Tuesday, 20 Sep 2022

Departmental Reports

Questions (287)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

287. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current number of live studies, reviews and research projects undertaken or commissioned by his Department in tabular form; and the date by which each study, review and research is scheduled to be completed. [45958/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Details of the studies, reviews and research projects undertaken or commissioned by my Department and currently underway, are set out in the attached table, together with the scheduled completion date.

Information in relation to recently published reports is available on the homepage of my Department's website at: https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/

The first annual update of Housing for All is due for completion in Q4 2022, and will be published thereafter. As a whole of Government approach has been adopted to the implementation of Housing for All, the update is being coordinated and overseen by the Department of the Taoiseach, in close cooperation with my Department.

Report

Land Issues

Questions (288)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

288. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if circulars relating to the Land Development Agency and land acquisition state agencies and other public bodies have been circulated; if so, when; to whom; and if a copy will be published. [45971/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

In accordance with Section 53 of the Land Development Agency (LDA) Act 2021 , there is an obligation on all relevant public bodies disposing of relevant public land to first offer it for sale to the LDA. The LDA is also currently preparing a report to the Government, which shall identify lands suitable for the purposes of the LDA Act.

Under Action 19.9 of Housing for All it was also agreed that all Government Departments examine their existing portfolio of properties and, subject to any obligations under the Public Spending Code, the LDA Act 2021 or the State Property Act 1954, would place them on the market if they were not required and may be suitable for residential housing. This would allow for more efficient use of those buildings and provide opportunities for individuals and families to convert suitable buildings into homes.

In this context, my Department wrote to all Government Departments in December 2021 requesting that they review their respective portfolio of properties and assess what properties, if any, may be suitable for housing. All Departments have responded to this request and further direct engagement is now taking place, led by the State Lands Subgroup with those Departments who manage large property portfolios, albeit in the ownership of Office of Public Works (OPW), to identify potential underutilised properties which could be released for use for residential purposes.

A Memorandum for Government was brought on 9 June 2022 updating Government on the ongoing work of the State Lands and Property Group. The Group is focused on identifying further potential sites suitable to support housing delivery and on timely re-purposing of these lands/properties for long-term residential use. Cabinet agreed to the establishment of a collaborative pilot programme, based on information available in both the LDA and OPW register of lands, along with local knowledge, to identify additional opportunities in a selection of local authorities. Engagement with the County and City Management Association has commenced in relation to this.

Traveller Accommodation

Questions (289)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

289. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the mid-term review of the Traveller Accommodation Programmes. [45972/22]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 provides that housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes (TAPs) in their areas. My Department’s role is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist the authorities in providing such accommodation, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.

The current TAP runs from July 2019 to June 2024. Section 17(1)(a) of the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act, 1998, provides that a relevant housing authority shall review its TAP at least once in each three year period, or at such time as directed by the Minister.

In July 2022, local authorities were directed to commence the mid-term review of their TAPs and my Department will establish the overall position as soon as all local authorities have completed the process.

Housing Schemes

Questions (290)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

290. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of affordable homes delivered to date in 2022 via the Affordable Housing Fund, the Cost Rental Equity Loan and Project Tosaigh in tabular form. [45973/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Over the period to 2026, the Government's Housing for All strategy commits to delivering 10,000 Cost Rental homes and 18,000 Affordable Purchase homes which will be delivered by Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), Local Authorities, the Land Development Agency (LDA), and the First Home shared equity scheme.

Local authorities have begun collating information on delivery of affordable homes in their area in the same manner as is currently undertaken for social housing. It is intended that information across all delivery streams, including AHB delivery and LDA delivery, will be gathered centrally and I expect that my Department will be in a position to begin reporting on affordable delivery in national quarterly statistics later this year.

