Thursday, 5 Oct 2023

Written Answers Nos. 233-252

Work Permits

Questions (234)

Paul McAuliffe

Question:

234. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment with regard to work permits for the home care sector, the number of work permit applications received since the scheme opened in January 2023; the number of work permits issued; the number of applications returned at initial applications pre-check stage; the number of other applications rejected and the number of applications currently in processing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43305/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Changes to the employment permits system for workers from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) to address skills shortages in Ireland’s care workers and home carer sector were announced by my Department on 16 December 2022. A quota of 1000 permits was made available for this sector.

Applications for General Employment Permits (GEP) in respect of these roles can only be submitted when a valid Labour Market Needs Test (LMNT) has been undertaken. To meet the requirements of the LMNT, an employer must advertise the vacancy with the Department of Social Protection Employment Services/EURES employment network for at least 28 consecutive days without any edits or amendments.

As of 2 October 2023, 260 Employment Permits have issued in respect of home carers (this includes 257 permits from the quota and three permits which were granted under specific conditions outside the quota). The total number of permits refused in respect of care workers and home carers is 19.

It is not possible to give precise figures for the number of applications awaiting processing and the number of applications returned at pre-check stages. This is because an application is only assigned a SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code identifier at the processing stage. However, an estimation (based on a keyword search of applications) of the number of applications awaiting processing indicates that this figure is in the region of 23. The approximate number of applications returned at pre-check stage is 73. Applications are returned at pre-check stage due to incomplete documentation being submitted. Where this occurs, the application is returned together with the fee, and the applicant is advised to submit a new, complete application.

Job Losses

Questions (235)

Michael Lowry

Question:

235. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment what assistance his Department can offer to the residents of Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary, in light of the recent closure of a factory (details supplied) and the resulting loss of approximately 50 jobs, which has placed significant hardship on the affected families; if he will commit to making every possible effort to aid the people of Carrick-on-Suir and actively seek an alternative company to take over the facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43319/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

At the outset, my immediate concern is for the impacted staff and their families and the full range of state supports will be available for impacted employees.

My Department is funding Enterprise Ireland to work with companies across the country. Almost 70% of new jobs growth occurred outside of Dublin. The positive job creation results are a testament to the talent, resilience and innovation of businesses operating in Ireland today. Enterprise Ireland have tackled head on, the impact of global economic challenges to support and grow employment opportunities throughout the country. The strong regional performance evident in these results is very welcome.

Over 200,000 people now work in Enterprise Ireland client companies, that’s almost as many people working for multi-nationals. It’s great to see Irish exporting companies performing so strongly last year notwithstanding the disruption to trade caused by Brexit, the pandemic, and latterly the war in Ukraine.

Enterprise Ireland's Mid-West team are currently working with Regional Enterprise Development funded projects in County Tipperary as follows:

The Irish Bioeconomy Foundation’s (IBF) facility at the National Bioeconomy Campus in Lisheen, Co. Tipperary is currently developing of a state-of-the-art National Bioeconomy Innovation & Piloting Facility encompassing flexible, modular, pilot-scale multi-purpose chemical & biological infrastructure. This project is now close to delivery stage for Tipperary.

The Tipperary Innovation Engine project was approved to upgrade of an existing facility at Tipperary Technology Park as part of a Regional Innovation project linking with Engine Innovation Limerick to provide flexible co-working and individual office spaces.

On 19 September, Nephin Renewable Gas and their team announced that they will be the anchor tenant for the Tipperary Innovation engine as they create a new headquarters in the Tipperary town. Nephin Energy specialise in the development of a network of anaerobic digestion plants throughout Ireland and expects their team to grow to 100 in the coming years, with up to 70 of those positions based locally in Tipperary Town.

The Mid-West Regional team at Enterprise Ireland are consistent in dealing with prospective SME clients of Enterprise Ireland on a one to one and ongoing basis in Co Tipperary. The team represent EI on the Tipperary LEO Evaluation panel and New Frontiers review boards in TUS Mid-West as well as reaching out to many representative opportunities such as the Tipperary Economic Forum and online events to attract start-ups and SMEs to County Tipperary.

Earlier this year, in March, SEPAM, a family-owned Engineering and Construction company, announced 100+ jobs for its head office in Clonmel, Co Tipperary. The new jobs will include design engineering, commercial and administration; recruitment for which has already commenced. This planned expansion is very important for the long-term growth and continued development of the company in existing industry sectors and in the new emerging Energy Transition market.

