Written Answers Nos. 44-63
44. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Finance to provide a list of all EU Directives which have not yet been ratified within his Department; the estimated date of ratification of each Directive; and the deadline set by the EU for ratifying each Directive, in tabular form. [52706/23]
View answerI understand the question to refer to the "transposition" or implementation of European Directives into Irish law. It has not been possible in the time available to compile the information requested by the Deputy. However, a response will be compiled and forwarded to the Deputy in writing.
45. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Finance the number of cars exported from Ireland under the VRT refund scheme in the years 2013, 2014 and 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52746/23]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that the number of cars approved for export from Ireland under the VRT Export Repayment Scheme for the years 2013, 2014 and 2015 are shown in the following table.
|
Year |
Cars Approved for Export |
|
2013 |
632 |
|
2014 |
1,458 |
|
2015 |
1,554 |
46. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Finance the role the National Development Finance Agency has in protecting public procurement in large capital projects from bid-rigging and any ongoing review of large capital projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52366/23]
View answerThe NTMA have advised me that the procurement of large capital projects by the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) on behalf of State authorities is conducted in accordance with EU and Irish procurement and competition law. In this regard NDFA, like other procuring authorities, has powers to exclude an entity from a competition in the case of adverse legal findings under competition law, including bid rigging. Specifically, under Regulation 57 of the EU (Award of Public Authority Contracts) Regulations (SI 284/2016) (which transposes into Irish law Directive 2014/24/EU), the NDFA can exclude bidders from procurement procedures for matters such as corruption (Regulation 57(1)(b)), grave professional misconduct (which could include violation of competition law rules) (Regulation 57(8)(c)) and agreements with other economic operators aimed at distorting competition (Regulation 57(8)(d).
In addition, the NDFA procurement documentation for large capital projects provides express rights to reject or disqualify a tender where a tenderer engages in collusion with other bidders, which would include any form of co-operation that contravenes competition law rules.
Moreover, the NTMA further advised me that the Competition (Amendment) Act 2022 recently introduced a specific criminal offence of bid-rigging, with effect from September 2023 and the procurement of all large capital projects is subject to this provision of the Act.
47. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Finance the data relating to the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund between 2017 and 2023; the breakdown of number of company applicants for each programme to the ISIF from women only founder companies, men only founder companies and mixed founders men and women companies. [52801/23]
View answer48. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Finance the breakdown of founder participants applicants for each programme to the ISIF from women only founder companies, men only founder companies and mixed founders men and women companies. [52802/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 47 and 48 together.
The NTMA have advised me that the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF), announced in November 2022 its ambition to invest a minimum of €50m through private equity firms that are majority owned by women.
ISIF is inviting these firms to apply for ISIF investment, subject to meeting ISIF’s unique double bottom line mandate of generating a commercial return while seeking to support economic activity and employment in Ireland. ISIF advises me that it has engaged extensively with companies in the target space as an active pipeline of prospective investment and expects to make announcements shortly.
The Deputy will be aware that since inception, in early 2015, ISIF has committed over €6.6 billion to Irish companies, platforms and projects. This investment has leveraged third party capital bringing a total investment of €17.4 billion in the Irish economy as a result of these activities. The Deputy will also be aware that ISIF invests across a range of sectors, namely Housing and Enabling Investments; Climate; Scaling Indigenous Businesses; and Food and Agriculture and alongside a diverse range of corporate structures.
The impacts of these investment include 42,454 Jobs supported by ISIF capital resulting in a wage bill of €1.5 billion. 44 per cent of these jobs are outside of Dublin. The investments result in a Gross Value Add of €2.3 billion and exports of €1.4 billion.
Further detail is available in the ISIF 2023 mid-year update available at isif.ie/uploads/publications/MidYearUpdate2023.pdf . All figures are preliminary and unaudited.
49. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the amount paid in late payment interest payments for goods and services provided to his Department in each of the years from 2016 to date in 2023; and separately, the top five highest late interest payments made in each of those years, and the service and goods supplier that received the payments, in tabular form. [52652/23]
View answerThe Deputy may be aware that there are three relevant Votes within my Department. The late payment interest for each of these Votes under the headings requested is set out in the tables at the link (all figures rounded to the nearest Euro).
50. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the reason and how the State acted with such alacrity on the purchase of a property at Dowth, while still delaying on the purchase of lands at Castletown to the degree the current owner has withdrawn their proposal to sell, due to lack of appropriate engagement; and if he will publish the timeline of the transaction regarding Dowth in order that Dáil Éireann and the public might examine, compare and contrast the State approach to the two acquisitions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52688/23]
View answerThe Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage recently reached agreement to purchase the Dowth Hall Demesne in Co. Meath. This 552 acre site contains valuable elements of natural, archaeological and architectural heritage and will be managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) in collaboration with the National Monuments Service (NMS) and the Office of Public Works (OPW) as a new National Park to ensure the preservation of these features for the people of Ireland.
The NPWS, the NMS and the OPW will work together to deliver a Masterplan for the property that allows for the protection, presentation and management of this area of the Boyne Valley for the people of Ireland. Management of Dowth Hall and lands will form part of the existing Brú na Bóinne Management Plan and strengthen the vision for the protection of Dowth’s remarkable heritage, including the Neolithic passage tomb discovered in 2017 under Dowth Hall itself.
I understand that this property was brought to the open market and that the Department is currently in the process of finalising this acquisition.
As part of the policy to seek to reunite the historic Castletown demesne lands with the house and lands in the care of the State, the OPW has sought on several occasions to purchase the lands from Janus Securities including when the lands were offered for sale on the open market in 2022. However, despite the very best efforts of the OPW, the State was out-bid in the open market process and ultimately, the lands were acquired by a private purchaser.
The OPW has engaged, and continues to engage, with the private landowner but there has been no outcome to date. The most recent correspondence issued by OPW to the new landowner was 13 October 2023, 19 October 2023, 27 October 2023 and 9 November 2023 with further correspondence due to issue in the coming days. As these are commercial negotiations, it would not be appropriate to comment any further.
51. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the status of the State acquisition of the lands at Castletown; the timeline of each and all engagements by the OPW with the current owner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52689/23]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) continues to engage with the private landowners at Castletown Estate with a view to either purchasing all or a portion of the lands under consideration at an acceptable cost or to agree a means for the public to pass over and park on the privately owned lands.
Through the Chief State Solicitors Office, the OPW issued correspondence to the private landowners on 13 October 2023, 19 October 2023, 27 October 2023 and 9 November 2023. As the Deputy will be aware, the OPW issues all correspondence relating to property-related matters without prejudice and subject to contract/contract denied. This is standard practice in all dealings or communications relating to property issues.
Please see attached timeline of engagements with the private landowners from April to November 2023.
52. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to provide a list of all EU Directives which have not yet been ratified within his Department; the estimated date of ratification of each Directive; and the deadline set by the EU for ratifying each Directive, in tabular form. [52712/23]
View answerThere are currently no EU directives which have not yet been ratified within the Department of Public Expenditure NDP Delivery and Reform.
53. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh den Aire Caiteachais Phoiblí, Seachadta ar an bPlean Forbartha Náisiúnta, agus Athchóirithe an bhfuil sé sásta bualadh le toscaireacht ón earnáil Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta maidir leis an bPlean Fáis, plean infheistíochta atá seolta ag Conradh na Gaeilge agus a bhfuil tacaíocht aige ó bhreis is 130 grúpa fud fad na tíre, chun caiteachas don earnáil a phlé i gcomhthéacs chaiteachas iomlán an Stáit, ní hamháin buiséad Roinn na Gaeltachta; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [52778/23]
View answerIs ag an Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán agus ag Aire Stáit na Gaeltachta atá an phríomhfhreagracht maidir leis an nGaeilge agus pobal na Gaeilge. Is é sin an bealach is fearr agus is oiriúnaí chun an seasamh iomlán maidir le polasaí agus cleachtadh Gaeilge ar fud an Rialtais a phléigh. Táim sásta ar ndóigh, agus bheadh an Rialtas sásta chomh maith, aon mholadh a thabharfaidh an Roinn sin chun cinn a mheas.
54. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will review the impact of coastal protection works at Rossbeigh, County Kerry; if he will consider a view sent in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52892/23]
View answerErosion of the sand dunes at Rossbeigh is particularly evident from 2001 onwards. This erosion impacted both the width and volume of the sand dunes, particularly in the northern extent, culminating in a breach of the sand dunes in December 2008. Both the accelerated erosion from 2001 onwards, and the breach itself in 2008 can be linked to a spike in the frequency and duration of storm events which would have contributed directly to the behaviour of the dune system.
The dune system has continued to evolve since the breach, with a variety of post-breach surveys and analysis undertaken to help monitor this behaviour. This evolution occurs over years or even decades. The breach has widened gradually over time, as would be expected, and a further loss in the area of sand dunes at Rossbeigh has been observed.
Aided by the formation of a sand bar to the seaward side of the dune habitat, the rate of vegetation loss has decreased over the years. Colonisation of marram grass around the breached area and an increase in the overall vegetated area have been evident in recent years. The observed regeneration of the dune habitat will remain vulnerable to storm events in particular, but will continue to be monitored, with a particular focus on sediment transport processes and the evolution of the breach location.
There is no evidence to support the removal of the installed rock armour at the southern extent of Rossbeigh. This rock armour protects dune habitat, the access road, and the playground. The removal of the rock armour would increase the vulnerability of these assets.
It is also noted that the dune system as a whole is still in a phase of post-breach evolution. The formation of offshore features and tidal channels impacts on the existing breach and are directly linked to sediment transport processes in the area.
The installation of groynes would represent a significant human intervention impacting sediment transport processes. Whilst the merits of such interventions remain under consideration if they are beneficial to the long-term sustainability of the dune system, there is no merit in the installation of such measures at this time, particularly considering the more recent recovery of the dune habitat.
A variety of monitoring has taken place over the years. Satellite imagery and aerial photography provide an excellent source of data to quantify and monitor change including the area of dune habitat, the width of the spit, the migration of the vegetation line, and the evolution of sand bars. A range of topographical and bathymetry survey is available to complement the aerial photography and satellite imagery and assist in monitoring the evolution of Rossbeigh. Aerial photography and digital elevation data was also collected by the OPW as part of the Coastal Aerial LiDAR Survey 2021 – South to West Coast of Ireland project.
This data will feed into the monitoring of physical coastal change and the subsequent assessment of coastal change risk as set out in the Report of the Inter-Departmental Group on National Coastal Change Management Strategy.
Where vulnerable locations are identified, local authorities and State agencies will continue to engage with local communities to help ascertain the most appropriate interventions.
The works referred to in the Question were undertaken by Kerry County Council in 2014 and the OPW is not aware of any study by the Council to assess the impact of the rock armour on sediment transport.
55. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount paid in late payment interest payments for goods and services provided to his Department in each of the years from 2016 to date in 2023; and separately, the top five highest late interest payments made in each of those years, and the service and goods supplier that received the payments, in tabular form. [52644/23]
View answerMy Department and its Offices paid a total of €66,672 in prompt payment interest and compensation to suppliers for the years 2016 up to 24 November 2023 ( see attached table ). The table does not include payments by the Department's Agencies. The table includes details of the top five suppliers who received the largest total in prompt payment interest and compensation in each year and what goods /services were provided by them in relation to that late payment.
56. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 44 of 23 November 2023, if there is no formal mechanism for a member state to call for the European Commission to review or trigger human rights clauses in trade agreements with third countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52664/23]
View answerFurther to my response to Parliamentary Question No.44 of 2023, I noted that the specific steps required for triggering human rights clauses have to be considered with regard to the specific terms of each agreement concerned. Therefore, there is no formal mechanism to direct the Commission, who acts on behalf of Member States, to review or trigger human rights clauses in Free Trade Agreements, as such a process is individual to the respective agreement. The operation of FTAs includes regular dialogue between the Commission and the third country in question.
