coming school year.

The details referred to by the Deputy include points of information contained in a response to a press query.

My Department officials have endeavoured to keep both school authorities informed and will continue to do so as the details of this option are developed.

School Accommodation

Questions (88)

Michael Ring

Question:

88. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education when additional accommodation will be approved for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6848/22]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application, for the Additional School Accommodation Scheme (ASA), from the school in question.

My officials have recently corresponded with the school Patron for further information to support the application. Upon receipt of this information the application will be assessed and a decision conveyed to the school authorities directly.

School Staff

Questions (89)

Willie O'Dea

Question:

89. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education if she is satisfied with the level of qualification required to become a special needs assistant given that it is over 40 years since they were introduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6868/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education

Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) play a huge role in helping to ensure the inclusion of pupils with significant care needs in education and in school life. This was acknowledged in the Comprehensive Review of the Special Needs Assistant Scheme (SNAs) published by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) in 2018.

The Review made a number of recommendations regarding SNAs including the training needs of SNAs. In this regard, the NCSE recommended that a new national training programme at Level 5 of the National Qualification Framework be developed for existing SNAs who do not have the requisite level of training and for new SNAs on appointment. The NCSE also recommended that training tailored to the complex needs of some students would also be provided.

The policy advice has been considered by my Department. It was decided that priority would be given to the development of a training programme for SNAs who may not have had a recent opportunity to access a training programme tailored to their role.

The first national training programme for SNAs is now in place and it aims to enhance the knowledge, skills and expertise of SNAs whose work is central to the inclusion of students with additional care and complex needs in school life. The programme is fully funded by my Department and delivered at no cost to the SNA.

There are 3,500 places available on the online programme over 4 years. Each phase of the programme has been fully subscribed to date. 500 have completed the programme and a new cohort of 1,000 commenced the programme last September.

As this is the first programme, it is appropriate to take the time to review outcomes and this will inform the future approach to ongoing training and professional development of SNAs. Part of that consideration will include accreditation.

Raising the minimum qualification for appointment as a special needs assistant has been raised by the FORSA union and has been referred to the Workplace Relations Commission. My Department is engaging in that process.

The recruitment and appointment of Special Needs Assistants is a matter for each individual school authority. In addition, the actual requirements for a post will vary depending on the specific needs of the children and the school to which the SNA is to be appointed. My Department does not believe that the existing minimum qualifications has impacted on the calibre of person appointed and it is also the case that people with experience and/or higher qualifications than the minimum are often the successful candidate in competitions held by schools.

However, having considered the claim and, in particular, the period of time since they were set, my Department is open to reviewing the entry requirements for SNAs. My Department has also agreed to a review of the SNA contract which was agreed as part of the Building Momentum national pay agreement. My Department is prioritising the contract review and this will be followed by a review of the entry qualifications.

II am satisfied that the approach outlined fully recognises the important place of SNAs in our schools. The forthcoming review of the SNA contract along with the new training programme for SNAs that is now in place will help to enhance the experience of children with special needs in our schools.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (90)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

90. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education if a decision has been made on the review of a special needs assistant allocation in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6945/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education

The NCSE has responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) and reviews. The NCSE have published the SNA allocations on their website www.ncse.ie.

The SNA scheme is designed to provide schools with additional adult support staff who can assist children with special educational needs who also have additional and significant care needs. Such support is provided in order to facilitate the attendance of those pupils at school and also to minimise disruption to class or teaching time for the pupils concerned, or for their peers, and with a view to developing their independent living skills.

SNAs are not allocated to individual children but to schools as a school based resource. The deployment of SNAs within schools is a matter for the individual Principal/Board of Management of the school. SNAs should be deployed by the school in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of the children enrolled in the school based on the principle that those with the greatest needs receive the greatest level of support. Guidance is available to schools on the allocation of SNA support within the schools, SNA allocations for special classes and special schools are not affected by this arrangement.

Circular 0029/2021 has been published and advises schools of the arrangements for the allocation of SNAs for the 2021/22 school year. Furthermore, provisions set out in Circular 0030/2020 has been extended for the 2021/22 school year. Circulars 29/2021 and 30/2020 are available on the Gov.ie website: www.gov.ie/en/circulars/?organisation=department-of-education

The NCSE manages the exceptional review process and handles each case individually. Some review requests can be concluded as an office based exercise, whilst others require a school to be visited in order to observe the current deployment of SNA support in the school setting.

The timeframe for concluding a review can vary depending on the school context or the nature of the information provided.

The NCSE have confirmed that following an application for a review the school visit took place on 29/11/2021 and that the outcome of the review will issue to the school shortly.

My Department does not have a role in making individual school determinations.

State Examinations

Questions (91)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

91. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education the actions taken to date in respect of leaving certificate reform; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6953/22]

Written answers

Minister for Education

As the Deputy is aware, between 2016 and 2020 the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) undertook an extensive review of senior cycle programmes and vocational pathways. The NCCA’s Advisory Report on the Senior Cycle has been submitted to my Department for consideration.

The Advisory Report maps out, in broad terms, an ambitious programme of work, which would enable the development and construction of the components that would make up a Framework for Senior Cycle and will involve further ongoing stakeholder engagement and consultation. As the consideration of the Advisory Report has continued my officials have had some contacts with officials in the NCCA and SEC to ensure there is a clarity of understanding on some matters identified in the Report. I have had a considerable number of briefing sessions and meetings with relevant officials in my Department as our consideration of the NCCA Advisory Report has continued.

I am aware of the desire in the education community and more generally that the NCCA Advisory Report be published but we must first complete our consideration of the Report. I am currently focusing on what the implementation of the Report would involve and what we can do to best ensure the further evolution of Senior Cycle. My officials and I have been considering the Report carefully, with a view to delivering a Senior Cycle programme that meets the needs of the students of today and the future, and the Report will be published once those considerations are complete.

Teacher Training

Questions (92, 93)

Richard Bruton

Question:

92. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education the budget for in-service training of teachers at primary and secondary level over the past five years; and the proportion it represents of the teacher payroll. [6959/22]

Richard Bruton

Question:

93. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education the budget for leadership development at primary and second-level over the past five years; and the proportion it represents of the teacher payroll. [6960/22]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I propose to take Questions Nos. 92 and 93 together.

The total grant funding provided by my Department for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) provided by the Teacher Education Support Services and local Education Centres over the past 5 years is set out in the table attached. The proportion it represents of primary and post-primary teachers payroll costs is also provided.

Please note that while the overall level of CPD provided in 2020 and 2021 was similar to 2019, savings did arise in respect of the move to online and blended CPD provision. The savings relate to reduced travel and subsistence costs, reduced venue hire and associated catering costs.

These overall CPD spend figures include expenditure on a range of leadership support programmes provided by the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) for newly appointed principals, deputy principals and middle leaders. My Department also funds the Centre for School Leadership (CSL) established in 2015 which presents a unique opportunity for the development of a coherent continuum of professional development for school leaders. Through CSL, leaders through the continuum of their leadership journey are supported through a post graduate for aspiring leaders, mentoring for newly appointed leaders, coaching for established leaders and cluster support for school leadership teams. My Department also supports the provision of professional learning through both IPPN and NAPD.

In addition to grant funding, my Department also funds the salary costs of just over 300 teachers seconded to work in the Teacher Education Support Services and local Education Centres. The average pay cost of a teacher on secondment is estimated at €75,000. For certain elements of CPD supports, my Department also provides funding to provide substitute teacher cover in schools.

Teachers Payrolls and Budgets