Written Answers Nos. 88-108
88. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the pay and any other benefits, including any loyalty payments/bonuses or other benefit-in-kind, of each chief executive of State/semi-State body or other public body under the aegis of his Department for each year since 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33049/23]
View answerThere are nine Agencies under the remit of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The details requested by the Deputy are set out in the table below.
|
Year |
Agency |
CEO Pay (per annum) |
Other Benefits/Loyalty Payments/Bonuses |
Benefit in Kind |
|
2020 |
Enterprise Ireland |
€189,610 |
N/A |
€12,375* |
|
2021 |
€104,296 (former CEO)€114,329 (Current CEO) |
N/A |
€5,236* (former CEO) |
|
|
2022 |
€203,415 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
|
2023 |
€217,200 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
|
2020 |
National Standards Authority of Ireland |
€158,932 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
2021 |
€162,739 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
|
2022 |
€170,303 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
|
2023 |
€176,350 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
|
2020 |
Health and Safety Authority |
€147,778 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
2021 |
€150,376 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
|
2022 |
€143,846 (former CEO)€18,846 (Interim CEO) |
N/A |
N/A |
|
|
2023 |
€162,959 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
|
2020 |
InterTradeIreland |
No CEO in Post |
||
|
2021 |
£90,950 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
|
2022 |
£90,950 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
|
2023 |
£90,950 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
|
2020 |
Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority |
€162,934 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
2021 |
€163,660 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
|
2022 |
€170,673 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
|
2023 |
€176,350 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
|
2022 |
Corporate Enforcement Authority – Established July 2022 |
€162,623 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
2023 |
€167,534 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
|
2020 |
Personal Injuries Assessment Board |
€135,299 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
2021 |
€147,534 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
|
2022 |
€161,616 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
|
2023 |
€176,350 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
|
2020 |
Competition and Consumer Protection Commission |
€211,249 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
2021 |
€162,922 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
|
2022 |
€188,095 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
|
2023 |
€199,040 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
|
2020 |
IDA Ireland |
€187,869 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
2021 |
€191,626 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
|
2022 |
€193,542 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
|
2023 |
€212,941 |
N/A |
N/A |
*Benefit-in-kind refers to the use of a company car, which has since been discontinued.
89. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to report on the work of the Enterprise Ireland office in Quebec, Canada, since its establishment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33129/23]
View answerEnterprise Ireland officially opened a Montréal office in November 2021 as part of the Government’s first post Covid trade visit to Canada and US. There is a team of six market advisers dedicated to the support of client companies targeting the Canadian market, working in close collaboration with Team Ireland. The Toronto and Montréal offices cover the entirety of Canada, supported where necessary by local specific subject matter expertise (i.e. Pathfinders, Business Accelerators)
Sectors of focus include Fintech and Financial Services, Cybersecurity, Technology and Services, Lifesciences and Digital Health, Industrial Technologies, Engineering and Sustainability/ Cleantech.
EI engages directly with local industry and trade stakeholders in Quebec to advance the development of Irish companies, including Ireland Canada Chamber of Commerce Montreal, Montreal International, Invest Quebec, Zone Agtech, Aero Montreal and the local business community.
EI’s Canada market strategy has an emphasis on one-to-one engagement with Irish companies to support them start and scale in the Canadian market.
Other specific Quebec engagements include:
• Aerospace Market Study Visit in 2019, Montreal is the 3rd largest aerospace cluster globally.
• Targeting of Quebec based buyers, partners and distributors for key client sectors
• Attendance at Expo-Champs Agri Show in St Liboire.
• Canada team engagement with leading Montreal HQ’d companies targets for Irish client companies
• Ongoing collaboration with Ireland Canada Chamber of Commerce Montreal to develop strategic relationships with key business partners.
• Doing Business in Canada webinar series, with a Spotlight on Montreal
• Multi-sector Trade Visit to Montreal in 2021 led by Minister for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation.
• PR and communications activity to raise the profile of Irish innovation in Quebec
EI has just completed a recruitment process for a new Senior Market Advisor who will be focusing on Industrial Technologies and client relevant subsectors.
Canada is a key market of growth for Enterprise Ireland clients, and the ninth largest non-food market globally.
In the last two years, exports to Canada have increased by 24% while EI client companies’ total exports to Canada increased to €452m in 2022, an increase of 11% on the previous year.
90. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide an update on the work of drafting the Amendment of the Constitution (Unified Patent Court) Bill seeking to amend Article 29 of the Constitution to recognise the international agreement on a Unified Patent Court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33137/23]
View answerIn June 2022, Government reaffirmed Ireland's commitment to participate in the Unitary Patent System and the Unified Patent Court (UPC), and to hold the necessary constitutional referendum to enable Ireland to do so.
An amendment to the Constitution is required before Ireland can ratify the Agreement on the UPC (UPCA), as the Agreement entails a transfer of jurisdiction from the Irish courts to an international court. Should the required Referendum pass successfully, it is proposed to amend Article 29 of the Constitution by inserting a new section referring to the UPCA.
The General Scheme of the Bill to amend the Constitution has previously been approved by Government and a preliminary draft of the Bill is complete. Further progression of the Bill before the Houses to publication stage has implications for the overall timing of the Referendum, and therefore the Department has not yet sought Government approval to proceed with the Bill. The timing of this Referendum will be a matter for Government to decide.
A local division of the Unified Patent Court will be created in Ireland if the State ratifies the UPCA. The establishment of a local division of the UPC in Ireland will offer users an accessible, cost-effective, and more efficient option for broad patent protection and dispute settlement across Europe. The new system enables uniform patent protection across all participating EU Member States by way of a single patent application and provide a centralised platform for Europe-wide patent litigation before the UPC. Savings for businesses will be significant in this area and the simplified system will make it easier, particularly for micro and small businesses, to protect their IP while engaging with a broader EU export market.
91. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of instances in which his Department used unlicensed software and/or lapsed licenced software in the past ten years to date; the associated expenditure on same to remedy the situation; and the software that was being used. [33153/23]
View answerMy Department endeavours to comply with all its software licensing obligations and does not intentionally use unlicensed software. From time to time, changes to staff numbers or technical changes to existing ICT systems has resulted in discrepancies being identified following software audits. Details of those discrepancies are:
A Microsoft audit in 2016 identified discrepancies between the Department's 'Total License Entitlement' and the 'Licenses Deployed'. New licenses and subscriptions were purchased at a total cost of €218,466 to resolve the discrepancies. A similar audit in 2022 resulted in new licenses and subscriptions being purchased at a cost of €37,972. No fines, penalties or arrears were paid in either case.
Arising from an audit of Oracle software license compliance in 2013, the Department was found to have been under licensed for a small number of users for an individual module. There were no penalties for this issue, but the Department was required to update its license subscription arrangements. The actual cost of this is not completely clear, as it appears that the matter was addressed as part of the Department's annual Oracle license renewal. However, based on current costs for these licenses, it is expected that the cost to the Department at the time would have been less than €2,000.
92. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 293 and 301 of 20 June 2023, 79 of 24 November 2022 and 101 of 11 October 2022, if she has been made aware that there is still a sizeable number of students in east Cork who have not been offered a first-year place in a second-level school for the coming school year; if she will make further resources available to enable schools to enrol these students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32854/23]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, for school planning purposes, the Department of Education divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System (or GIS) 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 the Department’s projections of school place requirements.
Having considered the projected requirements in each school planning area, the Department then makes an assessment of the existing capacity within that particular area and its ability to meet any increased demand. Where data indicates that additional provision is required at primary or post primary level, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may be provided through either one, or a combination of, the following:
• Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,
• Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
• Provision of a new school or schools.
While my Department is aware of enrolment pressures and demand for additional school places in some areas, 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.
My Department is aware of pressures in the Midleton Carrigtwohill School Planning Area and is working to establish the true extent of any capacity issues across the SPA through ongoing discussions with the relevant school patrons and authorities.
Engagement began in October 2022 with a view to getting a clear picture of the number of unique additional places required. We are reliant on getting clear data from the schools in a prompt manner and are continuing to engage with the schools and patrons. Officials from my Department will be addressing the issue with each of the patrons this week with a view to finding a workable solution to ensure no student is without a place for September 2023.
This close engagement will allow my Department to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming years which may necessitate further action to that already in train including, where required, the provision of modular accommodation solutions.
The Educational Welfare Services (EWS) of the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) is the statutory agency that can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The local service is delivered through the national network of Educational Welfare Officers (EWO). Contact details are available at www.tusla.ie/get-in-touch/education-and-welfare/.
93. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education when a form of acceptance will issue to a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32891/23]
View answerI am pleased to advise the Deputy that approval under the Additional School Accommodation scheme has issued to the school in question for the provision of one general classroom and one Special Education class.
The project is being delivered under the Department’s Devolved Reconfiguration and Modular Accommodation programme. This programme provides project management supports to enable the accommodation to be provided as quickly as possible and helps to ease the administrative workload for individual schools in relation to the management and delivery of the project. The use of the Department's Modular Accommodation Framework also assists in ensuring lead in periods for procurement of modular accommodation are minimised to the greatest extent possible. The project managers for the school in question have completed their viability report and a decision on this will be communicated to the school shortly.The overall construction sector environment is challenging and the Department and the Project Management company are doing everything possible to ensure that modular accommodation is delivered as quickly as possible. My Department is fully aware of the urgency in respect of delivery and will be working with the school to keep it updated on overall project delivery and timelines.
94. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Education being cognisant of the fact the population of Drogheda grew by 13% between 2016 and 2022, and with 25,000 new residents expected within a few years due to housing developments along the PANCR, what additional schools and associated school resources are being considered for Drogheda; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32939/23]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the requirement for additional school places is kept under ongoing 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.
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.
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. My Department’s most recent projections for the Drogheda School Planning Area indicate decreasing enrolments at primary level and an increase in requirements at post primary level in the short term followed by a projected reduction in enrolments thereafter.
There are a number of current projects in the Drogheda school planning area which include:
|
18045V |
Sandpit NS |
2 SEN Classrooms |
Stage 1 |
|
19678T |
St. Pauls NS |
7 Mainstream Classrooms, 2 Special Education Teacher Rooms |
Stage 1 |
|
17856H |
Donore NS |
2 Special Educational Needs Classrooms |
Stage 1 |
|
17840P |
SN Bheinn Naofa C |
Special Educational Needs Classrooms |
Stage 1 |
|
71761C |
St Olivers CC |
15 Mainstream Classrooms, Specialist rooms, 4 Special Educational Needs plus ancillary |
Stage 1 |
|
68348A |
Drogheda ETSS |
1000 Pupil school plus 6 Sen |
Stage 2A |
The permanent accommodation for Drogheda ETSS is being delivered under my Department’s Design and Build Programme. It is anticipated that Planning permission will be lodged in late July, and the project, when complete, will deliver a new 1,000 pupil school with 6 classes for children with special educational needs.
My Department will continue to liaise with the school’s patron body in relation to the school’s interim accommodation needs, pending delivery of the permanent accommodation.
My Department will also continue to liaise with the Local Authority 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.
95. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education to provide details on the points attained by blind and vision impaired Leaving Certificate candidates on a national average basis versus the performance of their peers in each of the past five years, in tabular form. [32950/23]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy does not fall under the remit of my Department. I am advised that the points system is a matter for the Central Applications Office (CAO) which processes applications for undergraduate courses on behalf of the Higher Education Institutions (HEI). My Department has no role in these matters.
96. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Education if a school place can be found for a child (details supplied) in the Dublin 13 area for the academic year beginning September 2023. [32962/23]
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 some areas, 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.
The Department is working to establish the true extent of any capacity issues across school planning areas through ongoing discussions with the relevant school patrons and authorities.
This close engagement will allow the Department to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming years which may necessitate further action to that already in train including, where required, the provision of modular accommodation solutions.
The Educational Welfare Services (EWS) of the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) is the statutory agency that can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The local service is delivered through the national network of Educational Welfare Officers (EWO). Contact details are available at www.tusla.ie/get-in-touch/education-and-welfare/.
97. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education the closing date for applications for a school (details supplied) in Grangegorman; how parents can apply; how this is being communicated to parents of children with additional needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32965/23]
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 (SNAs) and funding for the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS).
In 2023, the number of teaching and SNA posts in our schools will increase with an additional 686 teachers and a further 1,194 SNAs in our schools next year.
For the first time ever we will have over 19,000 teachers working in the area of special education and over 20,000 SNAs. Together we have almost 40,000 qualified and committed people in our schools who are focused wholly and exclusively on supporting children with special educational needs.