To date, six projects in four local authorities have advertised a cumulative total of 325 affordable purchase homes. It is anticipated that there will additional projects advertised before the year end. The six projects are;

Boherboy Road (Cork City Council) (117 units);

Cluain Chaoin (Cork City Council) (36 units)

Elder Walk, Summerfields (Waterford City and County Council) (92 units);

Deer Park, Williamstown (Waterford City and County Council) (25 units);

Kilcarbery Grange (South Dublin County Council) (16 units);

Dun Emer, Lusk (Fingal County Council) (39 units)

The Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL) supports Approved Housing Bodies in the delivery of Cost Rental homes and approval has been confirmed for approximately 900 dwellings to be delivered under scheme in the period to 2023. Approximately 300 CREL funded homes have been delivered to date in 2022.

Cost Rental properties are also in development by Local Authorities through the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) and 50 Cost Rental homes tenanted in Enniskerry Road earlier this year were supported by c €4.5m in Departmental funding. The AHF will help to facilitate a Local Authority-led financing structure for Cost Rental, which will provide important opportunities for Local Authorities to directly delivery Cost Rental homes on their own lands, such as at Emmet Road in Dublin City.

The LDA will also deliver Cost Rental as well as affordable purchase homes on its own portfolio of sites or through acquisitions under Project Tosaigh. Project Tosaigh is a market engagement initiative to unlock land with full planning permission that is not being developed by private sector owners. The LDA has advised that it will deliver both cost rental and affordable purchase homes via Project Tosaigh before year end. Full details will be made public as commercial arrangements are concluded. Details of the initiative can be found here: https://lda.ie/home-building-partnership/.

In respect of the LDA, details of the work that the LDA is progressing on public lands that will deliver Affordable Purchase and Cost Rental can be found here: https://lda.ie/projects-schemes/

Defective Building Materials

Questions (291)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Question:

291. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans for a public inquiry into the circumstances that led to the defective blocks and products issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46006/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Following on from the Government decision of the 30 November 2021 in respect of the enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme, the Government approved the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Bill 2022 on 21 June and the Bill passed through both Houses of the Oireachtas and was subsequently signed into law by the President.

The purpose of this Act is to implement and give legislative underpinning to a series of measures to improve and enhance the scheme as agreed by Government on 30 November 2021. Full details can be found at www.gov.ie/en/press-release/328d7-minister-obrien-welcomes-progress-on-enhanced-defective-concrete-blocks-grant-scheme/.

My Department's focus has been on enacting the legislation to underpin the scheme. Work on drafting the necessary regulations has commenced and they will provide for all matters within the Act which I may prescribe eg. the grant rates, damage threshold, and the forms and content of various reports, certificates, form and declarations.

Government, in its decision of the 30 November, 2021, approved the appointment of a Senior Counsel to review the defective concrete blocks issue and make recommendations on the matter. I intend to finalise terms of reference for this review and appoint an experienced senior counsel as soon as possible.

Question No. 292 answered with Question No. 257.

Question No. 293 answered with Question No. 255.

Foreign Policy

Questions (294)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

294. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the detention of a person (details supplied); if his Department has taken any steps to intervene in the situation; if he will condemn Christian persecution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45409/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

Ireland is deeply concerned by Nicaragua's continued campaign of repression against all dissenting voices, which includes religious leaders, NGOs, human rights defenders, political opposition and independent media. I wish to assure the Deputy that we are closely monitoring reports of the recently intensified crackdown on religious leaders, including those of the Catholic Church, which are cause for serious concern, and we are gravely concerned at the by the recent detention of [this person].

Since this crackdown began, Ireland, along with our EU partners, has repeatedly urged the Nicaraguan authorities to put an end to all repression and to restore full respect for human rights, including freedom of expression and freedom of religion or belief. We have also consistently reiterated calls for the release of all political prisoners, expressed grave concern over the treatment of those prisoners, and called for judicial independence and due process to be respected.

The expulsion of dozens of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) from the country, as well as the expulsion of international human rights bodies and the Organisation of American States, constitute further examples of Nicaragua’s backsliding on human rights and its withdrawal from the global rules-based order. We have called on the Nicaraguan authorities to re-engage with these bodies.

At the recent 51st session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Ireland made clear once again to the Nicaraguan authorities its concern over the above-mentioned issues, highlighting in its national statement the repression of all dissenting voices, including religious leaders, and calling on the authorities to restore respect for freedom of religion or belief. The same calls were reiterated in the EU's statement on Nicaragua during the same session.

