Written Answers Nos. 141-160
141. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education the steps her Department is taking in relation to the establishment of a citizens' assembly on education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52496/23]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to establishing a Citizens’ Assembly on the Future of Education ensuring that the voices of young people and those being educated are central.
The Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use recently held its final meeting and the final report from this assembly is scheduled to be published before the end of 2023.
The establishment of the Citizens’ Assembly on the Future of Education and its Terms of Reference will be the subject of a Government decision and resolutions of the Dáil and Seanad at the appropriate time. Citizens’ Assemblies operate independently of the Government with secretariat support provided by the Department of the Taoiseach.
My officials have engaged in ongoing contact with the Department of the Taoiseach and ongoing discussion with key stakeholders across school communities on the Programme for Government commitment and will continue to do so.
The commitment in the Programme for Government also states that the voices of young people and those being educated will be central to this Assembly. The impact that children and young people have on shaping their own learning experiences is a focus of the work of my Department.
I strongly support the meaningful participation of children and young people in this process.
We will also continue to listen carefully to the views of parents, teachers, school leaders and all those in school communities who help shape our education system.
142. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education if the forward planning section has assessed the need for additional school places in east Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52495/23]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that requirements for school places is kept under on-going review in the context of available information on population, enrolments and residential development activity.
In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, including CSO Census data, Child Benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level. Dunmore East, Passage, Faithlegg, Woodtown and Gaultier are located in the Waterford school planning area.
Major new residential developments have the potential to alter the demand for school places at a local level. In that regard, as part of the demographic demand analysis, my Department monitors planning and construction activity in the residential sector. This involves the analysis of data sources from Local Authorities and the CSO along with the engagement with local authorities and the construction sector. In this way, up-to-date information on significant new residential developments is obtained and factored into the demographic analysis exercise. This is necessary to ensure that schools infrastructure planning is keeping pace with demographic changes, at a local level, where there is a constantly evolving picture with planned new residential development.
Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, be provided through:
• Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,
• Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
• Provision of a new school or schools.
The peak year for Waterford School Planning Area at Primary Level was 2021.
There are 2 primary school projects planned in the East Waterford. These are:
St Marys NS, Ballygunner (Roll No: 17351A)
Brief: 1x80m2 Mainstream classroom, 1xWC for assisted users, 6xSpecial Education Teaching (SET) rooms.
Project Stage: Stage 2B - Developed Design & lodgement of Planning Permission
Passage East National School (Roll No: 14989L)
Brief: 2 Class SEN Base; 2 x 15m² SET Rooms (prefab replacement)
Project Stage: Stage 1 - Preliminary Design Stage where the Design Team in conjunction with the school authorities, will analyse all the constraints of the site, develop a preferred design option and ensure that the preferred option is the best option for the delivery of the brief.
Details of large-scale projects being delivered under the school building programme may be viewed on my Department's website at www.gov.ie and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.
It is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not always be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by factors such as duplication of applications or school of choice - this is, where pupils can't get a place in their preferred school but there are places in other schools in the area.
My Department has invested significantly in schools in County Waterford over recent years. This investment has focused on provision of additional capacity to cater for its increasing population. My Department will continue to liaise with Local Authorities in respect of their County Development Plan and any associated Local Area Plans with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements across school planning areas including Waterford.
143. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if she plans to take new initiatives to promote the understanding of biodiversity in education programmes, both within and outside the curriculum. [52818/23]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that a second National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development – ESD to 2030 – co-sponsored by my Department, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, was published in June 2022.
ESD to 2030 aims to ensure that all learners have the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development.
ESD, and it’s three pillars: Environmental, Social and Economic sustainability, are embedded across the curriculum at all levels as outlined in an audit published by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) in 2018: esdreport_final_june2018.pdf (ncca.ie)
The NCCA is currently working on updating Aistear, the Early Childhood Curricular Framework in consultation with stakeholders in the early childhood sector. It is envisaged that NCCA will have completed its work on the updated Framework in mid-2024. Proposals include ‘Guidance for Good Practice’ which will be curated as online resources in a Toolkit to support educators in working with the updated Aistear. The proposals in this section make explicit reference to Biodiversity as part of supporting sustainability in the hope that babies, toddlers and young children will come to know about biodiversity.
The Primary School Curriculum is also being redeveloped and the Primary Curriculum Framework (Department of Education, 2023) was launched by Minister Foley, TD on 9 March 2023. The framework was informed by an extensive consultation and while the framework makes no explicit reference to Biodiversity it is implicit through its references to sustainability. It views biodiversity as part of sustainability education.
The eight principles of learning, teaching and assessment in the Primary Curriculum Framework demonstrate the value placed on education for sustainable development, inclusive of biodiversity, during the eight years of primary education. This is needed to further children’s playful and experiences as they deepen their knowledge and understanding of the natural world.
