Written Answers Nos. 215-235
217. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform for an update from the Office of Public Works regarding its plans and works to prepare for floods along the River Shannon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41560/23]
View answerThe Government has committed €1.3 billion to the delivery of flood relief schemes over the lifetime of the National Development Plan to 2030 to protect approximately 23,000 properties in communities under threat from river and coastal flood risk. Since 2018, as part of a phased approach to scheme delivery, this funding has allowed the OPW to increase its work on flood relief schemes to over 90 schemes at design and construction at this time.
There are 13 completed schemes in the Shannon River Basin District, which provide protection to over 2,600 properties.
There are 24 schemes currently being progressed. These include:
• Two schemes, Athlone and Springfield, which are currently at construction, with Springfield expected to reach substantial completion in 2023 and Athlone expected to reach substantial completion in 2024;
• A further 13 schemes where engineering consultants have been appointed, including King’s Island which will go to tender shortly for a Contractor for the scheme, with construction anticipated to commence in 2024; and
• 9 other small schemes, 8 of which will be progressed directly by the relevant Local Authorities, with full funding from the OPW, and one scheme, Rahan which OPW Design Section is progressing.
There are a further 12 schemes recommended in the Flood Risk Management Plans that are planned to be rolled out as part of the second Tranche of flood relief schemes, which will commence in the lifetime of the National Development Plan 2018-2030.
218. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the number of Bills prepared by his Department in the 33rd Dáil to date; the number and title of those Bills that included a Regulatory Impact Assessment; the title of the RIAs published by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41595/23]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below:
|
Year |
Title of Bill |
Title of Regulatory Impact Assessment |
|
2020 |
Appropriation Bill |
RIA not required |
|
2021 |
Appropriation Bill |
RIA not required |
|
2021 |
Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill |
RIA not required |
|
2021 |
Public Service Pay Bill |
RIA not required |
|
2022 |
Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Bill |
RIA undertaken which is titled Transposition of the EU Whistleblowing Directive |
|
2022 |
Appropriation Bill |
RIA not required |
219. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if there are any positions currently open within the OPW in the north Tipperary area for digger and track machine operators; if the OPW is hiring people for these positions at present; if so, how one might apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41642/23]
View answerA competition for General Operative Band 2 (Rural) / 360° Excavator Drivers was advertised on 10th July 2023 for the South West Arterial Drainage and Construction Services Division which includes Co. Tipperary. The closing date for receipt of applications for this competition was Friday, 4th August 2023, applications received following the closing date are not accepted.
All OPW vacancies that arise including General Operative Band 2 (Rural) / 360° Excavator Drivers are advertised on the OPW website www.gov.ie/opw under the section - Jobs at OPW.
220. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment how the sustainability loan scheme is being implemented to fund biodiversity initiatives; the number of successful applicants sought to address biodiversity, in tabular form per year since the schemes inception and in Q1, Q2 and Q3 2023. [41004/23]
View answerThe Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme is a long-term loan guarantee scheme jointly developed by my Department and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The scheme is underpinned by resources from the European Investment Bank Group and delivered by the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland.
The €500 million Growth and Sustainability Loan provides longer-term lending to SMEs, including farmers and fishers and small mid-caps. Loans of between €25,000 and €3 million, with terms of up to 10 years and attractive terms and conditions, are available through the scheme to eligible SMEs through participating finance providers, with loans of up to €500,000 available unsecured.
The scheme will target a minimum of 30% of the lending volume towards environmental sustainability purposes with the aim of encouraging SMEs to take positive actions in support of the climate change agenda. Up to 70% of lending will be for strategic investments with a view to increasing productivity and competitiveness and thus underpinning future business sustainability and growth.
Loans for climate action and environmental sustainability purposes will also benefit from an additional interest rate discount.
The terms of the scheme allow for biodiversity initiatives including the provision of loans which contribute to sustainable circular bioeconomy and fostering sustainable development and efficient management of natural resources such as water, soil and air, including by reducing chemical dependency. In addition, the scheme can provide loans which contribute to halting and reversing biodiversity loss, enhancing ecosystem services and preserving habitats and landscapes. Further information on eligible activities can be found at the link below:
sbci.gov.ie/uploads/general/GSLS-Climate-Action-and-Environmental-Sustainability-Use-Case-Document-Measures-FINAL-BORROWER1.pdf.
