Peadar Tóibín
Question:284. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of data breaches experienced by his Department in each of the past ten years and to date in 2023. [42363/23]
View answerData Protection
Questions (284)
Written answers
The answer below has been compiled in respect of personal data breaches under the General Data Protection Regulation (the "GDPR").
As the Deputy will be aware, the GDPR was introduced on 25th May 2018. From that date, Data Controllers are mandated under Article 33(5) of the GDPR to record all personal data breaches that occur within their organisations. These records may be reviewed by the Data Protection Commission to verify compliance with data protection requirements.
Information on personal data breaches for my Department and the Offices under the aegis of my Department from the introduction of the GDPR to the current date in 2023 is set out in the Table below.
DEPARTMENT OF ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND EMPLOYMENT (DETE) & OFFICES UNDER THE AEGIS OF DETE
|
YEAR |
No. of GDPR Personal Data Breaches – DETE |
No. of GDPR Personal Data Breaches – OFFICES under aegis of DETE |
|
2018*(*data recorded from 25/05/2018 - introduction of the GDPR to 31/12/2018) |
3 |
5 |
|
2019 |
6 |
24 |
|
2020 |
2 |
9 |
|
2021 |
2 |
22 |
|
2022 |
8 |
32 |
|
YTD 2023*(*data recorded as at 27/09/2023) |
4 |
38 |
The Offices under the aegis of the DETE are: (1) The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC); the Companies Registration Office (CRO); the Registry of Friendly Societies (RFS), the Register of Beneficial Ownership (RBO); the Intellectual Property Office of Ireland (IPOI) and the Labour Court (LC). The Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE) were an Office of the DETE until their establishment as an independent statutory agency - the new Corporate Enforcement Agency on 7th July 2022.
Foreign Direct Investment
Questions (285)
Alan Dillon
Question:285. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42526/23]
View answerWritten answers
IDA Ireland, through its Regional Property Programme, aims to ensure the supply of land, buildings and infrastructure in regional locations to meet the needs of current and prospective clients of the IDA, Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices. In this regard, IDA keeps its landholdings under constant review, including in the West Region and Co. Mayo, with a view to future-proofing its property offering. Moreover, IDA continues to work with regional stakeholders and the private sector on opportunities to add to the supply of competitive property solutions in regional locations. IDA Ireland has had regular engagement with Mayo County Council on its plans in this context.
The West Region has a significant ecosystem of well-established Life Sciences companies, which has helped drive strong cluster development. Also, the number of people employed in software engineering, technical support, global business services and R&D in the Region has grown considerably in recent years.
Specifically, site visits are recorded and verified quarterly by the IDA, and my Department is provided details of these visits retrospectively. There was one e-visit in Mayo in the first half of the year. However, I am advised that this individual visit is not necessarily indicative of the number of companies that have visited. It should also be noted that potential clients visiting Ireland often visit more than one county and may return to a location more than once.
For the rest of 2023 and beyond, IDA Ireland will continue to market Mayo and the West Region through its overseas offices to target mobile FDI opportunities. IDA Ireland will be targeting Lifesciences, Medical Devices, Financial Services and Technology sectors for investment opportunities in RD&I, advanced manufacturing, global business services and technology development.
Industrial Development
Questions (286)
Ivana Bacik
Question:286. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on his representations to the IDA in relation to environmental and workers' rights concerns in respect of a company with EMEA headquarters in Dublin (details supplied). [42751/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will be aware, in May 2023, IDA Ireland client, SHEIN officially launched its Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) headquarters, based in Dublin City Centre. The Dublin office will host SHEIN’s strategic IT hub for EMEA and will function as the centre of SHEIN’s operations in the region. SHEIN plans to increase their workforce in Dublin by filing roles in big data and analytics, security engineering, finance management and legal, as well as expanding SHEIN's graduate programme in Ireland. SHEIN aims to fill 30 key roles in the Ireland office by end 2023, with a view to increasing that number as the company grows.
SHEIN uses what it describes as a unique mobile-first, on-demand production model enabling them to identify trends and anticipate consumer demands. SHEIN then says it only produces an ultra-small batch of each style (100-200 pieces), gauges market response in real-time, and only responds with larger-scale production to meet demand if warranted. This results in significantly less waste and excess inventory in that the average unsold inventory level of the industry is between 25%–40%, whereas SHEIN states that it has reduced this to single digit levels.
