Written Answers Nos. 300-319
300. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the avenues available for persons living in Ireland to donate medical supplies, namely insulin to Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13001/22]
View answerThe generosity of the people of Ireland in responding to this crisis, the impulse to help those in need, and the strong solidarity with Ukraine, is very welcome and is to be commended.
From a practical perspective, with airports closed and other transportation infrastructure under great pressure, the sending and transporting of large numbers of individual consignments of physical goods, from many locations, is already increasing congestion in the channels delivering relief and hampering aid efforts.
Working through agencies already on the ground, who are coordinating their efforts with the relevant local authorities, is the most effective way to make a contribution. People in Ireland who would like to assist are advised to send funds rather than goods. This can be done through donating to established Irish and international humanitarian organisations. Dóchas, the umbrella organisation for Irish NGOs, has made available a list of entities which have launched Ukraine appeals. Websites can be accessed at: dochas.ie/whats-new/ukraine-how-you-can-help/
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also launched an emergency appeal for Ukraine, which can be accessed here: who-emergency-appeal---ukraine-and-neighbouring-countries.pdf.
304. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will arrange for the appropriate official to contact a person (details supplied) in respect of urgent diabetes supplies required in the Ukraine crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13028/22]
View answerThe generosity of the people of Ireland in responding to this crisis, the impulse to help those in need, and the strong solidarity with Ukraine, is very welcome and is to be commended.
From a practical perspective, with airports closed and other transportation infrastructure under great pressure, the sending and transporting of large numbers of individual consignments of physical goods, from many locations, is already increasing congestion in the channels delivering relief and hampering aid efforts. This includes the in-kind donation of medical supplies, which can require special handling.
To ensure the most effective response, the relevant local authorities with whom my Department is in contact request that people who would like to assist send funds rather than goods. This can be done through donating to established Irish and international humanitarian organisations.
Dóchas, the umbrella organisation for Irish NGOs, has made available a list of entities which have launched Ukraine appeals. Websites can be accessed at: dochas.ie/whats-new/ukraine-how-you-can-help/.
305. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of protected disclosures received by his Department in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; if an external contractor has been engaged regarding a protected disclosure over that time period; if so, the cost of same; and the number of protected disclosures that were rejected, accepted and that remain under review for the time period in question. [13052/22]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs has neither received nor accepted any protected disclosures since the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 came into force.
306. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of diplomatic and officials passports reported as lost and or stolen in the past 25 years to date in 2022; and the number of those passports lost or stolen that were recovered. [13082/22]
View answerDiplomatic and official passports are issued in accordance with the provisions of the Passports Act, 2008. Section 16 of the Act makes particular provision for the issuance of diplomatic passports to persons who hold a diplomatic rank or to persons whom the Minister for Foreign Affairs considers it appropriate to issue such a passport in order to carry out their duties. Official passports may be issued to an Irish citizen for the purpose of facilitating travel abroad in connection with the performance of official duties on behalf of the State. Applications are only approved for individuals who are Irish citizens and can demonstrate that they require a passport for travel to undertake official business on behalf of the State.
The use of diplomatic and official passports is restricted to travel on official State business. Personal passports must be used for all other travel.
In 2005, the Passport Service began maintaining electronic records of diplomatic and official passports issued. Records of diplomatic and official passports issued before that date are not available. Since 2005, a total of 29,279 diplomatic and official passports have been issued by the Passport Service. In that time, 319 diplomatic and official passports have been reported lost or stolen to the Passport Service. This figure represents 0.01% of the total number of such passports issued from 2005 to date. Of the passports reported lost or stolen, 18 passports have been subsequently found and returned to the Passport Service.
307. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of Irish passports issued to persons under fraudulent means in the past 25 years to date; and the number of those passports that were recovered. [13083/22]
View answerThe Passport Service takes its responsibility to protect the integrity of the Irish passport very seriously. The Irish passport has a strong international reputation due to the strength of the security features within the passport book and the robust processes involved in its issuance. 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.
