Written Answers Nos. 133-152
133. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he plans to amend legislation to address the situation where job interviewees are given malicious and false references by a former employer, resulting in the offer of employment being withdrawn from the interviewee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20211/23]
View answerIreland has a robust suite of employment rights legislation, which offers extensive protections to workers. My Department has no plans at present to introduce new legislation to govern employment references.
While there is no statutory entitlement to a reference from an employer, where an employer does provide a reference, they have a duty of care to ensure it is fair and not misleading.
Where an employee believes their employer has provided a false employment reference, legal recourse may be possible where an under the Defamation Act 2009, which falls under the responsibility of the Minister for Justice.
134. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the criteria for companies to avail of the Ukraine enterprise crisis scheme; if his attention has been drawn to reports that Enterprise Ireland is advising companies that they must be clients of Enterprise Ireland to avail of the scheme when no such condition exists under the terms of the scheme approved by the European Commission and by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20227/23]
View answerThe Ukraine Enterprise Crisis Scheme is administered through Enterprise Ireland, the IDA and Údarás na Gaeltachta on behalf of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
Presently, the Ukraine Enterprise Crisis Scheme (Streams 1 and 2) is open to all manufacturing and/or Internationally Traded Services (ITS) businesses operating in the State. To be eligible for the scheme a company must also demonstrate that it has been negatively impacted because of Putin’s war in Ukraine. The company must have suffered, at a minimum, a 15% drop in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) based on a comparison of the financial statements of the company for the period 2021 versus 2022/2023. This negative impact on the financials of the company must be attributed to the financial adverse impacts caused by the war in Ukraine for Stream 1 or increased energy costs under Stream 2.
In relation to Enterprise Ireland’s management of the Scheme, I understand that communications by EI stipulate that companies do not have to be clients of Enterprise Ireland or any other State Agency to apply for support under the Ukraine Enterprise Crisis Scheme, other than meeting the specified Scheme criteria to be eligible for support.
135. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has had any correspondence with a company (details supplied) regarding collective redundancies; if he has read an article detailing alleged breaches of statutory obligations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20281/23]
View answerAs the company concerned is a client of Enterprise Ireland, my Department has received an early warning report from Enterprise Ireland concerning the planned redundancies in this company. My Department also received a collective redundancy notification in relation to potential redundancies at the company in question on 24 March 2023 and I understand that the employer has commenced the required consultation process.
Employers must comply with a number of legal obligations under the Protection of Employment Act 1977 when proposing collective redundancies, including the requirement to consult with and provide information to employees and their representatives. Employers must also notify the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment of the proposed collective redundancy not less than 30 days before the first dismissals.
Accordingly, it is the employer’s responsibility to comply with the legal obligations under the Protection of Employment Act 1977. Employers who are found to have failed to comply with their obligations are guilty of an offence and may be liable on conviction to various fines.
There is, however, no requirement under the Protection of Employment Act 1977 for employers to notify me of any voluntary time off programmes or unpaid leave offered to employees.
The State provides the independent industrial relations dispute settlement mechanisms such as the WRC and the Labour Court to support parties in their efforts to resolve any differences. In that regard, it is important that the autonomy of both employees and employers and their representative bodies in the matter of resolving differences is respected by the State.
In relation to the company in question, It is my understanding from media and other reports that certain information was erroneously sent to some members of staff by the company but that this information subsequently did not represent final severance agreements. Nevertheless, If the company employees believe their employment rights have been breached, they are entitled to refer complaints in the first instance to the WRC.
136. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has been contacted or engaged by a company (details supplied) in respect of job losses at the company; if so, the nature of those discussions; if he is satisfied that the company will comply with communication protocols in respect of redundancies and-or requests to take unpaid leave and-or any other steps deemed to be cost saving; and if he will clarify the obligation of a company to inform him of plans to implement a voluntary time off programme for staff and whether they are obliged to comply with the request. [20308/23]
View answerThe Protection of Employment Act 1977 imposes certain legal obligations on employers proposing collective redundancies. These obligations include engaging in an information and consultation process of at least 30 days with employees’ representatives, and to notify the Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment of the proposals at least 30 days before the first dismissal takes place. My Department received a notification of proposed collective redundancies from the referenced company on 29 March 2023.