Further, in April this year, SHEIN announced its US $70 million investment for the “empowerment” of the supply chain. Through the investments, the company aims to bolster efforts to continuously transform traditional production models with technology advancements, provide upskilling initiatives for workers, facilities enhancements, as well as services for the communities within the supplier ecosystem.
While IDA Ireland’s mission is, in essence, to attract and embed Foreign Direct Investment to Ireland in support of employment opportunities for our people, IDA Ireland’s 2021-24 strategy includes a focus on sustainable growth in all its forms, including the promotion of responsible and environmentally sustainable business practices among the Agency’s client base. Sustainability considerations, including a company’s corporate level approach to the environment, form part of IDA’s due diligence process in assessing investment projects for approval. In this regard, while engaging with SHEIN, the IDA sought and received assurances in relation to the company’s commitment to environmental sustainability transformation in the fashion industry, an area in which the company is heavily investing. The company demonstrated to the IDA that it has signed international pledges as well as committing funding to improve worker conditions in their partner companies and is a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact Agreement (UNGC) and supports its ten principles focused on human rights, labour, the environment, and anti-corruption.
More generally, in Ireland, a whole-of-Government approach has been adopted for the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In that respect, I wish to assure you that my Department is fully committed to the United Nation Member States' 2030 Agenda and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their 169 targets.
Departmental Policies
Questions (287)
Ivana Bacik
Question:287. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department has a policy on the use of artificial intelligence; and if any Departmental functions are assisted by language model-based chatbots (details supplied). [42813/23]
View answerWritten answers
My Department led the development of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy - “AI – Here for Good”, and published a progress report on its implementation on 9 August.As part of this Strategy, the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) play a key role in providing advice and guidance on the deployment of AI tools across the public sector including to my Department.The National AI Strategy and this cross-government engagement will continue to inform my Department's future approach in seeking to leverage A.I. in relation to the work and functions of the Department. When developing any new systems, my Department assesses the risks and benefits of appropriate technologies, including A.I., on a case by case basis. When implementing these technologies, advice is sought from all appropriate sources. Suitable policies and safeguards are then put in place.
There are currently no functions in my Department that are actively assisted by language model-based chatbots. A policy document on the use of Generative AI has been issued to all staff setting out the risks of using such technologies and the mitigations they must adopt to avoid those risks. This is based on guidance received from the NCSC.
School Transport
Questions (288)
Niamh Smyth
Question:288. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education the reason that a child (details supplied) cannot get the transport to school that they so badly need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42752/23]
View answerWritten answers
The 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 purpose of my 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.
The National Council for Special Education acts in an advisory role to the Department of Education on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs. Under the terms of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, the Department will consider the report of the Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO). School transport is provided to children with special educational needs who are attending the nearest school to their place of residence that is or can be resourced to meet their educational needs, as identified by the SENO.
Unfortunately a number of difficulties have arisen in having services in place for the start of the new school year in some localities with a small number of contracted services and Bus Éireann has advised that the service for the child referred to by the Deputy that the child availed of in previous years was one of those services.
However, I am pleased to advised that Bus Éireann further advise that a new contractor has been sourced and the a service is due to commence on 3rd October 2023 to accommodate the child referred.
The Family of the child referred have been contacted directly by School Transport Section of my Department, with an offer of the Special Transport Grant until the transport service commences.
School Transport
Questions (289)
Thomas Gould
Question:289. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education if she will consider a rural bus scheme for children in Glenville attending school in Fermoy. [42112/23]
View answerWritten answers
The 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 2022/23 school year. The number of tickets issued so far, has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
Children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. In addition, children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application process on time will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who completed the application process on time, will be considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places, in these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.
Bus Éireann has advised that the pupils referred to by the Deputy are not eligible for school transport as they are attending their 4th and 5th closest post primary school. Current services to this area are operating to capacity for the 2023/24 school year.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (290)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:290. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education when the application for a new build for a school (details supplied) will be approved; the reason for the delay in making a decision on this application; when a modular building, which was to be in place for this autumn’s reopening of the school, will be in place for a new special class at the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42129/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy is aware, funding for a large scale building project for the school he refers was approved by my Department and devolved for delivery to the school authority.
