Written Answers Nos. 125-137
125. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence when the Government intends to introduce the working time directive for the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11833/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Defence Forces are currently excluded from the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, which transposed the EU Working Time Directive into Irish Law. The Government, however, has committed to amending this Act and bringing both the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána within the scope of its provisions, where appropriate, given the nature of some of the duties.
The responsibility for preparing the legislative framework required to bring the Defence Forces within the scope of the Act lies with the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment. My officials are continuing to engage actively with that Department to progress these changes.
A significant amount of work undertaken by military management has determined that a high percentage of the normal everyday work of the Defence Forces is already in compliance with the Working Time Directive. However, it has also been determined that there are some activities which may be outside the scope of the Directive, due to their very specific nature.
A robust time and attendance system is also an essential element in ensuring that the provisions of the Working Time Directive are properly afforded to serving members of the Defence Forces and progress on this matter is also a priority.
Extensive deliberations between the Department of Defence and the military authorities on these matters have been informed by the interpretation of recent European Case Law on military service, as well as the fundamental requirement to ensure that rights are afforded to serving members, while ensuring that the Defence Forces can continue to fulfill their essential state functions.
I'm pleased to say that dialogue with the Representative Associations on a proposed management position is continuing and I am aware that a number of issues raised by the Associations are actively being examined by civilian-military management. I am assured that every effort is being made to resolve these discussions as soon as possible.
A final management position on the implementation of the Directive will be submitted to me for my consideration and approval once this dialogue is concluded. Thereafter, my Department will be engaging with the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment who will take forward the appropriate legislative framework.
I can assure the Deputy that the health and safety of personnel in the Defence Forces remains a priority for myself and the Chief of Staff and we remain fully committed to ensuring that the provisions of the Working Time Directive are applied. as appropriate, throughout the Defence Forces.
126. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if clarification will be provided on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11996/23]
View answerThe implementation of pension increases for Defence Forces (DF) pensions is a significant administrative undertaking for the Department and our payroll provider the National Shared Services Office (NSSO) due to the unique nature and structure of DF pensions.
Military pension rates are not based on the usual generic service/salary decimal calculations, but on a multiplicity of flat rates (not directly pay-related) which are a combination of retiring rank, service in rank and overall service, with a range of components driven by paycodes and not by position points within pay scales as applies in other Public Service Bodies.
A detailed and careful examination and oversight are required when implementing pension increases to ensure that pension rates are correct and thereby reduce the risk of potential underpayments or overpayments and the consequent difficulties this could lead to for pensioners.
A significant number of cases need to be individually examined and manually adjusted, such as Family Law ‘Pension Adjustment Order’ cases to ensure that the pension split remains as set out in the relevant Court Order, pension abatement cases where a DF pensioner has re-joined another public organisation, disability pension cases, and a number of other case types.
In recent times there are also higher than normal numbers of PDF personnel leaving who need to be prioritised ahead of all other tasks, to ensure that their pensions come into payment on a timely basis following cessation of their salaries and to avoid them being left without any income.
An extension to “Building Momentum – A New Public Service Agreement 2021-2022” was agreed in mid-October 2022. DPER Circular 19/2022 gave sanction for the application of adjustments to civil service pay in accordance with this agreement, providing for the application of increases in pay of 3% with effect from 2 February 2022 and 1% (or €500 whichever is greater) with effect from 1 October 2022. Sanction from DPER to pass on the benefits of the 2 February 2022 and 1 October 2022 pay increases to the relevant military pensions was received on 4 Nov 2022.
In order to meet an early December 2022 payroll closedown deadline, a decision was taken to prioritise the inclusion of the 2 February 2022 increase of 3%, plus associated arrears, in the December payroll as this amounted to over 90% of the monies due to pensioners. This entailed considerable effort on the part of the Pensions Admin staff, necessitating many additional hours of work to ensure that the deadline was met. Their efforts in this regard were acknowledged and complimented by one of the veteran’s associations. To implement pension increases under such intense time pressure was done as a response to the exceptional circumstances at that time and is not a sustainable approach on an ongoing basis.
For operational reasons the 1 October 2022 increase of 1% or €500 will be applied to pensions in tandem with the 1 March 2023 increase of 2%. Preparatory work has begun on this and both increases will be put into payment as soon as is practicable.
127. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education if assistance will be provided in relation to the appointment of a home school tutor for a child (details supplied). [11648/23]
View answerThe Home Tuition Grant Scheme is available to provide funding towards the provision of a compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of specific reasons, are unable to attend school.