As the scheme just launched on 19 September 2023 with the first on lender Bank of Ireland, the data requested by the Deputy are not available.
A number of other lenders, including non-bank lenders, are expected to take part in the scheme in the coming months.
The Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme will operate until 30 June 2026 or until the scheme has been fully subscribed (whichever is earlier).
221. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to introduce a framework whereby corporations and large businesses can help to address nature conservation and the restoration of biodiversity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41005/23]
View answerI and my Department have engaged in planning for a concentrated and coordinated cross-Government approach to driving business engagement with biodiversity. The Deputy may be aware that detailed work on Ireland’s fourth National Biodiversity Action Plan has been the subject of significant effort over the last two years by Government Departments, led by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, with the support, advice and input of the Biodiversity Working Group and Biodiversity Forum. I expect that this Action Plan will be reviewed and approved by Cabinet and published shortly.
I also want to note and acknowledge the good work done and evident in the recent reports and recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss, which I believe Government can substantially address through implementation of the forthcoming National Biodiversity Action Plan.
‘Business for Biodiversity Ireland’ is the key stakeholder platform for businesses to engage with, its lead by Natural Capital Ireland with seed funding provided by Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine. The platform is further supported by The National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC) and Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI). The platform is intended to drive the transition to a nature positive Irish economy, where activities enhance natural systems in addition to minimising impact, by harnessing the energy and innovation capacity of Irish businesses. This platform facilitates businesses engaging directly with their impacts on our natural resources, and also provide policy makers, state agencies and businesses useful case studies, information, as well as facilitating networking and mentoring.
I and my Department are committed to working with Business for Biodiversity Ireland to explore how we best engage enterprises. For example, the ‘Climate Toolkit 4 Business’ could include more biodiversity related actions for small businesses to help them reduce negative impacts on biodiversity, promote nature positivity, and to contribute to the achievement of the National Biodiversity Action Plan. My Department will work with Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland to integrate biodiversity into relevant programmes and activities. IDA Ireland is also to develop biodiversity measures across their property programme, in line with the commitment to biodiversity measures outlined in IDA’s 2021-2024 strategy, Driving Recovery and Sustainable Growth.
For businesses that do not have substantial lands, water use or on-site pollutants, biodiversity can appear an abstract objective somewhat removed from the day-to-day running of their business. For small businesses in particular, who generally have low intensity natural resource use, may also have limited time and resources to engage with tangible biodiversity initiatives. The ‘Business for Biodiversity Ireland’ project and engagement through the Climate Toolkit for Business, and the enterprise development agencies, should make these objectives more tangible and develop a practical set of biodiversity actions that business can be supported and encouraged to implement.
222. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment what mechanisms he is examining to make it easier for teachers from outside Ireland to access teaching positions, in view of the current shortage of teachers; if teaching can be added to the critical skills list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41012/23]
View answerMy Department administers the employment permits system which enables employers to employ suitably qualified non EEA nationals in roles deemed eligible for an employment permit where the requisite skills or labour are not currently available in the domestic/EEA labour market.
The role of primary or secondary teacher is currently eligible for the General Employment Permit subject to criteria including minimum remuneration and qualifications requirements.
Ireland operates a managed employment permits system, maximising the benefits of economic migration and minimising the risk of disrupting Ireland’s labour market. The regime is designed to facilitate the entry of appropriately skilled non-EEA nationals to fill skills or labour shortages in the State in the short to medium term.
The Occupational Lists (Ineligible Occupations List and Critical Skills Occupation List) for employment permits identify roles that are either in known short supply or are ineligible for an employment permit at the present time. The Lists are subject to evidence-based review incorporating consideration of available research, and a public consultation which provides stakeholders with an opportunity to submit data on the extent of skills or labour shortages.
Submissions to the review are considered by the Interdepartmental Group on Economic Migration Policy with membership drawn from key Government Departments who may provide observations on the occupations under review.