Enterprise Ireland have also supported Questum in Clonmel under the community enterprise scheme to date. Questum is the newest of the TUS Limerick enterprise centres and comprises of nearly 2,000sqm of office and lab space. This facility is at capacity to date and is home to many Enterprise Ireland clients such as Shorla Pharma, Theradep and Skanstec. The resident-client companies’ employee 35 people, with a subseqeunt positive multiplier effect into the local and regional economy. QUESTUM is also home to BuzzQuarter, a pilot project aimed at startup digital creatives, who will be supported in their journey to setup and establish a digital company.

School Funding

Questions (236)

Cathal Crowe

Question:

236. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if she will clarify how schools apply to have solar panels installed under the climate action fund, and how the application process works. [43222/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

As the Deputy is aware, Budget 2023 provided for the provision of funding from the Climate Action Fund in relation to the provision of Photovoltaic Panels in schools up to 6KW output.

This is positive news for our schools and will assist with their energy needs and costs along with supporting the decarbonisation of our school buildings.

 My officials are working closely with colleagues in the Department of Environment, Climate and Communication in relation to the arrangements for this multi-annual scheme and details will be announced in the shortest timeframe possible.  

 As part of planning for the rollout of this multi-annual scheme, the capacity surveys of the school system that are currently underway will also include obtaining up to date data on the number of schools that have solar panels currently. This is important preparatory work in planning for the rollout of this multi-annual scheme. The provision of the solar panels will be fully funded for schools.

School Transport

Questions (237)

Paul Kehoe

Question:

237. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education the current status of the payment of the school transport grant for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43214/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education.  In the 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.

 Under the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, children are eligible for transport where they are attending the nearest recognised school that is or can be resourced to meet their special educational needs.

The National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) acts in an advisory role to my Department on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs.

A pupil with special educational needs is eligible for school transport if s/he is attending the nearest recognised: mainstream school, special class / special school or a unit, that is or can be resourced, to meet the child's special educational needs under Department of Education criteria.

 Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENO).

Parents should contact their school principal who will assist in making an application for school transport to the SENO that is affiliated with the school the child is attending.

 School Transport Section of my Department has advised an application for School Transport for Children with Special Educational Needs has not been received for this child referred in this regard.

School Admissions

Questions (238)

David Stanton

Question:

238. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education if she will take action to ensure that a child (details supplied) will acquire a school place as soon as possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43251/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

As the Deputy will be aware, for school planning purposes, 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 the Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional school places in the Midleton School Planning Area, 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 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/

School Funding

Questions (239)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Question:

239. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Education if her Department will reimburse a school in County Donegal (details supplied) on an exceptional needs basis, for the severe loss of income and debt that they have faced due to the enrolment policy of the Department. [43254/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

My Department provides funding to all recognised schools in the Free Education Scheme by way of per capita grants. These grants are based on recognised enrolments in September of the relevant school year.

The two main grants are the Capitation grant to cater for day to day running costs including heating, lighting etc. and the Ancillary grant to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff.

In addition, as part of the Cost of Living measures introduced in the Budget, €90 million has been provided in once-off additional funding to support increased running costs for recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education scheme, in particular in dealing with challenges they face in the light of rising energy costs.  This additional grant was paid at the rate of €75 per pupil at Primary level. Enhanced rates were also paid in respect of pupils with Special Educational needs.

The school referred to by the Deputy has received a total of €71,327 in capitation related funding for the 2022/23 school year. This includes €12,525 in respect of the Cost of Living Grant, €28,182 in Capitation funding, €17,761 in respect of the Ancillary Grant and €12,859 in respect of Covid-19 measures.

There is no provision for additional payments outside of those outlined above.

My Department is aware of the financial position in the school referred to by the Deputy. Officials in my Department arranged to complete an assessment of the position in May last. The school was contacted at that time and advised of the further assistance that could be made available.

A further assessment of the financial position is now being carried out and when this is complete officials from my Department will be in contact with the school directly.

I can also confirm that the Financial Service Support Unit (FSSU) have been in contact with the school referred to regarding their financial position. Further details in relation to the supports available from the FSSU are on their website: www.fssu.ie/primary/ .

Schools Building Projects

Questions (240)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

240. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on a project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43265/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the school referred to was approved funding under My Department’s Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme for 1 mainstream classroom and 1 SEN base, with delivery of the project devolved to the school authority. 

A design team was appointed and the project was approved to progress to planning. Subsequently, the school requested an additional classroom be provided which was also approved by the Department. The school has submitted a Stage 1/2a report which includes the additional classroom, which is now currently under review. The review is nearing completion and the outcome will be conveyed to the school authority shortly.

I trust that this clarifies the situation.

