Written Answers Nos. 163-175
163. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education for an update on the provision of funding for transport for students (details supplied) to access off-site sports facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45643/23]
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.
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 same time last year. The number of tickets issued so far has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
The School Transport Schemes are intended to cater for children providing school transport from home/pick up point to school and from school to home/drop off point during normal school opening and closing times.
Bus Éireann endeavours to ensure that a reasonable level of transport service is provided for each eligible child.
Funding is not provided to private contractors operating outside of the school transport scheme. The request detailed by the Deputy is not a feature of the schemes and is therefore outside of the School Transport remit.
164. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education when the ICT grant will be paid to both primary and post-primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45660/23]
View answerThe Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 was published last year and is underpinned by an investment of €200m to support its implementation, committed to under Ireland’s National Development Plan (NDP). The first tranche of €50m issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in late 2021.
The previous Digital Strategy for Schools 2015 to 2020 saw overall investment of €210m issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in annual grant funding. This funding enabled schools to invest in appropriate digital infrastructure to enable the embedding of the use of digital technology in teaching, learning and assessment.
Funding of €50m secured as part of Ireland's National Recovery and Resilience Plan under the NextGenerationEU Recovery and Resilience Facility also issued to all recognised schools in the free education scheme to support learners at risk of educational disadvantage through the digital divide in late 2021.
My Department intends to issue the next tranche of ICT grant funding in the 2023 to 2024 school year. The specific timing for issue of the ICT grant is subject to the availability of Exchequer funding and the wider capital needs of the Department including the building programme to ensure the supply of school accommodation.
As part of the forthcoming Review of the National Development Plan, my Department’s aim is to provide better clarity and certainty for schools on the timelines for payment of minor works and ICT grant funding.
165. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Education the measures she will put in place to address the serious situation faced by a DEIS school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45714/23]
View answerMy Department provides a wide range of supports to all schools, DEIS and non-DEIS, to support the inclusion of all students and address barriers to students achieving their potential.
My Department now spends approximately €180million annually providing additional supports to the region of 1,200 schools in the DEIS programme. This includes an additional €32m allocated following my announcement to extend the programme to an additional 322 schools from last September. This now means that approximately 240,000 students or 1 in 4 of all students are now supported in the programme. During this enhancement the school in question was upgraded from Urban Band 2 to Urban Band 1. This brings added supports such as the allocation of additional classroom teachers. Schools in Urban Band 1 also are allocated an Administrative Principal and provided with access to HSCL/SCP supports, literacy/numeracy supports such as Reading Recovery, Maths Recovery, First Steps, Ready Set Go Maths as well as access to planning supports.
The DEIS Plan is based on the premise that in order to have the maximum possible impact on providing opportunities for students most at risk of educational disadvantage, then extra resources need to be targeted as closely as possible at those students with the greatest level of need. This will involve further development of the existing DEIS programme, to create a more dynamic resource allocation model where levels of resources more accurately follow the levels of need identified by objective data.
My Department is continuing to undertake work towards achieving its vision for an inclusive education system that supports all learners to achieve their potential. It also recognises that we need to target resources to those schools who need them most. That is why my Department is undertaking a programme of work to explore the allocation of resources to schools to address educational disadvantage. To support this work my Department have invited the OECD Strength Through Diversity: Education for Inclusive Societies Project to review the current policy approach for the allocation of resources to support students at risk of educational disadvantage in Ireland. This review will provide an independent expert opinion on the current resource allocation model for the DEIS programme and, drawing on international examples, inform a policy approach for an equitable distribution of supplementary resources to support students at risk of educational disadvantage attending all schools, both DEIS and non-DEIS.
The OECD review is being complimented by a programme of work by my Department, which will look at reviewing individual resources and allocation approaches. This work will consider the allocation of resources within the DEIS programme. It will also seek to ensure that schools are supported to ensure every child has an equal opportunity to achieve their potential.
The recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for individual school authorities, subject to procedures agreed under Section 24 of the Education Act 1998 (as amended by the Education (Amendment) Act 2012). In that regard there are more than 3,700 individual employers (boards of management of primary schools and post primary schools, as well as ETBs).
