Written Answers Nos. 192-201
192. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has considered a partnership between Iceland and Ireland to develop data centres by utilising the data cable between Iceland and Ireland, while also availing of the cheaper, cleaner and renewable energy available in Iceland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28993/23]
View answerThe Government published its revised policy statement on Data Centres in July 2022. The statement’s revision was designed to ensure that the decarbonisation and digitalisation of Ireland’s economy and society are complimentary and in harmony with environmental policy. In Ireland more than anywhere else, data centre operations are at the very centre of these transformational twin transitions in our economy and society. The revised Statement is also cognisant of the current constraints on our energy sector and outlines principles for sustainable data centre development, providing clear guidance to decision makers in the planning process and encouraging the data centre sector to implement decarbonised energy solutions and to increase efficiency.
The recently established data cable between Ireland and Iceland is valuable strategic telecommunications infrastructure, which, when combined with other cable infrastructure in Iceland, will connect Ireland to Northern Europe (Denmark). While the shifting of compute loads between data centres in different countries is complex and involves multiple considerations, the data cable will help to build significant additional communications redundancy. As an island nation on the edge of Europe, Ireland depends heavily on having best in class telecommunications infrastructure. This cable will be important for opening new business opportunities between Ireland and Northern Europe, and Iceland.
With respect to data centre developments, Ireland has the potential to supply the required renewable energy for energy intensive businesses such as data centres. There has been important progress lately in developing Ireland’s renewable electricity sector. For example, in the country’s first offshore renewable electricity auction in May, four offshore wind projects were provisionally approved and competitively priced contracts, equating to over 3GW generating capacity and equivalent to a quarter of projected 2030 electricity demand. It is expected that the successful projects will begin operationalising from 2027.
The auction results are hugely encouraging in terms of Ireland building competitive renewable electricity capability and capacity, and when combined with the large potential from floating wind electricity off the Atlantic coast (30GW plus as outlined in the Programme for Government), highlight the real opportunity for the country itself to develop a very large, renewably based data centre sector.
In the longer term, the Government is open to developing partnerships in the future which may help to take advantage of opportunities to support the wider economy and increase our engagement with international partners. However the current focus is on managing the existing energy constraints and continuing engagement with stakeholders across Government and industry to put together an effective plan to provide certainty going forward.
193. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will issue a circular to nursing homes clarifying that health care assistants with Indian nursing qualifications approved by QQI NARIC Ireland do not need to complete a level 5 health care assistant course to renew their general employment permits (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28935/23]
View answerThe framework introducing access to the General Employment Permit for the role of healthcare assistant agreed with the Department of Health included the requirement for the employment to offer a remuneration level of €27,000 or more and for the permit holder to attain a relevant qualification of at least QQI Level 5 after 2 years employment in the State.
This criterion was established to ensure all workers in the Health Care Assistant role would work towards building their skills and range of qualifications and in safeguarding the care of vulnerable patients that a similar standard of learning will be met and delivered upon across care settings.
It would be preferable if all Health Care Assistants obtained the QQI level 5 award as stated. However, it is now clear that some Health Care Assistant staff who are availing of the employment permits have other qualifications, aligned to the care industry but not as Health Care Assistants.
My officials are working with the Department of Health in relation to clarification of qualification comparisons including with regard to the requisite modules, standards and requirements provided as learning to this QQI level 5. In conjunction with the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive, a bulletin with information for the benefit of employers and permit holders working in this critical care sector will be prepared and issued in due course.
194. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to outline the work that is being carried out at European level to strengthen competitiveness; and his views on its relevance to Ireland. [28955/23]
View answerIn March, the Commission published a communication ‘Long-term competitiveness of the EU: looking beyond 2030’ – which sets out the Commission’s Strategy on the competitiveness of the European Union. This was published alongside a communication reflecting on the ‘Single Market at 30’.
This Strategy on long-term competitiveness aims to secure ‘sustainable competitiveness’ for the EU beyond 2030. It seeks to achieve this through nine specific drivers: a functioning Single Market, access to private capital, public investment and infrastructure, research and innovation, energy, circularity, digitalisation, education and skills, trade and open strategic autonomy. Progress on these drivers will be gauged through 17 Key Performance Indicators which will be reported on through an updated Single Market and Competitiveness Scoreboard. The Scoreboard will become a key tool in monitoring the EU’s and Member States competitiveness on an annual basis.
Under the proposed process, from January 2024 – and then annually – the Commission will publish its Annual Single Market Scoreboard and an expanded Single Market and Competitiveness Scoreboard as a package. This will facilitate Competitiveness Council inputting in a more meaningful and comprehensive basis to the spring meeting of EUCO on competitiveness, the Single Market and industrial policy.