School Accommodation

Questions (241)

Michael Lowry

Question:

241. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if her Department will accelerate the processing of an application for additional accommodation submitted in March 2023, by a school (details supplied); if she will consider the unique circumstances of this school, which currently operates as a three-teacher school with only two classrooms; if she will take into account that using an SET classroom for the third teachers classroom is very unsatisfactory; if she will factor in the expected significant growth in projected enrolment numbers for the foreseeable future in the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43320/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I can confirm that there is an application for additional school accommodation (ASA) from the school in question.

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

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 a new SEN class has been sanctioned by the NCSE, and all available alternative accommodation within the school is already being used for classroom purposes.

As the Deputy may be aware, 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 Child Benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.

The most recent analysis undertaken by my Department projects that over 60% of the 314 school planning areas at primary level have stable or decreasing projected enrolments for the period to 2024, whereas some 90% of the school planning areas at post-primary level are anticipated to have increased enrolments for the period to 2027.

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.

I can confirm that the application for the school in question is in the process of being reassessed given the recent sanction of a developing post for the school.  Once this reassessment is completed, a decision will be conveyed to the school directly.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (242)

Michael Lowry

Question:

242. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if she has been apprised of the situation concerning a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43321/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education

I 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). 

Special schools funded by my department are classified as primary national schools and are intended, in accordance with the provisions of rule 64(1) of the Rules for National Schools, to cater for children and young persons with special educational needs from the age of 4 years until the end of the school year in which they reach their 18th year.

Special schools may however seek approval from my department for an exemption from rule 64(1) in respect of students over the age of 18 who are pursuing courses leading to accreditation on the National Qualifications Framework (e.g. Junior Certificate/Leaving Cert Applied/FETAC 3).

A request for an exemption from rule 64(1) can only be made by a school where:

The student is pursuing a course leading to accreditation on the National Qualifications Framework (e.g. Junior Certificate/Leaving Certificate Applied/FETAC 3) 

The student requires one additional year in order to complete their course

Retaining the student in the school for another school year will not prevent a younger pupil being enrolled there and

Plans are in place to transition the student to a post-school setting at the end of the 2023/2024 school year

Special schools are invited each year to make applications to my department for exemptions from rule 64(1) in respect of pupils who meet the above criteria. Where the criteria is met, my department will approve the exemptions.

My department is 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.

School Transport

Questions (243)

Michael Lowry

Question:

243. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 234 of 26 September 2023, if she will provide an update on this matter and confirm the current status of the provision of school transport for the person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43322/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 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. 

Bus Éireann has advised that the pupil referred to by the Deputy can be accommodated on an existing service from Thursday 4 October 2023.  Bus Eireann have informed the family directly in this regard.

Education Policy

Questions (244, 245, 255)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

244. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education if the development and implementation of a national plan for the support and management of exceptionally able children in the Irish education system (details supplied) will be examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43333/23]

Carol Nolan

Question:

245. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education if she will engage with an organisation (details supplied), specifically regarding the need to draw up and implement a national plan for the support and management of exceptionally able children in the Irish education system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43334/23]

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

Question:

255. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education her Department's plans to invest in the education of gifted children (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43395/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education

I propose to take Questions Nos. 244, 245 and 255 together.

I would like to thank the Deputy for the question and advise that the provision of education for children with additional educational needs is a priority for Government and for me as Minister for Special Education and Inclusion. This is reflected in my Department’s 2023 budget allocation of more than €2.6 billion to support special education. This level of educational funding and support is unprecedented and represents in excess of 27% of the Department of Education’s total allocation for 2023.

Inclusive education is at the core of my Department’s policy which requires differentiated teaching approaches to cater for the varying levels of ability in the classroom, from providing additional supports to those experiencing difficulty to ensuring appropriate levels of challenge and enrichment for exceptionally able students. The Education Act, 1998, requires Boards of Management of each school to publish the policy of the school relating to participation by students with special educational needs, including students who are exceptionally able . The measures schools take in this regard are required to be stated in the school plan. It is the duty of the Board of Management to ensure that appropriate education services are made available to such students.

Schools at both primary and secondary level have been encouraged to use strategies such as curriculum differentiation, curriculum enrichment and acceleration to facilitate the development of pupils who are exceptionally able.

In addition, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) host a number of seminars during the year to provide guidance to teachers to support gifted and talented students.

Furthermore, Oide, through their school support model provide bespoke supports to schools who have identified specific needs for gifted students and respond by facilitating collaborative conversations among staff as to how best to collectively support their students through a planned and coherent approach.