The aim of the Department is to meet the needs of families and to ensure every child is allocated a suitable school placement. The preferred approach is that children are educated in school settings where children may have access to fully qualified teachers, individualised education programmes, special needs assistants, school curriculum with the option, where possible and appropriate, of full or partial integration and interaction with student peers.
Accordingly, home tuition is provided as an interim measure only for children for whom a placement in a recognised school is not currently available and should not be regarded as an optional alternative to a school placement.
The Special Education Needs Home Tuition Scheme provides funding towards a compensatory educational service for children with special educational needs for whom such a placement is not available. The scheme also provides for early educational intervention for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), who meet the scheme’s criteria, aged from 2.5 - 5 years before they start in school.
The applicable criteria under which children qualify for Home Tuition support are set out in Circular 0046/2022.
Home tutors are engaged by the parents/guardian of the child who is to receive tuition and the tutor has no contractual relationship with the Department of Education. As tuition takes place outside the usual school structure it is important that home tutors are qualified to provide an educational programme relevant to the sector the child is in.
Accordingly, it is a condition of the scheme that parents/legal guardians recruit a tutor who is qualified in the sector in which tuition is being provided, and is registered with the Teaching Council for the duration of the approved tuition. Where all efforts have failed to secure the services of a teacher qualified to teach in the sector concerned, the Department may consider the engagement of a person who is registered with the Teaching Council and has a primary degree (minimum Level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications) in a relevant area, e.g. Psychology.
Student Teachers registered under route 5 with the Teaching Council can only engage in teaching on a substitute basis until the successful completion of the accredited programme in teacher education in respect of which you were registered with the Teaching Council.
As set out in Circular 0046/2022 it is the responsibility of the parent/legal guardian to source a tutor at the earliest possible opportunity to allow for applications for registration/vetting to be made by the tutor to the Teaching Council, if necessary. This Department does not keep lists of tutors available to carry out home tuition, however to help parents source a home tutor for this scheme in their local area, the Irish Primary Principals' Network (IPPN) has created a Home Tuition Noticeboard for Parents to help them source a suitable candidates. This noticeboard is available on www.educationposts.ie It may also be helpful to contact local schools in the first instance, or alternatively, the Department is aware that many parents use education provider websites to advertise for tutors or indeed place advertisements in local newspapers or on shop/community notice boards.
128. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education if she will confirm unequivocally that the search for a school site at a location (details supplied) is for the existing school; if she will provide an update on that land acquisition; if she will provide an estimated timeframe for when the school will be moved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11651/23]
View answerA preferred site has been identified to meet the needs of the school referred to by the Deputy.
My Department has instructed the officials in Fingal County Council, under the Memorandum of Understanding for the acquisition of school sites, to commence negotiations for the acquisition of this preferred site.
Once a site has been acquired the project will then progress to the architectural design & planning stages.
While a site acquisition process is underway, given the commercial sensitivities associated with land acquisitions generally, I am not in a position to comment further at this time.
129. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education if she will provide on update on the provision of a new school building on existing lands for school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11652/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, responsibility for delivering a major project for the school in question has been devolved to Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education & Training Board (DDLETB). The Department of Education originally approved the construction of a standalone extension of just over 4,000m2 in area to include a 2-classroom Special Education needs base. Some works to the existing building were also included in this approval. A number of significant issues have unfortunately arisen, including delays in obtaining statutory consents from the local authority and delays to the finalisation of the detailed design process for the project as it was originally approved. The project was brought to Stage 2B. However, at that point it was agreed between DDLETB and the Department to proceed with an alternative proposal for the progression of the project as set out by DDLETB. This alternative involves the demolition and replacement of the existing building but also allows the provision of accommodation for another school on the site. Based on a report provided by DDLETB, it was agreed in late 2020 following meetings between the Department and DDLETB that the project should be redesigned on that basis. The Department has been reviewing next steps in the progression of the project in the meantime. This review is now completed. The Department is now in a position to instruct DDLETB’s design team to develop a masterplan for the school in question and a second 1,000 pupil post primary school on the same site. The masterplan can develop the initial project in line with the DDLETB proposals previously advised in that respect, and provide a footprint for a second school based on a standard 1,000 pupil Schedule of Accommodation. Following receipt of the masterplan, a decision on the optimum way forward will be taken as quickly as possible, subject to all relevant information being available. The Department will continue to engage with the patron in respect of the project, including in respect of the proposed delivery method. If the masterplan demonstrates that this proposal is feasible, it is then anticipated that the project will progress on that basis. DDLETB can then be expected to proceed with the appointment of a Design Team to progress the redesign of the buildings, obtain the necessary statutory planning permissions and move the project onward to construction in due course. As the project is at an early stage in the delivery process, it is not possible at this time to give a date for completion.Pending completion of the main building project, the Department has approved the provision of a Home Economics Room, an Art Room, and a Toilet Block through the Department’s Framework of Modular Accommodation Providers. The school has put contingency arrangements in place to make best use of existing accommodation until the modular accommodation is ready to be occupied.
130. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education when construction on a secondary school (details supplied) will commence; if she will ensure that this building work begins as urgently as possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11685/23]
View answerThe permanent school building project for the site referred to by the Deputy is a campus project to deliver a 1,000 pupil post-primary school and accommodation, including four classrooms, for children with special educational needs and a 16 classroom primary school and accommodation, including two classrooms, for children with special educational needs. The campus project is being delivered under my Department's Design and Build programme. The final grant of planning permission for the campus development was received on 9th March 2021.
My Department’s Planning and Building Unit is currently assessing its work programme and priorities for 2023 in the context of overall requirements and available funding. Our most immediate priorities are to cater for September 2023 requirements.
My Department is engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in relation to capital funding pressures in order to continue to be able to adequately support the operation of the school system with rollout of school building projects to tender and construction in 2023 and minimise project delays to the greatest extent possible.
Currently there are 58 school building projects, including the campus project for the school referred to by the Deputy, on hold for proceeding to tender/construction due to capital funding pressures.
My Department will continue to liaise with the school's patron body in relation to the school’s interim accommodation needs on the permanent site for the school. The Department will keep the school and its patron body updated when there is further clarity on progression of projects.
131. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education if he will provide an update on an application by a person (details supplied) for additional accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11729/23]
View answerThe school to which the Minister refers was granted approval under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme for the provision of 2 SET Rooms and 1 Assisted Users WC along with the rental of 1 interim SET Room.
The Department allowed this project to progress to the planning stage and a letter was issued to the school authorities informing them of this approval in December 2022. Progression of this project lies with the school authorities.
132. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the progress of a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11730/23]
View answerThe school to which the Deputy refers was granted funding under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme to provide 6 General Classrooms (5 Prefab replacement) 1 x WC for assisted Users, 2 Science Labs & shared Prep area, 1 x Computer Lab, 1 x Technology room & prep area, 1 x Home Economic room, toilets, lockers, circulation, stair and 2 x SEN Base.
This project has been devolved for delivery to the school authority and following the issue of a combined technical report to the school authorities for inclusion in the project going forward (issued in January 2023), progression of the project now lies with the school authorities and their design team.
133. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education the steps she is taking to ensure a school (details supplied) has sufficient classroom space to accommodate existing and future demand; if she is aware that a new teacher is due to start at the school in September this year and that there is currently no additional classroom available to accommodate this teacher and their class; if she will do all in her power to expedite the acquisition of land and approval of funding that will allow for a solution to be out in place in time for September; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11731/23]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application for the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme, from the school in question.
Negotiations are currently underway in respect of a potential acquisition of land for the school. The Deputy will appreciate that negotiations in respect of site acquisitions are, by their nature, sensitive and for that reason I am not in a position to provide further information at this time.
The application for additional accommodation will be considered in the context of the potential acquisition and the school authority will be contacted directly with a decision in due course.
134. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Education if she will confirm that schools will receive the minor works grant immediately to allow Boards of Management to carry out essential maintenance and minor works during summer 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11765/23]
View answerMy Department has a strong track record of delivery of school building projects and this was achieved again in 2022 notwithstanding the wider construction sector environment of high inflation, labour shortages and supply chain issues.
During 2022, there was circa. 180 school building projects delivered and a further 273 school building projects remained under construction at the start of 2023 - most of which will be completed this year. There was also accelerated delivery of modular accommodation to facilitate additional capacity in special classes and special schools to cater for over 900 children with additional needs. In addition, there was necessary refurbishment and maintenance in nearly 1,000 schools under the Multi-annual Summer Works Scheme and the Emergency Works Scheme.
I am very appreciative of the strong support provided by Government for our education budget. As part of the supplementary budget, €300m additional capital funding was provided in 2022. This helped to alleviate capital funding pressures that arose in 2022 which was reflective of the strong delivery by the Department of school building projects – particularly to support mainstream provision and special education needs provision. My Department’s overall capital outturn for 2022 was €1.12 billion.