In terms of individual Member State engagement, trade related matters are raised at Member State level with the Commission, including at meetings of the Trade Policy Committee, and the Foreign Affairs Council on Trade which convenes twice during each Council Presidency term.
In addition, Department officials regularly engage with Commission officials as well as with their counterparts from other Member States, on trade issues of mutual interest or concern.
Finally, the Government pursues extensive bilateral engagement with countries that we have diplomatic relations. Matters of concern can be raised bilaterally, with the view of utilising Ireland's strong diplomatic record, to seek a quick resolution to issues raised, including concerns pertaining to human rights.
57. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide a list of all EU Directives which have not yet been ratified within his Department; the estimated date of ratification of each Directive; and the deadline set by the EU for ratifying each Directive, in tabular form. [52704/23]
View answerThe European Commission publishes the Single Market Scoreboard twice a year which includes a performance overview of Member States in relation to transposition of Directives, and infringement proceedings for non-transposition. The EU Affairs Unit in my Department has responsibility for monitoring the transposition of EU Directives in my Department, and for reporting on the position to the Department's Management Board and to the Department of Foreign Affairs.
It is priority for my Department to ensure that the required transposition deadlines are met for those Directives that fall under the remit of the Department. The transposition of EU Directives features as a Standing Item on the agenda of my Department’s Management Board. A weekly report on progress on transposition or part transposition is provided from any Business Units involved in the transposition of a Directive (either by Primary Legislation or Secondary Legislation).
Within my Department, transposition is also monitored through an internal EU Directives Database which provides a central management and information tool to track the implementation of Directives on an ongoing basis.
At a central level, the Department of Foreign Affairs monitors the transposition of EU Directives through a central EU Returns Database. Officials in my Department provide updates to this central Database as and when changes are inputted to the internal EU Directives Database and also provides updated details on my Department’s website.
Details requested by the Deputy on EU Directives currently being transposed by my Department and Codified Directives currently awaiting transposition are in the below tables.
EU Directives currently being transposed as of 24 November 2023
|
Directive |
Deadline for Transposition |
Estimated Date of Transposition |
|
Directive (EU) 2022/431 of 9 March 2022 amending Directive 2004/37/EC on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens or mutagens at work |
05/04/24 |
It is expected that the transposition deadline of 5 April 2024 will be met. |
|
Directive (EU) 2022/2041 of 19 October 2022 on adequate minimum wages in the European Union. |
15/11/24 |
It is expected that the transposition deadline of 15 November 2024 will be met. |
|
Directive (EU) 2022/2464 of 14 December 2022 amending Regulation (EU) No 537/2014, Directive 2004/109/EC, Directive 2006/43/EC and Directive 2013/34/EU, as regards corporate sustainability reporting. |
06/07/24 |
It is expected that the transposition deadline of the 6 July 2024 will be met.
|
|
Directive (EU) 2023/7020 amending Directive 2013/34/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the adjustments of the size criteria for micro, small, medium-sized and large undertakings or groups. |
TBC– 12 months after entry into force |
The Commission will observe a two-month period of scrutiny for the Parliament and Council and once concluded will publish the delegated directive in the official journal.
Member states will have 12 months from the date of entry into force to transpose the requirements into national legislation. |
Codified Directives currently awaiting transposition as at 24 November 2023
|
Directive |
Deadline for Transposition |
Estimated Date of Transposition |
|
Directive 2004/37/EC on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens or mutagens at work (Codified) |
Codification brings together previous legislation in a single new act. There are no timelines required for the transposition of codified Directives. |
The timeframe for transposition of this Directive is dependent on the progression of other chemical agents/carcinogens legislative requirements on which legal advice has been received |
58. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has had an opportunity to read the Plean Fáis: an Investment Plan for Irish and the Gaeltacht, launched by Conradh na Gaeilge and which has the support of 138 language and Gaeltacht groups, since it was brought to his attention in Dáil Éireann on 20 September; if he will meet a delegation from these groups regarding the plan to discuss it in the context of enterprise and employment as it relates to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52766/23]
View answerI understand that Plean Fáis, Conradh na Gaeilge's Irish Language and Gaeltacht Investment Plan, was published on the 29th September.