There is no requirement under the 1977 Act for employers to notify the Minister of offers of voluntary time off programmes to employees. Employees are under no obligation to agree to such offers of voluntary time off.
Following media reports on the redundancy process, I sought an update on the ongoing collective consultation process at the company from the IDA. I am assured that the company is committed to complying with its legal obligations in respect of the collective redundancy process in Ireland. The company started a 30-day consultation on 31st of March, which will continue until 5th of May and has held multiple collective consultation meetings with employee representatives to date. During those meetings selection criteria, proposed redundancy packages and additional support mechanisms were discussed.
I am informed that the company first implemented a number of cost saving measures in an attempt to avoid redundancies including closing or reducing office space, implementing a hiring freeze and reducing travel.
The company has also discussed ways to reduce the number of impacted roles, including an opportunity for those at risk of redundancy to avail of a voluntary severance program to receive the involuntary package offered. In addition, 21 roles have been opened up to those in the individual consultation phase for potential redeployment across other business areas within the company.
137. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department has carried out research into the profiling of workers' electronic equipment by employers, given reports internationally of the increasing use of monitoring software and privacy-busting software to track workers throughout the working day. [20340/23]
View answerIreland has a robust suite of employment rights legislation, which offers extensive protections to workers.
My Department has not carried out research into the profiling of workers’ electronic equipment by employers.
My understanding is that when an employer collects, uses or stores information about an employee, they must comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Irish Data Protection Act 2018.
138. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department will add general labourers to the critical skills visa list, given the labour shortage and ongoing housing crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20443/23]
View answerIreland operates a managed employment permits system maximising the benefits of economic migration and minimising the risk of disrupting Ireland’s labour market. The system is vacancy led and managed through the operation of the Critical Skills Occupations List (CSOL) and the Ineligible Occupations List (IOL).
The Lists undergo periodic evidence-based review involving a public/stakeholder consultation and are informed by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs and SOLAS Skills and Labour Market Research Unit. Consideration is also taken of the views of the Economic Migration Policy Interdepartmental Group which is chaired by my Department and includes representatives from a number of relevant Departments.
The construction sector has been the subject of reviews in recent years, with a significant number of occupations added to the Critical Skills Occupations List and others removed from the Ineligible Occupations List. These changes were made in recognition of the challenges faced by the sector and strong evidence of continued labour shortages with the result being that almost all roles in the construction sector are now eligible for employment permits.
However, the occupation of General Labourer - or Construction Operative - is currently on the Ineligible Occupations List and, as such, an employment permit cannot be granted for this role. An occupation may be considered for removal from the IOL and inclusion on the CSOL on the basis of evidence submitted by the relevant sector representatives and provided:
• there are no suitable Irish/EEA nationals available to undertake the work;
• development opportunities for Irish/EEA nationals are not undermined;
• genuine skills shortage exists and that it is not a recruitment or retention problem;
• education, training, employment and economic development policies are supported; and
• attempts by the sector to attract Irish/EEA nationals have not been successful.
Sectors are also required to engage structurally with the public employment service of the Department of Social Protection.
While a date has yet to be announced, I wish to advise the Deputy that the public consultation phase of the next 'Review of the Occupations Lists' is expected to open in the coming months. In advance of its commencement, stakeholders in the construction sector may wish to refer to the Department's website in order to register to receive notification of the opening of the next public consultation to review the occupational lists.
139. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he met the Chief Commissioner of the Victoria Police (details supplied) during his recent visit to Australia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20452/23]
View answerThe 2023 St Patrick's Day programme saw the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Government Ministers take part in an extensive international programme to promote Ireland and Irish interests around the world. These visits provided an opportunity for Ministers to promote Irish trade and meet business leaders, to engage with political counterparts and to meet the Irish diaspora in different locations.
