Written Answers Nos. 71-91
71. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if his Department, or any body under the aegis of his Department, has facilitated in-person or remote briefings on any issue from organisations (details supplied) from 2021 to date; if so, the topic discussed; the fees paid to the organisations for these briefings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46757/23]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy in respect of my Department and the bodies under its aegis is set out in the table below.
|
Public body |
Briefings from the TENI or Belong To organisations from 2021 to date |
Topic Covered |
Cost |
|
Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform |
Belong To on 24 June, 2021 |
LGBTI+ 101 workshop |
€500 |
|
Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform |
Belong To on 21 June, 2022 |
ProNouns |
€500 |
|
Public Appointments Service |
Belong To on 14 June, 2021 |
Celebrating Pride LGBTI+ Workshop on issues affecting all members of the LGBTI+ community and positive actions to be considered |
€1,250 |
|
Public Appointments Service |
TENI on 29 March, 2023 |
Celebrating Trans Day of Visibility - reviewed the language and issues affecting Transgender people including allyship and inclusion in recruitment practices |
€800 |
72. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform whether he will grant Cork City Council funding for a flood barrier for Coppervalley Vue in Cork city. [46922/23]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) in partnership with Cork City Council are engaging proactively to progress the Glashaboy flood relief scheme for Glanmire.
The Glashaboy Flood Relief Scheme was confirmed in January 2021 by the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform under the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 to 1995. The scheme is being funded from the €1.3 billion in flood relief measures under the National Development Plan to 2030, and as part of Project Ireland 2040.
The scheme, when complete, will provide flood protection to some 103 properties; 78 residential properties and 25 commercial premises and will address the flood risk in a number of locations in the Glanmire area. The scheme will include defences, such as walls and embankments; culvert upgrades; channel widening and road re-grading.
In April 2023, Cork City Council, following a successful tender competition, awarded the civil works contract to Sorensen Civil Engineering. In July 2023 Sorensen Civil Engineering mobilised on site carrying out site investigation works, working with utility providers to agree diversions and engaging with stakeholders with works commencing on site at Cúil Chluthair and Springmount.
The construction programme is anticipated to take 32 months with the works split up into several Zones to minimise disruption to the public and businesses.
As part of the scheme, works are proposed at Copper Valley Vue and the surrounding area, to include the replacement of culverts at Brooklodge Grove Culvert to provide additional capacity, the construction of new flood walls at Brooklodge, the replacement of the entrance bridge at Copper Valley Vue to increase channel capacity and the channel upstream of the bridge to be widened to increase capacity. All works will take place primarily within the Glenmore stream and as such are restricted to the fisheries window. Due to the volume of works required in this area the works are planned to be carried out over two instream windows and will be completed between Q3 2024 and Q3 2025.
Following the events of Storm Babet last Week, I visited Coppervalley Vue last Friday the 20th October with Deputies Colm Burke and Padraig O'Sullivan and we met with the local residents and saw first-hand the serious damage that was caused to the properties in the estate. I was accompanied on the visit by OPW Engineers and we met with Cork City Council officials at the estate. The design team will now examine the proposed works throughout the Glashaboy Flood relief Scheme to consider whether there are any additional short term or other interventions that can be beneficially proposed in addition to the approved works.
73. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if a sluice gate on a river (details supplied) will be cleared out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46937/23]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) is responsible for the maintenance of the Feale Arterial Drainage Scheme under the Arterial Drainage Acts,1945 and 1995, as amended.
Officials from the south west region of the OPW will visit the location to assess the issue. Following assessment, if necessary and if water levels allow, maintenance staff will carry out the maintenance required.
74. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform when work will be carried out to a sluice gate (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46942/23]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) is responsible for the maintenance of the Feale Arterial Drainage Scheme under the Arterial Drainage Acts, 1945 and 1995, as amended.
Officials from the south west region of the OPW will visit the location to assess the issue. Following assessment, if necessary and if water levels allow, maintenance staff will carry out the maintenance required.
75. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 33 of 27 June 2023, the status of the independent evaluation of national development plan priorities and capacity; if the work has been received by his Department; the timeline for publication of the evaluation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47052/23]
View answerIn March 2023, I presented to Government a package of significant actions aimed at enhancing project delivery for the NDP. Among these actions, I committed to an independent mid-term evaluation of investment priorities and capacity of the NDP, focusing on the capacity to deliver current Government priorities, to utilise sectoral capital allocations and to estimate the impact of the NDP on key economic indicators. The ESRI was commissioned to carry out this evaluation in April 2023. It is anticipated that the report will be received by my Department in the next number of weeks and will be published during Q4 this year.
