Patricia Ryan
Question:333. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will assist an Irish citizen (details supplied) who is imprisoned in Togo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48133/22]
View answerIrish Prisoners Abroad
Questions (333)
Written answers
I can reassure the Deputy that I am aware of this case and it remains both a concern and priority. My Department is continuing to provide consular assistance to the citizen through our Consular Assistance Unit in Dublin, the Embassy of Ireland in Abuja, and with assistance from the Embassy of France in Togo - as Ireland does not have diplomatic representation in the country.
My Department is also liaising with the Irish Council for Prisoners Overseas (ICPO) which communicates regularly with the citizen, while we continue to provide consular advice and support.
There has also been, and will continue to be, engagement with the Togolese authorities in relation to the humanitarian aspects of this case, and the importance of the citizen being allowed to return home as soon as possible.
As the Deputy will appreciate, as with all consular cases, it would not be appropriate to comment on the specific details of the case. However, you can rest assured that my Department will remain engaged on the matter.
Election Monitoring Missions
Questions (334)
Peter Burke
Question:334. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the competition for the new election-monitoring roster will be advertised; the locations in which it will be advertised; the number of election monitor positions that are planned for the new roster; the training courses that are recommended for entry to this roster; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48160/22]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland's current International Election Observation Roster of 197 volunteers, which is administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs, is in effect from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2023. Roster members are available to participate at short notice in Election Observation Missions organised by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the EU. Recruitment of members for the next Roster will be on the basis of an open and competitive application process, informed by selection criteria for election observers set out by the EU and the OSCE. Planning for the the next Roster will take place in 2023.
Departmental Meetings
Questions (335)
Sorca Clarke
Question:335. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he met with his New Zealand counterpart during the recent UN General Assembly week. [48242/22]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland and New Zealand enjoy close diplomatic relations and our Embassies are engaged in a range of activities to deepen our engagement. In April 2021 we held wide-ranging bilateral consultations, with agreed areas of follow up, to further strengthen cooperation in a number of areas, including agriculture. In October 2021, Minister for Agriculture Damien O’Connor visited and signed a Statement on Joint Cooperation in Agriculture between Ireland and New Zealand at a meeting with Minister Charlie McConalogue. We also work closely with New Zealand in multilateral fora, at the UN and beyond. New Zealand was a strong supporter of our successful UN Security Council election bid.
While I did not meet bilaterally with Foreign Minister Mahuta at the UN General Assembly this month, members of the cabinet have held a number of meetings with the government of New Zealand this year, reflective of our close friendship. The Taoiseach had a phone call with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in June, the Tánaiste met Minister Damien O'Connor in the margins of the World Trade Organisation Conference in Geneva that same month. Minister Poto Williams, who has responsibility for Disability issues and Children, visited in August and met with Minister of State Noonan.
Departmental Meetings
Questions (336)
Sorca Clarke
Question:336. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he plans to visit Germany before the end of 2022. [48243/22]
View answerWritten answers
Germany is a valued partner within the EU and the range of ongoing contacts at both political and senior official level are extensive, with several Ministerial-level visits to Germany so far this year, including one I made last February when I attended the Munich Security Conference. Under the Germany–Ireland Joint Plan of Action for Enhanced Bilateral and EU Cooperation bilateral engagement with Germany is a priority for Ireland, to be encouraged at every opportunity.
While I have no confirmed plans to visit Germany before the end of this year, I will keep the issue under review and obviously look forward to visiting Germany again should such an appropriate opportunity arise. I will also continue to engage closely with my German counterpart, Foreign Minister Baerbock, on all the various EU and international issues of common interest, including those arising from our membership of the UN Security Council.
Foreign Birth Registration
Questions (337)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:337. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when applications for foreign birth registrations (details supplied) will be issued to two children; the reason for the delay in making a decision on the foreign birth registration that will enable a passport application to be lodged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48397/22]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish Citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship.
Demand for this service increased significantly as a result of the Brexit vote in the UK. In 2015, prior to Brexit, a total of 6,000 entries were made to the register. In 2019, a peak number of 19,000 entries were made to the Foreign Births Register. Demand for this service from applicants in England, Scotland and Wales continues to be strong with over 8,000 applications received to date this year.