The five curriculum areas currently under development include Social and Environmental Education which makes a valuable contribution to children’s knowledge, understanding and competency of Biodiversity. An overarching consideration for the curriculum development Group includes Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) including Biodiversity and a draft curriculum specification will be available for public consultation in the first half of 2024.
In the context of senior cycle redevelopment, a new subject, Climate Action and Sustainable Development (CASD) is currently being developed. This subject focuses on the development of students’ knowledge on climate change and sustainable development, their skills such as systems thinking, critical thinking, creativity and problem solving, and their dispositions in relation to values and futures thinking. The focus is on motivating students’ to action for a sustainable future. This new subject will enhance and deepen existing cross curricular content.
There are a wide range of ESD related programmes available to schools including for example:
- the Green Schools Programme which engages with more than 90% of schools and includes a strand on Biodiversity.
- the Heritage in Schools Programme provided over 200 free visits to primary schools to raise awareness of biodiversity and associated topics during National Biodiversity Week 2022 and 2023. An estimated 15% of total visits for this period explored the links between climate change and biodiversity.
The Department of Education is working with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to ensure policy alignment between ESD to 2030 and the 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan.
The Department is also engaging with Biodiversity Ireland with a view to commencing work early in 2024 on the development of a basic biodiversity training programme for non-teaching school staff, in accordance with the recommendations of the Citizens Assembly on Biodiversity Loss.
The Scoilnet ESD portal has links for schools to relevant ESD programmes and resources.
A first progress report on implementation of ESD to 2030 will be published shortly setting out some of the key achievements to date including:
- Publication of a Sustainability Toolkit for schools to support them in implementing the School Sector Climate Action Mandate and in particular in adopting Sustainability Policy Statements.
- Funding of almost €550,000 delivered to schools in 2023 to support ESD projects, including projects on biodiversity and school gardens, and a further €270,000 delivered to organisations to support ESD related programmes and projects in schools
- Publication of a quarterly ESD Newsletter – issued to all schools and to over 750 subscribers providing information, advice and examples of good practice for sustainable development in schools including information from time to time on biodiversity initiatives.
- ESD to 2030 has been published by UNESCO as Ireland’s Country Initiative for implementation of Education for Sustainable Development
- The Department hosted an EU Working Group for Schools on Learning for Sustainability in Kinsale Community School in May 2023 focused on collaboration and partnership for ESD.
- The co-sponsoring Departments will host an ESD Forum for key stakeholders on 1st December in TU Dublin, Grangegorman Campus.
- The appointment of the Irish Second Level Students Union (ISSU) to the Board of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment and the nomination of a Youth Representative to the EU ECE Youth Platform for ESD
- The mapping of ESD related Continuing Professional Development for teachers and the inclusion of sustainability as a criteria for summer courses for teachers and in the Refund of Fees scheme for Teachers.
The Sustainability Toolkit, published in September 2023, comprises a self-assessment audit for schools, Sustainability Guidelines including an A – Z of all things ESD including B iodiversity and a Sustainability Policy Statement template.
Further information including the Sustainability Toolkit, ESD Newsletter and ESD Funding grantees and their projects is available on the ESD to 2030 webpage here: gov.ie - National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development in Ireland (www.gov.ie) The progress report will be available here in the coming days.
148. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if there is a viable method to establish a same-day passport service in Cork county/city, mirroring the existing service accessibility found in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50454/23]
View answerThe Passport Online service offers citizens the ability to apply online for their passport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This award-winning service has allowed for the centralisation of passport processing and has resulted in greater efficiencies for our citizens and for the Passport Service. Passport Online is a user-friendly, efficient service that consistently offers processing times up to 4 times faster than paper-based passport renewal applications.
Over 90% of all passport applications are made through Passport Online which is now available to 99.9% of all applicants globally.
The public offices of the Passport Service in Dublin 2 and in Cork operate a four day Urgent Appointment service for renewal applications. Throughout the year, an average of only 24% of appointments available in Cork are booked. The Dublin office also offers a one-day Urgent Appointment service. However only 0.7% of all applicants avail of this service.
The Passport Service estimates the initial capital cost of purchasing and installing a new printer and mailing machine in Cork to be approximately €6 million. In addition to the capital investment, the annual cost of running and maintaining these machines in Cork is estimated to be €600,000 per year.
For these reasons, the Department would need to seriously consider whether a business case can be made to invest this level of funds to facilitate the very small proportion of applicants who wish to have their passport renewed within one day in Cork.
I am satisfied that the current Passport Online service and production capacity meets the needs of passport applicants. The Passport Service will continue to consider ways in which to enhance this essential citizen service.
149. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to outline in detail what steps the Government is taking to strengthen trade and diplomatic ties with European Union member states in light of recent global political developments. [49713/23]
View answerIreland’s co-operation and engagement with our EU partners is an essential part of the response to the geopolitical challenges that we face. We are committed to deepening relationships and alliances with EU Member States, as we are with the EU Institutions.
Ireland has a long-standing policy of maintaining embassies in each EU Member State – reflective of the value we place on diplomatic engagement with our EU partners. Our network of embassies, consulates and state agencies make a central contribution to achieving the Government's trade and investment objectives by coordinating this work in key markets, many of which exist within the EU. The Eurozone is now the second largest export market for Enterprise Ireland clients, with exports up 28% to €7.92bn in 2022.
Under the Global Ireland Strategy we committed to strengthening our diplomatic and enterprise agency presence within the European Union, and we have followed through on that commitment. We have bolstered our presence in key locations across the union, most recently opening a Consulate General in Lyon with work under way to open Consulates in Milan and Munich. Ireland has deepened existing alliances through dedicated strategies and actions plans for the Nordic region, France and Germany, which have delivered in the areas of trade, energy, education and people-to-people.
Ireland continues to strengthen and deepen our prosperity and influence, whilst being committed to a multilateral, rules-based order that supports our ability to trade in a fair and sustainable way. Our Trade and Investment Strategy for 2022-2026 aims to deepen and extend our economic relations, including in Europe.
150. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the situation in Lough Neagh; and if consideration could be given to utilising the resources of the shared island Initiative to alleviate this situation. [41665/23]
View answerI am aware of the concerning reports regarding the ongoing ecological crisis affecting Lough Neagh. The environmental health of Lough Neagh, as the largest freshwater lake on this island, is of vital importance. It is a protected area of special scientific interest and the source of 40% of Northern Ireland’s drinking water.
The proliferation of toxic blue-green algae in the lough’s waters has had very serious consequences for aquatic life, as well as for the many local people whose livelihoods are invested within the lough’s fisheries and recreational enterprises. Multiple factors have made Lough Neagh particularly vulnerable to these perilous algal blooms. The serious and deeply regrettable environmental damage to the lough and its surroundings underlines the need for continued vigilance regarding the health of our inland waters across all parts of the island.
It also re-emphasises the need for a functional Northern Ireland Executive that can deal with this issue and with other ongoing issues of deep public concern in the North. The Government is willing and ready to cooperate on this issue on a cross-border basis with a restored Executive, including through the North South Ministerial Council, as soon as this is possible. The question of resourcing, whether through the Shared Island initiative or otherwise, as part of any cooperation would need to be considered by the relevant Ministers and environmental authorities, North and South.
158. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs how many Irish citizens remain in Gaza, and to comment on the delay in evacuating Irish citizens across the Rafah border; what action is being taken to secure their safe passage; what actions are being taken to ensure humanitarian aid is reaching those affected in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50161/23]
View answerEnsuring the safe exit from Gaza of all Irish citizens and their accompanying dependants who wished to leave has been a priority of the Government and my own department since the outbreak of the current crisis.
My Department and I worked tirelessly to facilitate the necessary clearance by the relevant authorities for Irish citizens, together with dependent family members accompanying them. I spoke personally by phone with Foreign Ministers from across the region, and carried out a visit to the region during which I met with the Foreign Ministers of Egypt and Israel.
To date, my Department has assisted 56 Irish citizens and accompanying dependents to leave Gaza. A small number of Irish citizens remain in Gaza. We will continue to work consistently with the relevant authorities to assist other Irish citizens and accompanying dependants who wish to exit Gaza.
The process by which foreign passport holders and accompanying family members have been cleared to leave Gaza is coordinated by the relevant authorities. The process has been managed on a phased basis given the numbers involved.
Of course I am concerned about the broader civilian population of Gaza. We have been calling for an extended ceasefire, which should facilitate a continued scale up of humanitarian assistance to Gaza’s civilian population. They urgently need fuel, food, water, and medical supplies, on a sustained basis and at scale.
The Government has announced an initial €13 million in additional funding for humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people. This additional funding brings Ireland’s support to the people of Palestine in 2023 to €29 million. Other funding has also been made available through the funds and agencies to whom Ireland provides pre-positioned funding, allowing rapid response in an emergency. This includes the World Health Organisation, CERF and International Federation of the Red Cross.
159. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs how Ireland is working with Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia to support their reform efforts on their paths to membership of the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50238/23]
View answerIreland is a strong supporter of EU Enlargement and supported the decision of the European Council in June 2022 to grant EU Candidate Status to Ukraine and Moldova and potential Candidate Status to Georgia, and we continue to work with all three countries on their paths to European integration. We welcome the reports issued by the Commission, which are a necessary reference point in the next phase in the EU enlargement process.