The NCSE has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of SNAs and reviews. The department does not have a role in making individual school determinations.
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. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class places, consideration of improved data sharing arrangements and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level.
As a result of this forward planning, on the 12th April, Minister Foley and l announced the establishment of two new special schools for the 2023/24 school year, with further capacity being expanded in 11 other special schools.
Enrolments to individual schools are a matter for each board of management.
In relation to the school referred to by the Deputy, this school will be under the patronage of the City of Dublin Education and Training Board (ETB) .
The admission’s policy and admission notice for this school was recently published online and is available on the ETB's website at: www.cdetb.ie. Per the published admission notice, the closing date for applications was 30 June. Applications will now be assessed and decisions on enrolment will be issued to applicants shortly.
The NCSE, through their local Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) have been supporting parents of children known to them who require a special school place to make an application for admission to the new school. Support has also been provided to ensure that the necessary reports and documentation is available. SENOs have been engaging with and communicating updates to parents as the new school was announced, as the number of places were confirmed and as the admission process commenced.
SENOs remain available at local level to support parents over the coming period also.
98. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education for an update on an application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32966/23]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application for capital funding, under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme from the school in question for special class accommodation.
The purpose of the Additional Schools Accommodation (ASA) scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream and special education classroom accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year and where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.
I can assure the Deputy that my Department is working to ensure that there is appropriate school accommodation in place to meet the school place needs of all children. In the first instance, this is focused on ensuring that the use of existing school accommodation capacity is fully optimised. Where additional capacity is required this can be provided by means of modular accommodation where accelerated delivery is required, or by means of traditional construction projects.
The school in question have advised that their preference is for accommodation by way of traditional construction. The application, in this respect, has been assessed and a proposed accommodation brief is currently being finalised. This will issue directly to the school authorities as soon as possible.
99. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education for an update on the status of an application by a school (details supplied) for additional accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32997/23]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application for capital funding under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme, from the school in question.
The purpose of my Department's Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream and special education classroom accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year and where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation. Where there is a need for accelerated delivery of such accommodation my Department utilises Modern Methods of Construction, including my Department's Modular Accommodation Framework, to meet the accommodation need.
However, the wider context in relation to the overall modular market is challenging with modular accommodation suppliers being very busy across commercial, housing and other sectors.
The Department is working closely with the Project Management teams and the modular accommodation suppliers to ensure additional capacity for the schools sector is delivered as quickly as possible, including to the school in question.
In addition, my Department is liaising with all schools that have accommodation requirements for the coming school year in relation to their contingency planning arrangements and any supports required for same.
100. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education if consideration will be given to increase the mandatory retirement age for school bus drivers from 70 to 75 years, to take into account those drivers who wish to continue working; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33023/23]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
There has been an increase of 21% in tickets issued to eligible students and an increase of 38% in tickets issued on a concessionary basis in the 2022/23 school year compared to the 2021/22 school year.
In addition, school transport scheme services were provided for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
It is Bus Éireann company policy that normal retirement age for all Bus Éireann staff is currently 66 years.
However, Bus Éireann's part-time school bus drivers and drivers nominated by private operators who operate services 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.
101. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education the pay and any other benefits, including any loyalty payments/bonuses or other benefit-in-kind, of each chief executive of State/semi-State body or other public body under the aegis of her Department for each year since 2020, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33048/23]
View answerThe details sought by the Deputy in regard to the aegis bodies in the scope of the question are set out in the attached table. I am advised that no bonuses and also no benefits in kind were paid to CEOs of the bodies under the aegis of my Department.
The processes required in the sanctioning of remuneration packages of aegis body CEOs are guided by the stipulations of the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform’s guidance booklet "Guidelines for Appointments of CEOs of Non-Commercial Bodies". Section 4.7 of the guidance states that the provision of perquisites is not permitted under Government policy.
