Wednesday, 17 May 2023

Written Answers Nos. 63-82

Foreign Direct Investment

Questions (63, 64)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

63. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the financial return generated from IDA Ireland investments in 2022; and the projected return for 2023. [23473/23]

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

64. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if all monies generated by IDA Ireland from investments is kept by Enterprise Ireland to reinvest. [23474/23]

Written answers

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

I propose to take Questions Nos. 63 and 64 together.

The financial return to the Irish Economy from investments by IDA Ireland client companies each year is reflected in the number of expansions, new name investments and jobs created as reported in the Annual Employment Survey (AES) and the return to the Exchequer as reported in the Annual Business Survey of Economic Impact (ABSEI).

IDA Ireland does not hold investments in client companies and therefore does not receive dividend income.

In 2022 there were a total of 1,796 companies in the IDA Ireland client portfolio with a total employment level at 301,475 as per the Annual Employment Survey 2022. This followed 242 investments in 2022 out of which 103 were new name investments.

The Annual Business Survey of Economic Impact (ABSEI) provides information on the economic impact of IDA clients on the Irish economy. It includes information on exports, R&D investment and employment, payroll, Irish sourced materials and services, capital expenditure and staff training spend.

The ABSEI figures for 2021 shows a return on investment by IDA Ireland client companies as follows:

IDA Client Companies Irish Economy Expenditures, 2021	€bn
Payroll	19.6
Irish Materials	3.0
Irish Services	8.9
Total Irish Economy Spend	31.5
Capital Investment	9.2
In-House R&D	4.8
Exports	315.5

The 2023 AES figures and 2022 ABSEI figures will not be available until year end 2023.

In 2022 IDA Ireland continued the pattern of sustained, robust growth in FDI investment and FDI-related employment that has been achieved over a continuous period of more than ten years. However, there are still serious global challenges and uncertainties, and the global economy faces serious headwinds in 2023 with the continuing Russia-Ukraine war, inflation, monetary policy, and geo-political developments.

With that said, IDA Ireland will continue to work harder than ever in the year ahead to win new investment. IDA Ireland will remain close to its client base at this time of uncertainty and support companies to review their global cost base to remain competitive. A focus on transformation is more important than ever if companies are to remain competitive amid an accelerating shift towards a low carbon and high-tech economy. The resilience and longevity of MNCs in Ireland reflects their ability to constantly transform in response to change. IDA is engaging with clients on RD&I, training, digitisation, and sustainability related investments to ensure the FDI base is positioned for continued success in the future.

Question No. 64 answered with Question No. 63.

EU Directives

Questions (65)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

65. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to report on the public consultation in respect of the transposition of the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (EU) 2022/2464; if he is satisfied with the level of consultation that has taken place; when he intends to report on the outcome of this consultation and plans to implement the directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23497/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Dara Calleary)

The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive requires large companies and SMEs listed on a main stock market in the EU to report annually in their directors’ report on environmental, social and governance (ESG) and human rights matters according to EU mandatory standards?entitled European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). Ireland and other Member States have until mid-2024 to transpose the directive into national law, with a view to the requirements commencing on a phased basis from financial years starting in 2024 to 2028.

My Department initiated a comprehensive consultation process on the CSRD when it entered into force on 5 January 2023. A stakeholder webinar attended by nearly 500 participants took place on 21 January and included presentations on the detail of the directive and the ESRS. A public consultation launched on 30 January sought the views of stakeholders, in particular, on the discretionary options for Member States contained within CSRD. The deadline for receipt of submissions was 9 March 2023.

My Department received 34 detailed, substantial submissions to the public consultation. Officials are analysing the submissions received and continue comprehensive engagement with relevant stakeholders in other Departments and Agencies including seeking their views on the policy options. I will review these options once this analysis is complete and it is my intention to convene a further stakeholder forum to set out the choices made later this summer. As would be the norm, the Department will also publish the 34 submissions received during the consultation.

Given its importance, CSRD has an accelerated timeline compared to the standard timeline for other EU directives, and therefore my Department is working to provide clarity to business, as soon as possible. To this end, officials have been preparing draft legislation and instructions to be sent to the Office of Parliamentary Council this summer.

As policy makers there is an onus on us to ensure that the new rules are clear and consistent and give the maximum relevant information possible to investors, consumers and other stakeholders while minimising any unnecessary burdens on companies. What is needed is better, rather than more, information and the CSRD achieves the right balance. This will be reflected in the transposition giving effect to the new rules in national legislation.

