Written Answers Nos. 87-106
87. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of local authority homes retrofitted in quarter one of 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18748/22]
View answerThe newly revised Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme was introduced in 2021 providing for a 'deeper' retrofit programme designed around the Programme for Government commitment that calls for the 'retrofit' of 500,000 homes to a B2/Cost Optimal Equivalent (BER) standard by 2030, of which, approximately 36,500 are expected to be local authority owned homes.
Works eligible under the revised Programme include attic/cavity wall insulation or external wall insulation where required, windows and doors replacement, heat pump installation and ancillary and associated works.
In 2021 a substantial funding commitment of some €65 million was made available for the Energy Efficiency and Retrofit Programme and the programme will see a significant increase and ramping up of retrofitting works over the next number of years, building on the good work already undertaken by local authorities to date.
In 2022, the EERP will see a significant increase in funding support to €85 million, allowing approximately 2,400 homes nationally to be upgraded to a B2 or cost optimal equivalent (BER). Allocations for the 2022 programme will issue shortly to local authorities.
Statistics in relation from 2013 up to 2021 are available on the link below. As in previous years full details in relation to delivery and funding drawdown for 2022 will be published and available in early 2023. Data in relation to Q1 output for 2022 would not be available at this time.
www.gov.ie/en/publication/668c1-energy-efficiency-retrofitting-programme-expenditure-output/
www.gov.ie/en/publication/b86b3-midlands-energy-retrofit-programme-expenditure-and-units/
88. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some if not all local authorities have effectively prohibited local authority tenants from accommodating refugees from Ukraine; if his Department is considering the issuance of advice or a circular to local authorities to temporarily relax the terms of tenancy agreements to allow tenants to accommodate refugees once the capacity of the home permits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18751/22]
View answerThe Government is committed to delivering a humanitarian response to welcome people fleeing the war in Ukraine and seeking protection in Ireland as part of the EU response.
As part of its response, Government is providing accommodation through the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) and is working closely with Local Authorities to provide accommodation for Ukrainian arrivals in a variety of settings including:
- Hotels, guest houses and B&Bs;
- Accommodation pledged by the general public, which is being assessed for suitability;
- State-owned or private properties, which may be suitable for short-term accommodation;
- Religious properties; and
- Local authority community facilities.
Government is working to ensure local capacity, resources and knowledge are brought to bear on the overall humanitarian response. In this regard, my Department has recently written to local authorities requesting they take the necessary steps to allow social housing tenants, who wish to do so, participate in the Irish Red Cross pledge scheme.
89. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has had contact with his counterpart in the UK in relation to measures that would be implemented to enforce a proposed obligation on residents in this State who are not Irish or UK nationals to apply for visa waivers or visas to enter Northern Ireland; if a commitment will be provided that no State agency or body will implement checks for visa waivers for non-Irish or non-UK citizens when boarding trains or buses in this State that will pass into Northern Ireland; his views on the introduction of regulations that would prohibit the checking for visa waivers for non-Irish or non-UK citizens when boarding trains or buses in this State that will pass into Northern Ireland by transport companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18597/22]
View answerThe draft Nationality and Borders Bill is proposed British legislation continues to be debated in Westminster. The Government has been closely following the progress of this Bill as it moves through the legislative process. The Government has significant concerns regarding the proposed Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme set out in this draft Bill in the context of cross-border travel on the island of Ireland.
The British Government has said that there will continue to be no immigration checks on the land border and that the proposed ETA system will not apply to Irish or British citizens. However, as currently drafted, the Bill provides that the UK’s new immigration rules may require non-Irish and non-British citizens, visiting or resident in Ireland, to obtain an ETA before travelling across the land border to Northern Ireland.
The implementation of such a scheme would have implications for day-to-day life on this island, particularly for those in border areas, with potential implications also for cross-border healthcare, tourism, education, and integrated supply chains. Many thousands of people cross the border every day in the course of their daily lives, including to access essential services or to visit family.
I discussed these concerns in detail with Secretary of State for Northern Ireland at a recent meeting of the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference in Dublin. The Minister for Justice has written to her UK counterpart and our Embassy in London continues to engage at senior official level.
As this Bill works its way through the UK parliamentary system, we will continue to encourage the British Government, at political and official level, to reconsider its approach and to apply exceptions to their ETA proposals. It is understood that, once the bill has been finalised, secondary legislation will be put in place to facilitate its application in the UK. The final form of the Nationality and Borders Bill and associated secondary legislation on implementation is not yet clear and there will be continued detailed engagement on these matters over the period ahead. On that basis it would not be appropriate to speculate on possible legislative or operational implications in this jurisdiction.
90. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason that a new application for a passport made by a person (details supplied) on 7 December 2021 for a child is still being processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18525/22]
View answer91. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will be processed on time for a child (details supplied) so that they can travel with their family. [18563/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 91 together.
