Written Answers Nos. 318-332
318. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Defence the number of electric vehicle charging points that are available for use by staff across all carparks provided for use by his Department throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7377/22]
View answer321. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Defence the number of electric vehicle chargers installed at each property owned or controlled by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7407/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 318 and 321 together.
The Department of Defence is currently investigating options available to it regarding Electric Vehicle (EV) charging points in all of its buildings, including the number of EV charging spaces it may require and the need for installing extra cabling to allow for future demand. At present the Department has no EV charging points available for use by staff in any of its carparks in Newbridge, Renmore or Roscrea.
Future actions by the Department of Defence in this area will be guided by Government policy regarding EVs and other Low Emissions Vehicles (LEVs) as set out in the National Planning Framework and the National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP).
While the Department is investigating future options for EV charging points at its premises, as referenced in National Development Plan under Transport, home charging is considered the primary method of charging for the majority of EVs in Ireland and is considered the least expensive form of charging, especially when utilising a night rate. The Department understands that it accounts for around 80% of EV charging sessions and will continue to be the primary method for charging personal EV’s in the future.
319. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Defence if he will establish a statutory public inquiry into the allegations of sexual harassment and abuse by a group and a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7405/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, following Cabinet approval, an Independent Review Group has been established, under the Chair of Ms. Justice Bronagh O’Hanlon, to examine issues relating to sexual misconduct, bullying, harassment and discrimination in the Defence Forces.
The overall aims of the Independent Review are to: -
- Advise on whether the current legislative frameworks, policies, procedures and practices for addressing incidents of unacceptable behaviour in the workplace are effective.
- Independently assess whether the pervading culture in the workplace is fully aligned with the principles of dignity, equality, mutual respect, and duty of care for every member of the Defence Forces.
- Provide recommendations and guidance on measures and strategies required to underpin a workplace based on dignity, equality, mutual respect, and duty of care for every member of the Defence Forces.
This Independent Review is seen as a critical and vital next step to ensure that the workplace for serving members of the Defence Forces is safe, where there is zero tolerance of unacceptable behaviour and where we learn from historical experiences.
My Department and I have engaged extensively in recent months on the Terms of Reference, with the Women of Honour Group and with other stakeholders, including both serving and former members of the Defence Forces, the Representative Associations, PDFORRA, RACO and RDFRA and with a second group representing former members - the Men and Women of Honour Group.
These engagements have brought serious issues to my attention, which indicate that it is not just a historic issue. Regrettably, incidents of alleged unacceptable behaviour are still continuing to occur. Current and former members of the Defence Forces have been clear that the culture that is pervading, and the application of those policies, systems and procedures for dealing with unacceptable behaviour have not, and are not, serving all Defence Forces personnel well. Accordingly, I am strongly aware of the need for immediate action to ensure the safety of serving Defence Forces members.
The Terms of Reference for the Review, as approved by Cabinet, have been published on Gov.ie are available to view at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/d978a-dignity-and-equality-in-the-workplace-the-defence-forces-an-independent-review/
They provide that both former and serving members may share their experiences with the Independent Review Group. In this regard, the Independent Review Group will initiate a process to facilitate this. The Terms of the Review also provide that submissions can be made to the Review Group. I hope that all stakeholders, including the Women of Honour Group, the Men and Women of Honour Group and serving members will engage with the Independent Review Group. Their contribution will be critically important in taking this work forward.
I am fully satisfied that the Terms of Reference for the Review are sufficiently broad to allow the Independent Review Group members significant latitude to explore the areas that they need to explore and to bring forward recommendations for future actions.
In this regard the Review Group have been specifically asked to advise whether further work is required to examine issues of an historical nature and to make any recommendations regarding how this might best be pursued.
The Review Group will provide me with an interim report after six months. A final report is expected within 12 months. I will bring the Final Review Report to Government, who may consider any further bodies of work that might be necessary, taking into account the findings of the Independent Review Group. Thereafter, I intend to make the Final Review Report public.
I wish to reiterate my commitment and that of the Secretary General and Chief of Staff, to ensure that every member of the Defence Forces, can carry out their duties in a safe and respectful workplace based on dignity, equality and zero-tolerance for any kind of unacceptable behaviour.
320. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Defence if he will include allegations of child sexual abuse at military camps in the proposed inquiry into the allegations of sexual harassment and abuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7406/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, following Cabinet approval on 25 January last, an Independent Review Group has been established, under the Chair of Ms. Justice Bronagh O’Hanlon, to examine issues relating to bullying, harassment, discrimination and sexual misconduct in the Defence Forces.
The overall aims of the Independent Review are to: -
- Advise on whether the current legislative frameworks, policies, procedures and practices for addressing incidents of unacceptable behaviour in the workplace are effective.
- Independently assess whether the pervading culture in the workplace is fully aligned with the principles of dignity, equality, mutual respect, and duty of care for every member of the Defence Forces.
- Provide recommendations and guidance on measures and strategies required to underpin a workplace based on dignity, equality, mutual respect, and duty of care for every member of the Defence Forces.
This Independent Review is seen as a critical and vital next step to ensure that the workplace for serving members of the Defence Forces is safe, where there is zero tolerance of unacceptable behaviour and where we learn from historical experiences.
In addition, the Review Group have been specifically asked to advise on whether further work is required to examine issues of an historical nature and to make any recommendations regarding how this might be pursued.
Any allegations of sexual abuse against children are extremely serious and should be reported to an Garda Síochána without delay.
Correspondence has been received by me on allegations of this nature. Senior Counsel has recently been appointed to conduct an independent assessment of the specific actions taken by the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces on foot of correspondence it has received related to this matter.
322. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education if support will be provided to a school (details supplied) to open an additional autism spectrum disorder unit. [7121/22]
View answer323. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education the process a school undergoes in order to open a new autism spectrum disorder unit. [7122/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 322 and 323 together.
Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this Government.
This year, my Department will spend in excess of €2 Billion, or over 25% of the Department’s budget on providing additional teaching and care supports for children with special educational needs.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs nationwide.
It is open to any school to make an application to the NCSE for the establishment of a specialised provision and where sanctioned, a range of supports, including capital funding, is made available to the school.
Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact NCSE locally so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes.
The NCSE through their network of SENOs (Special Educational Needs Organisers) are currently engaged in a process of establishing new classes for the 2022/2023 school year and beyond. They are looking at local information in relation to projected demand for future special class places.
The local SENOs remain available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available at: ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list.
As the query refers to an individual school, I will arrange to have it referred to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
324. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Education if there are plans to increase the number of places available for students within special reading schools given the shortage at present; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7133/22]
View answerEnabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this Government.
This year, my Department will spend in excess of €2 Billion, or over 25% of the Department’s budget on providing additional teaching and care supports for children with special educational needs.
A continuum of education provision is in place covering the full range of need spanning placement in mainstream classes with supports through to more specialist placements either in a special class or a special school depending on the level of complexity of need.
Available supports include provision to meet care needs and to provide additional teaching support where this is required. In addition, there are specialist educational supports provided by the National Educational Psychological Services (NEPS) and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to help schools provide an appropriate education for pupils with special educational needs including reading difficulties.
There are no plans to expand Reading Schools at this time.
NCSE is currently undertaking Policy Advice on Education Provision in Special Classes and Special Schools to examine whether placement in specialist settings brings about improved educational outcomes and experiences, relative to their ability, for students with special educational needs.
This Policy Advice is to be completed shortly and will then be considered by my Department.
I have also requested my Department to arrange for a review of the policy on reading classes and schools. When received, this report will also be considered in the context of planning future provision.
325. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the number of tenders that have been received for a project (details supplied). [7141/22]
View answerOn June 14th 2021, the project referred to by the Deputy was included in a bundle of projects which were tendered to a newly established Design & Build Contractors Framework.
Each of the three contractors on the framework submitted a tender.
The tenders were returned on October 27th 2021, it is anticipated that the Letter of Intent to appoint the Building Contractor will issue in the coming weeks in Quarter 1. Once a Contractor has been appointed, the Department will keep the school's informed of the construction programme underpinning the contract.
326. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the number of tenders that have been received for a project (details supplied). [7142/22]
View answerOn June 14th 2021, this campus project was included in a bundle of projects which were tendered to a newly established Design & Build Contractors Framework.
Each of the three contractors on the framework submitted a tender.
The tenders were returned on October 27th 2021, it is anticipated that the Letter of Intent to appoint the Building Contractor will issue in the coming weeks in Quarter 1. Once a Contractor has been appointed, the Department will keep the school's informed of the construction programme underpinning the contract.
327. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education if An Taoiseach has contacted her regarding a project (details supplied). [7143/22]
View answerI can confirm that I have received correspondence from An Taoiseach in respect of the school referred to by the Deputy.
328. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education the timeline for the tender of the permanent building for a school (details supplied) to achieve the target delivery date of September 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7167/22]
View answerThe permanent accommodation for the school referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under my Department’s Design and Build Programme. This delivery programme uses a professional external Project Management team to progress the project through the stages of architectural planning, tendering and construction.
My Department is considering the timeline for the progression to tender of a number of Design & Build projects including the permanent accommodation for the school referred to by the Deputy and will advise the school's patron body further as soon as possible. In the interim, my Department will continue to liaise with the school's patron body in relation to the school’s accommodation needs pending delivery of the permanent accommodation.
329. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education if reform of the school transport scheme will be implemented before tickets are allocated for the 2022-2023 school year. [7168/22]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the current school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.
My Department commenced a review of the School Transport Scheme in February 2021. The review is being conducted with a view to examining the current scheme, its broader effectiveness and sustainability, and to ensure that it serves students and their families adequately.
Following commencement of this review the Steering Group presented me with an initial interim report on eligibility with an examination of issues for mainstream pupils relating to the nearest and next nearest school. Following consideration of this report, I approved the extension of temporary alleviation measures in the current school year for transport for post-primary students who are otherwise eligible for school transport and have applied and paid on time but are attending their second nearest school.
Wider considerations relating to operation of the scheme are now taking place in the next phase of the review which is currently underway. The Steering Group will continue to report to me on an interim basis as the review progresses.
Bus Éireann’s on-line application system for new applicants for school transport is now open for the 2022/23 school year. Applications can be made online at www.buseireann.ie\schooltransport. The closing date for School Transport Applications is Friday, 29th April, 2022 and the closing date to input payment/medical card details is Friday, 29th July 2022.
330. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education if she has held conversations with other Ministers on removing the kilometre distance rule for the school transport scheme. [7169/22]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the current school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.
Under the terms of the School Transport Schemes children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
My Department commenced a review of the School Transport Scheme in February 2021. The review is being conducted with a view to examining the current scheme, its broader effectiveness and sustainability, and to ensure that it serves students and their families adequately.
Following commencement of this review the Steering Group presented me with an initial interim report on eligibility with an examination of issues for mainstream pupils relating to the nearest and next nearest school. Following consideration of this report, I approved the extension of temporary alleviation measures in the current school year for transport for post-primary students who are otherwise eligible for school transport but are attending their second nearest school and have applied and paid on time.
Wider considerations relating to operation of the scheme are now taking place in the next phase of the review which is currently underway. As part of this phase of the review, my Department is currently conducting an extensive stakeholder engagement process. My Department will be listening to the views of relevant stakeholders, including other Government Departments, so that they may be considered as part of the assessment and in informing policy on the future operation of the scheme.
The Steering Group will continue to report to me on an interim basis as the review progresses.
331. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education if the new bank holiday on 18 March 2022 and the first Monday in February thereafter will count as one of the 167 school days at secondary level and 183 school days at primary level, that is, the school term will not be extended into the summer holidays by one day on account of the additional bank holiday. [7176/22]
View answerThe Government decided on the 19th January 2022 that a public holiday is to be held on 18 March 2022 in recognition of the efforts of the general public and Ireland’s frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and in remembrance of people who lost their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition the Government also decided that there will be a new annual public holiday from 2023 in celebration of Imbolc/St Brigid’s day, which will be the first Monday in every February, except where the 1st day of February happens to fall on a Friday, in which case that day will be a public holiday. The first such public holiday will be Monday 6 February 2023.
The Department is currently considering the impact on the school year and will be in communication with schools in due course.
332. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a breakdown of Departmental civil servants and State agency employees under her remit, respectively working in County Wexford and their respective Departmental section in tabular form. [7231/22]
View answerThe information requested by the deputy regarding civil servants employed by my Department and its agencies in County Wexford is attached in tabular format.
The following table provides details of civil servants employed by my Department that have an office base in County Wexford.
|
Department of Education |
Location |
No. |
|
National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) |
Wexford |
8 |
|
School Inspectorate |
Wexford |
4 |
The following table provides details of civil servants employed by aegis bodies under the remit of my Department with an office base in County Wexford.
|
Organisation |
Location |
No. |
|
NCSE (National Council for Special Education) |
Wexford |
2 |