The long-term competitiveness strategy is of strong relevance to Ireland. The National Competitiveness and Productivity Council (NCPC) reports to the Taoiseach and the Government, through the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment on key competitiveness issues facing the Irish economy and offers recommendations on policy actions required to enhance Ireland’s competitive position. In accordance with European Council recommendations, the NCPC has also been designated as Ireland’s National Productivity Board – the body responsible for analysing development and policies in the field of productivity and competitiveness in Ireland. Last month, the NCPC published Ireland Competitiveness Scorecard 2023. It shows that although Ireland’s current competitiveness position is quite strong there are, however, some important factors to be addressed. For instance, cost pressures and a failure to keep pace with infrastructural investments internationally have presented challenges to Ireland’s position. Ireland also falls below the EU average in terms of spending on R&D as a percentage of GNI* - a key indicator for innovation.
These areas are set out as key drivers of competitiveness within the EU’s long-term competitiveness strategy, and so will help Ireland work in tandem with the EU to improve its performance in these key competitiveness areas. Further to this, there is strong alignment between the EU’s long-term competitiveness strategy and Ireland’s recently published White Paper on Enterprise 2022-2030 regarding sustainable competitiveness. Both recognise the importance of increasing investment in R&D, of improving investment in and delivery of infrastructure, and the importance of progressing the twin green and digital transition. A strong performance on these drivers is critical to maintaining, and improving, Ireland’s international competitiveness position.
195. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the evolution in EU or Irish trade and competition policy towards China in the wake of the Ukraine war, and the heightened rivalry between the USA and China; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28957/23]
View answerTrade policy plays an important role in promoting and protecting Ireland’s values and standards. Ireland’s Trade and Investment Strategy 2022 – 2026 “Value for Ireland, Values for the World”, sets out our approach to trade policy based on our values and principles as a free and democratic country.
The overarching goal of our trade and investment strategy is to see Ireland grow sustainably, diversify our export markets and provide for continued prosperity and higher living standards. The strategy contains a number of priority actions, all of which are underpinned by Ireland’s commitment to multilateralism and a rules based global trading system with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its core.
Ireland has been unequivocal and steadfast in our support for Ukraine. As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, China has a clear responsibility to defend and promote the Charter of the United Nations and the rules based international order, including in relation to the use of force and territorial integrity. Ireland has been clear with all countries, including China, that any settlement of the conflict in Ukraine must be acceptable to Ukraine and include the full withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory.
In relation to trade policy specifically, the EU Commission retains exclusive competence when negotiating trade agreements with third countries. On that basis, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has been clear that China’s position on the war in Ukraine will be an important factor going forward in EU-China relations.
Ireland will continue to advocate on behalf of Ukraine without reservation and we will continue to ensure that our trade policy objectives, while important, are not pursued at any cost. The protection of life and the right to live peacefully will remain a cornerstone of our principles as a nation, and those principles will continue to feed into our trade relations with others.
196. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment how many applicants and how many permits were granted of the 1,500 critical skills employment permits introduced on 16 December 2022 for the role of bus and coach drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28969/23]
View answerIn December 2022, changes to the employment permits system were announced to help address the skills shortages in Ireland’s Transport sector. These changes included the introduction of a quota of 1,500 General Employment Permits, not Critical Skills Employment Permits as referenced in the Deputy's question.
As of 13th June 2023, there were a total of 94 general employment permit applications received for the role of bus and coach drivers. Of these 81 have been issued,1 application was refused,1 application was withdrawn, and 4 applications were returned. There are currently 2 new applications awaiting processing and 5 new applications awaiting the payment of the fee due.
My Department continues to actively respond to the concerns raised by various sectors with regard to the critical short supply of skills in a number of roles crucial to the economy.
197. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is aware of the additional excise duty applied to goods coming into Ireland from other EU countries but shopped through the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29008/23]
View answerThe issue raised by the Deputy relates to the treatment of goods under the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) and may relates to customs rather than excise duties. The Deputy may wish to raise this matter with the Minister for Finance within whose remit they fall.
198. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Education to clarify her Department’s position on bus drivers aged 70 years and over when medically certified is not permitted to drive a school bus for Bus Éireann; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28983/23]
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 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.
In addition, school transport scheme services have been provided in the current school year for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
The School Transport 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.
It is Bus Éireann company policy that normal retirement age for all Bus Éireann staff is currently 66 years. However, Bus Éireann part-time school bus drivers and drivers nominated by private operators who operate service as part of the School Transport Scheme may continue to perform in the role provided they hold the requisite license and satisfy an annual medical examination until they retire at age 70. This policy and criteria is applied to all drivers who provide school transport services on behalf of Bus Éireann equally.
The age limit on school bus drivers was increased to 70 years a number of years ago. While Bus Éireann have informed the Department there is no plan to increase the age limit further at this time, the matter will continue to be kept under review.
199. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education if she is aware that a special needs child (details supplied) cannot find an ASD unit for the third year. [28885/23]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:
Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education 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).
The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided.
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 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 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, special needs assistants.
The 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 of new special classes and additional special school places for the next school year 2023/24. 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.