Ireland fully supports the EU sanctions in place on various individuals and entities that are responsible for serious human rights violations in Nicaragua. Ireland is prepared to support any additional EU measures that are aimed at supporting democratic norms and human rights in Nicaragua and that do not impact negatively on the population.

Reflecting the solidarity of the Irish people with the people of Nicaragua, Ireland provided just under €12 million in funding between 2012 and 2021. This funding focused on the areas of governance and human rights, gender equality, food security, nutrition and environmental sustainability, and was channelled through Irish NGOs. Given the hostile situation towards NGOs in Nicaragua, discussions with partners in relation to the appropriate channelling of bilateral funding for 2022 are ongoing; funding is likely to target access to, and sustainable use of, natural resources, and tackle gender-based violence amongst Nicaraguan migrant women who have had to flee the country. We will also continue to support EU programmes in Nicaragua that are designed to assist the Nicaraguan people.

I can assure the Deputy that we will continue working to support the people of Nicaragua however possible, through our engagement in Dublin, at EU level, and on the ground through our Embassy in Mexico, in order to support a return to democratic norms and to protection of fundamental freedoms.

Foreign Policy

Questions (295)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

295. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the detention of a person (details supplied); if his Department has taken any steps to intervene in the situation; if he will condemn persecution of Christians; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45410/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

My Department raised the issue with Lebanese officials shortly after Archbishop El Hage was detained and has continued to monitor developments. Religious leaders can play an important role in promoting tolerance, inclusivity and religious freedom, including in Lebanon.

The general situation in Lebanon is of great concern. The devastating explosions in Beirut on 4 August 2020, the pandemic, and grain shortages following on from the invasion of Ukraine have exacerbated a severe economic crisis. I have visited Lebanon on several occasions as Minister, most recently in May, and have witnessed first-hand the scale of the challenges facing the country. We have consistently called on the political leadership in Lebanon to urgently implement necessary reforms to address these challenges.

Departmental Transport

Questions (296)

Holly Cairns

Question:

296. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps that he is taking to increase the percentage of electric or hybrid vehicles owned by his Department and State agencies and bodies under the Department’s remit. [45580/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

The Department of Foreign Affairs purchases motor vehicles to facilitate the functioning and operations of Headquarters and its Missions abroad. The Department is committed to procuring vehicles with a reduced environmental impact throughout their life-cycle.

Under the Department’s official vehicle management policy and in line with our Green Foreign Ministry policy new and replacement vehicle purchases must comply with our objective of minimising our carbon footprint. Factors like pollutant emissions, fuel efficiency and noise levels are taken into account when evaluating vehicle specifications.

Where feasible, electric vehicles are favoured, followed by hybrid options. Some of our Missions operate in difficult environments where security, road infrastructure and health and safety issues will be significant factors when deciding on an appropriate official vehicle.

There are no state agencies and bodies under the Department's remit.

Foreign Policy

Questions (297)

Niall Collins

Question:

297. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the case of persons (details supplied); if he will have the Irish Consulate in Pakistan assist in the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45612/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

The Department of Foreign Affairs is aware of the situation of the persons identified in Pakistan.

I can reassure the Deputy that the Embassy of Ireland in Turkey, which is accredited to Pakistan, and the Honorary Consul of Ireland in Pakistan, are actively engaging at present on the matter.

Overseas Development Aid

Questions (298)

Colm Burke

Question:

298. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if consideration will be given to increasing overseas aid with a view to reaching 0.7% of GNI as set out in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45614/22]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs

The Government is committed to achieving the UN Official Development Assistance (ODA) target of 0.7% of Gross National Income (GNI) by 2030, as set out in A Better World, Ireland's International Development Policy, and in the Programme for Government.

For 2022, the Government allocated €1.044 billion to ODA, a 20% increase on the 2021 allocation. This is the highest ever amount allocated to ODA by any Government. In the context of competing budgetary pressures, achieving this amount was an important statement by the Government of Ireland's solidarity with the developing world.