As part of this St Patrick’s Day programme, I visited Australia and carried out a wide-ranging programme of community, business and political engagements in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra and Perth. However, I did not meet the Chief Commissioner of the Victoria Police during this visit.
140. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if Enterprise Ireland will engage immediately with a company (details supplied) relative to an urgent proposal from the company. [20541/23]
View answerI can confirm that Enterprise Ireland has already engaged and will continue to engage with the company concerned regarding the proposal that has been submitted.
I understand that the company’s proposal is being reviewed by Enterprise Ireland through the usual due diligence and due process procedures.
141. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of external consultant reports commissioned by his Department in each of the years 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; the cost of same; the company involved; the title and publication date, by report, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20543/23]
View answer142. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of external consultant reports commissioned by the bodies under his Department’s aegis in each of the years 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; the cost of same; the company involved; the title and publication date, by report, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20544/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 141 and 142 together.
The information requested is currently being compiled by my Department and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy as soon as it is finalised.
143. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which a person (details supplied) can be facilitated in relation to the transfer of some staff members to Naas, who were concerned for their safety and well-being at Citywest; if the urgent necessity of the transfer is recognised in order to obviate a long drawn-out process, as seems to be required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20628/23]
View answerUnder the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, all employers have a duty of care to their employees to ensure that their health and safety is not adversely affected by work activities.
The statutory body with responsibility for the enforcement of workplace health and safety legislation is the Health and Safety Authority (HSA). Where an employee has a concern about the impact of work practices on their own health and safety, or on that of work colleagues, they can contact the HSA Contact Centre at contactus@hsa.ie or by LoCall: 0818 289 389 to lodge a complaint and/or to seek advice.
I would add that neither I nor the Health and Safety Authority have a role in the transfer of staff within a company. Such matters are for a company to decide in accordance with their own internal policies.
Separately, I would highlight that the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) provides a free information service for anyone seeking to obtain information about their employment rights and how to pursue them at Tel: 0818 808090. Further information is available on the WRC’s website www.workplacerelations.ie
144. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education if funding will be made available for the urgent provision of modular classrooms for a school (details supplied) in advance of September 2023 as part of the SEN Reconfiguration and Modular Accommodation Programme. [20213/23]
View answerI am pleased to advise the Deputy that approval has issued, to the school authority in question, for the provision of Modular accommodation.
The project is being delivered under the Department’s Devolved SEN Reconfiguration and Modular Accommodation programme. This approach supports accelerated delivery of the accommodation and maximises assistance to the school for this brief, the project will be delivered from the Department’s Procurement Frameworks. A Project Management company will be appointed, from the Department’s Framework, to design and tender the project. This consultant will lead the project through the various stages of planning process and construction.
The School Authority has overall responsibility for delivery of the project.
145. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education for an update on the building works for (details supplied); the reason changes have been made to the original recommended additional accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20226/23]
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.
My officials are currently liaising with the school authorities regarding accommodation required at the school.
146. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education the options available to a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20247/23]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:
My department is committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential. My department strives to ensure that every child has access to an educational experience that is appropriate to their needs and supports both their academic and personal development.
As part of Budget 2023, my department’s budget was substantially increased, by over 10%, meaning that for 2023 the department will spend over €2.6 billion on special education. This level of educational funding and support is unprecedented and represents in excess of 27% of the department’s total allocation for 2023. This includes additional teaching and care supports.
Additional funding is also being provided to allow the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) recruit additional staff, including Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs). These additional resources should ensure that the NCSE can better support parents and schools in relation to the provision of special education needs places.
Our policy, which is set out in the Education of Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act 2004 is that children with special educational needs should be educated in mainstream placements with additional supports provided as appropriate.
Where children require more specialised educational settings, such as special classes or special schools, the department and the NCSE ensures that the necessary resources and supports for such placements are provided in line with the needs of the child.
We have made a lot of progress over the last three years in terms of providing special classes and special school places 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 a total of 2,537 special classes opened nationwide. Of the 2,537 special classes, there are 1798 at primary level and 739 at post primary level. We want to continue this level of progress to ensure that there are sufficient places in special classes and special schools for children who need them.
