Wednesday, 15 Feb 2023

Written Answers Nos. 113-132

School Accommodation

Questions (113)

Cathal Crowe

Question:

113. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education for an update on an application for additional accommodation for a school (details supplied). [7571/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I can confirm that the school referred to by the Deputy has been approved for a project under my Department's Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme.

The project will provide the following accommodation at the school: 1 Classroom SEN Base and 5 SET Rooms. This project will be devolved for delivery to the school authority.

I wish to advise the Deputy that the Stage 2b Report for this project is currently being reviewed by the Professional & Technical Team in my Department's Planning & Building Unit; the Department will revert to the school authorities upon completion of this review with a view to moving to tender stage in due course.

School Staff

Questions (114)

Mick Barry

Question:

114. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Education given the issues faced by many second level schools in filling reaching posts if she will consider collating information on the number of unfilled posts in second level schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7597/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

The recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for the individual school authorities, subject to procedures agreed under Section 24 of the Education Act 1998 (as amended by the Education (Amendment) Act 2012). My Department does not currently collate data on the number of vacant posts in post-primary schools.

Work is ongoing in my Department to produce projections of post-primary teacher demand and supply on a subject-level basis to inform teacher supply planning. Ultimately, the intention is to establish a robust data-based model for the effective projection of future teacher demand and supply across the school system at both primary and post-primary levels.

The recruitment of teachers is a priority area of action for the Department, given the importance of ensuring that every child's experience in school is positive and that they have available to them qualified, engaged, and supportive teachers to support them in their learning.

My Department is undertaking a comprehensive programme to support the supply of teachers. A number of measures are being implemented, including:

- a range of special, temporary arrangements introduced by HEIs to create greater capacity for student teachers to provide substitute cover,

- adjustment of the provision of continuing professional development (CPD) to teachers to reduce the need for substitution and to provide additional personnel to support schools,

- increasing the additional hours that post-primary teachers can teach each term from 20 to 35 for the remainder of the 2022/23 school year,

- launching a communications campaign to encourage retired teachers to take up short-term substitute positions and to enable them to teach for up to 50 days in each of the calendar years 2021 to 2023 without, in most cases, a reduction in their pension,

- providing the allocated staffing resources for the 2023/34 school year to post-primary schools on 26 January,

- introduction, by the Teaching Council, of regulations to allow the registration of 3rd and 4th-year undergraduate student teachers, with more than 2,600 student teachers now registered,

- providing for fully funded upskilling programmes in mathematics, physics and Spanish. Beginning with 170 places in January 2021, I have agreed to increase places to more than 300 in 2023, and a new Irish upskilling programme is planned for 2023/24

- allowing job-sharing teachers to be employed to work in a substitute capacity, during the period they are rostered off duty, in their own or in other schools on a temporary basis for the 2022/23 school year, and

- suspending, on a temporary basis, the limits on substitute work that apply to teachers on a career break for the 2022/23 school year.

These measures are underpinned by the Teaching Transforms campaign which promotes the teaching profession and encourages students to follow a career in teaching.

Despite the positive impact of these important actions, work remains to be done to address teacher supply challenges, particularly to ensure the availability of sufficient numbers of substitute teachers. My Department continues to work intensively with all stakeholders to develop and implement creative solutions to address the teacher supply challenges for schools.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (115)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

115. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education the efforts being made by her Department and the NCSE to ensure a person (details supplied) obtains a school place suitable to their specified educational needs. [7623/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education

I would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:

Enabling children with special educational needs (SEN) to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government.

It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, for my Department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).

For 2023, the spend by my Department on special education will be substantially increased by over 10% on last year, meaning that for 2023 my Department will spend over €2.6 billion providing supports to children and young people with special educational needs and their schools.

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 funding to support children with SEN in mainstream classes; funding for new special classes and new special school places; additional special educational teachers and special needs assistants.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs nationwide.

Over the last two to three years, my Department and the NCSE have introduced a number of strategic initiatives to plan for and provide sufficient mainstream, special class and special school places.

These initiatives are bearing fruit with over 600 new special classes sanctioned at primary level, almost 300 new special classes sanctioned at post-primary level and five new special schools established over the last three years.

The NCSE have sanctioned 208 new special classes in Co. Dublin over the last 3 years. Of these, 156 special classes are at primary level and 52 are at post-primary level.

There are a total of 474 special classes in Co. Dublin. Of these, 367 special classes are at primary level and 107 are at post primary level.