EU Regulations

Questions (66)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

66. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will set out the mechanisms in place in his Department to ensure full corporate compliance with the EU’s Disclosure of Non-Financial and Diversity Information by certain large undertakings and groups (Regulations 2017 – DI no 360 of 2017); if he will indicate compliance and non-compliance levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23498/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Dara Calleary)

The European Union (Disclosure of non-financial and diversity information by certain large undertakings and groups) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 360 of 2017), require certain large companies with greater than 500 employees to report annually on non-financial and diversity information.

A Bank, insurer, listed company on a main EU stock market or a public limited company that exceeds the employment threshold must report annually on their policies on environmental, social and governance matters in either the directors' report or a separate statement that is publicly available. If they do not have such policies they must explain why they do not. Large traded companies must report on diversity matters in their corporate governance statement or explain why they do not.

Firstly, it is the responsibility of the directors' of the companies concerned to comply with the reporting obligations under the Regulations. Secondly, the statutory auditor must also establish that the information is contained either in the directors' report, a separate statement or corporate governance statement as applicable or to state in the audit report that it has not be provided. Finally, failure to comply with the obligation to disclose information under the Regulations is an offence in Irish law. The maximum penalty on conviction is a fine of up to € 5,000 and/ or a term of imprisonment of no more than 6 months. Enforcement is a matter for the Corporate Enforcement Authority.

I am not aware of any prosecutions in relation to the above matters. 

As the Deputy may also be aware the EU rules for Non-Financial reporting have been substantially revised by the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive which expands the scope of the existing non-financial reporting rules and introduces new mandatory reporting standards.  Work is underway in my Department to transpose the new rules.

Departmental Policies

Questions (67)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

67. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment following the expiry of Ireland’s second CSR Action Plan (Towards Responsible Business 2017-2020), if it is his intention to publish a new plan; if he can outline the mechanisms he intends to use to promote and execute the provisions of this plan; if his Department has reported to the EU Commission, in respect of his intentions, or otherwise, to comply with the Commissions 2011 strategy on CSR as this relates to country action plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23499/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Neale Richmond)

Towards Responsible Business, Ireland’s National Plan on Corporate Social Responsibility 2017-2020 was published in June 2017. The aim of the Plan was to continue to build on the awareness created under the first National Plan on CSR Good for Business Good for Community, Ireland’s National Plan on Corporate Social Responsibility 2014-2016. 

 The second National Plan on CSR 2017-2020 set out seventeen actions across four goals (i) awareness (ii) access (iii) support and (iv) policy alignment under four key dimensions: The Workplace, The Environment, The Community and The Workplace. 

The CSR Stakeholder Forum, a business led voluntary body, was tasked with driving the implementation of the seventeen actions in the National Plan on CSR. Over the period the Forum developed a work programme each year which focused on themes that aligned with actions in the National Plan on CSR. 

Three Progress Reports were published under Towards Responsible Business, Ireland’s National Plan on Corporate Social Responsibility 2017-2020 - CSR Check 2018, CSR Check 2019 and CSR Check 2020. CSR Check 2020 was due to be published in June 2020 but was deferred due to the impact of COVID-19 on resources. The CSR Checks are available on enterprise.gov.ie

CSR Check 2020 was the final Progress Report on the National Plan on CSR 2017-2020 and concluded the initiative. 

There are multiple initiatives underway across the Department, that relate to new EU and other international regulations on how businesses operate, with a view to promoting positive impacts (and reducing negative impacts) on environmental, societal and human rights issues. These initiatives, which broadly correlate to the corporate ESG agenda and are inter-related, are being coordinated within DETE under the heading of “Responsible Business”. Outreach, including stakeholder engagement, and communications in the relevant areas will be utilising the Responsible Business name, starting with a dedicated webpage on the departmental website and an upcoming webinar on the 23rd of May.  

Departmental Funding

Questions (68)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

68. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide a schedule of the amount of funds, beneficiary of funds and use of funds released by his Department under the per cent for art scheme in each of the past five years to date in 2023, in tabular form. [23574/23]

Written answers

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Construction projects, including restoration projects and refurbishment projects, are normally completed on behalf of the Department by the OPW.  My Department has not directly drawn down any funding for expenditure on art works under the Per Cent for Art Scheme for the period in question.

School Transport

Questions (69)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

69. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a school bus place for a pupil (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23394/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year, over 149,000 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. There has been an increase of 21% tickets issued to eligible students and 38% tickets issued on a concessionary basis in the current 2022/23 school year compared to the 2021/22 school year.