Final calculations with the OECD are expected to show that Ireland's Official Development Assistance for 2021 represented between 0.3% and 0.31% of GNI.

Ireland's development programme has a very strong global reputation. This reputation was confirmed by OECD in its 2020 Peer Review of Ireland's Development Assistance. The need to continue to increase the allocation to ODA in GNI percentage terms must also take account of the need to manage responsibly the large increases required, so that the quality of Ireland's programme is maintained.

The increase for 2022 is €176 million or 20.3% of overall ODA and my Department has responded through improved monitoring systems, strengthened inter-Departmental coordination on international development issues, and through continuing engagement with international partners.

Foreign Policy

Questions (299)

Alan Kelly

Question:

299. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has spoken formally with the United Arab Emirates Ambassador to Ireland to date in 2022. [45861/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

I have not spoken formally with the United Arab Emirates Ambassador to Ireland to date in 2022. Officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs are in regular contact with representatives at the UAE Embassy in Dublin.

In June 2021 I met with Foreign Minister Sheik Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in the United Arab Emirates and we discussed a number of key issues ahead of the UAE joining the Security Council for 2022 – 2023. I also spoke by phone with Minister Al Nahyan in January 2022 to discuss Security Council issues. We spoke by phone again in May of this year when I conveyed my condolences to Minister Al Nahyan on the death of the UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan.

Foreign Policy

Questions (300)

Cathal Crowe

Question:

300. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts that will be made beyond what has already been done to reunite an Irish mother and child (details supplied). [45933/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

As the Deputy will appreciate, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on individual cases that are the subject of a State court ruling under the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.The relevant Embassies have provided advice to the citizen, and are available for ongoing consular assistance and support, where appropriate. However my Department is precluded from intervening in the legal matters of other jurisdictions, as outlined in the Department’s Consular Assistance Charter.

Departmental Reports

Questions (301)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

301. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the current number of live studies, reviews and research projects undertaken or commissioned by his Department in tabular form; and the date by which each study, review and research is scheduled to be completed. [45955/22]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Defence (Deputy Simon Coveney)

The following table sets out eighteen live studies, reviews and research that are currently being undertaken or commissioned by my Department.

Name of Report, Study, Review	Expected date of completion
WPS and Political Transitions in West Africa	June 2023
Evaluation of the DICE project and Irish Aid's support to the Initial Teacher Education (ITE) sector.	October 2022
Evaluation of the Our World Irish Aid Awards (OWIAA)	October 2022
Civil Society Mapping Exercise	November 2022
Review of Halo partnership	November 2022
Working Adaptively with Civil Society to Support Transformative Change	February 2023
Mapping exercise of Disability work	December 2022
What do we have to lose?Understanding and responding to climate-induced loss and damage to cultural heritage	October 2022
Management Review of the International Development Assistance Programme	Q4 2022
Strategic Review of the Ireland - Italy bilateral relationship	Q2 of 2023
Review to examine the implementation of Ireland’s Strategy for Partnership with Small Island Developing States 2019-2025	November 2022
An international benchmarking study on the strategic capture of progress and learning in Irish Foreign Policy outcomes	November 2022
Scoping Study on the application of Ireland’s soft power: What influences outcomes?	June 2023
Spending Review on Ireland’s Humanitarian Support to UN Pooled Funds	November 2022
Review of The Embassy of Ireland, Uganda’s Programme in Karamoja 2016-2020	December 2022
Evaluation of Ireland’s Expo 2020	March 2023
Evaluability Assessment Plan for the Department’s work on Peace, Security and Stability	December 2022
Review of Management Arrangements for Zimbabwe Programme 2017-2021	December 20

Defence Forces

Questions (302)

Niall Collins

Question:

302. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Defence the status of the sale and transfer of lands from Edward Street Barracks to a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45432/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Defence (Deputy Simon Coveney)

I can advise the Deputy that my Department are not in the process of selling or transferring lands from Edward street Barracks to An Mhodh Scoil in Limerick City. My Department’s records indicate that the land in question is in the ownership of Limerick County Council and in that respect, my Department cannot comment on this matter.