Following receipt of the stage 1 (initial design), my Department's professional and technical officials shared their recommendations at a meeting with the school authority and its design team. My Department is now awaiting the submission of the design team's addendum report in order to facilitate the project's progression to the next stage of the architectural process. At this early stage and in advance of any necessary statutory approvals, It is not possible to provide a timeline for completion of the project.
The school authority in question was also granted approval under the Additional School Accommodation scheme for the provision of a Special Educational Needs classroom. This project is being delivered under the Department’s Devolved SEN Reconfiguration and Modular Accommodation programme.
This programme involves the use of Project Management supports which is designed to enable the accommodation to be provided as quickly as possible and help ease the administrative workload for school authorities in relation to the management and delivery of projects. 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. However, the wider context in relation to the overall modular market at present is challenging with modular accommodation suppliers being very busy across commercial, housing and other sectors. The Department is working closely with the Project Management team and the particular school's modular accommodation supplier to ensure the project is completed as quickly as possible which is likely to take about 3 months.
School Staff
Questions (291)
Paul Kehoe
Question:291. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education to address teacher shortages in secondary schools by allowing teachers who are working 22 hours in a school and who could work in another school on their half day, to do so, and therefore extend the ability to work up to 35 extra hours in the year, not just in one’s own school, but in others too; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42152/23]
View answerWritten answers
The purpose of the Teaching Hours Extension Scheme, as set out in Circular 0035/2023, is to provide Post Primary school management with an alternative means of sourcing appropriately qualified substitute teaching cover to support teaching and learning in schools.
Under the terms of the scheme, teachers may provide substitute teaching cover in more than one school. However, where a teacher works in more than one school, they remain subject to the overall maximum limit of 35 hours per term, i.e. the cap applies irrespective of the number of schools in which a teacher works.
School Staff
Questions (292)
Sorca Clarke
Question:292. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the reason that a qualified Irish teacher, who worked in a school in Abu Dhabi, and is now looking to return to the Irish labour force, is not entitled to increments; and what plans she has to ensure teacher retention in Ireland and ensure that teachers who are in similar circumstances are welcomed back with equality of opportunity and treatment. [42179/23]
View answerWritten answers
The criteria for the award of incremental credit are set out in my Department’s Circulars 10/2001 for Primary teachers, 29/2007 and 29/2010 for Post-Primary teachers. The criteria for the award of incremental credit to recognised teachers was agreed under the auspices of the Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC).
These circulars provide for the award of incremental credit in respect of teaching service outside the EU where the schools satisfy the criteria set out in the circulars to have service at that school recognised for incremental credit. Criteria such as state funding and the length of time the school has been in existence must be satisfied in order for service at that school to be recognised for incremental credit. Where schools do not satisfy the required criteria, then service at that school cannot be considered towards incremental credit. Teachers must be on my Department’s payroll or teaching in an Education and Training Board school before an application can be processed.
The issue of standardising the awarding of incremental credit for teachers along with other incremental credit issues are currently the subject of an incremental credit committee which is a sub-committee of the Teachers Conciliation Council. The Department is currently reviewing the issues raised at the sub-committee.
The Department of Education is engaging closely with school management bodies, teacher unions and other education stakeholders to develop further, innovative measures to improve the availability of teachers. It is accepted that there remain challenges and further steps need to be considered and taken. A range of new measures are being progressed.
The number of newly qualified teachers registering annually with the Teaching Council has also increased in recent years. More than 3,700 newly qualified teachers registered in 2022 and the total number of teachers on the Council's register is now more than 118,000. There has been a 25% increase in teachers registered with the teaching Council since 2017 (94,928 to 118,751).
Teaching remains an attractive career choice for our young people, as evidenced by the significant number who elect to pursue teacher training at undergraduate and graduate level.
Turas Abhaile, an initiative of the post-primary school management bodies and National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) provides support to those schools recruiting teachers. In excess of 30 teachers have been recruited in recent weeks.
Newly qualified teachers (NQTs) who qualified outside Ireland may complete their induction in Ireland. This measure seeks to enhance the supply of NQTs available to schools.
Free upskilling programmes are available for registered teachers to upskill in subjects where teacher supply is tight, such as Spanish, mathematics and physics. A new Irish upskilling programme is planned for 2024.
The Government is committed to the delivery of quality public services and will continue to approach public service pay in a balanced way that is reasonable and fair to both public servants and to the taxpayer. Data recently compiled at European level found that Irish teachers were among the best paid in Europe.