My Department is currently considering submissions received to the latest public consultation to review the Occupations Lists which was open between June and August of this year with recommendations for approval expected in November. I can confirm that my Department did not receive any submissions in relation to the eligibility of the occupation of Teacher.
223. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will move urgently to extend the current work permits/visa requirements to allow farm operatives to be employed under the work permit scheme to alleviate the crisis facing the pig industry and their inability to recruit staff; if he is aware of the research showing that almost 50% of pig farmers will be forced to exit the market if the acute staff shortages cannot be sorted as a matter of urgency; if he is aware that 48% of pig farmers have vacancies which they cannot fill and are prevented from recruiting outside the State due to the restrictions on the work permits scheme; what steps he will take to alleviate this crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41176/23]
View answerIreland operates a managed employment permits system, maximising the benefits of economic migration and minimising the risk of disrupting Ireland’s labour market. The regime is designed to facilitate the entry of appropriately skilled non-EEA nationals to fill skills or labour shortages in the State in the short to medium term.
The Occupational Lists (Ineligible Occupations List and Critical Skills Occupation List) for employment permits are subject to evidence-based reviews incorporating consideration of available research, and a public consultation which provides stakeholders with an opportunity to submit data on the extent of skills or labour shortages. Submissions to the review are considered by the Interdepartmental Group on Economic Migration Policy with membership drawn from key Government Departments including the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine who as lead policy department for the sector specifically related to this occupation, may provide observations on the occupation under review.
An occupation may be considered for inclusion in, or removal from, the Occupations Lists where evidence supports that no suitable Irish/EEA nationals are available to undertake the work; development opportunities are not undermined; genuine skills shortages exist; and recruitment or retention issues are affected by factors other than salary and/or employment conditions.
The occupation of Pig Farmer/Farm Worker is currently on the Ineligible List of Occupations.
My Department is actively considering submissions received to the latest public consultation to review the Occupations Lists which was open between June and August this year with recommendations for approval expected in November. I can confirm that my Department has received submissions in relation to the occupation of Pig Farmer/Farm Worker.
224. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to outline the next steps in developing a National position in respect of the proposed EU Product Liability Directive; if he will report on the public consultation which was carried out by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41228/23]
View answerDepartment Officials are currently engaged in the negotiations of the EU proposal for a new directive on liability of defective products.
The Department ran a public consultation on the EU proposal for a new directive on liability of defective products. This proposal revises the existing Product Liability Directive, adopted nearly 40 years ago during which time there have been several developments that have impacted the existing product liability directive, including changes in consumer expectations, the digital age, circular economy business models and global value chains.
The Department received eight responses to the public consultation, which closed on 26th April 2023. Officials are finalising their analysis of the responses and intend to publish a summary of the submissions received on the Department's website in the coming weeks.
225. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of Bills prepared by his Department in the 33rd Dáil to date; the number and title of those Bills that included a Regulatory Impact Assessment; the title of the RIAs published by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41587/23]
View answerThe information requested is currently being collated by my Department and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy as soon as it is finalised.
226. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is responsible for approving any increases in the pensions paid to former employees of IDA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41610/23]
View answerI am advised that increases in IDA Ireland pay and pensions are subject to public sector pay agreements. Pension increases being paid to IDA pensioners are those under the current agreement ‘Building Momentum’ which are agreed by government and implemented by my Department and its agencies and do not require my approval. No further increases have been sanctioned or implemented by IDA beyond this.
Individual pensions queries by or on behalf of an IDA pensioner can be followed up with IDA's HR Department directly.
227. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the application for major capital works submitted to her Department by the Board of Management of a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40958/23]
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.
I can confirm that the application from the school in question has now been assessed and my Department will be in contact with the school in the coming days.
228. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education whether her Department has undertaken an audit of HEPA filters introduced in schools, including those provided privately by parents, if the schools themselves is able to provide such detail; if not, why not; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40962/23]
View answerMy Department’s guidance in relation to managing ventilation in a Covid environment sets out the practical steps for improving ventilation and where poor ventilation continues to exist in a particular room/area, air cleaners may be considered as an additional measure in conjunction with other methods of ventilation that are available. This was in line with the Expert Group guidance which identified that in areas with poor ventilation that structural interventions and measures to increase natural ventilation should be completed. Where such structural interventions or measures were not possible in the short term, that consideration should be given to using stand-alone HEPA filter devices in poorly ventilated spaces pending the completion of structural interventions.
