Written Answers Nos. 593-617
593. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the progress made by his Department in respect of targets and goals set out in the sustainable development goals of the 2030 United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development under the policy remit of his Department; and if these targets and goals will be met by their respective deadlines. [12898/23]
View answerIn September 2015, 193 UN Member Countries including Ireland adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which consist of 169 targets around the 17 high level goals. These goals are a global blueprint for collective progress to a more prosperous and sustainable world by 2030. They are applicable to all countries, developed and developing, and action is required for their implementation both domestically and internationally.
Ireland is committed to implementing the Sustainable Development Goals, and published its second National Implementation Plan for the SDGs 2022-2024, in October 2022. While the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications has lead responsibility for promoting and overseeing the coherent implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the whole-of-Government approach to implementation means all Ministers are responsible for implementing the SDGs related to their functions.
As Minister for Defence, I retain responsibility for implementing the individual SDGs relating to issues under the aegis of the Department of Defence. My Department works with other stakeholder Departments' to ensure a coordinated whole-of-Government approach to implementation of the Goals, both domestically and internationally is achieved. A number of the issues that are relevant to the performance of the functions of the Department of Defence are reflected in our Statement of Strategy 2021-2023, and will also be reflected in our Statement of Strategy for the period 2023-2026, which is currently being prepared.
Arising from the Commission on the Defence Forces, a high level action plan was agreed by Government which contains a range of recommendations designed to assist in increasing female participation in the Defence Forces. A number of these recommendations have been identified as early actions, including the appointment of a senior Gender Advisor at Colonel level, options for female participation at General Staff level, review of fitness standards, and the development of gender, diversity and unconscious bias training.
In addition, the following initiatives are already in place with a view to increasing the level of female participation in the Defence Forces:
- A Gender Equality and Diversity Officer was appointed to promote gender equality policies and training. Gender Advisors are available to all Brigades and Services and trained Gender Focal Points are deployed with all overseas units and ships in order to promote a gender perspective in operations.
- A Defence Forces Women's Network was established with the aim of increasing the participation of female personnel at all levels of the organisation.
- Special consideration is paid to women as a target group for recruitment within the general recruitment framework. The Defence Forces have engaged a Marketing and Media partner to assist with recruitment advertising, to ensure engagement with the recruitment demographic across social media and other media platforms.
- The Defence Forces actively engage with schools to conduct career talks and regularly attend events aimed at future career choices for schools.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is a key strategic partner with the Defence Organisation with whom we will continue to have a close and effective working relationship in the areas of UN Peacekeeping; international security policy; disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control; and sustainable development. The Defence Organisation will support the “Global Ireland 2025” ambitions to expand and grow the contribution Ireland makes abroad. The Defence Organisation will continue to contribute to the implementation of the relevant sustainable development goals and targets, as set out in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
594. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the level of funding provided to the permanent structured co-operation initiative, in each of the years 2017 to 2022, respectively; and the proposed funding for 2023. [12941/23]
View answerIreland joined the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) in 2017, the establishment of which represents a further development in EU Cooperation in support of international peace and security under CSDP. Under PESCO, Member States come together in different project groups to develop and make available additional capabilities and enablers for peacekeeping and crisis management operations As of 1st March 2023, Ireland is participating in four PESCO projects and has Observer status on ten. The four projects in which we are participating are - (1) Upgrade of Maritime Surveillance; (2) Cyber Threats and Incident Response Information Sharing Platform; (3) Maritime (semi) Autonomous Systems for Mine Countermeasures and (4) Deployable Military Disaster Relief Capability Package.
The ten projects on which we are Observing are – (1) Counter Unmanned Aerial System; (2) Energy Operational Function; (3) EU Military Partnership; (4) EU Radionavigation Solution; (5) European Secure Software Defined Radio; (6) European Union Network of Diving Centres; (7) Future Medium-size Tactical Cargo; (8) Harbour and Maritime Surveillance and Protection; (9) Military Mobility; and (10) SOF Medical Training Centre.
Since joining PESCO in 2017, the only costs of our engagement have been those associated with travel to and attendance at PESCO project planning meetings by Defence Forces' Subject Matter Experts.
595. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence , further to Parliamentary Question No. 923 of 14 June 2022, if there has been progress on clearing the backlog of medical exams for the Defence Forces Army Reserves; when the plan for the revitalisation of the Defence Forces Army Reserves will be published; and if there is a timeline for the establishment of the office of Defence Forces Army Reserves affairs. [13033/23]
View answerA recruitment drive for the RDF was launched in March 2022, which was advertised across a number of media channels while Recruit Liaison Officers across the RDF conducted local recruitment to attract applicants for this campaign.
Over 1,000 applications were received during this window, which is very encouraging, and the majority of those applications (800+) have now gone through the initial assessment stages and are currently moving to the medicals process.
More specifically the figures stand as follows:
|
Total |
|
|
Part 1 Medical Required |
489 |
|
Part 2 Medical Required |
464 |
It is noted that the same resources are used for PDF recruitment and this must remain a priority. It is difficult to determine a reliable average time for the medical assessments due to the bifurcated nature of the process, that is to say it is a two step process with time variations between those two stages.
Following discussions regarding the delays posed by the medicals stage of the recruitment process, the Central Medical Unit (CMU) allocated 225 medicals to Reserve applicants. Applicants from 2020 and 2021 were contacted by phone to ask if they still wanted their application to be considered. Approximately 220 of these applicants wished to continue. The backlogged applicants were offered medicals first. The majority of these Medical Part 1s are now completed.
In order to progress the applicants through the recruitment process, the Military Authorities in conjunction with the CMU and Office of the Reserve, agreed that the CMU would allocate batches of medicals to Reserve recruitment.
With regard to Part 2 medicals, a proposal was approved on 9 December 2022 to outsource Part 2 medicals, for both inductees and existing members over a four-year period for both the PDF and the RDF, amounting to 10,200 medicals in total across three lots (Dublin, DFTC, Cork).
It is planned to include 600 RDF induction medicals per year in this figure, which would amount to 2,400 over the lifetime of the proposed contract.
This proposal has now gone to Tender. It is hoped that medicals facilitated by this contract will commence in the second quarter of 2023.
To date since the recruitment drive last year, 94 RDF recruits have been inducted into the Defence Forces with further inductions scheduled, and the military authorities have additionally advised me that once the body of work arising from last year's campaign is completed, consideration will be given to the launch of a further recruitment initiative in mid-2023.
While the progress is welcome, I fully appreciate the necessity however expedite the induction process for the Reserve, including around the medical assessment element and I have asked my officials to engage with the military authorities to examine possible further measures.
A key enabler in the recruitment drive and the revitalisation of the Reserve Defence Force overall will be the establishment of the Office of Reserve Affairs. The aim to ‘Revitalise the Reserve Defence Force’ was one of five core areas and associated strategic objectives identified following Government approval to move to ‘Level of Ambition 2’ as set out in the capability framework devised by the Commission on the Defence Forces. One specific early action on this is the establishment of an Office of Reserve Affairs (ORA) with the priority objective of developing a regeneration plan for the Reserve Defence Force. Work on the establishment of this Office has commenced.
It is my intention that the momentum behind the regeneration of the RDF will be maintained throughout 2023 and beyond, thereby enabling us, going forward, to create a Reserve Defence Force that can seamlessly train, operate and deploy with the Permanent Defence Force, both nationally and internationally.
596. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he has visited Casement Aerodrome since his appointment as Minister for Defence. [13359/23]
View answerSince my appointment as Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, I have visited Casement Aerodrome on 8 occasions, both as part of my travel in and out of the country, and for official engagements at the Aerodrome. I am due to visit again on official business in the coming weeks.
597. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he plans to raise the mandatory age of retirement for non-commissioned members of the Defence Forces from 50 years of age to 60, in view of the declining numbers in the Defence Forces and the specialised training given to technical back-up staff there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13418/23]
View answerMilitary life places unique demands on individuals and it is necessary that Defence Forces personnel are prepared to meet the challenges of all military operations. For this reason compulsory retirement ages for ranks in the Permanent Defence Force are considerably lower than in other employments.