School Staff
Questions (293)
Martin Browne
Question:293. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education the reason young teachers are being told it could take up to 20 weeks to have increments acknowledged, which creates a situation where teachers face losing a significant amount of income due to the Department’s inefficiency. [42192/23]
View answerWritten answers
The criteria for the award of incremental credit are set out in my Department’s Circulars 10/2001 for Primary teachers, 29/2007 and 29/2010 for Post-Primary teachers. The criteria for the award of incremental credit to recognised teachers was agreed under the auspices of the Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC).
To qualify for an award of incremental credit, a teacher and their prior work experience being claimed must satisfy the eligibility criteria set out in the relevant circular. An award of incremental credit cannot be made where the eligibility criteria is not satisfied.
When an application for incremental credit is received in the Department, it is checked to ensure that it is fully completed. Applications are managed in date received order.
Applications can take up to 20 weeks to be fully processed but most are dealt with well within this time frame. Factors that impact on this processing time include incomplete application forms and conflicting information on the application form. Please be advised that if a teacher meets the criteria set out in Circulars 10/2001 for Primary teachers, 29/2007 and 29/2010 for Post-Primary teachers, incremental credit will be awarded and any monies due paid accordingly.
Departmental Data
Questions (294)
Catherine Murphy
Question:294. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education the number of schools that had solar panels installed as part of the summer works programme in 2022 and to date in 2023, by county, in tabular form. [42194/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy is aware, Budget 2023 included the announcement for the provision of fully funded solar photovoltaic (PV) panels with an output of 6kW for all schools. This funding will be made available from the Climate Action Fund at the discretion of the Minister for the Environment.
This significant solar PV programme, will assist schools with their energy needs and costs along with supporting the decarbonisation of our school buildings.
As part of the preparation for the roll out of the national programme, a key first step was to establish the level of existing PV installations across the overall school estate. I can advise, that the survey in respect of the number of solar PV panels that are installed in schools across the country is now complete. The survey indicates that approximately 10% of post-primary schools and 5% of primary schools already have solar PV panels installed.
In respect of the roll out of the solar PV programme, I can advise that my Department officials are working closely with colleagues in the Department of Environment, Climate and Communication in relation to the arrangements for this scheme. In parallel, the Department is developing the strategic management requirements for provision of a multi-annual solar PV delivery programme for primary and post primary schools. The solar panel programme for schools is detailed in the published Climate Action Plan 2023, to be developed with roll out of the multi-annual delivery programme commencing in late 2023.
In respect of the number of PV solar panels that were installed as part of the summer works scheme in 2022 and 2023, I can advise that there were no PV solar panels installed. Each summer works project is assessed on an individual basis by the professional and technical team in the planning and building unit. The P&T team evaluate all projects to check if the installation of PV solar panels is suitable for the planned summer works, and where possible this work will be incorporated, however, it is not always possible to install PV solar panels on all summer works projects as there are many contributing factors.
As you may be aware, the purpose of the Summer Works Scheme (SWS) is to devolve funding to individual school authorities to undertake small-scale building works which, ideally, can be carried out during the summer months or at other times that avoid disrupting the operation of the school. The current SWS operates on a multi-annual basis and was last opened for applications in 2019.
The Department is leading an ambitious sustainability agenda and has progressed a wide array of measures to improve the overall sustainability of our school buildings. It is a priority for Government to deliver on Ireland’s ambitious climate agenda and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This includes targets around the decarbonisation of Ireland’s public buildings.
As part of it’s planning for 2023 and beyond, Department officials are working on the arrangements for the next phases of the summer works programme. It is envisaged at this stage that, a new Multi-Annual SWS with a focus on climate action and energy conservation will be opened for new applications later in 2023 for delivery of projects on a phased basis from 2024 onwards. Schools will be notified of the details of the SWS in due course.