In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for over 5,200 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 post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest Post Primary school/Education Centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

Children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application process on time are 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, are considered for spare seats that may exist on services, after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.

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

The closing date for new applications for the 2023/2024 school year was Friday 28th April. The closing date for payment/entering medical details for tickets for the 2023/2024 school year in Friday 9th June. It is only after this time that Bus Éireann will know how many applications have been received and paid for. At that point, services will be planned for the upcoming school year.

Bus Éireann has confirmed that pupils residing in the area to which the Deputy refers are not eligible for transport to their school of attendance under the terms of the School Transport Scheme.

Bus Éireann has also advised that the service to which the Deputy refers, is a private school transport service and as such does not fall under the remit of the Department of Education School Transport Scheme.

In relation to any service that has been set up to cater for Ukrainian pupils attending the school in question, 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.

School Transport

Questions (70)

Brendan Smith

Question:

70. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education the measures being implemented to deal with the shortage of qualified drivers for vehicles such as school buses; if she is aware of the difficulties that have arisen for Bus Éireann and private bus and coach operators with such shortages impacting on different areas, such as the operation of the school transport system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23624/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education.  The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.

The scheme is an important service for families and children. The purpose of the Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school. 

Children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application process on time are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation. Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who complete the application process on time, are considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.

While the Department is aware of some challenges with capacity in certain areas of the country, Bus Éireann is continuing to work to implement services to cater for children who require school transport.  In the current school year, over 149,000 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.  There has been an increase of 21% tickets issued to eligible students and 38% tickets issued to concessionary tickets in the current 2022/23 school year compared to the 2021/22 school year.  In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for over 5,200 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.

School Accommodation

Questions (71, 72)

Paul Murphy

Question:

71. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update in relation to a capital appraisal for a school (details supplied) to assess whether a new building is required for the school. [23261/23]

Paul Murphy

Question:

72. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update in relation to the intended works for additional accommodation at a school (details supplied), promised one year ago. [23262/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 72 together.

I can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department has received an application, under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme, from the school authority in question.

The purpose of the ASA scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classrooms and Special Education Needs (SEN) accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.

The application has been assessed and a provisional offer was issued to the school authorities. This provisional offer was accepted by the school authorities, however concerns were raised about other issues within the existing school building. In this regard my Department and specifically the Schools Capital Appraisal Section and the Technical section have been reassessing concerns raised.

The main focus of my Department’s resources over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of critical additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics. However, my Department is working towards an increasing focus on the upgrade and refurbishment of the existing school stock, with particular focus on climate action goals.

In the interim, my Department will continue to engage with the school authorities with respect to its accommodation needs and having regard to the educational requirements of the area more broadly.

Question No. 72 answered with Question No. 71.

School Facilities

Questions (73, 74)

Paul Murphy

Question:

73. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update in relation to an application by a school (details supplied) for emergency works funding for safety features including wiring and fire alarm, submitted approximately one month ago. [23263/23]

Paul Murphy

Question:

74. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update in relation to an application by a school (details supplied) for emergency works funding in relation to the upstairs floor, submitted approximately three weeks ago. [23264/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and 74 together.

The application to which the Deputy refers, for emergency works funding for safety features has been received and is under consideration by the Emergency Works team and the Professional & Technical Section within my Department. Due to the nature of the works required, a site visit by the technical team will be required and officials from my Department will be in contact with the school in this regard. 

Following this visit and the subsequent consideration by the technical team the Emergency Works application will be reviewed accordingly and the school will be updated throughout the process.

Question No. 74 answered with Question No. 73.

School Staff

Questions (75)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

75. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education when the ‘Primary Teachers Appointment/Re-appointment Form 23/24’ will be available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23275/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I wish to inform the Deputy that the Teacher appointment forms for Primary Teachers are made available in late May for the following school year.

These forms are currently being prepared for the 2023/2024 school year and will be made available on my Department's website shortly for download by schools. Schools will also be notified by email when the forms are available.

National Development Plan

Questions (76)

Holly Cairns

Question:

76. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on all current National Development Plan 2021-2030 projects under her Department being progressed in Cork South West, including the current status of each project and the planned completion date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23308/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

Under Project Ireland 2040, the Department of Education is investing €4.4 billion over the period 2021 to 2025, to add capacity and develop and upgrade school facilities across the country for the almost one million students and over 100,000 staff that learn and work in our schools every day.