The Integrity Section of the Passport Service was established in 2015 to improve all aspects of passport fraud detection and prevention. Significant resources have been invested in the Integrity Section with an increase in staff numbers and new and improved systems being put in place. A considerable investment in technology and structures has helped to improve the detection and recording of instances of fraud. These resources, along with new procedures introduced by the Passport Service, have prevented fraudulent applications from being submitted and have closed down avenues of access previously used by fraudulent applicants.
Due to lack of records it is not possible to provide the figures requested prior to 2016. The total number of suspected fraudulent applications investigated by the Integrity Section from 2016 to 28 February 2022 is 4,730 cases. The Passport Service cannot provide an accurate figure of fraudulent passports recovered as in some instances they are recovered by An Garda Síochána or by law enforcement authorities overseas.
308. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Defence the number of staff currently employed by his Department; the current annual salary of the highest and second highest paid persons respectively, employed by his Department; and the various pay scales for persons working in his Department. [12471/22]
View answerThere are currently 383 civil servants employed by my Department. Salary scales applicable are determined by the date of appointment to the grade of each individual and different scales apply to established employees appointed on or after 6 April 1995, paying the Class A rate of PRSI contribution and making an employee contribution in respect of personal superannuation benefits. Salary scales are available on the Government's website www.gov.ie. The current highest paid civil servant in my Department is the Secretary General with the Assistant Secretaries General being the second highest paid.
In addition, my Department employs civilian staff in support of the Defence Forces including at various military installations. The grades employed are spread across a wide spectrum and include craft workers (Electricians, Carpenters, Plumbers, Fitters, Welders etc.), services (General Operatives), administrative (Clerks, Storemen), healthcare professionals (Social Workers, Physiotherapists, Pharmacists, Psychiatrists & Psychologists) and other specialist grades (Archivists, Aircraft Inspector/Instructor, Technicians, Quantity Surveyors, Draughtsmen). There are currently 448 State Industrial Employees employed in the Department of Defence. As with civil servants the data you requested is available on www.gov.ie. The current annual salary for the highest paid civilian employee is €202,101 and the second paid highest civilian employee's annual salary is €114,272.
309. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Defence the protocols, including weather, in relation to the request by first responders for Rescue 112 to attend a medical emergency on land by night. [12898/22]
View answerFor the Deputy's awareness, Air Corps 112 is the callsign for the Air Corps helicopter on Emergency Aeromedical Support (EAS) service on any given day. The prefix 'Rescue' is associated with Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) helicopters and any questions seeking operational information in respect of IRCG assets should be directed to my colleague, the Minister for Transport.
The Air Corps operates the (EAS) service based on the 2015 Government Decision. The Government Decision established the EAS service on a permanent basis and provided that it would operate as a daily, day-time only service based out of Custume Barracks, Athlone. Since the commencement of this service in June 2012, the Air Corps has completed over 3,000 missions with 366 missions completed during 2020.
Certain Air Corps operations have night flying capability, however, this is restricted to military and security support roles.
While there are no plans to extend the current level of service provided by the EAS, there is a project currently ongoing to ensure the sustainability of the service into the future. Representatives from the Air Corps, the Departments of Defence and Health, the National Ambulance Service and the HSE are members of this project team.
The EAS and other air ambulance support services are good examples of the Air Corps and HSE combining their resources to deliver life-saving services for the people of Ireland.
310. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Defence the number of protected disclosures received by his Department in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; if an external contractor has been engaged regarding a protected disclosure over that time period; if so, the cost of same; and the number of protected disclosures that were rejected, accepted and that remain under review for the time period in question. [13047/22]
View answerThe table below details the numbers of disclosures received by my Department between 1 January 2019 to date:
|
Year |
Number of Disclosures |
|
2019 |
4 |
|
2020 |
12 |
|
2021 |
12 |
|
2022 |
Nil |
|
Total |
28 |
Each disclosure made is assessed by officials in a joint civil/military Protected Disclosures Office. Based on their initial assessment, courses of action are recommended to me. These can include the use of internal procedures where information relates to personal employment matters, the appointment of external reviewers or the transfer of information to appropriate statutory authorities who have powers of investigation.