Annually the Chairperson of each state body furnishes to me, in conjunction with the supply of the body's Annual Report, a report, which includes an affirmation that Government policy on the pay of the CEO is complied with. The Chairperson supplies such annual assurances under the terms of DPENDR’s Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.
|
Name of Body |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
Grade Equivalent Pay Scale of the CEO |
|||
|
An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG) |
CEO paid on the Senior Inspector pay scale |
CEO paid on the Senior Inspector pay scale |
A new CEO was appointed in 2022 with pay set at Principal Officer (Standard) pay scale |
|
Educational Research Centre1 |
CEO paid on the Principal Officer (Higher) pay scale plus a Director’s allowance of €13,272 |
CEO paid on the Principal Officer (Higher) pay scale plus a Director’s allowance of €13,272 |
CEO paid on the Principal Officer (Higher) pay scale plus a Director’s allowance of €14,085 |
|
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment |
CEO paid on Assistant Secretary pay scale |
CEO paid on Assistant Secretary pay scale |
CEO paid on Assistant Secretary pay scale |
|
National Council for Special Education |
CEO paid on Assistant Secretary pay scale |
CEO paid on Assistant Secretary pay scale |
CEO paid on Assistant Secretary pay scale |
|
The Teaching Council |
CEO paid on Principal Officer (Higher) pay scale |
CEO paid on Principal Officer (Higher) pay scale |
CEO paid on Principal Officer (Higher) pay scale |
|
State Examinations Commission (SEC) |
CEO paid on Assistant Secretary pay scale |
CEO paid on Assistant Secretary pay scale |
CEO paid on Assistant Secretary pay scale |
|
Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board (Caranua)2 |
CEO paid on Principal Officer (Standard) pay scale |
CEO paid on Principal Officer (Standard) pay scale |
N/A |
Note 1. The CEO of the ERC resigned in 2022 and an interim CEO has been appointed.
Note 2. Caranua has not had a CEO employed since March 2021.
102. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education if she will introduce measures (details supplied) to assist exam candidates with dyslexia; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33111/23]
View answerThe 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.
103. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education the number of instances in which her Department used unlicensed software and/or lapsed licenced software in the past ten years to date; the associated expenditure on same to remedy the situation; and the software that was used. [33152/23]
View answerMy Department has recorded one instance of using freeware consumer software licences, as opposed to enterprise type licences, for a back-end testing product. The position was regularised for €500.
104. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the pay and any other benefits, including any loyalty payments/bonuses or other benefit-in-kind, of each chief executive of State/semi-State body or other public body under the aegis of her Department for each year since 2020, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33061/23]
View answerThe name, function, establishment date and the salary of each of the CEOs of all bodies under the aegis of my Department (other than RTÉ and TG4) are detailed in the table below.
|
State Bodies |
Function |
Year Established |
Salary of C.E.O. |
|
Arts Council |
Statutory body with responsibility for delivering primary support for the arts in Ireland. |
1951 |
Equivalent to Principal Officer Higher Plus Director’s Allowance in the Civil Service. |
|
Coimisiún na Meán (formerly BAI) |
State body responsible for regulating media services and online safety in Ireland. |
2023 |
Equivalent to Secretary General II in the Civil Service. |
|
Chester Beatty |
National Cultural Institution – Library |
1950 |
Equivalent to Principal Officer Higher in the Civil Service. |
|
Crawford Art Gallery |
National Cultural Institution, dedicated to the visual arts. |
1979 |
Equivalent to Principal Officer Standard in the Civil Service. |
|
Fáilte Ireland (National Tourism Development Authority) |
State body responsible for encouraging, promoting and supporting tourism development. |
2003 |
Equivalent to Deputy Secretary Standard in the Civil Service. |
|
Foras na Gaeilge |
State body responsible for the promotion of the Irish language throughout the island of Ireland, established under the Good Friday Agreement. |
1999 |
€128,229 (as per published Accounts 2020) |
|
National Concert Hall |
National Cultural Institution - Concert Hall |
1981 |
Equivalent to Principal Officer Higher in the Civil Service. |
|
Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) |
National Cultural Institution for Modern & Contemporary Arts |
1991 |
Equivalent to Principal Officer Standard in the Civil Service |
|
National Gallery of Ireland |
National Cultural Institution - Gallery |
Established as an autonomous National Cultural Institution under the provisions of the National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 |
Equivalent to Principal Officer Higher Plus Director’s Allowance in the Civil Service. |
|
National Library of Ireland |
National Cultural Institution - National Library |
Established as an autonomous National Cultural Institution under the provisions of the National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 |
Equivalent to Principal Officer Higher Plus Director’s Allowance in the Civil Service. |
|
National Museum of Ireland |
National Cultural Institution - National Museum |
Established as an autonomous National Cultural Institution under the provisions of the National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 |
Equivalent to Principal Officer Higher Plus Director’s Allowance in the Civil Service. |
|
Sport Ireland |
Sport Ireland is the statutory body with responsibility for the development and promotion of sport in Ireland. This includes participation in sport, high performance sport, anti-doping, coaching and the development of the Sport Ireland Campus |
2015 |
Equivalent to Assistant Secretary PPC in the Civil Service. |
|
Screen Ireland |
Development agency for the Irish film, television and animation industry. |
1980 |
Equivalent to Principal Officer Higher in the Civil Service. |
|
Tha Boord o Ulster Scotch |
An agency of the North South Language Body, established under the Good Friday Agreement. |
1999 |
£54,588 (€61,355) (as per 2020 Published Accounts) |
|
Tourism Ireland |
State agency responsible for marketing the island of Ireland overseas as a leading holiday destination, established under the Good Friday Agreement. |
2000 |
€177,405 (as per 2021 Published Accounts) |
|
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
Regional authority responsible for the economic, social and cultural development of the Gaeltacht. |
1980 |
Equivalent to Assistant Secretary PPC in the Civil Service. |
I am advised that the CEOs of the above bodies are not in receipt of any other benefits, including any loyalty payments/bonuses or benefits-in-kind.