Ensuring that every child's experience in school is positive and that they have available to them qualified, engaged teachers to support them in their learning is a priority area of action for the Government. The Department of Education works with school management bodies, teacher unions and other education stakeholders in this regard
Budget 2024 contains a range of measures that demonstrates my commitment to continued investment in our education system. In addition to numerous actions I have taken in recent years to address teacher supply, a number of specific, targeted measures will be introduced with the new funding provided.
These include a professional masters of education (PME) incentive scheme, funding for additional teacher upskilling programmes, and increasing the number of posts of responsibility.
• Additional funding is being provided to introduce a professional masters of education (PME) incentive scheme. Those newly qualified teachers who graduate with a PME in 2024 will, subject to some conditions, be eligible for an incentive payment of up to €2,000. This incentive payment will be paid to eligible primary and post primary teachers in 2025. It will recognise the costs that PME students incur when completing their initial teacher education, assist them with these costs and encourage suitable candidates to consider a career in teaching.
• Additionally, funding will be provided to expand the number of upskilling programmes available. These programmes, which are free to teachers, increase the number of teachers who are qualified to teach in-demand subjects and reduce the level of out of field teaching. These new upskilling programmes in Irish, French, politics & society, and computer science will be in addition to existing upskilling programmes in maths, physics and Spanish.
• Also, additional posts of responsibility will be provided, with funding will be made available to provide 1,000 posts of responsibility in 2024. This is in recognition of the role that Assistant Principals play in improving educational outcomes by creating a positive school climate and environment, as well as motivating and empowering educators and learners within their school communities.
The Department is undertaking a comprehensive programme to support the supply of teachers. To support the supply of substitute teachers:
• Primary substitute teacher supply panels will continue to operate in 2023/24.
• Job-sharing teachers may be employed to work as substitutes during the period they are rostered off duty and the limits on substitute work applying to teachers on career break have been suspended.
• Post primary teachers can provide up to 35 additional hours substitute cover per term in the subject they are qualified to teach.
• 3rd year undergraduate teachers are eligible to apply for registration with the Teaching Council under registration Route 5 (Student Teachers). The registration process for student teachers is due to commence in October. More than 2,700 student teachers were registered under Route 5 last year.
• A waiver of abatement for retired teachers returning to teach for up to 50 days in each of the three calendar years 2021 to 2023 inclusive has been agreed with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP and Reform.
• Other measures include:
• The implementation of a pilot of the teacher sharing scheme in a small number of post primary schools. The pilot scheme will facilitate two schools to collaborate to provide high priority subjects, and to enhance the teaching hours available for those teachers employed on less than full hours.
• Newly qualified teachers (NQTs) who qualify outside Ireland and apply before 1 February 2024 will continue to be able to complete induction (Droichead) in Ireland. This measure seeks to enhance the supply of NQTs available to schools and is particularly relevant for Irish teachers who have studied and qualified abroad and who may wish to return to the Irish education sector.
• Following from the Department’s Action Plan on Teacher Supply, the Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN) operates a portal for the recruitment of teachers to long-term teaching positions. The portal facilitates the matching of demand and supply and provides an efficient and user-friendly recruitment process for both schools and teachers, including teachers working abroad who wish to apply for posts here.
• Turas Abhaile is an initiative of the post-primary school management bodies and the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) which has assisted teachers based abroad to return teach in Ireland since September 2019. Turas Abhaile matches available post primary teachers with specific vacancies.
• Measures targeted at supporting the long-term supply needs of the system which are already in place include:
• At primary level, I approved 610 additional places on initial teacher education programmes over the next two academic years (2023/24 and 2024/25).
• At post-primary level, the Department has increased the number of places on teacher upskilling programmes in mathematics, Spanish and physics. The programmes are delivered outside of class time and are offered at no cost to the teacher. Approximately 170 places were provided in the first intake across the three programmes with an increase in places to over 300 in 2023. A new programme to upskill teachers in Irish is planned for 2024 and the Department is also considering additional upskilling programmes in other priority subject areas.