Of the total number received since 2019, eight were rejected in so far as that means that they were deemed not to be protected disclosures for reasons such as not disclosing relevant wrong doings, seven of them remain active. In the period in question, two of the protected disclosures were referred to external contractors. The total sum paid in this regard is €44,553.78. All disclosures made to me are acted upon. This can occur in a variety of ways such as, reports may be sought from civil or military personnel, advice may be sought from the Office of the Attorney General, Disclosers may be directed to grievance procedures or to Officer holders such as the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces who can investigate complaints made by military personnel of penalisation for making a protected disclosure.
I am fully committed to compliance with the requirements of the Protected Disclosures Act, 2014 and to the protections contained in that Act.
311. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education if the sick leave taken in the current academic year can be restored to a teacher (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12348/22]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy as follows:
The most up to date guidance in respect of the higher risk categories, for the education sector staff was published by the HSE in July 2021. As with all other guidelines around public health measures, my Department has been led by expert medical advice provided by the Government through the HSE and other relevant public bodies. This HSE guidance was reviewed by these medical experts in December 2021.
My Department’s Circular Letter 0042/2021 details the current working arrangements and leave arrangements during the COVID-19 pandemic for teachers and special needs assistants employed in recognised primary and post primary schools. This Circular should be read in conjunction with Information Note TC 0001/2022 which was published on 18th January 2022.
The HSE advice on the ‘very high risk’ group is at link: www2.hse.ie/conditions/covid19/people-at-higher-risk/overview/. Having considered the most up to date HSE advice, if a teacher considers they are at very high risk of serious illness from contracting COVID-19, they may apply to the Occupational Health Service (Medmark) for a COVID-19 health risk assessment to be carried out. Having considered the medical information provided with the OHS Risk Assessment Questionnaire, the OHS will provide the teacher with a ‘COVID-19 Health Risk Categorisation Report’ which advises whether they are at a very high risk of serious illness from contracting COVID-19. The COVID-19 health risk categorisation assessments are performed by a team of qualified and experienced specialists in occupational medicine. Available medical evidence, including reports from treating consultants as well as vaccination status of SNAs, are considered during the OHS COVID-19 health risk categorisation assessment process.
A teacher who has been categorised by Medmark and considers that the OHS ‘COVID-19 Health Risk Categorisation Report’ places them in an incorrect risk category, may request a review. Medmark will re-evaluate the medical evidence provided. The teacher may provide additional medical evidence as part of the review process. In a situation where the review outcome is that the COVID-19 health risk categorisation remains the same, a further review will only be undertaken, where additional medical evidence indicates there has been a change in the teacher’s medical status or where there is a change in the HSE guidelines for the ‘high risk’ group.
The medical advice received by my Department provides that where an employee has been categorised as "high risk", they may attend the workplace using extra care to practice social distancing and hand hygiene and the use of protective equipment. In such circumstances, there is no facility for special leave with pay for those categorised as "high risk" and any absences due to medical reasons will be recorded under the Sick Leave Scheme.
312. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education if a grade three school secretary can only move up to grade four if their school has 40 full-time staff; if so, when this criterion was devised; the reason for this condition; if she will review this criterion in order that these school secretaries are not left behind in terms of pay and related issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12370/22]
View answerThe process referred to by the Deputy is outlined in a letter to school management bodies on 12 August 1998. The issue was part of the agreement on the pay and conditions of school secretaries, considered under Clause 2 (iii) of the Programme for Competitiveness and Work, and subsequent revisions of this agreement have been agreed through standard union engagement, most recently in 2020. Additional amendments to this agreement can only be achieved through engagement and collective bargaining agreements between the Government and the public service unions.
For clarity, the rationale of linking grading to the calculation of the number of WTE teaching staff that a school is entitled to reflects the fact that this calculation relates strongly to the number of students enrolled in a school and other supports as outlined in the agreement. It is not the actual number of staff in the school which underpins the grading.
313. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education if the Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion has met with the parents of children attending a school (details supplied) regarding the under provision of special needs assistants as committed to on 16 February 2022. [12378/22]
View answerI am aware of the School referred to by the Deputy and recently met with members of the school staff and community outside Leinster House. At my request, the NCSE met with the School on Friday last to discuss the issues of concern. At the meeting, the SENO explained the basis for the allocation of SNA support and will also engage with parents in this regard. The School will be provided with access to an upcoming seminar on the deployment of SNA support within a school. It was also agreed that the School's SET allocation would be reviewed as soon as possible. The SENO will continue to be available to support the School.
The Special Needs Assistant (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.
Budget 2022 provided funding for an additional 1,165 SNAs (in 2022) to provide support to children with special educational needs, which will bring the total number of SNAs to 19,169 at the end of December 2022. This represents an increase of 81% since 2011 at which time 10,575 were provided.
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 for whom SNA support has been allocated.
It is a matter for schools to allocate support as required, and on the basis of individual need, which allows schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised. The general principle is that those students with the greatest level of care need receive the greatest level of support. The NCSE provides guidance and support to schools on this matter.
Where circumstances change during the course of a school year that materially increases the level of care need in a school to the extent that the school can clearly demonstrate that it cannot be met within the existing SNA allocation, the school may apply to the NCSE for a review.
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.
Where a school is dissatisfied with how their exceptional review has been processed or is dissatisfied with the outcome of their exceptional review they can appeal.
314. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Education if she will expedite funding for the construction of a sports hall at a school (details supplied). [12380/22]
View answerI wish to confirm that my Department received an application for capital funding in 2021 for a new sports hall from the school 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.
The main focus of resources over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics. The second half of the National Development Plan will see an increasing focus on the upgrade and refurbishment of the existing school stock. This modernisation programme will include PE Halls and associated accommodation to ensure that students in all post-primary schools have access to appropriate facilities to support PE provision.
The application has been assessed and a decision has issued to the school authority directly.
315. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education the funding provided to both primary and secondary schools in County Cork in each of the years 2015 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12390/22]
View answerAs funding from my Department is not allocated or recorded on a county basis I am therefore not in a position to readily provide details on the amounts paid to schools in County Cork over the extensive period of time set out in the Deputy's Parliamentary Question. My Department is reviewing the information that is available to it and I will provide any such information that is relevant to the Deputy's question as soon as possible.
316. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education the funding provided to DEIS schools in Cork city and county in each of the years 2015 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12391/22]
View answerThe DEIS programme provides for a range of supports including smaller class sizes, additional teaching posts, enhanced book grants, school meals, curriculum supports, priority access to Continuing Professional Development and Home School Community Liaison Coordinators.
The Home School Community Liaison (HSCL) scheme is a key support provided under the DEIS programme and is one of three strands of support provided by Tusla Education Support Service, together with the Education Welfare Service and the School Completion Programme. It is targeted at supporting the attendance, participation and retention of learners at risk of educational disadvantage through supporting engagement between the learners’ school and home. Currently, all DEIS Urban Primary and DEIS Post Primary schools are included in the HSCL Scheme.
Along with the supports outlined above, DEIS schools also receive ICT grants as well as the standard capitation, ancillary, and minor works grants available to all schools. A full list of the supports available to DEIS schools is available at:
gov.ie/en/policy-information/4018ea-deis-delivering-equality-of-opportunity-in-schools/#supports-to-deis-schools.
In addition to the supports outlined above, all schools in the DEIS programme receive DEIS grant funding. The DEIS grant funding provided to all schools in County Cork for the years 2015 to 2021 is as follows:
|
Year |
Primary |
Post-Primary |
|
2015 - 2016 |
€820,824 |
€288,753 |
|
2016 - 2017 |
€818,766 |
€305,930 |
|
2017 - 2018 |
€858,477 |
€314,473 |
|
2018 - 2019 |
€879,905 |
€328,716 |
|
2019 - 2020 |
€884,240 |
€440,838 |
|
2020 - 2021 |
€825,995 |
€448,457 |
|
2021 - 2022 |
€846,671 |
€454,766 |
317. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education the number of applications from primary schools and post-primary schools for special classes that have been refused in each of the years 2018 to 2021; the reason for refusal in each case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12392/22]
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.