Just recently on 12th April, Minister Foley and l announced the establishment of two new special schools as part of a comprehensive update on enhanced education provision for students with special educational needs. These two new special schools will be established in Carrigtwohill, east Cork and Dublin 7 for the 2023/24 school year.
Along with the two new special schools, I also confirmed that 218 new special classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE for opening in the coming school year 2023/2024, with more to be confirmed in the coming weeks – 126 at primary and 92 at post-primary level.
In Co. Kilkenny, 5 new special classes will open for 2023/24, 3 at primary level and 2 post-primary level, bringing the total number of classes in Co. Kilkenny to 47. Also capacity will be expanded in 11 other special schools around the country.
The NCSE has advised my department that it continues to work with schools to ensure all students identified as requiring places in the special class meet the Department of Education’s criteria for enrolment in a special class.
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
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
I want to 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.
147. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if all efforts are being made to ensure a school place in Kilcock will be accommodated for the forthcoming year in the case of the children of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20248/23]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that the provision of school places to meet the needs of children and young people at primary and post primary level, including children and young people with special educational needs is an absolute priority for my Department.
In order to plan for school place needs, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and utilises a Geographical Information System to anticipate school place demand. Information from a range of sources, including Child Benefit data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is used for this purpose. Additionally, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform my Department's projections of school place requirements.
While my Department is aware of enrolment pressures and demand for additional school places in Kilcock, it is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:
• Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area
• School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area
• Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school they are not available to all pupils
• External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area
My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in the area. In relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998.
Parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available a selection process may be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.
Through close engagement with school patrons and authorities, my Department has established a requirement for additional school places at primary and post primary level in Kilcock. Engagement is ongoing with schools and patrons with a view to making increased provision where necessary. It is expected that these places will become available imminently.
148. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education if she will support a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20253/23]
View answer174. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education if her Department will provide a school place for a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20568/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 148 and 174 together.
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 NCSE has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with SEN nationwide.
My department is engaging intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places for the next school year 2023/2024. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class and special school 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.
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.
Both Minister Foley and I recently announced that 2 new special schools are being established for the 2023/2024 school year - one in Carrigtwohill, east Cork and one in the Dublin 7 area - with additional capacity also being provided in 11 other special schools.
The new special school in Dublin will be under the patronage of City of Dublin ETB. It is intended that places in the new special schools will be prioritised for children who have no offer of a special school place for the 2023/24 school year. Details in relation to the location of the new special schools, the admission process and the number of places to be offered for 2023/24 in each new special school will be confirmed very shortly.
For the 2023/2024 school year the NCSE has also sanctioned 218 new special classes nationwide at primary and post-primary level. Of these new classes, 29 are in within the Dublin area. These new classes will bring the total number of special classes in Dublin to 494, 376 at primary and 118 at post-primary. Additional special classes will be sanctioned in the coming weeks.
Information on the list of schools with special classes, the types and locations of these classes are available on the NCSE website at www.ncse.ie.
In relation to the student referred to by the Deputy, the NCSE has advised my department that they have been engaging with potentially suitable special schools in the area and have also discussed the option of a post-primary school with a special class with the family.
I can reassure the Deputy that the local SENO will continue to provide assistance and support to the family to secure an appropriate placement.
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.
149. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if her Department plans to provide more capacity for boys' secondary school places, which are very low in the school planning area of Clontarf, Killester and Raheny. [20274/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, for school planning purposes, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and utilises a Geographical Information System to anticipate school place demand. Information from a range of sources, including Child Benefit data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is used for this purpose. Additionally, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform my Department's projections of school place requirements.
At post primary level, there are seven schools in the school planning area: two mixed, one boys' school and four girls' schools. There are a further three boys' schools in adjoining school planning areas.
There are three current school building projects at post primary level in this school planning area, including a new 1,000 pupil school building for Mount Temple Comprehensive School which is currently at Stage 2b.