I further understand that any involvement my Department may have going forward would only be in relation to matters pertaining to a right of way on the property.

Departmental Transport

Questions (303)

Holly Cairns

Question:

303. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Defence the steps that he is taking to increase the percentage of electric or hybrid vehicles owned by his Department and state agencies and bodies under the Department’s remit. [45575/22]

View answer

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51

The acquisition of new equipment and the upgrading of equipment for the Defence Forces remains a clear focus for the Defence Organisation. Future equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are considered in the context of the White Paper on Defence as part of the capability development and equipment priorities planning process.

In this context the principal aim over the period of the White Paper is to replace and upgrade, as required, existing capabilities in order to retain a flexible response for a wide range of operational requirements at home and overseas. Budget 2021 provides a Capital allocation of €131m for investment in Defence equipment and barracks infrastructure and will enable continued investment in major equipment platforms such as Defence Forces vehicle fleet. The increased capital funding for 2021 builds on increased levels of capital expenditure totalling €392m over the years 2018 – 2020.

Certain purchasing is carried out by the Defence Forces directly under delegation of financial responsibility which permits the Defence Forces to procure a wide range of goods and services directly, this includes the purchasing of non-armoured vehicles. I am advised by the military authorities that the Defence Forces vehicle fleet consists of approximately 1,700 individual vehicles of different types and configurations. Of this number there are currently eighty one (81) electric powered vehicles (EVs) and three (3) hybrid vehicles.

I am further advised by the military authorities that they maintain two fleets of vehicles; the military fleet and the administrative fleet. The military fleet, which consists of military specific vehicles such as armoured vehicles, trucks and off-road SUVs, comprises approximately 55% of the fleet. The administrative fleet are vehicles that can be purchased commercially such as saloon, stores vehicles and minibuses. They comprise approximately 45% of the Defence Forces fleet.

In line with Government policy in relation to the Clean Vehicle Directive, the Defence Forces are committed to procuring vehicles that have reduced carbon emissions.

Due to the specific nature and requirements of the military fleet of vehicles and the locations where they are likely to operate, these vehicles are Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) type and will be replaced, as required, with fossil fuel ICE vehicles for the reasons outlined above. The Defence Forces, however, endeavours to replace these ICE vehicles with more energy efficient models where possible. For example, the new SUV and Troop Carrying Vehicle (TCV) fleets are being replaced with EURO 6 compliant engines which results in a 50% reduction in emissions compared to the older EURO 3 engines.

The Defence Forces has committed to replacing the administrative fleet with energy efficient (green vehicles) as the technology allows. To date the investment in energy efficient vehicles amounts to €2.8m inclusive of VAT. The Defence Forces has committed to spend a minimum of 10% of the DF vehicle replacement budget on EV in 2022 and a minimum of 12% in 2023, with a commitment to increase investment by a minimum of 2% of budget each subsequent year. Already in 2022 the Defence Forces have taken delivery of ten (10) EV saloons, eight (8) forklifts, eight (8) stores vehicles and five (5) electric buggies.

The Corps of Engineers has spent €988,954 incl VAT on enabling works such as new electrical ring mains, upgrade of substations and distribution boards to facilitate EV charging. A further €65,840 incl VAT has been spent on installing EV charging pedestals. It is anticipated that another €500,000 will be spent on enabling works with an additional €250,000 on EV charging equipment. The total spend on infrastructure is expected to be circa €1.8m.

I am satisfied that, with these new acquisitions and the planning for future clean vehicle procurements, the Defence Forces will continue to have the necessary modern and effective range of equipment available to them in order to fulfil all roles assigned to them by Government.

Written answers

Minister for Defence (Deputy Simon Coveney)

The detailed information sought by the Deputy is not readily available within the time frame sought. At the request of my Department the military authorities are conducting the search, retrieval and collation of same. I will arrange to have this information forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Departmental Reports

Questions (304)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

304. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Defence the current number of live studies, reviews and research projects undertaken or commissioned by his Department in tabular form; and the date by which each study, review and research is scheduled to be completed. [45950/22]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Defence (Deputy Simon Coveney)

The current number of live studies is 3. In addition there are 3 live reviews and 2 live research projects as commissioned by my Department. The details are set out in the table below.