The service was also impacted by necessary Covid-19 restrictions in 2020 and 2021 and the unprecedented demand for passports seen to date in 2022.
My Department is currently putting in place a number of measures that will address the volume of FBR applications currently on hand with a view to significantly reducing the processing time for these citizenship applications by the end of this year.
Supporting documentation for the applications to which the Deputy has referred was received on 31 March 2021, and is being stored in a secure environment as the applications await entitlement checking.
Foreign Birth Registration
Questions (338)
Michael Ring
Question:338. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a foreign birth registration application by a person (details supplied) will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48499/22]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish Citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship.Demand for this service increased significantly as a result of the Brexit vote in the UK. In 2015, prior to Brexit, a total of 6,000 entries were made to the register. In 2019, a peak number of 19,000 entries were made to the Foreign Births Register. Demand for this service from applicants in England, Scotland and Wales continues to be strong with over 8,000 applications received to date this year. The service was also impacted by necessary Covid-19 restrictions in 2020 and 2021 and the unprecedented demand for passports seen to date in 2022. My Department is currently putting in place a number of measures that will address the volume of FBR applications currently on hand with a view to significantly reducing the processing time for these citizenship applications by the end of this year. Supporting documentation for the application to which the Deputy has referred was received on 16 June 2022, and is being stored in a secure environment as the application awaits entitlement checking.
Departmental Transport
Questions (339)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:339. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Defence the number of domestic flights for work purposes taken by him, Ministers of State in his Department and departmental staff for each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [47909/22]
View answerWritten answers
There were no domestic flights taken by Junior Ministers, Department staff or myself for work purposes in each of the years from 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022.
Defence Forces
Questions (340)
Patricia Ryan
Question:340. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on the investment in equipment for the Defence Forces as part of the five-year equipment development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48138/22]
View answerWritten answers
My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government, as set out in the White Paper on Defence.
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.
Equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are being considered as part of the capability development and Equipment Development Planning (EDP) process. A five year Equipment Development Plan for continued re-equipment was developed on a civil military basis and was published in June 2020. The Equipment Planning process recognises the need to maintain and upgrade military capabilities having regard to emerging priorities, operational requirements and changes in technology. This is an ongoing iterative process.
There are a number of defensive equipment acquisition and upgrade projects for which there will be capital expenditure in the coming years. These include the midlife upgrade of the Army's fleet of 80 Mowag Piranha III Armoured Personnel Carrier vehicles which is well underway as well as the completion of the delivery of an additional 30 Armoured Utility Vehicles. In addition, the Army's non-armoured fleet continues to be updated with over 220 vehicles due for delivery in 2022.
In relation to air-based capability, the programme for the supply of two C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft is well underway with delivery of the aircraft expected in 2023. Alongside the recently acquired PC-12 aircraft some €276 million, including VAT, has been committed to the acquisition of all of these enhanced capabilities.
The Naval Service Vessel Renewal and Replacement Programme is ongoing and the programme includes radar and other equipment upgrades along with the replacement of Naval Service Reserve motor launches. The programme of works for the midlife refit and upgrade of LÉ Róisín has been completed, while works are ongoing on LÉ Niamh. Marine Advisors have been appointed to support the procurement of multi-role vessel to replace the flagship, LÉ Eithne, with work underway that will inform a public tender competition in due course. Two Inshore Patrol Vessels have been purchased from the New Zealand Government to replace LÉ Orla and LÉ Ciara and it is expected these vessels will be transported to Ireland in 2023 following the completion of a programme of works.
The Department of Defence has received a capital allocation under the national development plan of €566 million over the 2022 to 2025 timeframe. The Defence annual capital budget for 2022 is €141 million, with an increased allocation of €176 million for 2023. This is following Government approval for a move over a six-year period to a level of Defence Forces’ capability equivalent to ‘Level of Ambition 2’ (LOA2), as set out in the capability framework devised by the Commission on Defence Forces, which will entail funding increases to reach a Defence budget of approximately €1.5 billion (at January 2022 prices) by 2028 through the annual Estimates. This level of capital funding will allow the Defence Organisation to undertake a programme of sustained equipment replacement and infrastructural development across the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service as identified and prioritised in the Defence White Paper and the Report of the Commission, while building on the significant investment programme over recent years.