With regard to RTÉ and TG4, Sections 24 and 98 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 provide for the independence of these bodies in the pursuance of their objectives and the Deputy's question is accordingly an operational matter for these bodies.
105. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of instances in which her Department used unlicensed software and/or lapsed licenced software in the past ten years to date; the associated expenditure on same to remedy the situation; and the software that was used. [33165/23]
View answerSince the formation of my Department in its current configuration in June 2020 there have not been any instances of unlicensed and/or lapsed licensed software being installed for use within the Department.
106. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are any provisions within the draft Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023, in addition to any technical amendments, to restrict or ban rod and line angling for brown trout and Atlantic salmon on Lough Corrib SAC, considering the large number of subsurface archaeological sites around the lake; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32861/23]
View answerThe Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023 does not contain any such provision.
107. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 362 of 20 June 2023, if he will provide a precise list of "key stakeholders" and other “organisations of interest within the game shooting fraternity” that have been invited to engage the National Parks and Wildlife Service as part of the review and public consultation process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32947/23]
View answerThe online public consultation, that was carried out as part of the review of the birds Open Seasons Order, was available to any member of the public or any organisation with an interest in the subject matter. The consultation was advertised widely and had a large response rate.
A separate in-person stakeholder forum was held. Representatives from a wide range of cross cutting stakeholder groups were invited and attended the forum: National Association of Rifle & Gun Clubs (NARGC); European Federation for Hunting & Conservation (FACE); Country Sports Ireland (CSI); Countryside Alliance Ireland (CAI); Irish Country Sports Association (ICSA); Irish Creamery Milk Society Association (ICMSA); Irish Farmers Association (IFA); Irish Cattle & Sheep Farmers Association (ICSA); Irish Natura & Hill Farmers Association (INHFA); Birdwatch Ireland; An Taisce; Irish Environmental Network (IEN); Irish Wildlife Trust (IWT); Heritage Council; Chartered Institute of Ecology & Environmental Management (CIEEM).
108. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are any plans to amend legislation, whereby people who rent properties in rent pressure zones and their existing tenants leave of their own accord, to allow the property owner then rent the property at market value; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32951/23]
View answerI have no plans to alter the Residential Tenancies Act in this regard at this time but I do keep the operation of the Acts under constant review and I will make timely amendments, as may be required.
I draw your attention to the thorough review of the private rental sector which is currently underway in my Department. This will ascertain what an improved fully functioning private rental sector should look like in the long term, and members of the public are now being invited to participate in the comprehensive review. This delivers on an undertaking given in the Housing for All Action Plan Update from November 2022.
The review will take into account the significant regulatory changes over the past several years in the residential rental market. It will draw conclusions on how our housing system can be enhanced to provide an efficient, affordable, viable, safe and secure framework for both landlords and tenants. The Government will act on the review’s recommendations.
A central aspect of the review is targeted engagement with various stakeholders and direct public input via a public consultation process - further details are available at the following link - www.gov.ie/en/consultation/ea0ea-public-consultation-review-of-the-private-residential-rental-sector/.