School Funding
Questions (295)
Catherine Murphy
Question:295. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education the number of schools that were granted funds from the summer works programme in 2022 and to date in 2023, by county, in tabular form. [42195/23]
View answerWritten answers
Please find the information as requested:
Number of schools granted funds from the SWS in 2022
|
County |
|
|
Carlow |
2 |
|
Cavan |
16 |
|
Clare |
11 |
|
Cork |
43 |
|
Donegal |
12 |
|
Dublin 3 |
1 |
|
Dublin 4 |
1 |
|
Dublin 5 |
5 |
|
Dublin 6 |
1 |
|
Dublin 7 |
4 |
|
Dublin 8 |
1 |
|
Dublin 10 |
1 |
|
Dublin 11 |
4 |
|
Dublin 12 |
2 |
|
Dublin 13 |
1 |
|
Dublin 14 |
4 |
|
Dublin 15 |
3 |
|
Dublin 16 |
3 |
|
Dublin 18 |
1 |
|
Dublin 20 |
1 |
|
Dublin 22 |
2 |
|
Dublin 24 |
2 |
|
Dublin County |
10 |
|
Galway |
23 |
|
Kerry |
17 |
|
Kildare |
5 |
|
Kilkenny |
5 |
|
Laois |
3 |
|
Leitrim |
6 |
|
Limerick |
13 |
|
Longford |
4 |
|
Louth |
5 |
|
Mayo |
11 |
|
Meath |
7 |
|
Monaghan |
6 |
|
Offaly |
7 |
|
Roscommon |
10 |
|
Sligo |
12 |
|
Tipperary |
12 |
|
Waterford |
12 |
|
Westmeath |
5 |
|
Wexford |
10 |
|
Wicklow |
8 |
|
Total |
312 |
Number of schools granted funds from the SWS in 2023 year to date
|
Cavan |
1 |
|
Clare |
2 |
|
Cork |
11 |
|
Donegal |
6 |
|
Dublin 11 |
1 |
|
Dublin 15 |
1 |
|
Dublin 22 |
1 |
|
Dublin 5 |
1 |
|
Dublin 6 |
4 |
|
Dublin 7 |
1 |
|
Dublin 8 |
1 |
|
Dublin 9 |
2 |
|
Dublin County |
2 |
|
Galway |
6 |
|
Kerry |
6 |
|
Kildare |
6 |
|
Kilkenny |
3 |
|
Limerick |
4 |
|
Louth |
4 |
|
Mayo |
7 |
|
Monaghan |
4 |
|
Roscommon |
2 |
|
Sligo |
2 |
|
Tipperary |
6 |
|
Waterford |
1 |
|
Westmeath |
2 |
|
Wexford |
4 |
|
Wicklow |
3 |
|
Total |
94 |
School Staff
Questions (296)
Noel Grealish
Question:296. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Education the reason that days worked by an SNA are not cumulative for payscale purposes; the reason that they are based on contracts, given that a person on a short-hour contract can go to higher point on a payscale than a person who could have many more days of experience in a classroom; if she will consider changing this policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42196/23]
View answerWritten answers
The criteria required to have incremental credit awarded to qualified Special Needs Assistants(SNA) is set out in Circular 0139/2006 and was agreed with the unions representing the Special Needs Assistants, School Management Representatives, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, and the Department of Education.
Contracts of Employment for Special Needs Assistants in the Primary sector are set out in Circular 15/05 and the Post Primary sector are set out in Circular 12/05. All Special Needs Assistants start on point 1 of the Special Needs Assistant Salary Scale - gov.ie - Salary Scales (www.gov.ie).
Upon successful completion of probation, the applicant may apply for Incremental Credit under Circular 139/2006 through this Department or the relevant Education and Training Board.
School Transport
Questions (297)
Niamh Smyth
Question:297. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education to review a case urgently (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42217/23]
View answerWritten answers
The 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 purpose of the School Transport Scheme for Children for Special Educational Needs is to, having regard to available resources, support the transport to and from school of children with special educational needs arising from a diagnosed disability. Bus Éireann endeavours, within available resources, to ensure that each eligible child has a reasonable level of school transport service.
Bus Éireann manages the operation of the school transport scheme which includes the procurement tender process to include services provided by contractors under the scheme. This is a competitive procurement process conducted in accordance with the negotiated procedure under national and EU procurement legislation.
An application for School Transport under the Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, for the child to whom the Deputy refers was received in School Transport Section and sent to Bus Éireann on 1st September 2023 for processing.
Bus Éireann provided a report to School Transport Section on 20th September indicating that a new service would be required. Under these circumstances families are offered the Special Transport Grant in lieu of a service. Details of the grant were issued to the family on 20th September and they advised the following day that they could not accept the grant. Bus Éireann were advised on the 21st September that a service was required for this child.
As this is a new service that has to be established for this pupil the procurement tender process can take a number of weeks to complete.