Ireland is steadfast in our support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s aggression. Ireland has provided over €90 million in stabilisation and humanitarian support and approximately €122 million of non-lethal military assistance under the European Peace Facility to Ukraine. This includes support through the OECD, to strengthen institutions and governance. This programme will help bring Ukraine closer to OECD standards and ultimately also support Ukraine’s accession to the EU.
Ireland has been supporting Moldova to mitigate the impacts of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and on their path towards European integration. Last November Ireland announced €5 million in support to Moldova channelled via the World Bank. In addition to supporting refugees and households, this supported Moldova to build resilience in the energy sector, and enhance resilience. In October 2023 Ireland announced a further €2 million in support through the World Bank, focused on institutional strengthening and critical investments.
Ireland, through our membership of the European Union, continues to support Georgia as it works on the necessary reforms set out by the European Commission. For 2021-2024, EU funding for Georgia is expected to amount to €340 million. Priorities include the economy, institutions, rule of law, security, environment and climate resilience, and gender equality. EU assistance is based on strict conditionality and is linked to satisfactory progress in reforms and the respect of the rule of law and human rights.
160. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs what efforts he is making to help optimise the EU's support for Ukraine against the invasion of that country by Russia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50271/23]
View answer161. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is confident that the European Union's support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity will be maintained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49943/23]
View answer162. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs how he is working to ensure that Ukraine has the multi-faceted support required to ensure that Russia does not succeed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50239/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 160, 161 and 162 together.
Ireland and the European Union have been consistent in our support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s illegal and unjustified war of aggression. Ukraine continues to be a regular focus of discussions at EU level, most recently at the November Foreign Affairs Council where it was clear that Europe's commitment to supporting Ukraine remains steadfast.
The EU's response has been unprecedented in its unity, firmness and determination. It has encompassed political, financial, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support for Ukraine. So far almost 5 million Ukrainian refugees have found sanctuary in EU Member States, with Ireland alone hosting over 100,000 Ukrainians fleeing the war.
While EU Member States may have different positions on individual issues related to Ukraine, this does not detract from the EU’s overall steadfast support to Ukraine. The leaders of EU member states know that continued support for Ukraine is necessary to safeguard the security of Europe as a whole.
Overall assistance to Ukraine pledged at EU and Member State level to date amounts to approximately €85 billion. The European Commission has so far this year disbursed €16.5 billion of an up to €18 billion Macro-Financial Assistance package agreed for Ukraine in 2023. This package will allow Ukraine to continue to pay wages and pensions, maintain essential public services, ensure macroeconomic stability and restore critical infrastructure destroyed by Russia.
In June, European Commission President von der Leyen announced a €50 billion package aimed at covering immediate reconstruction costs and supporting Ukraine over the next four years. The Ukraine Facility, which is still subject to approval by Member States, would ensure the EU’s sustained support for Ukraine as it continues to withstand Russian aggression, while addressing the complex challenges around reconstruction and the reforms underpinning the enlargement process. Ireland is supportive of mechanisms that assist Ukraine and support them on their path to EU membership and we welcome the proposal as a further sign of our commitment to Ukraine.
Russia’s invasion has led to the unprecedented mobilisation of the European Peace Facility (EPF). EU Member States have agreed approximately €5.6 billion in military assistance to Ukraine under the EPF to date, consisting of approximately €5.22 billion for lethal equipment and approximately €380 million for non-lethal equipment. Ireland constructively abstains on all lethal equipment elements of the support packages and our full share of funding – approximately €122 million– is directed exclusively toward non-lethal support.
At the June and October 2023 European Councils, EU leaders agreed to stand ready to contribute to future security commitments to Ukraine and discussions are ongoing in Brussels on this. The Council Conclusions recognise that these commitments will fully respect individual Member States’ security and defence policies.
Ireland strongly supports Ukraine's European perspective. The Commission's enlargement report has recommended opening negotiations with Ukraine, and a decision is expected on the issue at the European Council meeting in December.
The targeted sanctions adopted in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine are the most expansive and hard-hitting sanctions in EU history. Discussions on the proposals for a 12th package of sanctions against Russia are ongoing. Building on the measures introduced in the 11th package, there will be a continued focus on strengthening implementation and combatting circumvention. Ireland has consistently supported strong sanctions in response to Russia’s illegal actions in Ukraine and we continue to emphasise the importance of ensuring that all measures adopted are fully and effectively implemented.
Together with our EU partners, Ireland continues to build support for a just and sustainable peace in Ukraine, including by engaging on President Zelenskyy's peace plan and reiterating key messages on the global consequences of Russia’s invasion with our global partners.