My Department is engaging intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes for the next school year 2023/2024. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class places, consideration of improved data sharing arrangements and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level.

At local level, the NCSE is continuing to engage with schools regarding which children can be supported to attend a mainstream class and with regard to the establishment of additional special classes for the next school year 2023/2024. Every support will be made available to schools to progress the opening of special classes in the shortest possible timeframe.

It is of course open to any school to engage with the NCSE to establish a special class.

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

Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes. 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: https://ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list .

My Department is committed, in conjunction with the NCSE, to continue to work with parents, schools, patrons and all stakeholders to ensure that there are sufficient appropriate places for students with additional needs and to support all students to achieve their potential.

I want reassure you also that my Department will continue to support the NCSE and schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children are successful in accessing an education.

As your query refers to an individual placement case, I will arrange to have it referred to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (116)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

116. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education the number of ASD classes currently open in schools in the Lucan County Dublin area; and the number of ASD classes that are due to open for the next academic year 2023/2024. [7624/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education

I would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:

Enabling children with special educational needs (SEN) to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government.

It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, for my Department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).

For 2023, the spend by my Department on special education will be substantially increased by over 10% on last year, meaning that for 2023 my Department will spend over €2.6 billion providing supports to children and young people with special educational needs and their schools.

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 funding to support children with SEN in mainstream classes; funding for new special classes and new special school places; additional special educational teachers and special needs assistants.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs nationwide.

Over the last two to three years, my Department and the NCSE have introduced a number of strategic initiatives to plan for and provide sufficient mainstream, special class and special school places.

These initiatives are bearing fruit with over 600 new special classes sanctioned at primary level, almost 300 new special classes sanctioned at post-primary level and five new special schools established over the last three years.

The NCSE have sanctioned 208 new special classes in Co. Dublin over the last 3 years. Of these, 156 special classes are at primary level and 52 are at post-primary level.

There are a total of 474 special classes in Co. Dublin. Of these, 367 special classes are at primary level and 107 are at post primary level.

My Department is engaging intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes for the next school year 2023/2024. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class places, consideration of improved data sharing arrangements and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level.

At local level, the NCSE is continuing to engage with schools regarding which children can be supported to attend a mainstream class and with regard to the establishment of additional special classes for the next school year 2023/2024. Every support will be made available to schools to progress the opening of special classes in the shortest possible timeframe.

It is of course open to any school to engage with the NCSE to establish a special class.

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

Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes. 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: https://ncse.ie/regional-servic es-contact-list.

My Department is committed, in conjunction with the NCSE, to continue to work with parents, schools, patrons and all stakeholders to ensure that there are sufficient appropriate places for students with additional needs and to support all students to achieve their potential.

I want reassure you also that my Department will continue to support the NCSE and schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children are successful in accessing an education.

Education Policy

Questions (117)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

117. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education if her Department has a policy, or if any guidance has been provided to schools in relation to homework; and if so, if she will outline same. [7631/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I would like to thank the Deputy for his question on homework.

The Department acknowledges that homework can play an important part in helping students to prepare for forthcoming classwork and in reinforcing work already covered during class time, however, it is a matter for each school, at local level, to arrive at its own homework policy which best serves the school community. The policy should be developed in conjunction with senior management and staff, the boards of management, parents and the pupils themselves.

Research is available which can be drawn upon by schools, in particular the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) funded a report commissioned by the National Parents Council (NPC) - Primary into parental involvement, engagement and partnership in their children’s learning during the primary school years. The research was undertaken by the Marino Institute of Education and is available on the NPC's website.- Parental Involvement Research Doc.qxp:Layout 1 (mie.ie)

While the broad focus of the report is on features of good parent-school partnerships, there is also a focus on: The role of homework, homework in the Irish context, homework in the international literature, homework and achievement, parental involvement with homework and children’s voice on homework .

I hope this information is of assistance to the Deputy.

State Pensions

Questions (118)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

118. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection if a review will be carried out on a pension payment to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7476/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

An application for state pension non-contributory was submitted by the person concerned on 9 November 2022. On 16 November 2022, the person’s file was forwarded to a Social Welfare Inspector for interview and determination of their income and assets for the purposes of the means assessment. On return of the Inspector's report, the Deciding Officer decided that the person was entitled to a reduced rate state pension, with effect from 11 November 2022. The person was notified of the decision, provided with a breakdown of the means assessment, and advised of their right, if dissatisfied with the decision, to request a review, or to appeal the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.