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.
I have arranged for the Deputy's query to be referred to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
318. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education when the review into the pilot for the free school books scheme will commence; the timeline for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12393/22]
View answerMy Department provides a book grant to all recognised primary and post primary schools within the Free Education Scheme in order to provide assistance for books including Book Rental Schemes. Under this scheme, the Department provided funding of €17.2 million in 2021 to all of these schools.
School book rental schemes have an important role to play in reducing the cost of school books for parents and in order to support the establishment of book rental schemes my Department provided €15.7 million seed capital in 2014, 2015 and 2016 to primary schools. Circa. 96% of primary schools and 69% of post-primary schools operate a book rental scheme.
It is a matter for the Board of Management of each individual school to decide on its own policy in relation to the use of book grant funding in the school but they are expected to adopt a cost-conscious approach to the selection of books for use in their classes. The current arrangement relies on the local knowledge of the school in order to ensure a fair allocation of funds to those most in need.
Additional funding of €1million provided under Budget 2020 was allocated to 102 Primary DEIS schools for a new pilot programme for the 2020/21 school year. This funding continued this for the 2021/22 school year.
The aim of this pilot is to provide free school books for students in the schools involved, and to support these schools in eliminating the cost of school books for parents. It will continue to run for the 2021/22 school year and it’s effectiveness and impact will be monitored and evaluated before any decision is made as regards its possible extension or continuation. It is my intention to complete this process as soon as possible. Under Circular 46/2013, DEIS primary schools receive a book grant of €21 per student. This pilot provided an additional €64 per student to increase the overall book grant rate to €85 per student enrolled in the school.
319. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education the diagnosed disabilities and or medical conditions which need to be confirmed in order for assistive technology to be provided to primary school pupils; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12395/22]
View answerUnder the Assistive Technology scheme, as set out in my Department’s Circular 0010/2013, funding is provided to schools towards the cost of computers and specialist equipment, which are required for educational purposes.
All equipment provided under this scheme supports children with more complex disabilities who, in order to access the school curriculum, require essential specialist equipment.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) is responsible for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports. SENOs also make recommendations to my Department where assistive technology/specialised equipment is required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in making recommendations for support.
In order to qualify for equipment under the assistive technology scheme, a student must have been diagnosed with a physical or communicative disability and must also have a recommendation in a professional assessment that the equipment is essential in order to allow the student to access the curriculum.
It must also be clear that the existing I.T. equipment in the school is insufficient to meet the child's needs. Where necessary, schools may also purchase new or additional equipment or software for students from normal school resources or funds.
Schools make applications directly to the SENO, providing details of the student’s special educational needs or disability, including details of the approach taken by the school in making relevant interventions.
SENOs will review the application, and professional reports provided in support of same, in order to establish whether the criteria of the scheme have been met. They will then make a recommendation to my Department as to whether or not assistive technology is required; and based on this recommendation, my Department will decide on the level of grant, if any, to be provided.
The type of equipment provided under the assistive technology scheme is varied, and includes audiological supports for students with hearing impairment, braille equipment for children with visual impairment, and computer equipment with associated modified software for students with physical or severe communicative disabilities.
Communication devices or medical or therapy related devices which are not specific educational interventions or equipment specifically required as essential for school educational access, and which have a general application outside of school, are not provided for under the Assistive Technology scheme, however. Such equipment is normally provided for children with disabilities by the Health Service Executive (HSE).
Although equipment is sanctioned under the Assistive Technology scheme for use by particular students, it is the property of the school, and the school’s management authority is responsible for maintenance, repair, and insurance of the equipment.