The Public Service Pay Commission in their report on recruitment and retention in the Permanent Defence Force in 2019, included in their recommendations, the need to consider options to tackle barriers to extended participation in the Permanent Defence Force.
A joint civil/military review was subsequently completed in 2021. Two detailed reports examining barriers to extended participation in the Permanent Defence Force were compiled, one in relation to Commissioned Officers and the other in respect of Enlisted Personnel.
As pension arrangements for members of the Permanent Defence Force are based on date of entry to service, any proposals to amend the length of service requires the consideration of the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (DPER), in respect of costs and accrued pension liabilities.
In December 2021, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform agreed to allow for an extension in service limits for Privates and Corporals, who were recruited to the Permanent Defence Force since 1 January 1994, to remain in service up to 50 years of age.
An interim arrangement was agreed in October 2022, to allow for the continuance in service of Sergeants. Those Sergeants who were recruited since 1 January 1994 and would have been due to retire on the basis of mandatory retirement age in 2022 and 2023, will not be required to do so until end-2024. The fast accrual pension terms will continue for those additional years.
The Department of Defence are members of the Inter-Departmental Working Group, established, to consider mandatory retirement ages and service limits for public service groups who have 'fast accrual' occupational pension arrangements. The recommendations from the joint civil/military review of mandatory retirement ages of all ranks in the Permanent Defence Force are being considered in this group.
Compulsory retirement ages and service limits in the Defence Forces are kept under review with key considerations of manpower policy and operational needs. I have discussed this matter with the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. Options for interim measures pending the outcome of the work of interdepartmental group are being considered.
598. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of staff in the Defence Forces who must retire in the next three years due to the mandatory age of retirement; the way it is intended to replace these members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13419/23]
View answerThe following table details the number of PDF personnel due to retire in the next three years on age grounds:
|
Year |
Total Personnel |
|
2023 |
121 |
|
2024 |
112 |
|
2025 |
152 |
Compulsory retirement ages and service limits in the Defence Forces are kept under review with key considerations of manpower policy and operational needs.
In 2021, the Minister for Defence secured agreement, with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, for an extension in service limits for Privates and Corporals who were recruited post 1994. A subsequent interim arrangement for a continuance in service for Sergeants was also agreed.
The recommendations from a joint civil/military Department of Defence review of mandatory retirement ages in the Permanent Defence Force are being considered in an Inter-Departmental Working Group. The Department of Defence is a member of this Group, which was established to consider mandatory retirement ages and service limits for public service groups who have 'fast accrual' occupational pension arrangements. Options for interim measures pending the outcome of the work of this interdepartmental group are being considered.
Ongoing staffing challenges in the Defence Forces have been acknowledged and the Defence Forces are developing strategies to achieve increased recruitment and to address the current shortfall in numbers. My immediate focus is now on stabilising the staffing situation in the Defence Forces and thereafter in bringing the strength to the numbers required to meet the agreed level of ambition arising from the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces.
599. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of trained paramedics in the Defence Forces; the age at which they must retire; the reason for this, given that paramedics in the Ambulance Service can serve until they are 66 years of age; the cost to the Defence Forces of losing these highly-trained staff at such an early age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13420/23]
View answerI am advised by the military authorities that there are currently 26 trained paramedics in the Defence Forces, comprising 18 Paramedics and 8 Advanced Paramedics.
Paramedics and advanced paramedics are enlisted personnel in the Defence Forces that have been trained in these skills during the course of their careers. Therefore, their retirement ages are determined by their rank and length of service in the organisation. Military life places unique demands on individuals and it is necessary that Defence Forces personnel can meet the challenges of all military operations. For this reason compulsory retirement ages for ranks in the Permanent Defence Force are considerably lower than in other employments.
The retirement age for enlisted personnel engaged prior to 1994 is 60. For those enlisted to the Permanent Defence Force on or after 1 January 1994, the mandatory retirement age is 50 for privates, corporals, and sergeants, and 56 for other senior non-commissioned officers. In 2022, an interim arrangement was agreed with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, in respect of sergeants who would have been due to retire this year and next, to remain in service until end-2024.