Defence Forces
Questions (341)
Sorca Clarke
Question:341. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Defence if refurbishment works have commenced at a building (details supplied) at Renmore Barracks. [48234/22]
View answerWritten answers
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that works on this major refurbishment building project at the USAC, accommodation block in Renmore Barracks have commenced.
Defence Forces
Questions (342)
Sorca Clarke
Question:342. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Defence the amount that has been spent on the refurbishment of Custume Barracks, Athlone in each of the years 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022; and the nature of works that were carried out in each of the years in tabular form. [48235/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Defence Forces Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) in 2020 sets out a programme of anticipated project delivery based on requirements identified from a survey of all DF installations and on the achievement of the high-level goals set out in White Paper 2015.
The Deputy may wish to note, as advised by the military authorities, that the following maintenance and refurbishment works were undertaken on a devolved basis at Custume Barracks for the 2020- 2022 period.
|
Nature of works completed |
Contract Value |
|
2022 Roof Repairs |
€22,999.64 |
|
Refurbishment of Abultions |
€32,915.00 |
|
2021 External refurbishment (Roads & Carparking) |
€139,112.64 |
|
Painting & Decoration |
€59,833.17 |
|
2020 External refurbishment (Roads & Carparking) |
€94,607.74 |
|
Refurbishment of offices |
€22,546.00 |
|
Ventilation and screening upgrade |
€38,817.00 |
|
Roof & chimney repairs |
€94,108.63 |
|
General refurbishment |
€51,357.73 |
|
Building energy management system upgrade |
€164,787.25 |
|
Total |
€721,084.80 |
Defence Forces
Questions (343)
Sorca Clarke
Question:343. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Defence the amount that the Defence Forces spent on purchasing chemical biological, radiological and nuclear suits for the Permanent Defence Forces in 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [48236/22]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Framework for Major Emergency Management the Defence Forces can be tasked in aid of Civil Power to provide operational support in a response to a national chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) incident in order to mark, cordon, monitor, measure, decontaminate, retrieve and dispose of any CBRN devices and matter so found. Additionally, the Defence Forces in the context of overseas deployments may be required to operate in CBRN environments.
As outlined in PQ 7135/22 there was no direct expenditure in 2021 on CBRN suits. The table of expenditure as set out below for 2021 in the sum of €44,250.60 has been spent on essential CBRN platforms and ancillaries during that period in order to maintain CBRN capability. The expenditure covers such items as consumables, filters, spare parts, decontamination lotion and servicing necessary to maintain ongoing CBRN platforms. The figure for 2022 amounts to €120,614.20 which provides for the sum of €23,419.20 for suits and €97,195.00 for testing of suits with a view to the identification of an effective solution for the replenishment of the entire Defence Forces CBRN stock of suits.
Specific details of the essential CBRN platforms and ancillaries are subject to normal operational security reporting restrictions and are not disclosed for operational security reasons.
Table 1 – CBRN Support Expenditure
|
2021 |
2022 |
Total |
|
€44,250.60 |
€120,614.20 |
€164,864.80 |
Defence Forces
Questions (344)
Duncan Smith
Question:344. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Defence the number of former serving members of the Defence Forces who are in receipt of a pension from the organisation; if he will provide a breakdown of the numbers for the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48445/22]
View answerWritten answers
Essentially there are two types of pension which can be payable to former members of the Defence Forces; a service (retirement) pension and/or a disablement pension.
Some pensioners are in receipt of a service pension only, some are in receipt of both a service pension and a disablement pension, and some are in receipt of a disablement pension only.
A breakdown showing the numbers of former members of Defence Forces currently in receipt of such pensions from my Department, as well as over the past three years (2019 to 2021) is provided in the table below.
These figures do not include pensions payable to spouses and dependants.