On foot of the report, my Department will communicate with relevant Departments during November to commence the process of agreeing sectoral NDP allocations out to 2028, with a view to the publication of the revised NDP sectoral allocations during Q1 2024.
76. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 96 of 15 November 2022, the details of any analysis carried out by his Department into the impact of the ongoing rise in rental prices on the cost of the rented portion of the OPW's office accommodation portfolio; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47053/23]
View answerAs referenced in the answer to Parliamentary Question 56397/22, one of the key functions of the Office of Public Works (OPW) is to provide office accommodation for all Government Departments. In this regard, OPW holds a portfolio of property throughout the country to meet the various operational needs of the Civil Service, the Gardaí and various other State Bodies. The OPW office portfolio comprises 896,842 square metres, (year end 2022), both owned and leased, which are managed and maintained in an optimum manner designed to support the business function while delivering value for money to the Exchequer.
In its role of managing the extensive office accommodation portfolio, the OPW are consistently monitoring the commercial office market. All market data and trends are observed and these key information sub-sets utilised to best effect to manage the portfolio. Significant challenges posed by global instability on a number of geo-political fronts and their cumulative impact on the worldwide economy remain ongoing and have, if anything, worsened over the last twelve months. Such challenging macro-economic conditions for the property market have been further exacerbated by the challenge of climate action and the post-covid impact of blended working on the traditional workplace environment.
These two issues in particular have led to a significant divergence of the commercial office market, with Grade A recently developed stock that has the highest sustainability credentials leading the way in terms of demand, with relatively stable rental performance. Conversely, the observed demand for older and poorer performing property is slowing, despite more attractive rents.
In relation to the leasehold portfolio, fluctuations - both upwards and downwards - in the rental market can impact on rental costs via a number of different events, namely: rent reviews, lease renewals, new leasehold acquisitions, lease breaks, etc. In all instances, OPW engage in an active asset / lease management programme in order to avail of cost mitigations where possible, including lease re-gearing, downward rent reviews, exercising of break options, building upgrade opportunities, etc.
For the OPW, the issue of blended working is significant. In the face of a growing Civil Service, the shrinking of the portfolio will be challenging. Current Civil Service staff numbers have grown by 23% since 2017, with the accommodation portfolio remaining relatively static. In the face of further civil service growth and increased demand for space, the focus will always be on the exploration of opportunities within the existing estate in the first instance. In this regard, blended working has released opportunities for absorption of growth into the existing portfolio with the consequential savings resulting from the avoidance of new rental liabilities into the future. Careful asset management of the portfolio will be utilised to achieve any “right-sizing” opportunities that emerge once blended working impacts have become clear.
In parallel, the legislative imperatives for sustainability led intervention works across the portfolio – both owned and leased - will also open up opportunities for achieving greater space optimisation and utilisation with an obvious focus on the owned estate. In this context, it is worth noting that while “best in class” buildings, which the State is mandated to acquire legislatively, provide efficiencies from an operational and occupational point of view, by their very nature they are expensive.
The OPW is mandated to provide fit-for-purpose office accommodation to its clients. It is also mandated to do so in a sustainable manner and in compliance with the Public Spending Code whereby the achievement of value-for-money is confirmed. There are manifold challenges in terms of achieving value-for-money: a growing civil service, a restricted supply of quality accommodation, significant sustainability requirements; a challenging economic environment. However, prudent asset management coupled with close liaison with client departments to utilise the owned and leasehold office portfolio to its optimal potential while at the same time meeting their operational requirements will ensure that all opportunities within the existing estate are fully realised.
77. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the criteria for the grant for 50% of rates back for local businesses, as announced in budget 2024; and the opening date for applications for same. [46979/23]
View answerThe Increased Cost of Business Grant (ICOB) was a measure announced as part of the Budget 2024 package. The grant will be available to Small and Medium sized businesses who operate from a rateable premises. It is intended to be paid at a rate of up to half the enterprise’s commercial rates bill, subject to a prescribed limit. The grant is intended to aid firms but is not intended to directly compensate for all increases in wages, or other costs, for every business. This is a grant and is not intended as a rates waiver or rebate. Firms should continue to pay their commercial rates as normal.