I note that the actions in the Plan that relate to entrepreneurship supports and employment creation are proposed for delivery by Údarás na Gaeltachta, which is the statutory agency for the economic, linguistic and cultural development of the Gaeltacht.
It would therefore be appropriate to direct questions relating to these proposed actions to my colleague the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, under whose remit Údarás na Gaeltachta falls.
However, I would of course consider an invitation to meet a delegation to discuss enterprise and employment.
59. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the total value of Government funding allocated to the NDRC accelerator and NDRC pre-accelerator and the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund between 2017 and 2023. [52796/23]
View answerMy colleague, Minister Eamon Ryan T.D., Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications has responsibility for the NDRC accelerator and NDRC pre-accelerator and has provided the information below.
NDRC is one of the State’s supports for early-stage enterprises operating in the pre-seed investment funding gap between entrepreneurs/researchers and the commercial investment sector offering accelerator and pre-seed support for enterprises in the digital sector.
NDRC was initially established in 2006 under a Concession Agreement. The initial value of the concession agreement was €5m per annum and was €3.5m annually since 2013.
Following a procurement process a contract was awarded in November of 2020 to Dogpatch Labs to continue the NDRC supported by its regional partners in Kerry, Cork and Galway. This contract expires in 2025 and has a value of €3.5million per annum.
My colleague, Minister Michael McGrath T.D., Minister for Finance has responsibility for the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) and can be contacted on this.
60. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education the amount paid in late payment interest payments for goods and services provided to her Department in each of the years from 2016 to date in 2023; and separately, the top five highest late interest payments made in each of those years, and the service and goods supplier that received the payments, in tabular form. [52643/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, under the Prompt Payment Act 1997, and later the SI 580 2012 European Communities (Late Payment in Commercial Transactions) Regulations 2012, my Department is required to pay Prompt Payment Interest on valid invoices that are not processed within 30 days. The Department applies a daily interest rate (which is the ECB rate of plus the margin of 8%), followed by a compensating amount based on the value of the invoice, as follows: Invoice Amount not exceeding €1,000 - Compensation of €40; Invoice Amount exceeding €1,000 but not exceeding €10,000 - Compensation of €70; and Invoice Amount exceeding €10,000 - Compensation of €100.
My Department monitors these payments to ensure that they are paid as promptly as possible and to reduce the possibility of Prompt Payment Interest and associated compensation being applied.
At present my Department provides a financial shared service to the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (D/FHERIS). From January 2020 to March 2021 all published Prompt Payment returns for the Department of Education and D/FHERIS were reported under the Department of Education. This was due to the establishment of D/FHERIS during 2020 and the requirement for both Departments to use a common financial management system until the system was updated. Following the successful update to the financial management system, from April 2021 onwards, the system is able to fully separate out the Prompt Payment returns between the two Departments.
All Prompt Payment amounts are published each quarter and can be found here – www.gov.ie/en/collection/396d1d-prompt-payment-returns/.
The following is a summary by year of the costs included in the published reports since 2016.