• The Teaching Transforms campaign continues to promote the teaching profession and encourage students to follow a career in teaching. The campaign uses digital, radio and video media, and is supported by a dedicated webpage, www.gov.ie/teachingtransforms.
The Department meets on a regular basis with the school management bodies and the teacher unions on this very important issue and we will continue to work intensively with all stakeholders to develop and implement creative solutions to address the teacher supply challenges facing schools.
166. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education if she will provide the teacher vacancy rate in a school (details supplied); the assistance her Department will offer to fill these vacancies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45721/23]
View answerEnsuring that every child's experience in school is positive and that they have qualified, engaged teachers available to support them in their learning is a priority area of action for the Government.
The recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for individual
school authorities, subject to procedures agreed under Section 24 of the Education Act 1998 (as amended by the Education (Amendment) Act 2012). In that regard there are more than 3,700 individual employers (boards of management of primary schools and post primary schools, as well as ETBs).
While schools in certain locations are experiencing challenges in both recruiting teachers and obtaining substitute teachers, the vast majority of sanctioned teacher positions are filled. The rate of resignation and retirement is very low by any standard, and is consistent with previous years. Schools are continuing to recruit teachers and as the recruitment process is still ongoing, it is not possible at this stage to advise on the current number of vacant teaching positions.
Budget 2024 contains a range of measures that demonstrate my commitment to continued investment in our education system. In addition to numerous actions I have taken in recent years to address teacher supply, a number of specific, targeted measures will be introduced with the new funding provided.
These include a professional masters of education (PME) incentive scheme, funding for additional teacher upskilling programmes, and increasing the number of posts of responsibility.
• A professional masters of education (PME) incentive scheme will be introduced for newly qualified teachers graduating in May 2024. Those newly qualified teachers who graduate with a PME will, subject to some conditions, be eligible for an incentive payment of up to €2,000. This incentive payment will be paid to eligible primary and post-primary teachers in 2025. It will recognise the costs that PME students incur when completing their initial teacher education, assist them with these costs and encourage suitable candidates to consider a career in teaching.
• Additionally, there will be an expansion in the number of upskilling programmes available. These programmes, which are free to teachers, increase the number of teachers who are qualified to teach in-demand subjects and reduce the level of out-of-field teaching. These new upskilling programmes in Irish, French, politics & society, and computer science will be in addition to existing upskilling programmes in maths, physics and Spanish.
• Also, an additional 1,000 posts of responsibility will be provided in the school system for the 2024/25 school year. This is in recognition that school leaders play a key role in improving educational outcomes by creating a positive school climate and environment as well as motivating and empowering educators and learners within their school communities.
These new measures are in addition to a range of targeted measures that I have introduced in recent times, including:
• Restrictions on job-sharing teachers from working as substitutes have been reduced. These teachers may be employed to work as substitutes during the period they are rostered off duty.
• Limits on substitute work applying to teachers on career breaks have also been suspended.
• Post-primary teachers can provide up to 35 additional hours of substitute cover per term in the subject they are qualified to teach.
• Following the Department’s Action Plan on Teacher Supply, the Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN) developed a portal for the recruitment of teachers to long-term teaching positions. The portal facilitates the matching of demand and supply and provides an efficient and user-friendly recruitment process for both schools and teachers, including teachers working abroad who wish to apply for posts here.
• The Teaching Transforms campaign continues to promote the teaching profession and encourage students to follow a career in teaching. The campaign uses digital, radio and video media, and is supported by a dedicated webpage, www.gov.ie/teachingtransforms
Teaching remains an attractive career choice. CAO first preference choices for post-primary teaching increased this year by 14%, in addition to a 9% increase in 2022.
My Department continues to engage closely with school management bodies, teacher unions and other education stakeholders to develop further, innovative measures to address teacher supply issues.
167. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education the SNA vacancy rate in a school (details supplied); the assistance her Department will offer to fill these vacancies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45722/23]
View answer169. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education the average SNA vacancy rate in secondary schools in Dublin Mid-West, by school; what assistance her Department will offer to fill these vacancies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45724/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 167 and 169 together.