My Department has a proven track record of delivery, with over 180 projects completed last year within a challenging construction sector environment of high inflation, labour shortages and supply chain issues. This year alone, in excess of 300 school building projects are currently under construction, including 40 new school buildings and 260 projects at existing schools. 

Key priorities for my Department are supporting the operation of the school system and adding necessary capacity to cater for special education needs provision, mainstream demographics and catering for students from Ukraine and other countries under the International Protection system.

The current status of all projects is listed on a county by county basis, including those in Cork South West, at www.gov.ie and is updated on a regular basis to reflect their progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.

Educational Disadvantage

Questions (77)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

77. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education if she is giving consideration to DEIS proposals (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23326/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

My Department provides a wide range of supports to all schools, DEIS and non-DEIS, to support the inclusion of all students and address barriers to students achieving their potential. Supplementing these universal supports, the DEIS programme provides a targeted and equitable way to address concentrated educational disadvantage that promotes equity and has benefits for students.

I am very conscious of the benefits of the DEIS programme. Analysis has shown that since the programme began in 2006, it has helped to close the gap in achievement between schools serving the highest levels of educational disadvantage and those serving populations with little or no disadvantage. It has provided children who come to education at a disadvantage with an equitable opportunity to achieve their potential in education. 

Last year I was glad to announce the extension of the DEIS programme to benefit 361 schools. This included 79 new and existing DEIS primary schools who were included in DEIS Urban Band 1 for the first time and this year have received an increased allocation of support. This means that the highest levels of support under the DEIS programme are now provided to 306 primary schools.

This year my Department will spend approximately €180million providing additional supports to schools in the DEIS programme. This includes an additional €32m allocated to extend the programme from last September meaning the programme now includes over 1,200 schools and supports approximately 240,000 students. This means 1 in 4 of all students are now supported in the programme.

The DEIS programme targets the highest levels of resources at those primary schools with the highest levels of concentrated educational disadvantage through according DEIS Urban Band 1 status. Schools in this band receive a more beneficial staffing schedule. I have reduced the class sizes in DEIS Urban Band 1 schools in recent Budgets. This means that this year the staffing schedule for DEIS Urban Band 1 vertical schools is 20:1, DEIS Urban Band 1 junior schools is 18:1 and DEIS Urban Band 1 senior schools is 22:1.

As with all urban schools, schools in this band receive home school community liaison support as well as access to the school completion and school meals programmes. The DEIS Grant allocated to all schools in the DEIS programme is reflective of the level of disadvantage in schools. Therefore, schools in Urban Band 1 receive a higher amount per child.    

DEIS Band 1 schools also receive priority access to the support of the National Educational Psychologists Service (NEPS). My Department’s Wellbeing Policy and Framework for practice has given recognition to the importance of promoting wellbeing in education.  The approach set out in the Wellbeing Policy is a whole school and preventative approach which has multiple components that include providing children and young people with opportunities to build core social and emotional skills and competencies, experience supportive relationships within the school setting and be part of a school environment and culture that feels both physically and psychologically safe. Aligned with this policy, a number of supports are currently being offered to schools to support wellbeing and mental health.

Schools are encouraged to use a reflective, school self-evaluation approach to identify and prioritise the needs of its own school community in relation to the promotion of wellbeing and mental health, and to respond to meeting those needs. To support schools in this work the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) is currently providing training to schools to ensure that the promotion of wellbeing will be at the core of the ethos of every school. Schools will be navigated through an introduction to the Wellbeing Framework and how to use the School Self Evaluation (SSE) process in guiding wellbeing promotion in their schools. These seminars will be supported by two webinars and in-school visits.  

The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) has developed training for school staff on the promotion of wellbeing and resilience in schools which include upskilling school staff on the use and implementation of therapeutically-informed approaches in schools. These include trauma-informed approaches, approaches based on the principles of cognitive behaviour therapy, and attachment-aware approaches. The approaches outlined in the training are based on research findings, on the experience of experts in their fields and on the experience of practicing psychologists working in schools. The training will build the capability of school staff in both primary and post-primary settings, including for school leaders, teachers and SNAs.

Training for school staff on the Friends for Life programme and the Incredible Years Classroom Management System has been resumed by NEPS. NEPS has launched an eLearning course - Responding to Critical Incidents in Schools.  This course is aimed specifically at the school’s Critical Incident Management Team, but open to all interested staff. 

I recently announced a pilot programme of counselling supports for primary school pupils. The model of counselling provision is currently being developed and more information on how this will be rolled out on a pilot basis will be available in the coming weeks. 