Numbers of former DF members in receipt of pension
|
- |
Total |
Service (retirement) pension only |
Service (retirement) pension plus disablement pension |
Disablement pension only |
|
30/08/2022 |
11,383 |
10,495 |
674 |
214 |
|
31/12/2021 |
11.271 |
10.401 |
655 |
215 |
|
31/12/2020 |
11,159 |
10,299 |
640 |
220 |
|
31/12/2019 |
11,067 |
10,198 |
643 |
226 |
School Transport
Questions (345)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:345. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education the reason that an application for a school bus for a school in an area (details supplied) was refused; if the decision will be reconsidered given the number of children who wish to use the transport and the positive impacts of reducing the number of vehicles on the road. [47864/22]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application process on time will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
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.
Bus Éireann has advised that pupils residing in the area mentioned by the Deputy are not eligible for transport to the National School in question as there is another National School, in the area which is closer. There is currently no mainstream school transport available from the area to the school mentioned by the Deputy.
School Transport
Questions (346)
Seán Sherlock
Question:346. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the status of an appeal for school transport by as a result of an email technicality (details supplied). [47867/22]
View answerWritten answers
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.
In addition to issuing emails, a strong emphasis is placed on advertising the closing date through both website and social media platforms. Bus Éireann advertised the closing date through their website and social media platforms. The closing date was also advertised through the Department of Education, Public Representatives and other forms of media channels.
The email notifications that are issued are intended as a reminder but are not required for a ticket request to be made.
On 19th August 2022, an appeal in respect of this application was lodged with the School Transport Appeals Board. The Board will liaise directly with the appellant when the appeal is due for consideration.
School Transport
Questions (347)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:347. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education the reason that four children (details supplied) who have received school transport annually previously are not receiving school transport in the current school year; and the other options, if any, that may be open to the family in order for the children to obtain transport to and from school. [47876/22]
View answerWritten answers
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.
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.
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.
Bus Éireann has advised that the pupils referred to by the Deputy are not eligible for school transport under the terms of the scheme. These pupils referred were unsuccessful in obtaining concessionary seats for the 2022/23 school year as the existing school transport service is currently operating to capacity and there are no seats available.
Following discussions with Minister McGrath and officials in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform as part of the budgetary process some additional funding has been approved for the scheme which will allow officials in consultation with Bus Éireann to consider and evaluate where temporary additional capacity may be available.
The initial focus will be where families applied on time and who previously held concessionary tickets, to alleviate the impact of the increased demands on the scheme for those families. However, it is important to stress that this is subject to capacity considerations. Constraints in sourcing vehicles and drivers in certain areas of the country may also mean that it may take a number of weeks to explore solutions for additional capacity.
Educational Disadvantage
Questions (348)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:348. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education the reason that an application for DEIS status for a school (details supplied) was refused; and if the decision will be reconsidered given the information provided to support its inclusion in the programme. [47898/22]
View answerWritten answers
In March I was glad to be able to announce a major expansion of the DEIS – Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools programme which means that, for the first time since 2017, the programme is being significantly expanded and eligible schools will now gain access to targeted supports to address educational disadvantage. This will add an additional €32million to my Department’s expenditure on the DEIS progamme from 2023, bringing the 2023 allocation to in the region of €180million.
Schools were identified for inclusion in the programme through the refined DEIS identification model which is an objective, statistics based model. Schools were not required to apply for inclusion in the DEIS programme and the model has been applied fairly and equally to all schools.
The DEIS identification process aims to identify those schools with the highest levels of concentrated disadvantage or the highest proportion of students from disadvantaged backgrounds within a school. The model uses information from the school’s individual enrolment database and 2016 national census data as represented by the Pobal HP Deprivation index. The model takes into account the student cohort and the relative disadvantage within a given school. The DEIS identification model takes into consideration the significant educational disadvantage experienced by Traveller and Roma learners and by students residing in direct provision or emergency homeless accommodation.
A detailed paper on the refined DEIS identification model is available on gov.ie at www.gov.ie/en/publication/a3c9e-extension-of-deis-to-further-schools/#how-schools-were-selected-for-inclusion-in-deis.
Schools that were not satisfied with the outcome following the application of the DEIS identification model to their school enrolment data were provided with the opportunity to have that outcome reviewed. The details of the Appeals process is outlined in Circular 0019/2022 which can be found on the gov.ie website.
