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Thursday, 10 Mar 2022

Written Answers Nos. 256-269

Defence Forces

Questions (256)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

256. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if overtures have been made at EU level to obtain assistance towards coastal surveillance given the vulnerability of Ireland’s extensive coastline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13766/22]

View answer

Written answers

The EU and its Member States, including Ireland, have strategic interests in identifying and addressing security challenges linked to the sea.

In 2014, the EU launched a Maritime Security Strategy (EUMSS), defining maritime security as ‘a state of affairs of the global maritime domain, in which international law and national law are enforced, freedom of navigation is guaranteed and citizens, infrastructure, transport, the environment and marine resources are protected’. This launch was followed, in 2015, by an Action Plan to implement the EUMSS, and a revised Action Plan in 2018. Ireland contributed to the revision process of the EUMSS Action Plan in 2018 and input was provided by the Department of Defence, the Naval Service and the Department of Foreign Affairs. Council conclusions of June 2021 sought to engage with member states to see if the EUMSS and its Action Plan should be updated. In December 2021 it was decided to begin this work and it is expected to advance further following completion of the work on the EU's Strategic Compass. 

My Department has applied for EU funding in support of the Defence Forces via the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Operational Programme (2014-2020). Approval in principle has been received for a number of relevant projects. These projects include funding to support the upgrade of the Air Corps Maritime Patrol Aircraft as well as the upgrade of Fishery Monitoring Centre IT system.

My Department has also begun discussions with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to investigate the possibility of securing additional future funding to support Naval Service and Air Corps operations under the new European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) 2021 – 2027.

Ireland also participates in Maritime Surveillance projects at EU level both through the European Defence Agency and through PESCO. These projects assist in increasing Ireland's maritime surveillance capability.

As a committed EU Member State, Ireland supports fully the efforts of EU Member States to improve the Union's capacity to respond to the prevailing challenging security environment, including in the areas of defence and maritime surveillance.

Question No. 257 answered with Question No. 254.
Question No. 258 answered with Question No. 251.
Questions Nos. 259 to 262, inclusive, answered with Question No. 35.
Question No. 263 answered with Question No. 254.

Defence Forces

Questions (264)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

264. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if a new level of strength of the Defence Forces might be examined with a view to ensuring optimal efficacy in the event of being called upon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13774/22]

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Written answers

The Programme for Government committed to establishing a Commission on the Defence Forces to undertake a comprehensive review of the Defence Forces. The Commission's terms of reference included the consideration of appropriate capabilities, structures and staffing for the Army, the Air Corps, Naval Service and the Reserve Defence Force.

The Commission was established by Government decision in December 2020 which also agreed its terms of reference and membership. The report was published on the 9th February 2022. 

The Commission undertook a significant body of work encompassing their wide-ranging terms of reference.  The report contains 69 main recommendations and together with sub recommendations, there are 130 recommendations.   

The report proposes significant changes for the Defence Forces, including to Defence Forces culture, high-level command and control structures, and for the level of Defence provision in Ireland.  Clearly, there are matters that will require careful consideration and in some critical aspects inter-departmental discussion and agreement. This includes the level of resourcing that may be allocated to Defence, legislative implications and the governance framework that will be required to underpin any changes the Government approve on foot of the Commission's report. 

I will also be seeking the views of my Department and the Defence Forces.  The Defence Forces Representative Associations will be consulted on all matters that fall within the scope of representation, relating to the implementation of any approved plan.  I will also engage with key stakeholders and the Oireachtas, and I welcome the Dáil statement on the report which took place on the 16th February.  I firmly believe that this is an opportunity to have a mature debate around the type of defence capabilities that we require and I am very much open to such a discussion. Current events are highlighting the importance of such a debate.

The intent is that following relevant consultation, and before the summer recess, I will to revert to Government with a proposed response to the Commission's recommendations and a high-level action plan. This high level plan will set out proposed timelines and oversight arrangements for its implementation.

It would be inappropriate for me to engage in speculative discussion regarding the outcome of an ongoing deliberative process, prior to completion of that process and Government approval of any proposed plan of action.

Ministerial Staff

Questions (265)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

265. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education the salaries and pensions paid out to special advisers to Ministers and Ministers of State in her Department in 2020 and 2021, broken down by Minister in tabular form. [11393/22]

View answer

Written answers

The following tabular statement contains the information requested by the Deputy.