The technical details underpinning the scheme and the mechanism for delivering the payment are currently being developed. My officials will work together with officials from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage will work together with the Local Authorities to finalise the details of the grant in the coming weeks.
78. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department, or any body under the aegis of his Department, has facilitated in-person or remote briefings on any issue from organisations (details supplied) from 2021 to date; if so, the topic discussed; the fees paid to the organisations for these briefings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46750/23]
View answerAs part of my Department’s Pride awareness campaign in 2021, my Department's Learning and Career Development Unit facilitated an informal Lunch and Learn session which was hosted virtually by Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI) and focussed primarily on gender expression and identity. There was no fee paid to the Organisation for this session.
IDA Ireland’s EDI Team have not engaged with TENI for sessions (either in-person or virtual) since 2021. Prior to 2021, the EDI Team sought advice from TENI relating to its Gender Identity and Expression Policy, which they provided without fees.
IDA Ireland’s EDI Team engaged with BelongTo in H1 2022 for its Pride & Inclusion event which took place in June 2022. BelongTo’s Partnerships and Engagement Manager participated as a panel member in a virtual, pre-recorded discussion to examine Allyship and Inclusion in 2022, and how while Pride is a time to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, it is also a time to reflect on how more can be done. The Partnerships and Engagement Manager also attended the in-person airing of the session and answered Questions from the audience live, on the day. The session was aired in Dublin, North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific.
BelongTo’s fee for that engagement was €500.
79. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the increased cost of business grant will include a provision to aid businesses that may struggle to meet the Government commitment to deliver a living wage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46832/23]
View answerIn line with the recommendation of the Low Pay Commission on the 2024 National Minimum Wage, the rate will increase by €1.40 from €11.30 to €12.70 on January 1st 2024. While I am cognisant that this will represent an increased cost for business, this is a positive measure for workers. This represents a significant increase in the National Minimum Wage and is designed to increase the pay of minimum wage workers in line with the Government’s decision to introduce a National Living Wage by 2026 set at 60 per cent of the median hourly wages in the economy. It is estimated that the National Minimum Wage, relative to median wages across the whole economy, will increase from 51.8% in 2023 to 55.1% in 2024.
It is important to be clear that the Increased Cost of Business (ICOB) scheme is not designed to be an offset for increases to the minimum wage. I am not planning any scheme specific to the National Minimum Wage increase. The (ICOB) is a once-off grant and will be paid to Small and Medium sized businesses who operate from a rateable premises. It is intended to be paid at a rate of up to half the enterprise’s commercial rates bill, subject to a prescribed limit. The grant is intended to aid firms but is not intended to directly compensate for all increases in wages, or other costs, for every business. This is a grant and is not intended as a rates waiver or rebate. Firms should continue to pay their commercial rates as normal.
The technical details underpinning the scheme and the mechanism for delivering the payment are currently being developed. My officials will work together with officials from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage will work together with the Local Authorities to finalise the details of the grant in the coming weeks.
80. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will outline what the Workplace Relations Commission’s response was to a request concerning legislation (details supplied); the reason the directive, guaranteed at the time by the then Minister, was never implemented; and the position of the Government on this vitally important issue. [46846/23]
View answerThe Government is committed to supporting workers and has a strong record on strengthening and introducing new workers’ rights.
As the Deputy is aware, the Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2018, came into force on 4 March 2019. This Act introduced a number of measures to strengthen employee rights and to address the problems caused by the increased casualisation of work.
Ireland also has in place a Code of Practice on Access to Part-Time Work. The Code was drawn up by the then Labour Relations Commission in consultation with the social partners pursuant to the Protection of Employment (Part-Time Work) Act 2001.
Among other provisions, the Code of Practice sets out that, as far as possible, employers should give consideration to a request by workers to transfer from part-time to full-time work or to increase their working time should the opportunity arise. The Code was put on a statutory footing in S.I. No. 8 of 2006.
During the passage of the 2018 Act, on foot of Dáil and Seanad debates, the then Minister engaged with the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) on a review of the 2001 Act and 2006 Code of practice. It was decided in 2019, as the 2018 Act had only just commenced, that some time post enactment would be required to gauge the impact of that significant piece of legislation.