The Public Service Pay Commission in their report on recruitment and retention in the Permanent Defence Force in 2019, included in their recommendations, the need to consider options to tackle barriers to extended participation in the Permanent Defence Force. A joint civil/military review was subsequently completed in 2021. The Report of the Review Group made a number of recommendations for extended service limits across a number of ranks in the Defence Forces.
As current pension arrangements for personnel enlisted to the Permanent Defence Force on or after 1 January 1994, are based on date of entry to the Defence Forces, any proposals to amend the length of service requires the approval of the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, with regards to impacts on accrued pension liabilities.
The Department of for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform have established an Inter-Departmental Working Group to consider mandatory retirement ages and service limits for public service groups who have 'fast accrual' occupational pension arrangements. A number of meetings of this Working Group, of which the Department of Defence is a member, have taken place to date. The recommendations from the joint civil/military review of mandatory retirement ages of all ranks in the Permanent Defence Force are being considered as part of the work of this group.
Vacancies arising from the retirement of paramedics or advanced paramedics are filled, as appropriate, by individuals possessing the qualifications required to comply with the standards set by the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC).
I can assure the Deputy that the recruitment and retention of trained medical personnel, as with other specialist areas within the Defence Forces, is a matter of priority.
600. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if people who leave the Defence Forces due to poor pay and conditions can receive their gratuity early in order to help them with the housing and cost-of-living crises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13696/23]
View answerDefence Forces pension entitlements, including gratuities, are payable in accordance with the rules of the relevant Defence Forces pension scheme of which an individual is a member.
There is no provision in the Defence Forces pension schemes rules for the payment of a gratuity prior to the date a member leaves the Defence Forces as such payments are due as a consequence of the retirement or resignation of a member.
This is in line with other public service pension schemes.
I have highlighted some of the current pay and conditions, for the Deputy's information.
Highlights of Current Pay and Conditions
Starting Pay (with effect from 1 March 2023)
- Graduate Cadet (on commissioning) €46,406
- School Leaver Cadet (on commissioning) €41,123
- Recruit (on completion of basic training) €37,147.
There are opportunities for frequent career advancement to higher ranks and to qualify for additional allowances.
Education and Personal Development
- Fully funded opportunities to gain professional and academic qualifications while receiving full pay and allowances.
- Technician Training/Apprenticeships are available for enlisted personnel
Overseas Service
- Tax-free Overseas Duty Allowance, which can start at €15,000 for a 6 month deployment
- Opportunities for Family Friendly deployments of 3 months
Annual Leave
- 28 days minimum
- Fully paid statutory leaves including Adoptive, Maternity and Paternity Leave
- Also paid sick leave, study leave, parental leave
Pension
All serving members of the Permanent Defence Force are members of a Public Service Pension Scheme.
601. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence , further to Parliamentary Question No. 21 of 24 November 2022, if he will provide an update on Ireland's involvement in the European Union Military Assistance Mission Ukraine, EUMAM Ukraine; the status of plans for the training of Ukrainian soldiers on EU soil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13699/23]
View answerOn 21 February 2023, the Government approved the participation of up to 30 Defence Forces’ personnel in the newly established European Union Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine).
The primary role of the Defence Forces will be to provide training to members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) in one or more EU Member States in which the training will take place. These trainers will be supplemented by a small number of staff positions based in the Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC) staff based in Brussels, Belgium and in the multi-national Special Training Command (STC) in Strausberg, Germany.
In respect of training, Ireland’s Defence Forces has significant expertise in a number of areas where we believe we can bring some added-value to the mission, including in areas such as C-IED training (Counter Improvised Explosive Devices), EOD training (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), Combat Medical and Engineering.
Given that the DF have capacity to provide training in a relatively limited number of areas, it will be necessary to match that capacity with the identified training needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF). Until such time as this is done, it is difficult to anticipate exactly when and in what areas the DF will commence the delivery of such training. However, it is anticipated that the delivery of training can commence relatively soon.
Depending on the matching of the DF's limited training capacity with the identified training needs of the UAF, it is expected that small training teams will be deployed for short periods, not normally for more than a few weeks at a time.
602. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Education the status of an additional accommodation application submitted by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12236/23]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme, from the school in question.
Officials from my Department have recently corresponded with the school authorities and on receipt of their response, the application will be progressed and a decision will issue to the school authority directly.
603. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the location and timeframe for the building of a school (details supplied). [12244/23]
View answerThe site identification and assessment exercise for the school referred to by the Deputy is ongoing. Potential site options have been identified, including Minister-owned property.
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
604. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Education the current status of an application by a school (details supplied) for English as an Additional Language, EAL, teaching support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12260/23]
View answerMy Department provides specific English Language support to schools with pupils newly arrived into the country that have English as an additional language.
The school referred to by the Deputy has an allocation of 20 hours per week based on the number of new entrant pupils enrolled, as set out in the NE-EAL application form.
The school has applied for EAL support for the 2023/24 school year and has been advised that it will retain its current level of EAL support, pending confirmation of enrolments in September.
605. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Education the status of an additional accommodation application for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12261/23]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of an application for additional school accommodation from the school referred to by the Deputy. Officials in my Department are currently liaising with the school authority regarding the application. Once the application has been assessed, the school authority will be contacted directly with a decision.
The purpose of my Department’s Additional School Accommodation (or ASA) scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom accommodation and accommodation for pupils with special education needs is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.
606. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education the number of times funding was moved across budget lines within her Department in a process known as virement; the name and purpose of the fund the money was taken from; the name and purpose of the fund the money was transferred to; the dates upon which she approved of such transfers, since she took office; if the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform was consulted prior to the transfer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12265/23]
View answerThe Public Financial Procedures guidebook sets out that virement operates under the specific authority of the Department of Finance, which has since been vested to the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (DPENDPDR). As standard practice, my Department has sought and received DPENDPDR virement sanctions for all years since I took office. Proof of such sanctions is requested by the Office of the Comptroller & Auditor General as part of the auditing of the Department's annual Appropriation Accounts. The Department’s Appropriation Accounts are published on the Comptroller and Auditor General’s website at www.audit.gov.ie/en/find-report/publications/appropriation%20accounts/. These Accounts show the variations between actual and allocated expenditure by subhead. My Department’s 2022 Appropriation Accounts are still in the process of being finalised and will be available later in the year.
607. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Education if funding will be made available to allow school building projects, for schools such as a school (details supplied) that use temporary accommodation on their permanent sites, to proceed to allow these schools to move into permanent accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12301/23]
View answerThe permanent school building project for the schools referred to by the Deputy is a campus project to deliver a 1,000 pupil post-primary school and accommodation for children with special educational needs and a 16 classroom primary school and accommodation for children with special educational needs. The campus project is being delivered under my Department's Design and Build programme.
My Department's Planning and 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. Key priorities for my Department's work programme include continuing strong delivery to support the operation of the school system with particular regard to planning ahead for the 2023/24 school year and beyond and also with particular regard to supporting special needs provision.
High construction inflation remains a continuing feature of the construction sector for 2023. As part of its planning ahead for the remainder of 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 adequately support the operation of the school system with roll out of school building projects to construction in 2023.
We are currently at a very advanced stage with these discussions. Progress has been made and I am anxious to bring this to resolution very soon. I want to reassure the Deputy and the relevant school communities that school building projects that are currently on hold due to capital funding pressures will be progressed and delivered – it is a question of timing. I am well aware of the urgency in getting these projects delivered as quickly as possible. The outcome of our engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform will provide better clarity on the timelines for the progression of these projects. This is a key priority for me. I have engaged directly with Minister Donohue on this matter and will continue to do so with a view to getting our funding pressures resolved as quickly as possible.
We will be providing an update to individual schools when our engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform concludes. In tandem with this, my Department’s Planning & Building Unit will also be updating Patron Bodies and School Management Bodies at that stage.
My Department will continue to liaise with the school’s patron body in relation to the school’s interim accommodation needs pending delivery of the permanent accommodation for the schools.
608. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education the reason for the expected delay in going to tender to build a new permanent school (details supplied) to Q2 2024, adding a year to the potential opening date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12314/23]
View answerThe school building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under my Department's school building programme and will provide a 16 classroom primary school and accommodation, including two classrooms for children with special educational needs.