Activity	Details	Scheduled date of completion
Study	Project 88 under the White Paper is a Defence funding study to capture in a new way the expected long-term costs of meeting Ireland's Defence requirements using a ten year planning horizon linked to the proposed new framework of fixed cycle reviews.	September 2022
Study	The Curragh Plains - Public Consultation & Consultancy Study	December 2022
Study	Non Statutory Environmental Impact Assessment Report & Non Statutory Impact Statement (Curragh)	October 2022
Review	Review of high level command and control in the Defence Forces ( White Paper Project 26)	Ongoing
Review	Review of Emergency Aeromedical Support (EAS) Service (White Paper Project 16)	October 2022
Review	Independent Review Group (IRG), to examine issues relating to bullying, harassment, discrimination and sexual misconduct, as well as workplace culture, in the Defence Forces.	Quarter 4 2022
Research	The Defence Organisation established a Research, Technology and Innovation (RTI) unit in 2021. The initial phase of the RTI Unit work includes an innovation challenge run in conjunction with Science Foundation Ireland (SFI). This challenge will enable research, development and innovation activities to respond to and contribute to the capability needs of the Defence Organisation.	December 2022
Research	Planned publication from the Military Service (1916-1923) Pensions Collection	Quarter 2 2023

Departmental Funding

Questions (305)

Marian Harkin

Question:

305. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Education if she will confirm the maintenance of the school library book fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45403/22]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Education

The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the last school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.

In July 2022, Government announced funding for the waiving of school transport scheme fees for the coming school year as part of a wider package of cost of living measures.

Ticket registration for the 2022/23 school year closed on 29 July by which time almost 130,000 applications/registrations were received for mainstream school transport. This figure includes 44,299 new applications as well as roll-overs from the previous school year.

Already in the mainstream scheme 124,000 tickets for the 2022/2023 school year have been issued to applicants for the new school year. To date, circa 20,400 additional places have been created for children for the 2022/2023 school year.

Bus Éireann will continue to process applications and to issue tickets as soon as extra buses and drivers are sourced and become available to provide transport for the higher numbers qualifying for the service. However, regrettably the unprecedented numbers of new applications for the upcoming school year, has led to some delays in issuing tickets.

Bus Éireann is continuing to work through remaining applications and families will be contacted as further information is available.

The normal eligibility criteria of the scheme still apply and tickets continue to be allocated in line with this criteria. Pupils at primary level are eligible where they live no less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest primary school. At post primary level, students who live no less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre are deemed eligible.

Any pupils/students who do not meet these criteria are deemed not eligible, or otherwise known as concessionary applicants, and are allocated a ticket based on the availability of a seat when all eligible children have been catered for.

In line with normal practice, all eligible children who completed the application and ticket registration process on time for the 2022/2023 school year will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.

In addition, pending completion of the outcome of the full review of the School Transport Scheme, Temporary Alleviation Measures at post-primary level be continued for the 2022/2023 school year. Under these measures, which were initially introduced in 2019, transport will provided for post-primary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school and are attending their second nearest school and who applied by the 29th April and registered for a ticket by the 29th July.

Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who completed the application process on time, will be considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.

Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places, in these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.

It is very important for families to note that the application deadline for 2022/23 was 29 April 2022, and that the deadline to confirm registration for tickets was 29 July 2022. Any application completed after this date is a ‘late application’ and therefore, many school transport services are already operating at full capacity. Late applications will only be assessed after all “on time” applications have been processed and there can be no guarantee of places for late applicants. “

For safety reasons, only students with a valid ticket for school transport will be permitted to travel on school transport services.

School Transport

Questions (306)

Alan Dillon

Question:

306. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education if her Department will make a decision to sanction an additional medium bus for a school route (details supplied) in County Mayo for the academic year 2022-2023 in view of the immense distress that this is causing to concessionary students of working parents who have been left without school transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45404/22]