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has given an update on the status of the application to the applicant's parent.
92. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views and those of his Department on section 81 of the nationality and borders Bill which is before the British Parliament, in particular subsection (1A) and its compatibility with and implications for the Common Travel Area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18566/22]
View answer93. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the impact that section 81 of the nationality and borders Bill which is before the British Parliament, in particular subsection (1A) would have on carriers and the documents required for Irish citizens travelling to Britain if operable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18567/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 92 and 93 together.
I have been closely following the progress of the UK’s draft Nationality and Borders Bill through the legislative process in Westminster. As you will know, the Government has very real concerns regarding the proposed Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme set out in this draft Bill in the context of cross-border travel on the island of Ireland.
The British Government has said that there will continue to be no immigration checks on the land border and that the proposed ETA system will not apply to Irish or British citizens. However, as currently drafted, the Bill provides that the UK’s new immigration rules may require non-Irish and non-British citizens, visiting or resident in Ireland, to obtain an ETA before travelling across the land border to Northern Ireland.
The implementation of such a scheme would have implications for day-to-day life on this island, particularly for those in border areas, with potential implications also for cross-border healthcare, tourism, education, and integrated supply chains. Many thousands of people cross the border every day in the course of their daily lives, including to access essential services or to visit family. It is a uniquely shared space. This is something that the Irish and British Governments recognised and committed to in Strand 2 of the Good Friday Agreement. The proposed scheme could also have a major impact on tourism in Northern Ireland with over two-thirds of visitors from mainland Europe and the United States arriving in Northern Ireland via the South.
I discussed these concerns in detail with Secretary of State for Northern Ireland at a recent meeting of the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference in Dublin. The Minister for Justice has also written to her UK counterpart and our Embassy in London continues to engage at senior official level. We continue to encourage the British Government to reconsider its approach and to apply exceptions to their ETA proposals and how it will apply to journeys across the land border.
We cannot know the final form of the Nationality and Borders Bill. However, as it is currently drafted, section 81 of the bill on the liability of carriers would not give rise to any new restrictions on free movement between Ireland and the UK by Irish citizens under the Common Travel Area (CTA) arrangements. Irish citizens ordinarily do not require leave to enter the UK, so the provisions introduced by section 81 would not apply where the relevant individual is an Irish citizen.
In addition to our direct engagement with the British Government on its ETA proposals, officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Justice have also been engaging regularly with counterparts in the British Government on other aspects of its reform plans for UK border control and immigration system, with a view to protecting longstanding CTA arrangements and the interests of Irish citizens and residents of Ireland.
94. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18583/22]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has reviewed this application with a view to processing it within the 40 day average turnaround time if it is fully complete.
95. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has made representations to the UK authorities in relation to proposals to oblige residents in this State who are not Irish or UK nationals to apply for visa waivers or visas to enter Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18596/22]
View answerThe Government has a number of concerns regarding the proposed Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme set out in the UK’s draft Nationality and Borders Bill. I discussed those concerns in detail with Secretary of State for Northern Ireland at a meeting of the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference in Dublin in March. As currently drafted, the Bill would provide that the UK’s immigration rules may require that non-Irish and non-British citizens obtain an ETA before travelling to the UK, including for journeys across the land border with Northern Ireland. As the Deputy will be aware, the movement of people on the island of Ireland, particularly in border areas, is unique. Many thousands of people cross the border every day in the course of their daily lives, including to access essential services, for business, tourism, for family reasons and for travel from one part of Ireland to another. This is something which the Irish and British Governments recognised and committed to in Strand 2 of the Good Friday Agreement.The introduction of the proposed ETA scheme for cross-border journeys could cause considerable disruption to the lives and livelihoods of many people across the island who are not Irish or British citizens, particularly those residing in border areas. The scheme could have a significant impact on tourism in Northern Ireland with over two-thirds of visitors from mainland Europe and the United States arriving in Northern Ireland via this jurisdiction. There are potential implications also for cross-border healthcare, education, and integrated supply chains.The House of Commons voted on 22 March against an amendment from the House of Lords, which would have exempted cross-border journeys to Northern Ireland from the proposed ETA requirements.Since this proposal emerged, the Government has been engaging with the British Government to make clear our concerns with regard to the ETA scheme. As mentioned, I raised them directly with the Secretary of State at the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference in March. I highlighted the complexities that such a scheme would present for cross-border travel, as well as the serious implications for daily lives and livelihoods.This legislation is not yet finalised and will continue to be debated in Westminster. We will continue to engage at official and political level with British Government counterparts in respect to our concerns. We will encourage the British Government to reconsider their approach and to apply exceptions to their ETA proposals.
96. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will issue on time for a child (details supplied) to travel on a school trip; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18620/22]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the applicant had an appointment to renew their passport at the Passport Office on Monday 4 April.
97. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a person who books an urgent in-person appointment for passport renewal is required to cancel an existing online or paper application; if this is the case, the exact process applicants that must follow if they are successful in securing an appointment; the turnaround time in issuing of passports through this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18701/22]
View answerThe Passport Offices in Mount St, Dublin 2, Cork and London offer an Urgent Appointment Service for the renewal of passports. This service was launched in Dublin on 27 September 2021 and in Cork on 26 October 2021. The Passport Office in London launched its Urgent Appointment Service on 1 March.Customers availing of the Urgent Appointment Service can renew their passport within 1 or 4 days in Dublin, within 4 days in Cork and within 5 days in London. The Urgent Appointment Service ensures that, for those who unexpectedly require a very urgent turnaround of a passport renewal, there is an option available that is transparent, predictable and clear. It means that an applicant can book and pay for their appointment, safe in the knowledge that they will have their passport within a day, or a few days. In February 2022, the Passport Service increased the number of appointments at its public offices by 100%, providing an extra 170 appointments per week.
Applicants who have previously applied using An Post's mail-in "Passport Express" channel are able to make renewal appointments with the Urgent Appointment Service. Applicants who have made online applications may also make renewal appointments with the Urgent Appointment Service. However, where an online application is already advanced through the entitlement process, the Passport Service may not be able to facilitate an appointment, and will cancel the appointment and refund the fee. This is because the online application is due to be approved and the passport will be issued and dispatched to the applicant in a short amount of time. When the applicant comes to their appointment at the Passport Office, they must confirm that they wish to cancel their existing online or Passport Express renewal application. The Passport Service will put in place the appropriate steps to cancel that application, and continue with the Urgent Appointment. A refund will be made to the applicant and any supporting documents will be returned to them in due course.Where an online or Passport Express application has already been made, documents submitted in support of that application cannot be associated with the Urgent Appointment Service application. A full new application, including consent, photos and any supporting documents required must be submitted.
98. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason for the delay in issuing a passport to a person (details supplied) despite the fact that the application was submitted on 6 January 2022 with an attached issue date of the 31 March 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18702/22]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has provided an update to the applicant as to the steps they must take to progress their passport application.
99. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education if he will provide an update regarding the provision of a general-purpose room at a school (details supplied); the capital applications that have been applied for or approved at the school in recent years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18434/22]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has no current record of receiving an application for additional accommodation from the school in question.
The school previously received funding from my department under the Emergency Works Scheme and Summer Works Scheme in respect of toilet facilities.
The purpose of my Department’s Additional School Accommodation (or ASA) scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom accommodation and accommodation for pupils with special education needs is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.
At primary level, this situation generally arises to cater for a school’s accommodation requirements where an additional teaching post has been sanctioned by Teacher Allocation Section, or the requirement for a new class for pupils with special education needs has been identified by the NCSE, and all available alternative accommodation within the school is already being used for classroom purposes.
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 particularly at post-primary level and for special education needs provision. The Deputy will appreciate that the immediate priority of my Department is providing new and replacement school places each year, to ensure that every child has a school place.
However, the latter stage of the National Development Plan will see an increasing focus on the upgrade and refurbishment of the existing school stock and under which the ancillary accommodation needs of primary schools will also be considered. My Department has contacted the school in question in this context.
100. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update regarding the significant delay in providing an extension for a school (details supplied); the actions that are being taken to address this delay particularly with regard to planning permission; when work on the extension will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18435/22]
View answerThe major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning - Stage 2(b) which includes the application for statutory approvals and the preparation of tender documents.
A Brief Change request had been approved in principle by my Department and a Brief Change report was submitted by the school and its Design Team, which is currently with the Department for review and approval.
Due to proposals from the Local Authority to alter the road and access layouts at the school site, and the recent increase in Brief to 16 classrooms, a new Planning Application will be required.
When planning permission has been secured and work on necessary revisions to the Stage 2(b) documentation has been completed a revised Stage 2(b) report will be submitted to my Department for review.
Upon receipt and review of this revised report my Department will be in contact with the school regarding the further progression of the project.
101. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 285 of 10 March 2022 and given the incorrect information provided in response, if she will provide an update on the status of the special needs application for increments (details supplied), given that the person was registered with the Teaching Council during previous teaching employment. [18495/22]
View answerThe criteria for the award of Incremental Credit for previous experience is outlined in Circular 0139/2006 for special needs assistants (SNAs), and was agreed in the first instance, by the Teacher Conciliation Council (TCC). This Council is comprised of representatives of the teacher unions, school management bodies, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, and the Department of Education chaired by an official of the Workplace Relations Commission.