In February 2023, I wrote to the WRC requesting a review of the Code of Practice on Part-Time Work to assess the overall effectiveness of the suite of protections for Part Time Workers. The WRC confirmed that a review of a number of Codes of Practice including that on Access to Part-Time Work is on the WRC’s Work Programme for 2023.
As part of this Programme, the Commission's Advisory Service is revisiting these Codes of Practice with a view to updating them given that they may have been in place for a considerable period of time. These are now currently being considered in the context of whether or not a new Statutory Instrument for each will be required in order to include any updates/amendments.
81. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has figures on the cost of hiring people on the national minimum wage or national living wage, which will include ten days' sick pay and the cost of auto-enrolment after its introduction in 2024; if he has any estimate on the cost of hiring people in the years up to 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46853/23]
View answerMy Department is currently working with the Department of Social Protection on an assessment of the combined impact of the measures proposed to improve working conditions in Ireland, this includes moving to a living wage, pension auto-enrolment, the right to request remote work, sick pay legislation and improvements to parent’s leave and parent’s benefit. This analysis is due to be published by the end of the year.
The Low Pay Commission Annual Report 2023 projects a living wage (at 60% of the projected median wage) of €15 per hour in 2026. Statutory sick pay is paid at a replacement rate of 70% of a person’s normal pay, up to a maximum of €110 per day. Auto-enrolment will be introduced on a phased basis with an employer contribution of 1.5% of gross earnings up to €80,000 in the first three years.
The Government is aware that this has been a challenging year for firms as they grapple with the effects of inflation and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are committed to supporting enterprise and Budget 2024 continues this approach. Among the measures included, are:
• The 9% VAT reduction for gas and electricity is being extended for an additional 12 months, until 31st October 2024;
• The temporary excise rate reductions applying to auto diesel, petrol and marked gas oil which were due to expire on 31st October 2023 are being extended until 31st March 2024;
• An increase in the limit on the amount that an investor can claim relief on under the Employment and Investment Incentive Scheme, to €500,000;
• An increase in VAT registration thresholds for SMEs to €40,000 for services and €80,000 for goods;
• Reduced Capital Gains Tax rate of 16% for Angel Investors in innovative SMEs, on gains of up to €3 million;
• An increase in the R&D tax credit from 25% to 30%, as well as increasing the first-year upfront payment from €25,000 to €50,000, which will be of particular benefit to SMEs;
• The commencement of a range of amendments to the Key Employee Engagement Programme for the attraction and retention of staff;
• Introduction of the Increased Cost of Business Scheme, which will provide a once-off grant to benefit a significant number of small and medium businesses at a cost of €250 million.
82. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will respond to concerns and proposals raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46882/23]
View answerThe introduction of a temporary abolition of Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) for lower earning workers in 2024, 2025, and 2026 is a matter for the Minister for Social Protection. The Commission on Taxation and Welfare recommendations point to the importance of broadening the PRSI base as important in order to enhance the Social Insurance Fund.
This has been a challenging year for firms as they grapple with the effects of inflation and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a small, open trading economy Ireland is exposed to global inflationary pressures, including fluctuations on international markets for energy, commodities and food. Ireland is effectively a price taker on most international markets, and many of the drivers of Irish inflation are outside our control. Our remote geographic location can also add to transport costs for goods, which along with our small market size, can add to costs for businesses.
Although the Government cannot fully insulate individuals and businesses from developments in international markets that are outside of our control, we have been proactive in putting in place measures to remedy the fallout from higher rates of inflation. The Government is committed to supporting enterprise. Under Budget 2023 the Government allocated €1.3 billion to the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS) to reduce energy costs to business. Budget 2024 has continued this supportive approach. Among the measures included, are:
• The 9% VAT reduction for gas and electricity is being extended for an additional 12 months, until 31st October 2024;
• The temporary excise rate reductions applying to auto diesel, petrol and marked gas oil which were due to expire on 31st October 2023 are being extended until 31st March 2024;
• An increase in the limit on the amount that an investor can claim relief on under the Employment and Investment Incentive Scheme, to €500,000;
• An increase in VAT registration thresholds for SMEs to €40,000 for services and €80,000 for goods;
• Reduced Capital Gains Tax rate of 16% for Angel Investors in innovative SMEs, on gains of up to €3 million;
• An increase in the R&D tax credit from 25% to 30%, as well as increasing the first-year upfront payment from €25,000 to €50,000, which will be of particular benefit to SMEs;
• The commencement of a range of amendments to the Key Employee Engagement Programme for the attraction and retention of staff;
• Introduction of the Increased Cost of Business Scheme, which will provide a once-off grant to benefit a significant number of small and medium businesses at a cost of €250 million.
83. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will outline the environmental standards and nature protection provisions his Department oversees; the level of activity of enforcement in each case, covering inspections, issuing of notices, and prosecution; and if he plans to step up activity. [46969/23]
View answerISO, the International Organisation for Standardisation, produces Standards which are voluntary documents that contain the distilled knowledge of businesses and experts from around the world. These standards are available through NSAI.
The use of Standards enables businesses of all sizes to take a planned, proactive approach to risk mitigation. Adopting Standards can meet customer requirements and enhance their satisfaction. The Standards offered by NSAI give companies the tools to ensure the fundamentals of their business are sound.
Achieving third-party certification independently validates compliance with best practices as set out in Standards. NSAI provides independent certification to organisations, enabling them to demonstrate compliance with international standards. This allows them to demonstrate that they operate to the highest international standards.
The specific standards NSAI audit organisations against in the area of environmental protection include:
ISO 14001, an International Environmental Management Systems (EMS) Standard, was developed to help organisations identify, manage and control those activities that have an environmental impact. It helps organisations improve their environmental performance through more efficient use of resources and reduction of waste, gaining a competitive advantage and the trust of stakeholders. ISO 14001 is suitable for organisations of all types and sizes, be they private, not-for-profit or governmental. It requires that an organisation considers all environmental issues relevant to its operations, such as air pollution, water and sewage issues, waste management, soil contamination, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and resource use and efficiency.
ISO 14064-1. The International Standards Organisation (ISO) has produced the ISO 14060 suite of standards and guidelines in response to the need for auditable tools that will help address climate change through a systematic approach to greenhouse gas (GHG) quantification, monitoring, reporting, validation and verification in a comprehensive and auditable manner. They have been developed to impact all levels and functions of an organisation, from strategic formulation and risk management to data verification within GHG statements and improvement projects. NSAI offer an auditing service against:
I.S. EN ISO 14064-1:2019: Greenhouse gases - Part 1: Specification with guidance at the organisation level for quantification and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions and removals. This standard details principles and requirements for designing, developing, managing and reporting organisation-level GHG boundaries and inventories. Requirements and guidance on inventory quality management, reporting, internal auditing and the organisation’s responsibilities in verification activities are also included in the standard.
84. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans the Government has for employment and industry incentives in the south Kildare region, specifically, Monasterevin, Rathangan and Athy. [46975/23]
View answerDelivering balanced regional enterprise growth and sustainable local job creation is a core objective of this Government and is a key component of my Department’s White Paper on Enterprise. To this end, my Department through its Enterprise Agencies, and together with the Local Enterprise Offices, continues to focus on supporting businesses across the country, including in south Kildare.
The IDA is committed to more balanced, compact regional development and will target half of all investments from 2021-2024 to regional locations. There are 113 IDA client companies in the Mid-East region, employing 21,861 people. 39 of these companies, which employ 12,174 people, are based in Co. Kildare.
In July 2022, Diageo announced a €200m investment in a purpose-built carbon neutral brewery in Newbridge and in June 2022 Keurig Dr Pepper’s celebrated the opening of its International Operations Hub in Newbridge.
IDA Ireland’s Regional Property Programme is a significant driver of regional economic development and job creation through the supply of land, buildings and infrastructure in regional locations. To this end, the IDA maintains a focus on land banks and utility intensive strategic sites to future proof the ability of their property portfolio to support the project pipeline. IDA Ireland owns land in Newbridge Business Park and in Little Connell, Newbridge.
Enterprise Ireland’s strategy has set targets of creating 45,000 new jobs by 2024 and that over two-thirds of these new jobs will be created outside Dublin. In 2022, Enterprise Ireland supported over 9,000 jobs in Kildare.
The Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are at the very heart of business development and entrepreneurship in towns and communities across the country and will continue to enhance their advisory services for locally trading firms. The LEOs act as a ‘first-stop-shop’ for providing advice and guidance, financial assistance, and other supports to anyone wishing to start or grow their own business. In 2022, Kildare LEO supported over 250 businesses who employed approximately 1,300 people in Kildare.
The LEO works in conjunction with the Economic Development Unit in Kildare County Council and is involved in several projects including in Monasterevin, Rathangan and Athy:
Monasterevin - Through the Enterprise Cluster programme development, the Department secured capital funding to redevelop the town's old Bank of Ireland as a Fashion and Textile Hub for entrepreneurs. The building has been acquired and a feasibility study undertaken in 2023 with a view to further investment managed and administered by LEO Kildare
Rathangan - There has been investment managed by Kildare County Council’s office to enhance Rathangan Industrial Estate undertaken in Q4, 2023.
Athy - Kildare LEO received €100,000 through the Town and Village Renewal Scheme to deliver its Streetscape Enhancement Measure; matched-funded €20,000 (via Local Property Tax) to this scheme.
In Q4 2023, Kildare LEO submitted tender documentation and technical specifications for the Athy Food, Beverage and Skills Innovation Hub.
The Mid-East region has also been very successful under my Department’s enterprise funding schemes securing over €8.9 million for five innovative enterprise focused projects. This includes two projects in Co. Kildare with the MERITS Innovative Thinkspace based in Naas securing €2.4m and AgTech UCD Innovation Centre securing €3m in funding.
The first call under the new Smart Regions Enterprise Innovation Scheme was announced earlier this month. The Scheme will assist in delivering on the objectives set out in the nine Regional Enterprise Plans and help to drive job creation and enterprise development. It will provide an opportunity for regional stakeholders to unlock potential from the bottom up through collaboration including in south Kildare.
My Department and its agencies will continue to support employment and industry across south Kildare, the Mid-East and the wider country.
85. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education if her Department, or any body under the aegis of her Department, has facilitated in-person or remote briefings on any issue from organisations (details supplied) from 2021 to date; if so, the topic discussed; the fees paid to the organisations for these briefings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46749/23]
View answerMy Department is fully committed to creating safe, supportive and inclusive environments in schools to support every student to achieve their full potential.
Cineáltas, the Department of Education’s Action Plan on Bullying, contains the commitment to update the anti-bullying procedures for primary and post-primary schools to take account of gender identity bullying, cyber bullying, racist bullying, sexist bullying and sexual harassment. The updated procedures will provide support and guidance for schools on preventing and addressing bullying behaviour and will provide for enhanced reporting, oversight and review mechanisms.
While not the lead funder,my Department has provided funding for the annual Stand Up Awareness Campaign since 2013. The objective of the campaign is to prevent and tackle bullying in schools, increase respect for diversity and LGBT identities and thereby reduce the potential for mental health difficulties among LGBT students.
I can confirm for the Deputy that officials from my Department met with BeLonG To during the specified period to discuss Stand- Up awareness week and anti- bullying work.
No fees were paid to BeLonG To for any of these meetings.
86. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 250 of 17 October 2023, what actions she has undertaken to investigate spare seat capacity on the school bus in question from Ballivor to Longwood, County Meath, when it has been confirmed to parents at a local level that there are five spare seats on the bus; her reasons for stating there are no spare seats; who informed her; if she will apply practical common sense in allocating those spare seats to the students referenced without further delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46774/23]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services were provided for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
Already over 133,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the start of the 2022/2023 school year. The number of tickets issued so far has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
The purpose of the Post Primary School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote i.e. 4.8 kilometres (kms) or more from their nearest education centre, having regard to ethos and language.
Children who are not eligible for school transport, under the terms of the scheme, may apply to Bus Éireann for transport on a concessionary basis subject to the following conditions:
a Transport Application Form is completed and submitted to Bus Éireann;
•there is a suitable service, as determined by Bus Éireann, operating into their education centre;
•there is spare capacity on the service;
•the appropriate annual charge is paid; Medical Card waiver is not applicable
The availability of concessionary transport may vary from year to year, is not available on public scheduled services and cannot be guaranteed for the duration of a child’s post primary school education cycle. Where the number of applications for transport on a concessionary basis exceeds the number of seats available, Bus Éireann will determine the allocation of the tickets.