The programmes and initiatives set out above are in addition to the educational psychological support that NEPS provide to all primary and post-primary schools. NEPS’ goal is to support the wellbeing, and the academic, social and emotional development of all students in primary and post-primary schools.  NEPS provides both an Indirect and Direct Case work service to schools.  The NEPS indirect casework service involves the psychologist working collaboratively with teachers and parents, to facilitate a common understanding of the issues and agreement on a plan to support the student.  The direct case work service involves the psychologist working directly with a student for assessment/intervention in conjunction with consultation with teachers and school staff.  This system is in line with international best practice and allows psychologists to give early attention to urgent cases and also to help many more children indirectly than could be seen individually. At the beginning of each year psychologists meet with the school principal and/or the Special Education Teaching Team (SET Team) to review and plan based on the school's priority needs. Further planning meetings may happen again during the course of the school year based on the size and needs of the school. This process allows the schools to be responsive and to prioritise those pupils identified by them as having the highest level of need.

In line with the programme for Government, the Government is continuing to examine how the model of intervention in the north-east inner city could be extended to other comparative areas experiencing disadvantage.

It is important to note that the extension of the DEIS programme to new schools is just one phase of work in my Department’s vision for an inclusive education system which supports all learners to achieve their potential. My Department recognises the need to target resources to those schools who need them most, the next phase of work will explore the allocation of resources to schools to tackle educational disadvantage. Part of this programme of work will involve consultation with all relevant stakeholders and will consider information provided by schools in correspondence to my Department.

Oideachas trí Ghaeilge

Questions (78)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

78. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Oideachais cén dáta faoina dtarlóidh an chéad chéim eile den phróiseas ullmhaithe le haghaidh Polasaí don Oideachas Lán-Ghaeilge lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht agus cathain a chuirfear an chéim sin i gcrích; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [23328/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

Seoladh próiseas comhairliúcháin poiblí don pholasaí nua don oideachas lán-Ghaeilge lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht ar an 27 Deireadh Fómhair 2022 chun tuairimí páirtithe leasmhara a fháil; daoine óga, tuismitheoirí, gairmithe oideachais, páirtithe leasmhara oideachais agus eagraíochta Gaeilge ina measc. Tháinig an chéad tréimhse den chomhairliúchán seo, ina raibh ceistneoir ar líne agus glao ar aighneachtaí i scríbhinn, chun críche ar an 30 Eanáir 2023.  

Cuirfear críoch leis an dara tréimhse den phróiseas comhairliúcháin laistigh de mhí. Mar chuid den tréimhse sin, reáchtáladh grúpaí fócais i scoileanna le leanaí agus le daoine óga lena chinntiú go gcloistear a nguthanna sa phróiseas forbartha pholasaí. Tá grúpaí fócais ar siúl ar líne le tuismitheoirí, caomhnóirí, oideachasóirí agus páirtithe leasmhara eile faoi láthair chun téamaí tábhachtacha atá ag teacht chun cinn a fhiosrú.  

Beidh tuilleadh rannpháirtíochta le páirtithe leasmhara, i bhfoirm cruinnithe dé-thaobhacha, sa chéad tréimhse eile den chomhairliúchán. Beidh na cruinnithe le páirtithe leasmhara ábhartha á reáchtáil as seo amach. 

Táim an-sásta leis an méid suime a léiríodh sa chomhairliúchán go dáta agus le líon na bhfreagraí a fuarthas. Tá anailís á dhéanamh ag Sealbhú, DCU faoi láthair ar na haighneachtaí, na freagraí ar na ceistneoirí agus na sonraí ó na grúpaí fócais a bailíodh mar chuid den chéad dá thréimhse den phróiseas comhairliúcháin. Braithfidh an fráma-ama a bhainfidh le forbairt an pholasaí ar an méid ama atá de dhíth le hobair na hanailíse atá bainteach leis na trí thréimhse a chur i gcrích. Pléifear é sin leis an gCoiste Stiúrtha in am tráth. 

*****

A public consultation process on the new policy on Irish-medium education outside of the Gaeltacht was launched on 27 October 2022 to gather the views of stakeholders, including young people, parents, education professionals, education stakeholders and Irish-language organisations. The first phase of the consultation process, which included an online questionnaire and a call for written submissions, closed on 30 January 2023.  

The second phase of the consultation will reach completion within the coming month. Focus groups were conducted with children and young people, as part of this phase, to ensure their voices were included in the policy development process. Focus groups to explore important themes that are arising are currently taking place with parents, guardians, educators and other stakeholders.