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).
The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided.
For 2023, the spend by my department on special education has been substantially increased by over 10% on last year, meaning that for 2023 my department will spend over €2.6 billion on special education. Further progress has been made in Budget 2024 where 26% of my department’s budget will be dedicated to providing supports for children with special educational needs, representing a 5% increase on Budget 2023.
This includes funding to support children with special educational needs in mainstream classes; funding for new special classes and new special school places; additional special educational teachers, special needs assistants (SNAs) and funding for the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS).
In 2023, the number of teaching and SNA posts in our schools will increase with an additional 686 teachers and a further 1,194 SNAs and in 2024 a further 744 teachers, and 1,126 SNAs will be added to deliver up to 2,700 new places for children with special educational needs.
This will mean there will be close to 20,000 teachers and over 21,000 SNAs working in the area of special education. Together we will have over 40,000 qualified and committed people in our schools who are focused wholly and exclusively on supporting children with special educational needs.
The NCSE has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including SNAs.
SNAs are allocated to schools as a school based resource and not to individual children. The deployment of SNAs within schools is a matter for the individual principal/board of management of the school. SNAs should be deployed by the school in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of the children enrolled in the school for whom SNA support has been allocated.
It is a matter for schools to allocate support as required, and on the basis of individual need, which allows schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.
The NCSE have published the SNA allocations for the 2023/24 school year. For ease of reference these allocations are broken down by school type and are available on the NCSE's website at: www.ncse.ie/set-hours-and-sna-allocations
When a school has been allocated an SNA, the board of management as the employer, is responsible for filling the vacancy. The decision on whether to employ a full-time SNA to fill a full-time post, or to employ an equivalent number of part-time SNAs rests with the employer.
My department acts as paymaster to over 3,700 schools whose Boards of Management are the direct employers of SNAs. SNAs employed within the Education and Training Board (ETB) sector are paid by the respective ETB.
Therefore the information requested in relation to the numbers of SNAs employed is not to hand, however, the NCSE publish statistics on SNA allocations for each school year, by county, in tabular form on their website. These details can be found at: www.ncse.ie/set-hours-and-sna-allocations
In general, it is understood that SNA positions are normally filled quite quickly and that there is not a significant issue in relation to the supply of SNAs. However, my Department will keep this matter under review and consult the NCSE further on this issue as well.
Schools can apply to the NCSE for a review of its SNA allocation if it is insufficient to meet the needs of its students. Detailed information on the NCSE exceptional review process is published on the NCSE website. www.ncse.ie/application-for-sna-exceptional-review.
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.
168. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education the average teacher vacancy rate in secondary schools in Dublin Mid-West, by school; what assistance her Department will offer to fill these vacancies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45723/23]
View answerEnsuring that every child's experience in school is positive and that they have qualified, engaged teachers available to support them in their learning is a priority area of action for the Government.
The recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for individual
school authorities, subject to procedures agreed under Section 24 of the Education Act 1998 (as amended by the Education (Amendment) Act 2012). In that regard there are more than 3,700 individual employers (boards of management of primary schools and post-primary schools, as well as ETBs).
While schools in certain locations are experiencing challenges in both recruiting teachers and obtaining substitute teachers, the vast majority of sanctioned teacher positions are filled. The rate of resignation and retirement is very low by any standard and is consistent with previous years. Schools are continuing to recruit teachers and as the recruitment process is still ongoing, it is not possible at this stage to advise on the current number of vacant teaching positions.
Budget 2024 contains a range of measures that demonstrates my commitment to continued investment in our education system. In addition to numerous actions I have taken in recent years to address teacher supply, a number of specific, targeted measures will be introduced with the new funding provided.
These include a professional masters of education (PME) incentive scheme, funding for additional teacher upskilling programmes, and increasing the number of posts of responsibility.