• 2016: €3,017
• 2017: €4,137
• 2018: €5,014
• 2019: €7,552
• 2020: €7,270
• 2021: €21,143
• 2022: €9,194
• 2023: €12,491 (Jan-Sep)
The following is a summary of the top five highest late interest payment made in each of these years and the service and goods supplier that received the payments:
|
2016 |
|
|
Supplier |
Amount |
|
CSM PPP SERVICES LTD |
1,005.22 |
|
FOCUS EDUCATION (NMC) LIMITED |
653.65 |
|
CAREY MURPHY & PARTNERS |
206.87 |
|
DUBLIN BUS |
149.84 |
|
HOPE AUTISM CARE CENTRE LIMITED |
120.65 |
|
2017 |
|
|
Supplier |
Amount |
|
GLASGIVEN CONTRACTS LIMITED |
838.87 |
|
ESB NETWORKS |
230.25 |
|
ESB NETWORKS |
192.99 |
|
MEDIAVEST LTD |
161.65 |
|
XDOX LIMITED |
133.81 |
|
2018 |
|
|
Supplier |
Amount |
|
CASTLETHORN CONSTRUCTION |
403.29 |
|
GREYSTONES RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB |
359.90 |
|
INSTASPACE LIMITED |
182.43 |
|
VAN DIJK ARCHITECTS LTD |
180.34 |
|
MCGAHON SURVEYORS LTD |
159.21 |
|
2019 |
|
|
Supplier |
Amount |
|
JONIX EDUCATIONAL SERVICES |
236.10 |
|
CAIRN HOMES PROPERTIES LIMITED |
949.21 |
|
CAIRN HOMES PROPERTIES LIMITED |
949.21 |
|
HOPE AUTISM CARE CENTRE LIMITED |
224.46 |
|
BROTHERS OF CHARITY SERVICES ROSCOMMON*19235 |
624.59 |
|
2020 |
|
|
Supplier |
Amount |
|
MEDMARK LTD |
472.32 |
|
THE SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH IN IRELAND |
374.49 |
|
SPECTRUM LIFE |
292.46 |
|
SPECTRUM LIFE |
258.92 |
|
FIONNUALA NI MHUIRI |
178.35 |
|
2021 |
|
|
Supplier |
Amount |
|
KSN PROJECT MANAGEMENT*22040 |
3,197.62 |
|
INSTASPACE LIMITED |
1,283.01 |
|
ERNST AND YOUNG |
609.90 |
|
EXTRASPACE |
578.96 |
|
CABINPAC LIMITED |
508.86 |
|
2022 |
|
|
Supplier |
Amount |
|
COADY PARTNERSHIP ARCHITECTS |
165.71 |
|
CORE INTERNATIONAL |
108.74 |
|
MICROMAIL |
112.54 |
|
HIBERNIA EVROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP |
158.94 |
|
ITEXT SOFTWARE BVBA |
151.19 |
|
2023 to Sept |
|
|
Supplier |
Amount |
|
INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION |
267.42 |
|
ALL EVENT PRODUCTIONS LTD |
196.70 |
|
ELECTRIC IRELAND |
614.05 |
|
STEALTH TRANSLATIONS LTD |
614.70 |
|
VERSION 1 |
340.68 |
61. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education when the ASD special class will open in a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52671/23]
View answerEnabling 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 1,216 SNAs will be added to deliver up to 2,700 new places for children with special educational needs. This will mean we will have over 41,500 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.
My department engage intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places.?This forward planning work is well underway ahead of the 2024/25 school year. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class places, an analysis of available school accommodation, consideration of improved data sharing arrangements and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level.
384 new special classes – 251 at primary and 133 at post-primary level – have been sanctioned by the NCSE for opening this school year.
Of these new classes, 71 are in Dublin, with 48 at primary level and 23 at post-primary level. These new classes will bring the total number of special classes in Co. Dublin to 534.
In relation to the school referred to by the Deputy, a major building is being planned for this school which includes remediation works. The design team is due to submit a report to my department in the coming weeks. This report will include a proposed programme of works for the project including a proposal as to how the necessary remediation works can be completed.
My department and the NCSE will continue to monitor the need for a special class as part of these works and the need for special classes in the local area.
My department and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements will be available for children for this school year and future years.
My department will continue to support the NCSE and schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children are successful in accessing an education.
62. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Education the status of the provision of a new school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52686/23]
View answerSince 2020, the Department of Education has invested in the region of €3.5 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 690 school building projects, and with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects. School building projects at construction involve an overall State investment of over €1.2 billion. We also have 200 modular accommodation projects that are very well advanced for delivery or at construction stage. This is a record level of investment in our schools and highlights the Government’s very strong track record of delivery in providing additional capacity and modern facilities for our school communities.
I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of an application for a new school building from the school authority in question. The school also made an application under the Additional School Accommodation, or ASA, Scheme. The purpose of the ASA scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream and special education classroom accommodation is available to cater for pupils in the area and where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation or at other nearby schools.
As the Deputy may be aware, I met with the school authorities in relation to their ASA application in June 2021. Following this meeting I directed an official from my Planning and Building Unit's Professional and Technical section to visit the school. This technical assessment identified certain complexities with the existing school properties, including challenges with access and the topography of the school's two sites.
My Department is currently considering the optimum way forward for the school in question following this technical report. Given the identified complexities with the existing school properties there is a particular challenge in identifying a solution to the school’s accommodation needs that will support the continued effective operation of the school while presenting a sustainable solution to meet the primary school place needs in the area in the longer term. Demographic trends and capacity at other schools in the area form part of this consideration.
In the first instance, my Department has a focus on any school accommodation provision that may be required in the short- to medium-term and, in that context, modular accommodation to facilitate two additional classrooms was approved for the school in question in 2022.
The main focus of my Department’s capital funding over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of critical additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics and children with special education needs.
The Department is required to manage the overall school building programme so that we target and prioritise areas that are under greatest pressure for additional school places. This reflects our fundamental objective of ensuring the availability of a school place for every child.
The overall position with regard to potential modernisation and replacement of existing infrastructure will be kept under review as capital funding allocations for future years are clarified.
The Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform will be engaging with Departments on NDP allocations for the period 2026 to 2028 over the coming months, with allocation decisions expected during the first half of 2024.
I can assure the Deputy that the provision of required school places, including for children with special educational needs, is a priority for my Department and my officials are working to ensure that there is sufficient provision to meet the school place needs in the school in question and the wider School Planning Area for future years.
63. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education when schools in County Cork will be eligible to apply for the solar for schools programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52691/23]
View answerI was delighted to launch, together with the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, Ossian Smyth, the first phase of the Schools Photovoltaic Programme on 23rd November.
It will allow up to 4,000 schools nationwide to get solar PV panels to reduce their energy bills and their carbon emissions. This ties in with the strong ethos of environmental awareness and climate sustainability among our students and the wonderful work they do in this area, most notably with the Green Flag initiative
It will provide eligible schools with 6 kWp of roof-mounted solar PV, which equates to approximately 16 solar panels.
The scheme will be funded from the Government’s Climate Action Fund, in line with the Government’s recognition that taking action on climate change is central to Ireland’s social and economic development.
The scheme will assist schools in reducing their energy costs and their carbon footprint as part of the response to meeting the 2030 and 2050 Climate Action Plan targets for the schools sector.
The Schools Photovoltaic Programme will be rolled out on a phased basis, commencing with a call for applications to over 1,600 schools from 11 designated areas across the country.
Schools in the following areas are invited to participate in the first phase: Co. Clare, Co. Donegal, Dublin City Council area, Co. Galway, Co. Kerry, Co. Kilkenny, Co. Leitrim, Co. Limerick, Co. Offaly, Co. Waterford and Co. Wicklow
The intention is to include all remaining counties in Q4 2024.
It is intended that all eligible schools across the country, including all schools situated in County Cork, will have the opportunity to apply to the scheme by the end of 2024.
The phasing of the programme will ensure a managed and steady flow of work for solar PV contractors. The data gathered during the first phase will also allow for any improvements in the design of the scheme to be implemented in the second and third phases.
Counties in the first phase were selected to obtain a good geographical spread including a balance of rural, urban, island, Gaeltacht schools in all regions of the country, as well as targeting counties that have not benefitted from other recent Department of Education climate related initiatives.