Further engagement with stakeholders, in the form of bilateral meetings, will take place during the next phase of the consultation process. These meetings will be held with relevant stakeholders in the near future.

I am very pleased with the level of interest that has been demonstrated in this consultation to date, and with the number of responses received. Sealbhú, DCU are currently analysing the written submissions, responses to questionnaires and focus group related data which has been collected during the first two phases of the consultation. The time-frame for the development of the policy on Irish-medium education outside of the Gaeltacht will depend upon the time required to complete analysis in respect of the three phases of the consultation. This will be discussed with the Steering Committee in due course.

State Examinations

Questions (79)

Robert Troy

Question:

79. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education if she will grant extra time on examinations to candidates with dyslexia to complete State exams, both Junior and Leaving Certificate (details supplied). [23352/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the state examinations. 

In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you. 

State Examinations

Questions (80)

Alan Dillon

Question:

80. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education the plans in place for students with dyslexia who will complete their Junior and Leaving Certificate; if extra time is being given to finish each exam; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23359/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the state examinations. 

In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you. 

Educational Disadvantage

Questions (81, 84)

Paul McAuliffe

Question:

81. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education her plans to expand the model of the NEIC (North East Inner City) Multidisciplinary Teams to include all schools with a DEIS band 1 status in Dublin 9 and 11. [23371/23]

Paul McAuliffe

Question:

84. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of expanding the model of the NEIC (North East Inner City) Multidisciplinary Teams Model to include all schools with a DEIS band 1 nationwide. [23375/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I propose to take Questions Nos. 81 and 84 together.

The Department of Education is committed to supporting a quality and inclusive school system that provides an equal opportunity at success for all children, including those at risk of educational disadvantage. In line with the programme for Government, the Government is continuing to examine how the model of intervention in the north-east inner city could be extended to other comparative areas experiencing disadvantage.

The North East Inner City Multi-Disciplinary Team (NEIC MDT) comprises of Educational Psychologists from the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) of the Department of Education (DE), and Health Service Executive (HSE) Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists and a Psychologist This project is an interagency collaboration between the HSE and DE which provides a multidisciplinary team to ten NEIC primary schools. The NEIC MDT provide school staff, children and families access to on-site Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Psychology; it also offers psychology support to families through the HSE Psychologist on the team. The MDT provide a wraparound service including preventative work, early intervention, assessment and therapeutic intervention, to support all children, school staff and families.

The MDT teams provide a needs-based school service that responds to the presenting issues for each child, their family and school.

Ongoing research, evaluation and monitoring of the Multidisciplinary Team intervention will inform further policy developments in this area, including modelling of potential expansion costs.

Educational Disadvantage

Questions (82, 85)

Paul McAuliffe

Question:

82. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education her plans for the establishment of fully resourced and staffed nurture rooms within all schools with a DEIS band 1 status in Dublin 9 and 11; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23372/23]

Paul McAuliffe

Question:

85. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost for the establishment of fully resourced and staffed nurture rooms within all schools with a DEIS band 1 status throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23376/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education (Deputy Josepha Madigan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 82 and 85 together.

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

The provision of appropriate accommodation for all pupils including pupils with special education needs is an absolute priority for me.  This is in two respects: firstly in ensuring that there is sufficient provision for pupils with special education needs and secondly in designing school accommodation that meets the needs of all users and enhances the learning experience.

In order to make accommodation provision to meet the needs of students with special education requirements, my Department has close engagement with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) which has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide.  When the NCSE sanction a special class in a school, the school can apply to my Department for capital funding to re-configure existing spaces within the school building to accommodate the class or to construct additional accommodation.  Similarly, where special schools wish to expand provision, the school can apply to my Department for capital funding to accommodate additional placements.

The NCSE has additionally provided my Department with projections of future requirements for classes for students with special education requirements.  These are informing my Department's advance planning for special class accommodation.

Such classrooms for pupils with special education needs are included as standard in the accommodation brief for new school buildings and major extension projects. The overall accommodation suite for students with special education needs also generally includes ancillary accommodation such as a Central Activities Space, a Multi Activity Room and Quiet Spaces as well as an outdoor Secure Play Area and Sensory Garden. 

With regards to nurture rooms, a working group has been established comprising of NEPS psychologists and inspectors to review the suitability of nurture rooms for children and young people with special educational needs. The final report on the suitability of nurture rooms is expected to be finalised and submitted by the end of 2023.