The representations from the Deputy are accepted as a request for review. If the person has any additional information they wish to make available to the Deciding Officer for their consideration, they should send it, without delay, to: State pension (non-contributory), Department of Social Protection, College Road, Sligo.

The person concerned will be notified of the outcome of the review in writing.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Insurance

Questions (119)

Ciaran Cannon

Question:

119. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a list of organisations that can be given direct access to a person’s PRSI records, without that person’s consent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7494/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Department of Social Protection holds PRSI records in order to ascertain entitlement to various Social Protection schemes.

As a public sector body, the Department very rarely relies on consent to share personal data, but rather on a legal basis as provided for in Recital 43 and 45 of the General Data Protection Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2016/679).

Section 261 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, as amended, provides the legal basis for the Department to share data with public bodies listed in schedule 5 of the Act, including information concerning PRSI contributions. Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council allows for the sharing of data between the Department and social security organisations in other Member States.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Employment Schemes

Questions (120)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

120. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the weekly rate of payment for participants on the job initiative scheme; if the scheme is treated the same as community employment Tús and rural social scheme with regard to payment rate top-ups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7567/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Department of Social Protection operates a number of employment support schemes for long term unemployed persons which also assist communities across the country in the provision of vital services.

Job Initiative (JI) is an employment support scheme designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities. Recruitment onto the scheme ceased from November 2004. The Department funds wages for JI team leaders and JI participants along with a grant contribution towards the running costs of the scheme in respect of administration, materials, overheads, training and development.

Community Employment (CE) and Tús are employment activation measures designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a temporary, fixed term basis. The Rural Social Scheme (RSS) is an income support initiative that provides part-time employment opportunities in community and voluntary organisations for farmers or fishermen who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments and who are underemployed in their primary occupation.

Participation on CE, Tús and RSS is part time - 19.5 hours per week, while participants on JI are employed full time for 39 hours per week.

The rate of payment for CE, Tús and RSS participants is related to the underlying value of certain social protection payments plus €27.50 per week. In addition, a participant may be eligible, where appropriate, for payments in respect of any qualified dependent adult and children.

The current rate for JI participants is €495 per week. The JI rate benefits from any budgetary increase in social welfare payments along with any increase in the top up payment and has increased by €75 per week since 2016. The 2023 budget increases, effective from January increased the JI weekly rate from €461 to €495, when the increase in weekly social welfare benefit rates and the increase in the top up payment are taken into account.

JI participants also receive social welfare benefits such as the annual Christmas Bonus and also received the Autumn Cost of Living double week payment in October 2022.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Personal Public Service Numbers

Questions (121)

Carol Nolan

Question:

121. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department collects data on the allocation of PPS numbers to international protection applicants (IPAs); if so, to provide in tabular form the number of PPSN’s allocated to IPAs by nationality from 1 January 2011 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7618/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) is the unique reference number for transactions between individuals and Government Departments and other public service providers. A person may need a PPSN for a number of reasons.

My Department does not collect data on the numbers of PPSNs allocated to International Protection applicants and I advised the Deputy of this fact in my response to Parliamentary Question 330 (5339/23) on 2 February 2023.

Statistics on the allocation of PPSNs by nationality of the applicant dating from 2000 are published by my Department on its Gov.ie website.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Personal Public Service Numbers

Questions (122)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

122. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a PPSN will issue to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7645/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

A Personal Public Service (PPS) Number is a unique reference number that helps a person access social welfare benefits and public services in Ireland.

The person concerned first applied for a PPS Number, for tax purposes, on 04/04/2022. Supporting documentation was requested from the person concerned via her MyWelfare account on 07/05/2022. As the required documents were not fully provided, a further request was made to the customer on 21/05/2022. As a response was not received, the person’s application expired on 21/06/2022.

The person concerned made a second application for a PPS Number on 02/07/2022, in order to access public services. Supporting documents were sought from her on 20/07/2022. As a response was not received, the person’s application expired on 11/08/2022.

The person concerned may reapply online for a PPS Number using www.MyWelfare.ie and upload her photo identity document, proof of why she requires a PPS Number and proof of her address.

I trust this clarifies the matter.

Social Welfare Payments

Questions (123)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

123. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when payment for carer’s allowance will be reinstated and arrears due issue in the case of a person (details supplied) who has been without payment for some time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7694/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

Carer's Allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has a disability, as a result of which, they require that level of care.