Following the processing of the appeal received from the school regrettably there was no change to the outcome of the initial application of the refined DEIS identification model to the school. My Department, however, will continue to support the school and the school community as they deliver high quality, inclusive teaching and learning to their students and young learners. The DEIS appeals process was applied fairly across all appellants and the results are final.
It is important to note that the extension of the DEIS programme to new schools is just one phase of work in my vision for an inclusive education system which supports all learners to achieve their potential. While the DEIS programme supports those schools with the highest levels of concentrated educational disadvantage, I recognise that there are students at risk of educational disadvantage in all schools. Conscious of this, and recognising the need to target resources to those schools that need them most, the next phase of work will explore the allocation of resources to schools to tackle educational disadvantage. Part of this programme of work will involve consultation with all relevant stakeholders.
In addition to this, following the National Census 2022 held on the 3rd April last it is envisaged that an updated HP Deprivation Index will be generated by Pobal and will be available in Q3 of 2023. My Department will engage with Pobal in relation to this process. The updated HP Deprivation Index, when available, can be considered by my Department to inform future resource allocation to tackle educational disadvantage.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (349)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:349. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 225 of 15 September 2022, if her Department will consider moving the project forward in order to ensure that delivery occurs as soon as possible given the volume of residential development in the surrounding area. [47905/22]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy is aware the project for this school has been devolved to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) for delivery as part of a programme of school building projects.
This project is part of a bundle referred to as ‘Project Lee’ along with the projects for another 5 schools and will progress through the different stages (design, construction etc.) as part of this bundle.
The appointment of the multi-disciplinary technical advisors (design teams) for this bundle is in the final stages which represents good progress in terms of the timeframe for completion of this stage of the process.
Legislative Measures
Questions (350)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:350. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education the changes, if any, that have been made to the Education (Admissions to Schools) Act 2018 recently; and when the changes will come into effect. [47906/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, is an important piece of legislation which has introduced a more parent-friendly, equitable and consistent approach to how school admissions policy operates for the almost 4,000 primary and post-primary schools.
The Education (Provision in Respect of Children with Special Educational Needs) Act 2022 further amended the Education Act of 1998 by providing for a shortened more streamlined section 37A process whereby the Minister can direct a school to make provision for children with special educational needs. The section 37A process is only used as a measure of last resort where additional provision is required in a specific location and efforts to secure that additional provision through engagement with schools has failed.
The new act also streamlined Section 67 which provides for a situation where a child (with special needs or otherwise) cannot find a school place, and allows the National Council for Special Education or Tusla (Child and Family Agency) to designate a school place for the child.
All sections of Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 have now been commenced.
Departmental Transport
Questions (351)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:351. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education the number of domestic flights for work purposes taken by her, Ministers of State in her Department and Department staff for each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [47910/22]
View answerWritten answers
The total number of domestic flights charged to my Department is outlined in the table below.
All of these flights were work related and have been processed through the National Shared Services Office (NSSO) travel and subsistence claims portal.
|
- |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
Minister |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Junior Minister |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Dept. Staff |
10 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
Special Educational Needs
Questions (352)
Mattie McGrath
Question:352. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education the provisions that are being made for children with special needs who require access to a generalised learning disability unit in a mainstream school but who do not have an ASD diagnosis; the number of generalised learning disability units nationwide per county; the plans to open more generalised learning disability units to provide for those who have learning disabilities or additional needs other than ASD; the reason that only those with an ASD diagnosis are able to avail of additional unit support in mainstream school in cases in which the provision of maximum SNA provision is not sufficient; the reason that children with other neurological diagnosis that present in a similar manner to ASD are not entitled to avail of ASD units without having the specific ASD diagnosis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47946/22]
View answerWritten answers
I would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:
Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this Government.
For 2022, my Department will spend in excess of €2 Billion, or over 25% of the Department’s budget on providing a wide range of schemes and supports for children with special educational needs.
For 2023, this spend will be substantially increased by over 12%, meaning that for 2023 my Department will spend over €2.6 billion on special education.
This level of educational funding and support is unprecedented and represents in excess of 27% of the Department’s total allocation for 2023.
This includes additional teaching and care supports. It also includes funding for the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) for an additional 54 psychologists to provide services to special schools and special classes.