2020

Minister/ MoS

Special Adviser

Employed from/to

Annual Salary

Pension

Joe McHugh

Ed Carty

01/01 – 27/06

€94,487

N/A

Joe McHugh

Mark O’Doherty

01/01 – 27/06

€99,177

N/A

Mary Mitchell O’Connor

Lynda McQuaid

01/01 – 27/06

€101,114

N/A

Mary Mitchell O’Connor

Roy Dooney

01/01 – 27/06

€101,114

N/A

John Halligan

Anthony McFeely

01/01 – 27/06

€70,104

N/A

Norma Foley

Aine Doyle

28/06 – 31/12

€89,072

N/A

Norma Foley

Gary Woods

27/10 – 07/11

€89,072

N/A

Norma Foley

*Christy Mannion

29/07 – 27/10

€96,189

Civil Service pension

Norma Foley

Eoin Murphy

08/12 – 31/12

€89,072

N/A

Josepha Madigan

Michael Ward

23/09 – 31/12

€69,012

N/A

2021

Minister/ MoS

Special Adviser

Employed from/to

Annual salary

Pension

Norma Foley

Aine Doyle

01/01 – 31/12

€94,550

N/A

Norma Foley

Eoin Murphy

01/01 – 31/12

€94,550

N/A

Josepha Madigan

Michael Ward

01/01 – 31/12

€72,268

N/A

*Indicates a retired civil servant to whom pension abatement rules applied

Commissions of Investigation

Questions (266)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

266. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education the number of commissions of investigation under the remit of her Department currently ongoing in the State; the cost of each commission to date; and the projected costs of each in tabular form. [12559/22]

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Written answers

There are no commissions of investigation, established under the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004, under the remit of the Department of Education.

The Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse was established in 1999 and was subsequently put on a statutory basis pursuant to the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Act, 2000.

The Commission was chaired by a High Court judge, Mr. Justice Seán Ryan. It was statutory and independent in nature. The final report of the Commission, known as the Ryan Report, was published on 20 May, 2009.

The overall cost of the Commission since inception is €84.8 million and it is anticipated at this stage that final costs will be in the order of €86 million.

As work of the Commission is near completion at this stage, the body is currently in wind-down mode. Closure of the Commission is contingent on decisions around the eventual fate of the records held by the Commission which may require the enactment of legislation.

Teacher Training

Questions (267)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

267. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education the status of plans to introduce a home economics teacher training course in a college (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6194/22]

View answer

Written answers

Over the past number of years, my Department has been working on issues related to teacher supply in primary and post-primary schools. This work is led by the Teacher Supply Steering Group, chaired by the Secretary General of my Department.

The technical report prepared by my Department ‘Developing a Teacher Demand and Supply Model for Ireland 2020-2038’ outlines the complexity of projecting teacher demand and supply, in particular at post-primary level.

Work is under way to develop projections for post-primary teacher demand and supply at a subject level based on up-to-date data from a number of sources. The aim is to develop an effective model to indicate subject level projections for post-primary schools, as part of overall teacher demand and supply projections. This work is a key priority and will be central to informing teacher supply planning in coming years.

Teacher Training

Questions (268)

Cathal Crowe

Question:

268. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if her Department has plans to address the anomaly which exists in respect of professional masters of education students who are required to attend Gaeltacht courses but receive no grant or financial aid. [6123/22]

View answer

Written answers

The current requirements for Gaeltacht Learning Periods (GLPs) for primary Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes takes the form of 2 x 2 week placements, which are outlined in the Teaching Council’s Céim: Standards for Initial Teacher Education.

Budget 2020 provided for the re-instatement of the grant to cover the full cost of the Gaeltacht Learning Periods (GLPs) for undergraduate and post-graduate students on primary ITE programmes in the 4 State-funded higher education institutions providing primary ITE, with effect from the 2020/2021 academic year.  The grant was previously funded by my Department up to the 2012/2013 academic year, when it was ceased due to financial constraints.  This grant will be made available for undergraduate and post-graduate students in State-funded primary Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes only. This is in line with normal practice for other grant payments per students' qualifying requirements.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (269)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

Question:

269. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education her views on the need to accredit the first national training programme for special needs assistants in University College Dublin to ensure the professional development of special needs assistants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6254/22]

View answer

Written answers

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 and the need for a more broadly based set of supports including therapeutic supports for pupils with complex needs.  The Review also referenced the training needs of SNAs. The policy advice was considered by the Department and it was decided that priority should 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. 

A public procurement competition was held for the development and delivery of a new national training programme for SNAs. A detailed specification of need and learning outcomes was developed and published for the competition. Formal accreditation to the National Qualifications Framework was not a requirement for the programme. Following evaluation of the tenders received, the contract was awarded to University College Dublin (UCD) School of Education, in conjunction with UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems. 

UCD has a strong reputation in the world of education and training.  It brings with it a wealth of experience and research knowledge in the training and has very strong quality assurance arrangements for its programmes.  Feedback from programme participants is a key feature of this quality assurance process. 

This programme 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 consists of five modules, delivered online over a 10-month period. Flexibility is a key part of the approach to the delivery of the programme and participation is voluntary.

The programme is fully funded by the Department and delivered at no cost to the participating SNA.

Each participant who completes the programme successfully will receive a certificate from UCD School of Education which may be of assistance in pursuing further education. 

€2.45m will be allocated to this programme over a 4 year period based on a full uptake of 3,500 SNAs.  Each phase of the programme has been fully subscribed to date. 500 have completed the programme and were awarded a certificate from UCD at a ceremony on the 25 February 2022. A new cohort of 1,000 commenced the programme September last.   

This programme allowed SNAs the opportunity to refresh and update their knowledge and skills and provide an opportunity to interact with educators and colleagues in a learning and supported professional environment.

This is the first national training programme for SNAs employed in schools and is tailored to their needs.  As this is the first programme, it is appropriate to take the time to review outcomes which will inform the future approach to ongoing training and professional development of SNAs. Part of that consideration will include accreditation.

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