I can confirm that the person concerned was in receipt of Carer's Allowance (CA) in respect of their spouse from 31 May 2012 to 29 September 2021.

Once claims are in payment, the Department periodically reviews them to ensure that there is continued entitlement.

Such a review was initiated in this case on 5 March 2020 and the person’s file was subsequently referred to a local Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) to evaluate means and to confirm that all the conditions for receipt of Carer's Allowance (CA) were satisfied.

On foot of the SWI report, correspondence issued to the person concerned on 21 September 2021 to advise that their Carer's Allowance (CA) and Carer’s Support Grant (CSG) payments were under review as they had failed to submit information requested by a SWI. In the absence of the requested information, it was not possible to determine whether the conditions for the receipt of Carer's Allowance (CA) were satisfied and payment to the person concerned was suspended from 30 September 2021.

On 14 March 2022, a Deciding Officer reviewed all the available information and decided that the person concerned was no longer entitled to Carer's Allowance (CA) from 30 September 2021, as they had failed to show that they satisfied the conditions for Carer's Allowance (CA) and had failed to supply documentation that was requested from them. The person concerned was advised of their right of review and appeal. According to Department records no request for a review or appeal was received by the Department.

The Department confirms that the person concerned has the right to seek a review of the termination. However, payment will not be reinstated until all relevant information has been provided and entitlement can be established. These information requests were issued by the SWI on 3 September 2021 and 7 September 2021 (and copies of these requests will issue to the person concerned today).

If the person concerned is experiencing financial hardship during this wait period, it is open to them to apply for supplementary welfare allowance which is a means tested scheme, issued through the community welfare officer. Details of how to apply can be found through their local Intreo Centre or Citizens Information Centre.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

State Pensions

Questions (124)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

124. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for a State pension (non-contributory) by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7710/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

State pension (non-contributory) is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over, habitually residing in the State, who do not qualify for a state pension (contributory), or who only qualify for a reduced rate (contributory) pension based on their social insurance record.

An application for state pension (non-contributory) was received from the person concerned on 4 January 2023. On 16 January 2023, the case was referred to a Social Welfare Inspector to investigate the means of the person for pension eligibility purposes. The Inspector has contacted the person and arranged an interview for Friday 17 February 2023.

The Inspector has been requested to expedite their completion of the investigation. On return of their report, a Deciding Officer will make a determination on the eligibility of the person concerned for state pension (non-contributory) and the person will be notified of the outcome in writing.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

State Pensions

Questions (125)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

125. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for State (pension contributory) by a person details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7711/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The person concerned reached pension age on 09 February 2023.

An interim decision has been made and the person concerned has been awarded State Pension (contributory) at the weekly rate of €238.50 from 09 February 2023. This equates to 90% of the current maximum rate of pension. This is the correct rate of pension commensurate with the current social insurance record held by my Department. The person concerned was notified of this decision in writing on 13 February 2023.

As the person concerned was employed with An Post, my Department are confirming the contribution record from this employment. Upon completion of this review, the entitlement of the person concerned to a higher rate will be re-examined and they will be notified in writing of the decision.

Also, if the person concerned considers that they have additional contributions or credits that have not been recorded, it is open to them to forward documentary evidence to my Department and their pension entitlement can be reviewed.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Departmental Funding

Questions (126)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

126. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount of funding and the heading under which it was granted to organisations (details supplied) in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [7539/23]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

The tables below provides details of the amount of funding granted by my Department to the GAA, FAI and IRFU in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023. The funding has been provided under the youth services scheme UBU (Your Place Your Space).

Organisation	Area of Funding	2021	2022	2023
FAI	Funding provided under UBU Your Place Your Space (Youth Services Scheme) as a contribution to the salary of FAI development officers	€383,802	€395,317	€102,184.75
IRFU	Funding provided under UBU Your Place Your Space to Munster Rugby to work with the local authorities to engage with young people to engage in afterschool programmes and outreach	€50,680	€52,200	€13,572
GAA	Funding provided under UBU Your Place Your Space as a contribution to the salary of GAA development officers to encourage young people to participate in the GAA family of games.	€50,680	€52,200	€13,572

Disability Services

Questions (127)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

127. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there are plans to introduce the EU disability card in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7603/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

The European Commission has announced its intention to introduce a legislative proposal to create an EU Disability Card that will be recognised in all Member States. Development of the proposal is currently in its early stages at EU level. The Commission conducted a call for evidence to inform an impact assessment in late 2022. A public consultation also recently opened for feedback.