My Department provided additional support in the context of Covid-19 through the provision of CO2 monitors and payment of enhanced minor works grants to schools in the free scheme, circa €100 million in 2020 and €32 million in 2021. This funding enabled schools to address both their reconfiguration requirements and also to address small-scale ventilation improvements at school level. Primary schools also received standard Minor Works Grant totalling €90 million during this period.
As there is no one solution that fits all scenarios, each school required bespoke analysis and an appropriate ventilation solution matched to the specific room size and volume. Given that each school setting is different, individual schools were best placed to decide how best to use this funding to address their particular needs in line with the Department’s Guidance. In this context the requirements for each school were determined locally by schools and my Department does not therefore hold this type of information centrally.
Schools that identified inadequate ventilation in a room can utilise their minor works grant (for minor improvements) or apply for emergency works grant assistance to address ventilation enhancements on a permanent basis. If a school feels that its individual space may require specific technical specialist advice then the assistance of a Chartered Engineer or Registered Architect can be sought. In the case where a school has difficulty engaging a Chartered Engineer or Registered Architect my Department can assist, with a dedicated ventilation team available to support school principals in this regard.
As of the end of August 2023, 42 schools have applied for additional funding under the emergency works scheme to assist with ventilation. Of these, 35 have been approved, 2 were incorrectly classified as ventilation-related and assessed separately, 4 were rejected, and 1 application is awaiting the school to revert with further information. None of these applications were for the funding of HEPA filters and contact was made with each of the schools who had applications rejected to advise them how best to proceed.
229. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Education her plans to address the serious health and safety issues at a school (details supplied). [40973/23]
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.
The purpose of my Department’s Additional School Accommodation (or ASA) scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom accommodation and accommodation for pupils with special education needs is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.
At primary level, this situation generally arises to cater for a school’s accommodation requirements where an additional teaching post has been sanctioned by Teacher Allocation Section, or the requirement for a new class for pupils with special education needs has been identified by the NCSE, and all available alternative accommodation within the school is already being used for classroom purposes.
I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has very recently received correspondence from the school in question. Officials in my Department will need to consider this correspondence carefully and will liaise with the school authority directly.
It is open to the BOM to make an application under the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) to address any Health & Safety issues at the school.
230. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education the current status of an application for emergency works (details supplied); when a decision is likely to be made in this case, in view of the fact that these facilities are urgently required as the leaks are deteriorating; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40986/23]
View answerI wish to advise that the application referred to has been examined by our Professional & Technical team and they have advised that Emergency Works will fund repair works to the leaks only as an interim measure until a permanent solution can be determined under the Summer Works Scheme.
The school have been advised to scale back the scope of works and to have a leak detection test carried out to identify the locations of the leaks so as, these can be repaired to the existing flat roof.
231. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Education to provide a list of sites acquired for second level education institutions aided by her Department since 2000, in tabular form, indicating in each case the total expenditure on the acquisition of the site, the total area of the site, and the year of acquisition; the location by Eircode, the roll number(s) of school(s) built therein, and the relevant school planning area. [40991/23]
View answerHaving reviewed the information to hand, since year 2000 to date, I can confirm that my Department has acquired 58 sites at a cost of circa €200m, to facilitate the delivery of second level education institutions.
All of the details requested by the Deputy are not readily available within a central repository in my Department. As the Deputy will appreciate, it would involve a very significant amount of administrative work to identify, retrieve from storage, and examine all relevant files in order to compile the information in question.
However, if there is any specific information the Deputy requires, officials in my Department will assist in providing it, while being mindful of the commercial sensitivities relating to the property market in which my Department continues to operate.
232. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education what mechanisms she is examining to make it easier for teachers from outside Ireland to access teaching positions, in view of the current shortage of teachers; if teaching can be added to the critical skills list; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41013/23]
View answerUnder the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015 the Teaching Council is the body with statutory authority and responsibility for the regulation of the teaching profession in Ireland including the registration of teachers in the State.