As a result of this forward planning, on the 12th of April, Minister Foley and I announced the establishment of 2 new special schools for the 2023/2024 school year, with further capacity being expanded in 11 other special schools.
Along with the two new special schools, 328 new special classes – 217 at primary and 111 at post-primary level – have been sanctioned by the NCSE for opening in the 2023/24 school year, with more to be confirmed in the coming weeks.
Of these new classes, 69 are in Dublin, with 48 at primary level and 21 at post-primary level. These new classes will bring the total number of special classes in Dublin to 534.
In relation to the student referred to by the Deputy, the NCSE has advised my department that they are actively working to increase special class availability in the area.
The local special educational needs organiser (SENO) has been in contact with the family and has advised them of the supports available. The SENO remains available to offer advice and assist in recommending the appropriate educational and support services for the student.
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. Local SENOs remain available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details on the NCSE's website: www.ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list
Information on the list of schools with special classes, the types and locations of these classes is also published on the NCSE website: www.ncse.ie
The NCSE is committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements will be available for children for the coming school year 2023/24.
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.
200. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education when she expects the updated HP Deprivation Index to be generated by Pobal, which will feed into the DEIS programme and allow new schools to gain the much-needed status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28904/23]
View answerMy 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 the universal supports available to all schools, the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) Programme is a key policy initiative of my Department to address concentrated educational disadvantage at school level in a targeted and equitable way across the primary and post-primary sector.
In March last year, I announced the single largest expansion of the DEIS programme. This benefited 361 schools. The programme now includes 1,200 schools and supports approximately 240,000 students. This means 1 in 4 of all students are now supported in the programme.
This recent expansion will add an additional €32million to my Department’s expenditure on the DEIS programme from 2023, bringing the overall Department of Education allocation for the programme to €180million.
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.
The extension of the DEIS programme to new schools is just one component of work in my vision for an inclusive education system which supports all learners to achieve their potential. While the DEIS programme supports those schools with the highest levels of concentrated educational disadvantage, I also recognise that there are students at risk of educational disadvantage in all schools. Since June 2020, and over the past three budgets, I have secured funding to provide measures to support children in this regard. As part of Budget 2023, I announced over €50 million to provide free books to primary school pupils within the free education scheme from next September. I have also further improved the staffing schedule for all primary schools to 23:1, the lowest it has ever been.
Following the National Census held in April 2022, it is envisaged that an updated HP Deprivation Index will be generated by Pobal and will be available in Q3 of 2023. My Department will engage with Pobal in relation to this process. The updated HP Deprivation Index, when available, will be considered by my Department to help inform future resource allocation to tackle educational disadvantage.
The next phase of work will consider all schools, within and outside the DEIS programme and explore the overall allocation of resources to schools to tackle educational disadvantage. Part of this programme of work will involve consultation with relevant stakeholders over the coming months.
201. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if her Department is currently considering the provision of further primary and post primary schools for the south Drogheda and east Meath area, with consideration to the recently published census figures which show in the St. Mary's rural electoral division alone, the population has risen from 11,864 to 16,438; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28954/23]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that requirements for additional school places is kept under on-going review in the context of available information on population, enrolments and residential development activity.
In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, including CSO Census data, Child Benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
The total for the population enumerated in Census 2022 was 5,149,139 persons which is an increase of 8% since April 2016. Any change arising from an increase in the number of pupils directly linked to the Census is likely to be marginal in the short term relative to the overall challenge of meeting our targets. This is because we already have the precise enrolment numbers for all of the children covered by the census. The only immediate change is likely to be to the projected intake to infant classes next September but this would already have been tracked through monitoring of child benefit data.
Major new residential developments in a school planning area have the potential to alter demand in that area. In that regard, as part of the demographic exercises, my Department engages with each of the local authorities to obtain the up-to-date information on significant new residential development in each area. This is necessary to ensure that schools infrastructure planning is keeping pace with demographic changes as there is a constantly evolving picture with planned new residential development.
The 2022 demographic exercise indicates that 85% of the 314 school planning areas at primary level show static or decreasing enrolments for the period to 2026 compared with 2021. At post-primary level some 74% of school planning areas are anticipated to have increased enrolments for the period to 2029, with most expected to reach a peak within the next two or three years.
Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, be provided through: • Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,• Extending the capacity of a school or schools,• Provision of a new school or schools. The school planning areas covering south Drogheda and east Meath include Drogheda, Ashbourne and Laytown.
At primary level the most recent primary place projections for each school planning area indicate decreasing enrolments. At post-primary level projections in Drogheda and Ashbourne indicate an increase in requirements in the short term followed by a projected reduction in enrolments thereafter, projections indicate decreasing enrolments in Laytown school planning area.The Department will continue to liaise with the Local Authorities in respect of their County Development Plan and any associated Local Area Plans with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements across school planning areas including Drogheda, Ashbourne and Laytown.