My Department progressed 8 Design & Build (D&B) projects (Lots 1 & 2) to construction in 2021, with a further 10 projects (Lots 3, 4 & 5) progressed to construction in Summer 2022. A further 10 projects (Lot 6) are due to proceed to tender next.
All of these projects are tendered to my Department’s current D&B Contractors Framework. It will be 2024 before the next scheduled bundle of projects (Lot 7) can be tendered to that framework and into late 2024 before further projects could proceed to tender.
In order to have projects delivered at the earliest possible opportunity, my Department is of the view that the intervening period can be utilised to bring a number of projects with planning permission, including the project for the school referred to by the Deputy, to the level of employer-led design with a Design Team assigned to do so under the supervision of my Department’s project manager. This will ensure that such projects do not have to await capacity on the current framework to proceed to tender but rather can be progressed and actioned over that timeframe to tender outside of the D&B framework.
It is envisaged that this will also serve to broaden the range and number of Contractors to which such projects can be tendered than would hitherto have been possible within the Design & Build Framework. This forms part of my Department’s ongoing strategic approach to seek to widen the pool of Contractors tendering for school building projects.
My Department’s Project Manager will be tasked with appointing Design Teams to these projects from my Department’s newly established Frameworks of Consultants with the expectation that these projects could then proceed to tender in early to mid-2024.
My Department will continue to liaise with the school’s patron body in relation to the school’s interim accommodation needs pending delivery of the permanent accommodation for the school and will provide further updates as the project progresses.
609. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education if section 67 of Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 has been commenced; if this will allow the National Council for Special Education to designate a suitable school placement for a young person with additional educational needs where local attempts to resolve matters have not been successful; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12330/23]
View answerI thank the Deputy for his question and 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 to 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 special educational needs 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 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.
My Department is engaging intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning for 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 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.
The key provision in the Education (Provision in Respect of Children with Special Educational Needs) Act 2022 provides for a more streamlined Section 37A process, if required, to compel schools to make provision for children with special educational needs.
The new legislation passed through both Houses of the Oireachtas last summer and was signed into law by the President in July 2022. Commencement Orders (SI 381/2022 and SI 382/2022) were signed to initiate the provisions in the new legislation with effect from 22nd and 25th July 2022.
Section 67 of the Education Act 1998 which provides for the NCSE or Tusla Education Support Services (TESS) to designate a school place was also amended under this new legislation. The amended Section 67 has been commenced.
Circular letter 75/2022 which provides information on the Commencement of the Education (Provision in respect of Children with Special Education Needs) Act 2022 and Commencement of remaining sections of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 was published in late 2022 - gov.ie - Commencement of the Education (Provision in respect of Children with Special Educational Needs) Act 2022 and Commencement of remaining sections of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 (www.gov.ie).
610. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education the number of staffrooms funded by her Department in 2020, 2021 and 2022 in second-level schools; the number of applications for staffrooms rejected in each of those years; her views on the provision of adequate staffrooms in schools under her Department's capital expenditure programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12367/23]
View answerThe main focus of my Department’s resources over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics particularly at post-primary level, and for provision to meet the needs of children with special educational needs. My Department has also successfully supported and facilitated the enrolment of over 14,000 children from Ukraine in our primary and post primary schools.
The provision of staff rooms at post primary level form part of the accommodation brief for all new school buildings. This is also the case where a major building or refurbishment project is being delivered for an existing school.
Information in relation to the number of staff rooms funded by my Department in 2020, 2021 and 2022 is not readily available. The typical staff room facilities provided are outlined in the Department's design guidelines for new schools. (Ref TGD-023 “Post-primary School Design Guidelines”), published on www.gov.ie.
Under Project Ireland 2040 the education sector will receive a total of approximately €4.4 billion capital investment over the period 2021-2025. There will be a rolling 5 year funding envelope which will be updated annually for the period 2026 to 2030 within the Government’s overall NDP funding envelope of €136 billion in exchequer capital (€165 billion total capital including non-Exchequer) that will facilitate building a modern and sustainable school infrastructure.
Details of large-scale projects being delivered under the school building programme may be viewed on my Department's website at www.gov.ie and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.
611. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education the reason for the delay in approving the funding for the Nore school building bundle; the timeframe for approval; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12389/23]
View answerThe school accommodation ‘Project Nore' bundle is comprised of seven school projects which is devolved for delivery to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA).
The "Project Nore" bundle is currently at Stage 3 which is the tender process. Tenders have been received and are being evaluated as part of the Tender Assessment Report.
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. The most immediate priorities are to cater for September 2023 requirements.
As part of its planning ahead for 2023, the Department is engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in relation to capital funding pressures. Key priorities for the Department's work programme include continuing strong delivery to support the operation of the school system with particular regard to planning ahead for the 2023/24 school year and beyond and also with particular regard to supporting special needs provision. The progression of the "Project Nore" bundle of schools will be considered as part of this overall process.
612. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education if her Department can examine the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12401/23]
View answerUnder the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015 the Teaching Council is the body with statutory authority and responsibility for the regulation of the teaching profession in Ireland including the registration of teachers in the State.
The Teaching Council registers teachers under the Teaching Council Act 2001-2015 and in line with the Teaching Council Registration Regulations, 2016. As set out in the Schedule of the Regulations, the Council registers teachers under five routes of registration: Route 1 - Primary, Route 2 - Post-primary, Route 3 - Further Education, Route 4 - Other and Route 5 - Student Teacher.
Where an applicant for registration as a primary teacher has completed a programme of teacher education outside of Ireland, an Irish Language Requirement (ILR) condition applies to their registration. In order to address this condition, the teacher can either complete an Aptitude Test (SCG – An Scrúdú le hAghaidh Cáilíochta sa Ghaeilge) or an Adaptation Period (OCG – Oiriúnú le hAghaidh Cáilíochta sa Ghaeilge), which confirms the applicant's competence to teach the Irish language as well as a range of primary school curricular subjects through the medium of Irish. Both the SCG (Aptitude Test) and OCG (Adaptation Period) are administered by Marino Institute of Education.
Upon initial registration a teacher is granted a period of three years to complete this condition. Should a teacher not address this condition within this timeframe the teacher may apply for an extension of time, this is in line with S32 of the Teaching Council Acts. Extension requests are considered under the Teaching Council Procedures – Extension Request Assessments. Further information is available on the Teaching Council website, www.TeachingCouncil.ie. Extension requests are granted at the discretion of the Council and are usually granted for a period of one year. Such requests are generally granted should the teacher evidence that they are in employment. Applications for extension requests are submitted online via a teacher’s MyRegistration portal account.
Terms and conditions for employment in primary school settings are determined by the Department of Education. The routes of registration required are contained in Department Circular 0044/2019. The below table contained in that circular sets out the registration requirements for primary school settings.
613. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education the arrangements that are being made for a child (details supplied) in south Tipperary to have a school place in an autism spectrum disorder, ASD, unit for September 2023; the number of children in Tipperary waiting for a place in an ASD unit; the number of available places in schools for the coming school year in September 2023; the current number of SENOs for south Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12407/23]
View answerI thank the Deputy for his question and 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.
There are currently 106 special classes in Co. Tipperary. Of these, 71 special classes are at primary level and 35 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 school and 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.
In relation to the pupil referred to by the Deputy, the NCSE has advised my Department that the local SENO is aware of the case and has been in contact with the family to offer advice regarding applying to different schools.
It should be noted that SENOs are not assigned on a county basis but by region. A regional map and a list of all SENOs in each region can be found on the NCSE's regional contact section of their website: 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.
614. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure that school caretakers will be paid over a 52-week period before the end of this school term, as per the agreement reached with a trade union (details supplied) in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12423/23]
View answerSchool caretakers are valued members of our schools and I am fully aware of the vitally important role played by them in the running of our schools. The majority of primary and post-primary schools receive assistance to provide for caretaker services under grant schemes. Where a school employs a staff member to support those functions those staff are employees of individual schools and responsibility for terms of employment rests with the school.