The Teaching Council registers teachers under the Teaching Council Act 2001-2015 and in line with the Teaching Council Registration Regulations, 2016. As set out in the Schedule of the Regulations, the Council registers teachers under five routes of registration: Route 1 - Primary, Route 2 - Post-primary, Route 3 - Further Education, Route 4 - Other and Route 5 - Student Teacher.
The Teaching Council is also the competent authority for the recognition of qualifications for those who qualified as teachers outside of Ireland. The Teaching Council adheres to the Teaching Council Act 2001-2015, the Teaching Council Registration Regulations (2016) and in its role as a competent authority, it operates in accordance with the EU Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications Directive (2005/36/EU as amended). As a statutory professional standards body, the Teaching Council is required by law to properly determine and to authenticate the relevant standards and qualifications of all applicants for registration. One of the ways the Council ensures and regulates standards is by ensuring that all teachers entering the profession in Ireland have met the required standards.
Fully qualified teachers who have qualified outside of the Republic of Ireland are eligible to apply for registration with the Teaching Council. A person deemed to be a fully qualified teacher has completed a recognised teacher education qualification and programme of induction in the country in which they qualified and can provide an official letter from the relevant teacher registration body/ Competent Authority or Ministry of Education confirming recognition as a fully qualified teacher in the State/ country. The Council registers teachers under four Routes of Registration; Route 1 Primary, Route 2 Post-primary, Route 3 Further Education and Route 4 Other.
All applications from teachers who qualified abroad are processed in line with the EU Directive 2005/36/EC and are assessed in the same manner, regardless of whether they qualified within or outside the EU. The EU Directive provides for the assessment of qualifications for the purposes of recognition, and this recognition may be subject to conditions. The Council assesses qualifications to seek comparability with the standards of Council accredited programmes of ITE (plus curricular subject at PP), assessing in line with programme standards and the Council’s Registration Regulations (Routes 1, 2, 3, 4). This assessment must be ‘holistic’ i.e., take into account qualifications plus teaching experience plus lifelong learning. The Council holds its accredited programmes and student teachers to high standards and to protect the integrity of the register, those who qualify overseas are held to the same standards, (foundation studies, professional studies, school placement). Where differences arise, conditions (qualification shortfalls) will be applied to the teacher's registration and the teacher is given three years to address the shortfall(s).
The EU Directive provides a 12-week timeframe for assessment which commences when all required qualification and registration evidence is submitted. The Teaching Council advise that on average the processing time for overseas qualified primary teachers is 3-4 weeks and the average processing time for overseas qualified post-primary teachers is 8 weeks.
In addition to the standard application process for teachers who qualified out of state, the Council commenced the Teaching Council (Registration) (Amendment) Regulation, 2023. This regulation was introduced to assist with teacher supply. The Council is accepting applications until 1 February 2024 from primary and post-primary teachers who have qualified outside of Ireland but who have not completed the required period of induction in the country in which they qualified.
The critical skills list is a matter for my colleague, the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
233. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education the steps she is taking to ensure special education teachers for a DEIS school (details supplied) in Dublin 11; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41038/23]
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.
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.
For the first time ever there will be 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.
Special education teachers provide additional teaching support for students with special educational needs enrolled in mainstream classes in primary and post primary schools.
The special education teaching (SET) allocation model provides a single unified allocation for special educational support teaching needs to each school, based on each school’s educational profile.
The SET model has been in place since 2017. It was recommended by the NCSE and is designed to distribute the total available number of special education teachers across primary and post primary schools based on the relative need of each school, as evidenced by a number of key indicators.
The SET model is a fairer and more transparent way of allocating teaching resources to schools and represents a significant shift in the way that students with special education needs are supported in mainstream classes.
Previously, students needing additional teaching support required a diagnosis in order to access support which caused delays in providing the support and also imposed a burden on both schools and parents. The change in policy was welcomed by both schools and parents as the model is based on the principle that those students with the greatest need receive the most support.