In 2022, funding for an additional 980 teachers and 1,165 special needs assistants was provided. For 2023, the number of teaching and SNA posts in our schools will increase with an additional 686 teachers and a further 1,194 special needs assistants in our schools next year.
For the first time ever we will have over 19,000 teachers working in the area of special education and over 20,000 Special needs assistants. Together we have almost 40,000 qualified and committed people in our schools who are focused wholly and exclusively on supporting children with special educational needs.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide.
Upcoming policy advice from the NCSE on the specialist education provision being provided will become available shortly. In its progress report (2019), the Council advised that there is no conclusive evidence at present that any one type of special education place was better than another. The advice will also address the State’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities.
Special classes are established to meet the needs of students with very complex needs arising from certain disabilities, and whose assessed educational needs are supported by professional reports, cannot be met in a mainstream setting.
The NCSE advise that over 98% of children with special educational needs are enrolled in mainstream settings and are supported, where appropriate, by special education teachers (SET) and special needs assistants (SNA).
Through its network of Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), the NCSE opens special classes in accordance with a range of identified Special Education needs. SENOs consult with other education entities (e.g. NEPS and the Inspectorate) when establishing any special class, and consider both the present and the future potential needs within a given area. The NCSE must be satisfied that the class is sustainable and appropriately located.
The NCSE is aware that sometimes, parents of children with special educational needs, including those presenting with conditions similar to ASD, can experience difficulties in accessing school places for their children because of their child’s special educational needs. Where there are children who would benefit from similar supports provided to those with ASD, the student’s parent should make contact with the local SENO so that their child’s needs can be taken into account. SENO contact details can be found at: ncse.ie/seno-support-service
School management are responsible for the deployment and review of SNA support to ensure those with the greatest level of need are supported, in accordance with the Department Circular 0035/2022. The NCSE recognise that the needs of students may change over time. Should the school perceive that an additional SNA allocation is required to support the care needs of their students, the school can apply to the NCSE for an exceptional review of their allocation through the NCSE School Support portal. An exceptional review of the SNA allocation may result in an increase, decrease, or for the allocation to be maintained at the current level. If a school are dissatisfied with the results of a review, an appeal process is available to them.
The NCSE offer further support and advice through a suite of Teacher Professional Learning seminars, as well as on-site training to build teacher capacity through our network of Advisors. Guidelines for schools, including information on how special classes are resourced are available on the NCSE website through: ncse.ie/special-class-guidelines
As of August 2022, there are 133 general learning disability special classes nationwide. These are separated into mild general learning disability special classes, moderate general learning disability special classes, and severe/profound general learning disability special classes. A breakdown of these special classes per county is provided in the below table.
I can reassure the Deputy that the local Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) continue to be available to assist and advise both schools and the parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available at: ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list
Information on the list of schools with special classes, the types and locations of these classes is published on the NCSE website and is available at www.ncse.ie.
General Learning Disability Special Classes
|
County |
Mild General Learning Disability |
Moderate General Learning Disability |
Severe/Profound General Learning Disability |
|
Carlow |
N/A |
2 |
N/A |
|
Cavan |
2 |
3 |
N/A |
|
Clare |
3 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Cork |
3 |
17 |
1 |
|
Donegal |
N/A |
3 |
3 |
|
Dublin |
10 |
6 |
N/A |
|
Galway |
2 |
13 |
1 |
|
Kerry |
2 |
3 |
N/A |
|
Kildare |
1 |
4 |
2 |
|
Kilkenny |
N/A |
3 |
N/A |
|
Laois |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Leitrim |
N/A |
3 |
N/A |
|
Limerick |
2 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Longford |
1 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Louth |
N/A |
1 |
1 |
|
Mayo |
N/A |
2 |
N/A |
|
Meath |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Monaghan |
5 |
1 |
N/A |
|
Offaly |
7 |
5 |
N/A |
|
Roscommon |
N/A |
2 |
N/A |
|
Sligo |
1 |
3 |
N/A |
|
Tipperary |
2 |
1 |
N/A |
|
Waterford |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Westmeath |
2 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Wexford |
2 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Wicklow |
5 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Total |
51 |
73 |
9 |