• A professional masters of education (PME) incentive scheme will be introduced for newly qualified teachers graduating in May 2024. Those newly qualified teachers who graduate with a PME will, subject to some conditions, be eligible for an incentive payment of up to €2,000. This incentive payment will be paid to eligible primary and post-primary teachers in 2025. It will recognise the costs that PME students incur when completing their initial teacher education, assist them with these costs and encourage suitable candidates to consider a career in teaching.
• Additionally, there will be an expansion in the number of upskilling programmes available. These programmes, which are free to teachers, increase the number of teachers who are qualified to teach in-demand subjects and reduce the level of out of field teaching. These new upskilling programmes in Irish, French, politics & society, and computer science will be in addition to existing upskilling programmes in maths, physics and Spanish.
• Also, an additional 1,000 posts of responsibility will be provided in the school system for the 2024/25 school year. This is in recognition that school leaders play a key role in improving educational outcomes by creating a positive school climate and environment as well as motivating and empowering educators and learners within their school communities.
These new measures are in addition to a range of targeted measures that I have introduced in recent times, including:
• Restrictions on job-sharing teachers from working as substitutes have been reduced. These teachers may be employed to work as substitutes during the period they are rostered off duty.
• Limits on substitute work applying to teachers on career break have also been suspended.
• Post-primary teachers can provide up to 35 additional hours of substitute cover per term in the subject they are qualified to teach.
• Following the Department’s Action Plan on Teacher Supply, the Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN) developed a portal for the recruitment of teachers to long-term teaching positions. The portal facilitates the matching of demand and supply and provides an efficient and user-friendly recruitment process for both schools and teachers, including teachers working abroad who wish to apply for posts here.
• The Teaching Transforms campaign continues to promote the teaching profession and encourage students to follow a career in teaching. The campaign uses digital, radio and video media, and is supported by a dedicated webpage, www.gov.ie/teachingtransforms
Teaching remains an attractive career choice. CAO first preference choices for post-primary teaching increased this year by 14%, in addition to a 9% increase in 2022.
My Department continues to engage closely with school management bodies, teacher unions and other education stakeholders to develop further, innovative measures to address teacher supply issues.
170. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education if there are plans to extend Youth Reach to include 13/14-year-olds; if not, what options are available to parents who would like their children to attend a Youth Reach service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45728/23]
View answerThe Educational Welfare functions of Tusla are under the remit of my Department.
The Education (Welfare) Act, 2000, provides for the entitlement of every child in the state to a certain minimum education and for the registration of children receiving their education in places other than recognised schools. The Act defines a child as a person resident in the state, who has reached the age of 6 years and who has not reached the age of 16 years, or who has not completed 3 years of post-primary education, whichever occurs later.
The Educational Welfare Service operates under Act and supports children and families who have difficulties in relation to school attendance, participation and retention. This is a statutory service and its primary role is to ensure that every child either attends school regularly or otherwise receives a certain minimum education, in order to ensure and secure every child’s entitlement to education. Educational Welfare Officers (EWOs) work with families and children in a child-centred way to overcome barriers to their school attendance, participation and retention. EWOs also work closely with schools, educational support services and other agencies to support school attendance and resolve attendance problems for the benefit of children and families.
Section 14 (1) of the Act requires Tusla to maintain a register of children being educated in a place other than a recognised school. Parents of such children must complete a registration and assessment process for inclusion on the register. This legal requirement exists to support parents in their constitutional right as the primary educator of their child. To meet its obligations under this legislation, Tusla Alternative Education Assessment and Registration Service (AEARS) carries out an assessment to ensure that when a parent applies to have their child placed on the register that child is in receipt of a certain minimum education.
The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science funds and creates policy for the higher and further education and research sectors, including the Youthreach Programme. The Department also oversees the work of the state agencies and public institutions operating in these areas.
The Youthreach programme is part of a national programme of second-chance education and training delivered in Youthreach Centres and Community Training Centres. Youthreach provides two years’ integrated education, training and work experience for unemployed early school leavers without any qualifications or vocational training.
There are no plans by my Department to provide access to Youthreach to children who are aged 13 to 14 years.
171. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Education how the people of Clare will benefit from her Department’s allocations in Budget 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45770/23]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that Budget 2024 provides an increase of €421 million in core current funding to my Department's Vote, as well as over €80 million in core capital funding. An additional €170 million is also being provided in the Vote as part of Cost of Living and COVID-19 supports. These additional funds build on significant increases in recent budgets and further enhance the investment in Ireland’s primary and post-primary education system. The significant increased investment is the largest Education budget in the history of the state and reflects the government’s commitment to a quality inclusive school system and improved learning outcomes for every student.
The key features include:
• Some €67 million funding for free schoolbooks and classroom resources for Junior Cycle students. This will bring total investment in free school books at primary and post-primary school level to some €115 million.
• Over €20 million in additional capitation funding to assist schools now and longer term with increased day-to-day running costs. This will support a permanent restoration of funding for all primary and post-primary schools, increasing the basic rate of capitation to €200 per student in primary schools and to €345 in post-primary schools.
• In addition, to particularly support schools this year with inflationary pressures, an additional €60 million in cost of living supports has been secured, which will be paid to all primary and post-primary schools in the free scheme.
• €92 million in additional funding for the School Transport Scheme to provide additional places for children with special educational needs, increased bus contractor costs and a continued reduction in school transport fees.
• €82 million for an additional 1,216 Special Needs Assistants and 744 additional Special Educational Needs Teachers in classrooms providing for 2,700 new places for children with special educational needs.
• Provision of an additional €11 million for special schools catering for children with special educational needs to remove the threshold for the appointment of an Administrative Deputy Principal and provide for a further 100 teaching posts.
• €20 million in funding for the Enhanced Summer Programme totalling €40 million for summer 2024.
• Additional allocation for curricular reforms, which includes funding for the accelerated roll out of the Senior Cycle Redevelopment programme and the delivery of additional physical activity initiatives in schools.
• Additional allocation for social inclusion measures, including enhancing the capacity of the Tusla Education Support Services and additional educational welfare officer posts.
• Actions to address teacher supply issues through an incentive scheme to partially refund future Professional Masters in Education (PME) fees and additional upskilling teacher programmes for in-demand subjects.
• Additional posts of responsibility allocated to assist the leadership and management in schools.
• A capital allocation of €940 million for 2024 for the addition of essential capacity in schools through building new schools and the roll-out of additional accommodation in existing schools.
• Under Project Ireland 2040, the school sector will receive a total of approximately €4.4 billion capital investment over the period 2021-2025
The budget for my Department is not allocated or recorded on a county basis. I am, therefore, not in a position to provide specific details on the amounts allocated to County Clare. I can, however, indicate that the measures cited above will have a positive impact on school communities in Clare.
172. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of legal cases taken against her Department in each of the past ten years and to date in 2023; and the costs associated with same in each of those years. [45406/23]
View answerMy Department in its current configuration was established in September 2020. I am advised that no legal cases have been brought against my Department since this time.
173. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she plans to visit the east coast of the United States early in 2024 to meet senior officials from major film production companies to discuss increasing the number of major films being made in Ireland. [45416/23]
View answerI have a planned Ministerial visit to New York next month to launch the National Archives Exhibition entitled On an Equal Footing with All, Ireland at the League of Nations 1923-1946 that will run from 20 November - 1 December 2023 at the United Nations Headquarters, New York. Among other networking possibilities and in consultation with Screen Ireland, I am examining opportunities to meet senior officials from major film production companies during that visit. More details of this visit will be announced by my Department in due course.
At the moment, I have no plans to visit the East Coast of the United States in early 2024. This however may change closer to the time.
I have visited the West Coast on two occasions, most recently in March 2023 where I led a trade mission with Screen Ireland during Oscars week and had meetings with a number of US film production studios and leading film executives there. The clear message from my engagement with the sector in Los Angeles was for the need to increase the cap on the S481 tax relief, and I was very pleased that an increase to €125M was announced by my colleague the Minister for Finance Michael McGrath on Budget Day providing a major boost for investment, employment and development of the film and television industry in Ireland.