The model encourages schools to support students with special educational needs in mainstream classes alongside their peers. In fact most students with special educational needs are enrolled in these classes. This approach is also consistent with the Education of Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act (2004).
When the SET model was introduced it was designed to be updated on a regular basis so as to distribute the total available resources across the school system based on profile of need. As the level of student need may change in a school over time, some schools will gain under this distribution, with these gains balanced by equivalent reductions in schools where the model indicates reduced need.
Re-profiling is the means of ensuring that new or increasing need in schools is met by transfer/redistribution of teaching resources from other schools whose need has reduced as shown by the model.
The SET resources provided to schools is based on special education needs of the pupils enrolled in the school and the resources must be utilised to ensure that students with special education needs are supported so that they can achieve the best possible educational outcome.
In general schools are front-loaded with resources, based on each school’s profile. The allocations to schools include provision to support all pupils in the schools, including where a child receives a diagnosis after the allocation is received by a school, or where there are newly enrolling pupils to the school.
The model, including the data and indicators used to inform the distribution of special education teacher resources, is currently being reviewed in advance of the 2024/25 school year, to ensure that these valuable resources are allocated fairly and transparently across our primary and post-primary schools.
My department and the NCSE are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.
234. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education the reasons that a Ukrainian child (details supplied) did not receive their school bus ticket for the 2023/2024 academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41040/23]
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.
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.
Already over 133,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the start of the 2022/2023 school year. The number of tickets issued so far has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
The Department of Education and Bus Éireann have a process to facilitate the provision of School Transport Scheme Services for children arriving to Ireland from Ukraine.
For children residing with a host family or for children of Ukrainian families living in their own private accommodation, an application for school transport can be made via a link to a form on www.gov.ie/ukraine.
Children will be accommodated on existing services where there is capacity. If there is no service or capacity, a grant can be offered to the family as appropriate.
For families and children residing in accommodation centres (or similar), school principals may apply for transport for children attending their school who are residing in such accommodation. School principals should complete the information required on a form which is available on Gov.ie/Ukraine and return it to their local REALT co-ordinator.
Every effort is being made to ensure school transport services are up and running as they are required. However, given the ongoing movement and arrival of families, it may in some cases take some time to arrange services for families.
In relation to the pupil in question, Bus Éireann has advised that they are working on a transport solution for the pupil at present and will contact the family directly in this regard.
235. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education her plans to extend the Teaching Council (Registration) (Amendment) Regulation 2023 which enables primary and post-primary teachers who qualified outside of Ireland to apply to register as a teacher here, so as to mitigate against teacher supply challenges. [41055/23]
View answerUnder the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015 the Teaching Council is the body with the statutory authority and responsibility for the regulation of the teaching profession in Ireland including the registration of Teachers in the State.
The Teaching Council is the professional standards body for the teaching profession, which promotes and regulates professional standards in teaching. The Council registers teachers under the Teaching Council Act 2001-2015. There are five routes of registration with the Teaching Council which are namely Route 1: Primary, Route 2: Post-primary, Route 3: Further Education, Route 4: Other and Route 5: Student Teacher. The registration requirements for each route is set out in the Teaching Council [Registration] Regulations 2016. My Department has no role in the registration of individual teachers.
Under the current legislative provision, applications for registration under the Teaching Council (Registration) (Amendment) Regulation, 2023 will close on 1 February 2024.
As such, from 1 February 2024, applicants for registration who qualified out of state will be required to apply for registration under the standard application process for out of state qualified teachers. They will be required to provide evidence of being a fully qualified teacher, including evidence of having completed induction in the country of qualification.
A further Statutory Instrument would be required to establish the Teaching Council (Registration) (Amendment) Regulation for a longer period, which under the Teaching Council Act is a matter for the Council.
The recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for the individual school authority, subject to procedures agreed under Section 24(3) of the Education Act 1998 (as amended by the Education (Amendment) Act 2012).
In accordance with Department Circulars 0044/2019 (primary) and 0031/2011 (post primary), schools are required to employ appropriately qualified and registered teachers and ensure that unemployed teachers should be offered employment in preference to those who have retired. These measures were taken in an effort to increase employment opportunities for unemployed teachers.