Following extensive engagement between my Department, school management bodies and Fórsa, and with the support of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the WRC, in February 2022 a suite of measures designed to improve the working conditions of school secretaries was agreed. At that time I indicated that it is my intention to ensure that school caretakers will be afforded the opportunity to avail of a similar deal but, as recognised in the WRC process, there remains a deficit of data on the working terms and conditions of caretakers. Work is currently in progress to verify and validate comprehensive data in respect of school secretaries, which was collated as part of the implementation process of the secretaries deal and it will be necessary to undertake a separate, similar process in respect of caretakers: this will be progressed as soon as practicable.
My Department continues to maintain active engagement with Fórsa on this issue also.
615. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education when the SNA allocations for 2023-2024 will be released. [12425/23]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for the question and advise that the provision of education for children with special needs is a priority for Government and for me as Minister for Special Education and Inclusion. This is reflected in my Department’s 2023 budget allocation of more than €2.6 billion to support special education. This level of educational funding and support is unprecedented and represents in excess of 27% of the Department of Education’s total allocation for 2023.
Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) provide schools with additional adult support staff to assist children with additional care needs. Such support is provided in order to facilitate attendance by those pupils at school and also to minimise disruption to class or teaching time for the pupils concerned, or for their peers, and with a view to developing their independent living skills.
My Department has allocated 1165 additional SNA’s to schools in the past year and in Budget 2023 an additional 1194 SNA’s are being provided to support schools and will be allocated as follows: 735 to support students in new special classes; 124 to support students in new special school places; and 335 to support students in mainstream classes.
For the first time ever we will have over 20,000 Special needs assistants in schools in 2023.
The Special Needs Assistant (SNA) allocations for the 2023/2024 school year are presently being development by my department and will be advised to schools as soon as possible and in line with previous year timelines.
616. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education if she will provide school transport to pupils (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12433/23]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year, over 147,900 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for over 3,800 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
Children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest primary school as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
A minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the establishment or retention of school transport services, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits.
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.
Parents of a child wishing to avail of school transport services are required to apply on-line on Bus Éireann website at www.buseireann.ie.
For 2023/24 school year, the closing date for new applications is Friday 28 April 2023. Any new applications made after the closing date are considered late applications and families are not guaranteed a seat. The Bus Éireann family portal will be open to accept payments/medical card details from the 3 April 2023 until 9 June 2023. Payment made after the deadline date will be deemed late and a seat may not be available to families at that stage.
In relation to the service that has been set up to cater for Ukrainian pupils attending this school, requests for non Ukrainian pupils to avail of this type of service are considered where it is deemed that future capacity will not be required by Ukrainian pupils. It is important to note that these type of services are kept under review and should the level of service required for Ukrainian pupils diminish, this service would cease.
617. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education if she will clarify how the free schoolbook scheme will be rolled out; if the scheme will be administered from publishers, wholesalers or bookshops. [12461/23]
View answerAs part of Budget 2023, I announced over €50 million to provide schoolbooks for all children and young people in primary schools, including special schools within the free education scheme from September 2023. This measure will eliminate the cost to these families for all school books and workbooks. It delivers on the Programme for Government commitment to extend the free school book pilot, currently in over 100 DEIS primary schools, as resources permit. The free primary schoolbooks scheme will benefit over 558,000 pupils in approximately 3,240 recognised primary schools, including over 130 special schools.
The implementation of the scheme will build on existing school book rental schemes which are available in some 96% of recognised primary schools and on the free school books pilot provided to over one hundred primary DEIS schools in recent years.
It is currently planned on the basis that funds will be provided directly to schools to purchase school books, workbooks and related classroom resources. Schools currently buy books directly from school book suppliers as part of the implementation of school book rental schemes.
My Department has been engaging with relevant stakeholders including teacher unions, management bodies and representatives of school book publishers and booksellers, in order to inform and plan for the roll out of the measure. This engagement had already commenced at the end of 2022 and is continuing over the coming weeks.
Guidance for primary schools on the free schoolbooks scheme is being developed. The scheme will seek to ensure that value for money is achieved, and that schools will be supported to implement the scheme in a way that has the best learning outcomes for pupils. It is important to note that schools will continue to have autonomy to choose and purchase books that meet curricular requirements.
The Guidance, together with the funding, will be provided to schools to support the purchase of the books and resources in time for the start of the 2023/24 school year. It is recognised that this work will have to commence in schools after the Easter break.