The Commission hopes to present its proposal by Q4 2023. The proposal will then be subject to negotiations between Member States in the Council and the European Parliament.

Given that development of the EU Disability Card is still in its initial stages, it is not yet clear what services will be included within the remit of the card, nor has a lead department been assigned in Ireland, given the fact that the specific scope of the card is likely to be uncertain for some time.

A pilot programme carried out in some Member States to inform the proposal focused on the areas of culture, leisure, sport and transport.

Ireland looks forward to participating actively in negotiations at EU level on the EU Disability Card going forward.

Asylum Seekers

Questions (128)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

128. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the Government intends to house refugees or asylum seekers in a venue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7619/23]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Deputy, as of 05 February 23, there are 19,741 people accommodated in the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) system as a whole, compared with 7,500 at this time last year. Of this total, 4,096 are children.Since the beginning of 2022, Ireland and many other European countries are experiencing a significant increase of new arrivals seeking international protection (IP). Last year, over 15,000 people arrived in Ireland seeking accommodation while their applications for international protection is processed by the International Protection Office. Over the period 2017-2019 an average of 3,500 people applied for protection each year. The State has a legal and moral obligation to assess the claims of those who seek refuge, and in that time to provide accommodation and supports.Intensive efforts are undertaken daily by staff in DCEDIY and the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) to source emergency accommodation. However, procuring enough bed space to keep pace with incoming arrivals remains extremely challenging, leading to very significant shortages. All of the limited accommodation capacity within the IPAS system is currently being used. Given the significantly increased numbers of arrivals in the context of accommodation shortages, the Department is considering all offers of accommodation to address the shortfall. The Department has not examined the property named by the Deputy, however should an offer be made, an assessment would be undertaken as with all offers. Before the opening of facilities such as this the Department engages with local representatives to provide information as soon as possible following the agreement of terms with contractors. Over the past year, communities across Ireland have demonstrated great solidarity and welcome for those who come here seeking refuge.

I trust this information clarifies the matter Deputy.

Asylum Seekers

Questions (129)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

129. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline the obligations if any, under EU or international law Ireland has to grant entry to asylum seekers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7693/23]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

As the Deputy will be aware my Department is responsible for the provision of accommodation to persons in the International Protection process. All other matters and obligations relating to the asylum process should be directed to Department of Justice.

On 6 July 2018, Ireland adopted the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 231 of 2018) http://opac.oireachtas.ie/AWData/Library3/JUQdoclaid060718_155358.pdf through it which transposed the recast Reception Conditions Directive into domestic law. The obligations arising for the State are set out in those Regulations.    

Childcare Services

Questions (130, 131)

Bríd Smith

Question:

130. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will mandate his Department to examine the introduction of public provision of childcare, as recommended by the expert group report Partnership for the Public Good; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7705/23]

Kathleen Funchion

Question:

131. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will mandate his Department to examine the introduction of public provision of childcare, as recommended by the expert group report Partnership for the Public Good; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7706/23]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

I propose to take Questions Nos. 130 and 131 together.

An Expert Group was established in September 2019 to develop a new funding model for the sector. Under their terms of reference, the Expert Group was not asked to propose changes to the current model of delivery (i.e. privately-operated provision), rather that the Group should seek to further achieve policy objectives of quality, affordability, accessibility and contributing to addressing disadvantage in a privately-operated system through increased public funding and public management.

In December 2021, Government adopted the 25 recommendations contained in the Expert Group report, Partnership for the Public Good: A New Funding Model for Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare. The recommendations were accepted in full by Government and implementation of this new funding model is well underway. This new funding model will support delivery of early learning and childcare for the public good, for quality and affordability for children, parents and families. To achieve this, there is a need for greater State investment and greater public management of provision.

Of the 25 recommendations, three are grouped under the title 'Role of the State'. In particular, the final recommendation states that, “[I]n the medium term, the Minister should mandate the Department to examine whether some element of public provision should be introduced alongside private provision .”

Taken together, these recommendations reflect a key theme of the report, which is the importance of strengthened State involvement and enhanced public management in the sector, in conjunction with increased State funding. This is underpinned by a cultural shift to a partnership relationship between providers and the State that reflects the public good dimension of early learning and childcare, with new responsibilities on both sides.