An application for previous service with a preschool and for substitute teaching service with Department of Education was received in the incremental credit section on 31st January 2022. My Department is currently following up with the Teaching Council regarding the applicant’s registration with this Council. As soon as a response issues from the Teaching Council my Department will process this application. Please note that one of the eligibility criteria for the award of incremental credit for previous relevant service under the above Circular is that the applicant must be a recognised teacher in a State funded school (4.2). The person to whom the TD refers will receive, in writing, the decision of my Department when any such decision is reached.
Officials from the Pension Unit of my Department have confirmed they will contact the person concerned directly regarding their pension entitlements.
102. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if additional DEIS support such as schools completion and home school liaison supports will be provided to a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18496/22]
View answerFrom September 2022 the DEIS programme is being extended to benefit 347 schools. These schools will access all supports under the programme to match their respective DEIS band. Schools are assigned to the DEIS bands based on the location of the school and their level of concentrated educational disadvantage.
The school referred to by the Deputy is a rural DEIS primary school. Amongst other supports, the school in question will benefit from additional funding in the form of a DEIS grant and can use this funding to mitigate educational disadvantage in line with the school’s DEIS planning process.
Access to the Home School Community Liaison (HSCL) Scheme and the School Completion Programme (SCP) is available to urban DEIS schools only.
The impact of socio-economic factors on educational outcomes can be different between urban and rural settings and the HSCL scheme and SCP takes account of that. While urban and rural disadvantage share many characteristics, such as poverty, unemployment and poor housing conditions, the evidence suggests that disadvantage in a rural context does not have the same impact on educational outcomes.
My Department's objective in implementing the DEIS Plan is to have the maximum possible impact on providing opportunities for students most at risk of disadvantage. To achieve this, additional resources must be targeted as closely as possible at those students with the greatest need in terms of concentrated levels of disadvantage.
103. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if her Department is in a position to open up a more flexible taxsaver scheme with regard to teachers that are either moving jobs for new academic years or are substitute teachers and may only need public transport for certain blocks in a calendar year; if such a scheme can be considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18506/22]
View answerI am glad to advise the Deputy that a travel pass scheme is available to nearly 80,000 contracted teaching and non-teaching school staff paid by my Department.
The terms of the travel pass scheme operated by my Department are laid out in Departmental Circular 56/2020. A policy decision was made when the scheme was introduced to facilitate the Taxsaver tickets on a yearly basis through my Department’s payrolls. The rationale for this, is the considerable administrative burden involved administering the scheme on a monthly basis, especially given the size of the teaching and non-teaching staff payrolls operated by the Department.
104. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education the provision that is being made for teachers that will have to work over the Easter holidays to provide support for leaving certificate students sitting their oral and music examinations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18507/22]
View answerThe State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.
In view of this I have forwarded your question to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
105. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education the action that will be taken to ensure that a child (details supplied) is able to access the education they need. [18515/22]
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.
Parents seeking special class or school 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 .
I should clarify, however, that the NCSE does not maintain waiting lists for schools. Boards of management of individual schools are responsible for such enrolment matters.
As the Deputy’s query refers to an individual placement case, I will arrange to have it referred to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
106. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Education the number of sensory hubs or rooms that have been made available in schools in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18529/22]
View answerI wish to assure the Deputy that the provision of appropriate accommodation for pupils with special education needs is an absolute priority for my Department. This is in two respects: firstly in ensuring that there is sufficient provision for pupils with special education needs and secondly in designing school accommodation that meets the needs of all users - students and staff - and enhances the learning experience.
The provision of sensory rooms form part of the accommodation brief for Special Educational Need Bases. This information is available on the Departments website www.gov.ie.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has a statutory function to plan and co-ordinate the provision of education and support services to children with special educational needs, in consultation with the relevant education partners and the Health Service Executive (HSE). This includes the establishment of special class and special school placements in various geographical areas where there is an identified need.
When the NCSE sanction a special class in a school (primary or post-primary), school authorities can apply to my Department for capital funding to re-configure an existing space within the school building to accommodate the class and/or to construct additional accommodation under my Department’s Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme. ASA application forms are available on my Department’s website.
Similarly, where special schools are requested to expand provision or wish to refurbish existing facilities, they may also apply to my Department for capital funding to carry out these works.
Subject to the type of provision, the number of SEN classrooms, site and accommodation constraints ancillary accommodation associated with Special Education Needs Bases can include a Central Activities Space, Quiet Spaces, a Multi-Activity Room, Daily Living Skills space, Secure Soft Play Area and Sensory Garden. Special Schools include similar ancillary accommodation as well as specific therapy provisions.
Schools may utilise these spaces as they deem most appropriate. Additionally, primary schools may use their annual Minor Works Grant to equip an available space as a sensory room. For these reasons, it is not possible to provide information on the number of sensory rooms in schools in County Kildare.
I can, however, confirm that there are currently 69 special classes opened at Primary level in Co. Kildare and 22 at Post Primary level. This information is available at ncse.ie/special-classes.