My Department has also established a Working Group to develop its policy on students who are exceptionally able or gifted. The working group is jointly chaired by Special Education Section and the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Unit (CAP).

The Group has been tasked with, inter alia, the following:

• Scoping out existing supports for students with exceptional abilities

• Examining how other education systems provide for students with exceptional abilities

• Devising guidance for schools

• Reviewing draft guidelines for teachers on meeting the needs of students with exceptional abilities published by the NCCA in 2007.

While my Department had intended to progress this work earlier in 2023, personnel changes in special education section have delayed this somewhat.

The review of the EPSEN Act currently been undertaken will involve focus groups with a range of interest groups and students. High achieving students will be invited to engage in one of these options based on consultation with the research facilitators in UCD.

Question No. 245 answered with Question No. 244.

School Curriculum

Questions (246)

Joe McHugh

Question:

246. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Education to outline the steps that are being taken to incorporate nutrition on an inclusive basis into the curriculum, at both primary and secondary levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43335/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

My Department works together with the Department of Health and other agencies to support students in the area of health promotion. My Department acknowledges the commitment of schools in promoting healthy lifestyle choices for students in a number of ways - through the curriculum, for example Home Economics, Physical Education and Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE); through school policies including healthy lunch policies; and by the use of resources and programmes chosen by the school such as the Active School Flag (ASF). Work by my Department in this area aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge to enable them to make the right choices to maintain healthy lifestyles throughout their lives. 

In relation to healthy eating, my Department supports Agri Aware’s Incredible Edibles programme, a healthy eating initiative for primary school pupils. The programme is also supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Department of Health. It encourages schools across the country to grow carrots, lettuce, potatoes, strawberries, turnips and herbs. Schools are supplied with grow packs, activity sheets and videos containing everything needed to grow these foods. 

In addition, the Food Dudes Programme is a healthy eating programme developed to encourage children to eat more fresh fruit and vegetables. It is implemented in primary schools and is based on repeated tastings of fruit and vegetables supported by positive role modelling and rewards. The Food Dudes Healthy Eating Programme is managed by Bord Bia in Ireland and is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with support from the European Union under the School Fruit and Vegetables Scheme. 

Teaching and learning in the subject of SPHE also addresses healthy behaviours. Work is underway to update the SPHE curriculum at primary, Junior Cycle and Senior Cycle levels. A new Junior Cycle SPHE curriculum has been implemented in schools from this September. The specification includes a strand on Making Healthy Choices, including a learning outcome where students should be able to “consider the multifaceted nature of health and wellbeing, and evaluate what being healthy might look like for different adolescents, including how food, physical activity, sleep/rest and hygiene contribute to health and wellbeing”.

SPHE is delivered on a mandatory basis throughout primary level. The aim is to equip pupils with skills and knowledge to enable them to make appropriate choices for healthy lifestyles. Students’ families and their community are well positioned to complement schools’ efforts.

Currently, the primary SPHE curriculum is divided into three strands – Myself; Myself and Others; Myself and the Wider World. Under the strand ‘Myself’, food and nutrition is a major component of the ‘Taking Care of My Body’ unit. At all levels in primary school, topics include: becoming aware of the importance of food; discussing and exploring some qualities and categories of food; and examining dietary needs and identifying the nutrients that are necessary in a balanced diet.

Work on updating Primary specifications has begun, following the publication of the Primary Curriculum Framework last March. This Framework will be the foundation for all new curriculum specifications, including SPHE. 

For Senior Cycle, a draft specification has now been developed by the NCCA and this is currently for consultation until 18th of October on the NCCA’s website. This draft specification is made up of three strands, one of which is titled ‘Health and Wellbeing’, which contains learning outcomes pertaining to determinants of good health and healthy life balance. The current consultation for Senior Cycle SPHE will enable parents, as well as students, teachers and other stakeholders, to make their views known. Everyone has an opportunity to take part in this public consultation and to make their views known. Submissions to the consultation can be made here: ncca.ie/en/senior-cycle/curriculum-developments/senior-cycle-social-personal-and-health-education-sphe/

Mother and Baby Homes

Questions (247)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

247. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on plans to introduce new supports, to follow that provided under Caranua, for survivors of institutional abuse; what supports this will include; when they will be available to survivors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43344/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

As the Deputy will be aware, last June Government approved proposals for the delivery of a package of ongoing supports and services for survivors of abuse in residential institutions, relating to health, education, advocacy and trauma-informed practice. This package of supports was developed following consideration of the final report of the survivor-led Consultative Forum, along with other relevant reports and submissions.