The Audiovisual Action Plan sets out the Government's high-level, strategic priorities over to develop a vibrant media production and audiovisual sector bringing new economic opportunities across Ireland, through increased Government support. Building relationships with major US studios and producers is a critical component of that endeavour.
Screen Ireland is the national development agency for Irish film making and the Irish film, television and animation industry, investing in talent, creativity and enterprise. Screen Ireland has an Industry Building Programme Manager based in Los Angeles at present to promote Ireland and Irish companies and Irish talent to the LA based film and television industry. The major film production companies are based on the West Coast of the United States and this is where Screen Ireland’s focus is. While there are significant players with bases in New York, this is not on the same scale as the West Coast.
The Irish screen sector is a growing one and Ireland’s studio offerings present significant opportunities to film and television companies to locate their projects here.
174. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she can provide details of the number of funding requests through the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme, or other Departmental programmes, for the purchase of AEDs in each of the past five years and to date in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45730/23]
View answerThe Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. Over 13,000 projects have now benefited from sports capital funding since 1998, bringing the total allocations in that time to over €1.15 billion.
Grants are available to voluntary, not-for profit sports clubs, community groups, NGBs, and local authorities. Third level colleges, Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and schools may apply for funding jointly with sports clubs or organisations. Details of all allocations are published the gov.ie website under Sports Capital Programme Allocations.
The SCEP funds a broad range of equipment, including automated external defibrillators (AEDs). Without undertaking an analysis of every individual application, it is not possible to definitively state the number submitted previously that may have included defibrillators. However, 214 applications have been identified on the Department's online application system as containing a reference to "defibrillators". Of those applications, 127 were submitted in the last five years (starting with the 2018 round) and 42 applications were submitted under the 2023 round which is currently at assessment stage.
Defibrillators situated at sports clubs are generally for community use and funding is also available through the HSE’s National Lottery grants schemes and other Community grants schemes.Furthermore, at a local level, the network of Local Sports Partnerships throughout the country delivers education and training opportunities across a broad range of areas to local sports clubs and community groups. This includes First Aid Workshops, which typically cover CPR and/or Defibrillator Training as part of the content.
175. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media how the people of Clare will benefit from her Department’s allocations in Budget 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45783/23]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy of the following allocations and initiatives from my Department arising from Budget 2024 that will benefit the people of Clare.
Culture
The Department’s Budget 2024 funding allocation provides for a range of national services along with both capital and current cultural support schemes. Proposals and applications from County Clare will have equal opportunity and fair consideration in the allocation of funds from the Department.
Night-Time Economy
The recommendations of the Report of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce, which was published in September 2021, aim to support the overall economic growth of our cities and towns, including those in Clare, by providing employment opportunities, boosting tourism, and encouraging cultural development. We will continue to provide funding in 2024 to develop new opportunities within the Night-Time Economy in support of the Report’s recommendations.
Basic Income for the Arts
The Basic Income for the Arts pilot scheme is a three-year research programme to evaluate the impact of a basic income style payment on the arts sector. The recipients of the payment include representatives from all art forms, age groups, ethnicities and counties. 54 recipients of the Basic Income payment stated on their application that they are from Co. Clare.
Arts, Film & Investment
The Department’s Arts and Culture programme aims to promote and develop Ireland’s world class artistic and creative strengths at home and abroad, maximising their societal and economic value for the country, and supporting Arts and the entertainment sector to develop and grow.
In the context of Arts, Film and Investment, I hope to provide capital grants for the provision of new artists workspaces through Clare County Council over the coming months.
Creative Ireland
Under the Creative Ireland Programme, the Creative Communities initiative provides funding to Clare County Council to support the Culture and Creativity team to implement an annual programme of events and initiatives that align with their Culture and Creativity Strategy 2023-2027. Additionally, my Department will continue to support Cruinniú na nÓg in June 2024 where children and young people will get to participate in this national day of free creative activity.
The Creative Youth pillar of the Programme supports Local Creative Youth Partnerships in partnership with the Department of Education and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. These bring together local infrastructure to coordinate and provide creative activities for children and young people in their communities, targeting those seldom heard. One operates from the Limerick Clare Education and Training Board (ETB) and this support is planned to continue into 2024.