It is recognised that all pupils issued with tickets will not travel every morning and every evening. In addition, certain after school activities may also result in pupils not travelling on certain days.
Bus Éireann organises for vehicles to be full to capacity with tickets based on applications received and based on the seating capacity of the vehicle. For safety reasons, it is not possible to issue additional tickets over and above the seating capacity of the vehicle which could result in a potential overload situation arising and all pupils not being carried on the service.
Bus Éireann has advised that the pupils referred to are not eligible for mainstream transport as they are attending their third nearest Post Primary Centre. Bus Éireann further advise that they were unsuccessful in obtaining a concessionary ticket for the 2023/24 school year and the existing service is currently operating to capacity at present.
Bus Éireann advise that a 16 seater vehicle services the route referred to and 16 tickets have issued.
87. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education to provide an analysis to date of the number of school transport tickets allocated that are not being utilised and the consequent number of spare seats for the school year 2023-24, by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46798/23]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services were provided for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
Already over 133,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the start of the 2022/2023 school year. The number of tickets issued so far has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
At present, it is not possible for Bus Éireann to examine data on ticket usage as tickets are paper based. However, Bus Éireann recently undertook a pilot E-Ticketing project. Based on the information derived from this pilot project, it is intended to review the data and prioritise working towards E-Ticketing on all school transport scheme services . This will provide the Department and Bus Éireann with greater data on real time travel patterns.
Bus Éireann organises for vehicles to be full to capacity with tickets based on applications received and based on the seating capacity of the vehicle. For safety reasons, it is not possible to issue additional tickets over and above the seating capacity of the vehicle which could result in a potential overload situation arising and all pupils not being carried on the service.
It is recognised that all pupils issued with tickets will not travel every morning and every evening. In addition, certain after school activities may also result in pupils not travelling on certain days.
If a family decide that they no longer require their bus tickets for the current school year, they should return these tickets to their local Bus Éireann school transport office and their seats will be reallocated to other pupils wishing to avail of school transport.
88. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education the current status of capital works for a school (details supplied). [46810/23]
View answerThe project to which the Deputy refers, was approved funding under my Department’s Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme for the provision of one general classroom and two SET rooms.
I am pleased to advise that the project was recently approved to progress to tender stage. Upon completion of the tender process, the project will then progress to construction in due course.
Officials in my Department will continue to liaise with the school authority to progress this project.
89. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education for an update on the request by a school (details supplied) that the modular unit works at the school include direction to complete a yard in order that this surface can later accommodate an astro-turf pitch; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46817/23]
View answerI am pleased to advise the Deputy that this school has been granted approval for the provision of two Special Education Needs classrooms and 2 SET rooms under the Department’s Devolved SEN Reconfiguration and Modular Accommodation programme.
I have been advised that from a professional and technical point of view, it will be feasible to install drainage after the modular project is delivered and certified as compliant under building regulations. The proposal outlined does not form part of the current project brief and therefore, cannot be considered by the Department at this time.
90. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education if she is aware that the current development of modular units at a school (details supplied) will make it very difficult, perhaps impossible, to gain sufficient access to a back field in order to carry out future works on the field; if she has received contrary advice to that position; if so, by whom; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46818/23]
View answerI am pleased to advise the Deputy that this school has been granted approval for the provision of two Special Education Needs classrooms and two SET rooms under the Department’s Devolved SEN Reconfiguration and Modular Accommodation programme.
I have been advised that from a professional and technical point of view, it will be feasible to install drainage/future site works after the modular project is delivered and certified as compliant with building regulations.
91. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education if she will respond to the correspondence from a parent in County Kildare (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46820/23]
View answerSince January 2021 Tusla Education Support Services (TESS) is under the remit of my Department.
TESS operates under the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000, a piece of legislation that emphasises the promotion of school attendance, participation and retention. TESS has three strands namely the Statutory Educational Welfare Service (EWS) and the two school support services the Home School Community Liaison Scheme (HSCL) and the School Completion Programme (SCP). The three TESS strands work together collaboratively with schools, families and other relevant services to achieve the best educational outcomes for children and young people. All three strands share the same national outcomes:
• Improved Attendance
• Improved Participation
• Improved Retention
The EWS deal with 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, to ensure and secure every child’s entitlement to education.
Officials in my Department will engage with the Educational Welfare Service in relation to the issues raised is the correspondence referred to by the Deputy.