In September 2022, I launched Together for Better, the new funding model for early learning and childcare. This new funding model supports the delivery of early learning and childcare for the public good, for quality and affordability for children, parents and families as well as stability and sustainability for providers. Together for Better brings together three major programmes, the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, including the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM), the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) and the new Core Funding scheme.

Core Funding, which began in September 2022, is the new funding stream worth €259 million in full year costs to start this partnership for the public good between the State and providers. Its primary purpose is to improve pay and conditions in the sector as a whole and improve affordability for parents as well as ensuring a stable income to providers.

The new funding model being implemented aims to transform the sector to one that is increasingly publicly funded and publicly managed, delivering a service for the public good, through a partnership between the State and providers, to the benefit of children, parents, practitioners, and society overall.

This is the start of a multi-annual investment plan. It, along with other Budget 2023 announcements realises the First 5 target of investment of €1 billion five years ahead of schedule. Core Funding introduces a strategic way of funding the sector and begins to implement the recommendations of the Expert Group to develop a new funding model.

Together for Better begins a journey that I am confident will see exceptional standards of early learning and childcare achieved, delivering Government commitments in Partnership for the Public Good , expanding the sector and growing capacity through public management and investment, and ensuring positive outcomes for children, their families, and society overall.

Question No. 131 answered with Question No. 130.

Cybersecurity Policy

Questions (132, 133)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

132. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the attack on IT systems at Munster Technological University; if he has received a briefing on the matter; and whether any request has been received by higher education institutions for funding to buttress IT systems to ensure security of delivery of IT systems. [7468/23]

Thomas Gould

Question:

133. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the support he has provided to MTU and to its students following the IT breach. [7470/23]

Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 133 together.

Cyber-crime and cyber terrorism is an ever-present and growing threat to all sectors of society.

Following the significant IT breach in Munster Technological University (MTU), the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science is engaging with relevant stakeholders to understand the extent of the breach and its impacts on MTU students and staff.

It is important that there is clarity about the respective roles of different institutions, agencies and Departments when it comes to the critical matter of cyber security.

- As autonomous bodies, higher education institutions have governance and legal responsibility for their own administrative and corporate affairs, including in their management of ICT infrastructures, risk management - including cyber risk, business resilience and contingency planning.

- At Government level, the National Cyber Security Centre, which is part of the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, has lead responsibility for cyber security in the State, with inputs from An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces. Their role covers incident response, cyber resilience and information provision, including to the tertiary education sector.

Therefore, in cases such as the incident in MTU, the primary engagement in responding to the cyber incident is between the institution and the National Cyber Security Centre, with regular updates also being provided by the institution to the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and the Higher Education Authority. There should also be clear communications by the institution to students and stakeholders.

MTU is working closely with the National Cyber Security Centre in relation to the breach, which has resulted in data from MTU’s systems being released on the dark web. MTU Students and Staff that may have been affected, will receive specific communications from MTU and all have been advised to remain extra vigilant to potential phishing attacks by email or SMS or other unsolicited communications.

My Department, in close collaboration with the Department of Education, has an important role in resourcing and supporting the work of HEAnet, the education sector’s ICT shared services provider. Last year, my Department confirmed significant multi-annual funding for cyber-security resources to HEAnet. These resources will equip HEAnet to expand the reach of its ICT Security Services offering to all eligible HEAnet client members, including institutions across the tertiary education sector. This service encompasses provision of advice and training to end users with the objective of reducing the risk of user-initiated cyber security events.

The Department is also providing funding to mobilise a sectoral Security Operations Centre and Security Incident Event Management (SOC/SIEM) service via HEAnet for the education sector, to mitigate the risks associated with cyber-attacks, through consistent and comprehensive 24/7 detection and response capabilities. These two services combined will better position HEAnet clients in mitigating the risk associated with cyber-attack. This allocation followed engagement between the HEA and the higher education sector, and a high level proposal put forward by the Irish Universities Association, in cooperation with HEAnet. HEAnet subsequently submitted a detailed business case for funding of the SOC/SIEM service.

Additionally, my Department allocates recurrent funding to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) for direct disbursement to HEA designated higher education institutions. The HEA provides grant funding to the Higher Education Sector through the Recurrent Grant Allocation Model (RGAM) as a block grant to cover teaching, research and supporting activities; the internal allocation of funds is a matter for each institution. HEIs must consider their local requirements and contexts in determining their priorities for funding, including in relation to enhancing the security of their IT systems.