My Department has also allocated €349,125 under the Creative Climate Action Fund II: Agents of Change to 3 projects in Co. Clare - ‘Renew Bunratty’ (led by Bunratty Local Development Association), ‘Room with a View’ (led by artist Maeve Stone), and ‘Dinnseanchas: Envisioning the Uplands’ (led by Hometree Charity).
Gaeltacht
Irish Summer Colleges
€500,000 has been made available to support social inclusion schemes in terms of the Irish Summer Colleges. This funding will allow a wider cohort of young people to attend a Gaeltacht summer college course. It is anticipated that this funding will benefit young people across the country, including Clare, who currently do not qualify for the Department's DEIS Gaeltachta scheme, which was established in 2019.
My Department will continue to fund the DEIS Gaeltachta scheme for 2024, for which €400,000 in funding is available. This scheme provides up to 400 scholarships per year to enhance the potential of young people nationwide attending one of the over-200 DEIS post-primary schools across the country, to attend a course in the Gaeltacht during the summer.
Irish Language Supports
Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021
An additional €0.5m was allocated in Budget 2024 to ensure the full and successful implementation of the Official Languages Acts 2003 to 2021.
The Irish Language Services Advisory Committee, established in 2022 under the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021, has the specific function of increasing the services provided by public bodies through the medium of the Irish language, having particular regard to services provided by public bodies in Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas, Gaeltacht Service Towns and Irish Language Networks.
Ennis has been recognised as an Irish Language Network under the Gaeltacht Act 2012, and together with the funding that is being provided by my Department under the Language Planning Process, this additional funding will further support Irish speakers in Clare in their use of the language.
Irish Language Support Schemes (Capital)
An additional €0.5m has been made available in Budget 2024 for the Capital Programme of the Irish Language Support Schemes. Community-based organisations that operate through Irish outside the Gaeltacht, such as those in Ennis as an Irish Language Network, would qualify to apply for capital assistance under this programme, strengthening Irish as a community and family language in accordance with the objectives of the Gaeltacht Act 2012 and the 20 Year Strategy for Irish 2010-2030.
Media
Media Fund
In Budget 2024, €6m was secured to support the Media Fund, which provides funding on a platform-neutral basis to the wider media sector, on an administrative basis. The priority of the Fund is the establishment of a Local Democracy Reporting Scheme and a Courts Reporting Scheme, both of which will provide support to all media, but particularly at local and regional level. It is intended that these new schemes will be opened for applications in 2024, to which all relevant organisations in Clare will be eligible to apply.
Sport
Sport Ireland
Sport Ireland, as the agency responsible for the development of sport in Ireland, will be developing its plans for the 2024 budget allocations in the coming period and will be announcing relevant details to the key stakeholders in due course. All counties, including Clare, will benefit from this funding.
Sports Capital and Equipment Programme
The Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country.
The funding provided for the SCEP in 2024 will cover the expected drawdowns for existing SCEP allocations throughout the country, including those in Clare. Furthermore, the 2023 round of the Programme closed on 8 September and it is expected that allocations to successful applicants will be announced next year, including to projects in Clare.
Tourism
The Budgetary allocation to Fáilte Ireland for 2024 will enable Fáilte Ireland to continue their work in developing the tourism sector and helping to deliver economic growth of the industry and individual tourism businesses, including the tourism sector in Co. Clare.
As part of the Budget settlement, up to €10 million has been identified for a comprehensive programme of supports targeted at downstream tourism businesses experiencing particular trading challenges linked to the reduction in footfall to activities and attractions in regions most impacted by tourism bed stock displacement. This programme of supports includes investment in sustainable tourism development and promotion, industry digitalisation, promotion of domestic tourism and festivals and recruitment and retention initiatives.
I have also asked Fáilte Ireland to engage with impacted businesses to consider the scope for a specific business support scheme that could help the most affected tourism activities and attractions and to report back to me on options and recommendations in four weeks’ time.