My Department recognises the importance of the Minor Works Grant to primary schools. The funding provides good flexibility at local level to assist schools to manage and undertake works that support the operation of schools.
The Minor Works Grant for primary schools for the current school year 2022/2023 was paid in December in 2021.
My Department's Planning & Building Unit is currently assessing its work programme and priorities for 2023 in the context of its available funding. My Department's published NDP allocation for 2023 is €860 million. High construction inflation remains a continuing feature of the construction sector for 2023. As part of planning ahead for 2023, my Department is engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in relation to capital funding pressures in order to continue to be able to adequately support the operation of the school system. The timeline for the payment of the next tranche of minor grant funding to primary schools will be considered within this overall context.
135. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education if the minor works grant will be paid this year (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11766/23]
View answerMy Department has a strong track record of delivery of school building projects and this was achieved again in 2022 notwithstanding the wider construction sector environment of high inflation, labour shortages and supply chain issues.
During 2022, there was circa. 180 school building projects delivered and a further 273 school building projects remained under construction at the start of 2023 - most of which will be completed this year. There was also accelerated delivery of modular accommodation to facilitate additional capacity in special classes and special schools to cater for over 900 children with additional needs. In addition, there was necessary refurbishment and maintenance in nearly 1,000 schools under the Multi-annual Summer Works Scheme and the Emergency Works Scheme.
I am very appreciative of the strong support provided by Government for our education budget. As part of the supplementary budget, €300m additional capital funding was provided in 2022. This helped to alleviate capital funding pressures that arose in 2022 which was reflective of the strong delivery by the Department of school building projects – particularly to support mainstream provision and special education needs provision. My Department’s overall capital outturn for 2022 was €1.12 billion.
My Department recognises the importance of the Minor Works Grant to primary schools. The funding provides good flexibility at local level to assist schools to manage and undertake works that support the operation of schools.
The Minor Works Grant for primary schools for the current school year 2022/2023 was paid in December in 2021.
My Department's Planning & Building Unit is currently assessing its work programme and priorities for 2023 in the context of its available funding. My Department's published NDP allocation for 2023 is €860 million. High construction inflation remains a continuing feature of the construction sector for 2023. As part of planning ahead for 2023, my Department is engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in relation to capital funding pressures in order to continue to be able to adequately support the operation of the school system. The timeline for the payment of the next tranche of minor grant funding to primary schools will be considered within this overall context.
136. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will instruct her Department to make provisions for a student (details supplied).; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11771/23]
View answerI 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.
In total there are 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, consideration of school accommodation capacity and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level.
As demand for new special classes at post-primary level is expected to increase significantly over the next few years, due to increasing demographics and increasing prevalence rates, my Department and the NCSE have engaged with post-primary stakeholders in relation to the provision of special classes. The Department has also previously written to all post-primary schools in October 2022 to advise them of the need to begin planning to provide additional special classes. It is envisaged that all post-primary schools will be required to provide special classes over the next 3 to 5 years, with an approximate average of 4 special classes in each school.
If the recent growth in the need for special classes continues, it is expected that a similar level of new special classes will be needed at primary level over the next three years as have been provided over the last three years. At post-primary level however, it is expected that we will need to double the number of new special classes being provided over the next three years as compared to the last three years.
The NCSE has advised my Department that it continues to work with schools to ensure that there are sufficient places available in special classes to meet the needs of children. It is expected that the NCSE will confirm where new special classes at primary and post-primary level have been sanctioned for the coming school year over the next few weeks. This is in keeping with timelines in previous years
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: 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.
137. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education when a school (details supplied) will have a decision on the three proposed plans it has submitted for additional school accommodation in order to progress its extension plans given significant increases in enrolment numbers. [11847/23]
View answerThe school to which the Deputy refers to was granted funding under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme 2020 for the provision of 7 x General Classrooms, En-suite Toilet & 1 x Assisted Toilet, 2 x SEN Base & Purchase of Modular Accommodation of 1 x 100m2 General Classroom.
The project is devolved for delivery to the school authority. My Department issued a letter of approval in respect of the Modular Accommodation and the first drawdown of funds was issued recently. The school authorities have submitted a stage 1 design report in respect of the other aspects of their ASA project which has been forwarded to my Department's Technical Team for review. Once this review is complete, the Department will advise the school authorities directly regarding the next stage of the process.