With regard to health supports, Government has approved the provision of an enhanced package of health supports and services to survivors in Ireland, similar to the supports previously provided to survivors of the Magdalen Laundries and which are to be provided to former residents of Mother and Baby Homes. This is commonly referred to as an “enhanced medical card”. Survivors living abroad will be able to avail of a payment of €3,000 in lieu of the enhanced medical card to support their health needs. This is the same approach taken in respect of the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme.

With regard to education, the Department will establish a new scheme involving the payment of cash grants to survivors who are engaging in further and higher education. This scheme will also ensure that survivors are not required to pay the Student Contribution Charge where this would otherwise apply.

The delivery of the health and education supports outlined above will require the passage of legislation, the General Scheme of which was referred to the relevant Committee for Pre-legislative Scrutiny on 25 September. I hope to progress the passage of the legislation as quickly as possible.

Regarding advocacy, the Forum’s report identified a requirement for signposting and advocacy for access to public services. My Department is now working to engage an independent advocacy service to provide specific advocacy support to survivors which will assist them in engaging with and accessing mainstream public services, and it is expected that this service will be in place in the coming months.

Finally, in relation to trauma-informed practice, the Department will arrange for the development of a training course and related training materials which can be accessed by service providers across the civil and public service. 

Schools Building Projects

Questions (248)

Pauline Tully

Question:

248. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the works granted to a school (details supplied) involving the construction of two mainstream classrooms and one SEN base for ASD special classes and the development of an additional outdoor grass-based play area. [43350/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

My Department approved funding for the school referred to under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme for 1 x Mainstream Classroom and 1 x Special Education Needs base. The delivery of the project was devolved to the School Authority who appointed a design team to progress the project. My Department approved the design report submitted by the Design Team to progress to Planning.

However, the school authority subsequently requested funding for an additional classroom and this was also approved by my Department. The school submitted a new design (stage 1/2a) report which encompassed the additional classroom. The completion of the review of this new report by my Department's professional and technical officials is nearing completion and the resulting recommendations will be shared directly with the School Authority.

School Accommodation

Questions (249)

Seán Canney

Question:

249. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education if she will confirm that cost comparisons have been undertaken to compare the modular classroom with traditional-built construction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43353/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

My Department approved funding for the school referred to under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme for 1 x Mainstream Classroom and 1 x Special Education Needs base. The delivery of the project was devolved to the School Authority who appointed a design team to progress the project. My Department approved the design report submitted by the Design Team to progress to Planning.

However, the school authority subsequently requested funding for an additional classroom and this was also approved by my Department. The school submitted a new design (stage 1/2a) report which encompassed the additional classroom. The completion of the review of this new report by my Department's professional and technical officials is nearing completion and the resulting recommendations will be shared directly with the School Authority.

School Accommodation

Questions (250)

Seán Canney

Question:

250. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education the expected life span of modular classrooms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43354/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

Modular accommodation is a feature of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) which describes a range of manufacturing and innovative alternatives to traditional construction. There are many benefits of adopting MMC in the school sector ranging from faster delivery of construction projects to minimising disruption in live school environments. My Department has established a Modular Framework of suppliers which provides high quality school accommodation and increased sustainability to improve the energy performance of school accommodation, resulting in improved comfort, lower energy bills and reduced carbon emissions. Framework suppliers use factory controlled precision through digitalisation and strict quality control processes to create consistent quality construction.

While the intended lifespan of individual units may currently vary, the Department of Education is constantly updating its guidance to reflect the changes and possibilities of MMC in Ireland. The delivery of school buildings using MMC with a design life span of at least 60 years is part of this continuing change. The factory precision of MMC contributes to the ability of this form of construction to deliver consistently robust buildings which are easy to manage and maintain, providing high quality learning spaces for the students of today and the future.

School Accommodation

Questions (251)

Seán Canney

Question:

251. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education if her Department has entered into contracts for the supply of modular classrooms; what company was successful with the tender; the value of such property; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43355/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

As the information requested by the Deputy is not readily available, my Department will arrange for this information to be sent directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (252)

Seán Canney

Question:

252. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education what progress has been made in the delivery of a new secondary school planned for Oranmore, County Galway (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43356/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

As the Deputy may be aware, a permanent site to accommodate the school referred to has been identified at Garraun, Oranmore, Galway. This site is part of a larger landholding currently subject to a Compulsory Purchase Order by Galway County Council.

The Compulsory Purchase Order has been submitted to An Bord Pleanála. The Board has indicated that it intends to determine the application for confirmation of the CPO before the 19th January 2024.

It is my Department's intention to initiate the architectural planning process for the new school as soon as possible thereafter.