While the Department is aware of continued pressures and demand for school places in the Killester_Raheny_Clontarf area, it is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:
• Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area
• School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area
• Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school they are not available to all pupils
• External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area
The Department is working to establish the true extent of any capacity issues through ongoing discussions with the relevant school authorities. In that context, similar to the process adopted in advance of the current academic year, the Department is engaging with patron bodies and school authorities to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming years which may necessitate further action to that already in train.
Additionally, the Department will continue to work to advance the planned and current projects in Killester_Raheny_Clontarf and to ensure sufficient places for both mainstream provision for both boys and girls, and for pupils with special education requirements both for the coming academic year and into the future.
150. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update in respect of the accommodation brief for a building project (details supplied); if she will provide a further update in respect of the engagements an education and training board has had to date with the patron; and the date on which the project will commence. [20275/23]
View answerIt is my Department's intention to progress the accommodation brief for the school referred to by the Deputy as quickly as possible.
In the meantime, my Department has been working with the school patron to ensure that there is sufficient accommodation in place to meet the interim needs of the school, pending the delivery of the main project.
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.
151. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education if she is aware that a school bus (details supplied) providing school transport for children with additional needs has ceased to operate since before the Easter school holidays; and her plans to immediately resolve the situation. [20346/23]
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 4,500 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
The purpose of the School Transport Scheme for children with Special Educational Needs is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children with special educational needs arising from a diagnosed disability.
The National Council for Special Education acts in an advisory role to the Department of Education on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs. Under the terms of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, the Department will consider the report of the Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO). School transport is provided to children with special educational needs who are attending the nearest school to their place of residence that is or can be resourced to meet their educational needs, as identified by the SENO.
Bus Eireann has advised that his service did not operate for some time from September 2022 to April 2023 due to no driver being available to operate the route.
This service resumed operating from 25/04/2023.
152. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the steps she will take to ensure the temporary accommodation committed to for a school (details supplied) will be in place for September 2023; if her attention has been drawn to a request from the five Wicklow Deputies for a meeting with senior officials responsible for this project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20350/23]
View answer157. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to a letter sent by this Deputy seeking an urgent meeting with senior Department officials responsible for the delivery of both temporary and permanent accommodation for multiple schools in Wicklow (details supplied); if she can confirm whether this meeting will take place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20366/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 152 and 157 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, a major capital project for Blessington Community College is being addressed through my Department's Construction Programme. This project is currently at stage 2b of the architectural planning process.
My Department has been engaging with Kildare Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB), as patron of the school, regarding the long-term accommodation needs of the school. My Department was pleased to inform the patron recently that the long term projected enrolment for the school was confirmed at providing capacity for 1,000 pupils plus 6 special education needs classes.
My Department has also been working with KWETB to ensure that there is sufficient accommodation in place to meet the interim needs of the school, pending the delivery of the main project. In this regard, my Department has approved interim accommodation to meet the need for the 2023/2024 academic year and beyond. The current status of both permanent and interim accommodation for Blessington Community School was also conveyed to the Deputy recently.
With regard to Wicklow Educate Together Secondary School (ETSS), the site identification and assessment exercise for this school is ongoing.
Given the commercial sensitivities associated with land acquisitions generally, I am not in a position to comment further at this time. I can, however, assure the Deputy that the provision of a new site for Wicklow ETSS is a priority for my Department and that the patron body, Educate Together, will be informed of any developments in the regard, as soon as it is possible to do so.
I can confirm that the building project for Greystones Community College has been approved to proceed to tender. The Invitation to Tender for the project issued on the 18th April 2023 as part of a bundle of projects issued to a Framework of Design and Build Contractors.
The tender process currently takes approximately 8-10 months. Once a Contractor has been appointed, it is anticipated that construction would commence shortly thereafter.
My Department looks forward to getting this school building project delivered as quickly as possible and in the meantime will continue to liaise with the school and their patron body in relation to interim accommodation needs pending delivery of their permanent accommodation.
I also wish to advise the Deputy, that details of large-scale projects being delivered under the school construction 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.
