Written Answers Nos. 95-114
95. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of residential units where a filing has been made but not yet executed with respect to the 10% rate of stamp duty applying to the acquisition of certain residential property where a person acquires at least ten such units during any 12-month period, in 2023, disaggregated by county if possible. [3347/24]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that Stamp Duty information is only available for analysis once a filing is executed, therefore the requested information cannot be provided to the Deputy.
96. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Finance the percentage of social media videos posted on his Departmental social media accounts or the social media accounts of public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit, that included closed captioning/subtitling and Irish sign language translations between 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2023, inclusive. [3363/24]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that of the social media videos posted by my Department during the timeframe specified, 66% included closed captioning/subtitles and none included Irish sign language translations.
I am advised that of the social media videos posted by the bodies under the aegis of my Department in 2023, none included Irish sign language translations. The position in relation to closed captioning/subtitling by these bodies is set out below.
100% of the videos posted on social media by the Central Bank of Ireland included closed captioning/subtitles. The Bank can provide captioned versions of all its videos, as well as downloadable transcripts on its website, centralbank.ie.
100% of the videos posted on social media by the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman included closed captioning/subtitles.
In respect of Home Building Finance Ireland, 91% of the videos posted on social media included closed captioning/subtitles.
100% of the videos posted by the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council on its social media account included closed captioning/subtitles. All posts can be translated, providing web browser translator tool is enabled and the user has translation services enabled within social media platform(s).
92% of the videos posted on social media by the National Treasury Management Agency included closed captioning/subtitles.
27% of the videos posted on social media by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General included closed captioning/subtitles.
100% of social media videos posted by the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland on its social media account included closed captioning/subtitles.
97. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the reason why Kilmainham Gaol has moved from a seven to five day a week opening hours; when this last took place (excluding closures for national holidays and pandemic related reasons); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3157/24]
View answerFirstly, can I reassure the Deputy that the move to a five-day week offering for Kilmainham Gaol is a very temporary measure.
It is with great regret that my officials had to take this short-term measure as a last resort in the context of a recruitment shortfall which has resulted in a reduced staffing roster at the Gaol.
Unfortunately, the current arrangements arise from the recent departure of a number of permanent Guide staff who took up new roles outside the organisation in the latter end of 2023. There has been a short but unavoidable delay in the recruitment of permanent staff to backfill these positions which regrettably has resulted in a reduced workforce to staff and operate the Gaol and museum. This situation is currently being addressed as a matter of priority and it is envisaged that the site will return to seven-day operations by mid to end of February.
While the site may be closed generally to the public on Mondays and Tuesdays for the next few weeks, please be assured that tour bookings which were booked and confirmed are being honoured by a skeleton staff. This current arrangement also ensures that the site operates as normal with full opening to public Wednesday to Sunday each week which are generally the busiest days.
It is hoped that we will be successful in recruiting new staff for the Gaol in the upcoming Permanent Guide competitions to fill the current vacancies.
The OPW is taking this opportunity to undertake some outstanding maintenance tasks within the Gaol.
98. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the number of tour guides who formerly worked in Kilmainham Gaol, on both seasonal and permanent contracts, who are now working in other OPW heritage sites. [3158/24]
View answerAvailable records for this query exist from 2014.
12 tour guides who formerly worked in Kilmainham Gaol, on both seasonal and permanent contracts, are now working in other OPW heritage sites.
99. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform given the recruitment issues for guiding staff in heritage sites, as evidenced by multiple seasonal calls in 2023, if his Department will move to a model which ensures that the majority of guiding staff, that is those below head guide/supervisor levels are employed on a full time basis in sites which are open year round such as Kilmainham Gaol. [3159/24]
View answerIt is planned to recruit a further 6 permanent guides for Kilmainham Gaol this year and these new posts will be advertised in March. However there will still continue to be a role and requirement for seasonal guides at Kilmainham Gaol to address variations in visitor numbers. As a result, the OPW will continue to operate the model at Kilmainham Gaol involving both fulltime permanent and seasonal guides. This model will also continue to apply in other relevant locations to ensure that variations in visitor numbers are managed effectively across the OPW's sites.
100. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the estimated cost to the Exchequer of an increase of 1.5% or €750, whichever is greater, for all public sector workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3230/24]
View answerThe public service pay bill as set out in Budget 2024, inclusive of Local Authorities, is estimated at €26.8 billion. The estimated cost of providing for a 1.5% or €750, whichever is greater, increase in annualised basic salaries for full time public servants is set out in the table below.
|
Increase |
Estimated Cost |
|
1.5% or €750, whichever is greater |
€0.5 billion |
These are full year costs, inclusive of basic pay increases, employer PRSI costs and pension impacts.
101. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to provide figures for the number of staff directly employed in his Department who work from home/remotely as part of their working week; the percentage of staff on an overall basis who work from home at least one day a week; the number of working hours on average per week that staff in his Department work from home; the gender breakdown of those who avail of the opportunity to work from home/remotely; if they will provide the figures for 2022 and 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3243/24]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy in respect of my Department is set out in the table below:
|
Year |
Number of staff directly employed |
Number of staff who work remotely as part of the working week |
Percentage of staff who work remotely as part of the working week |
Number of hours on average per week that staff work from home |
Gender Breakdown of staff who work remotely |
|
2022 |
688 |
342 |
49.7% |
14 |
Male – 53% Female – 47% |
|
2023 |
729 |
506 |
69.4% |
14 |
Male – 49% Female – 51% |
102. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to provide figures for the number of staff directly employed in agencies and bodies directly under his aegis who work from home/remotely as part of their working week; the percentage of staff on an overall basis who work from home at least one day a week; the number of working hours on average per week that staff in relevant agencies and bodies work from home; the gender breakdown of those who avail of the opportunity to work from home/remotely; if he will provide the figures for 2022 and 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3261/24]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy, which was provided by the bodies under the aegis of my Department, is outlined in the table below. The State Laboratory will write to the Deputy directly to provide the information sought in respect of that body.
|
Name of Public Body |
Year |
Number of staff directly employed |
Percentage of staff who work at least one day a week remotely |
Number of working hours on average per week that staff work from home |
Gender Breakdown of those who work remotely |
|
OPW Operational* |
2022 |
1,231 |
3.2% |
15.6 hours |
Female – 61.5% Male – 37.5% Unknown – 1% |
|
OPW Operational* |
2023 |
1,269 |
3.6% |
15.6 hours |
Female – 63% Male – 37% |
|
OPW Established* |
2022 |
892 |
78.2% |
21.5 hours |
Female – 49% Male – 51% |
|
OPW Established* |
2023 |
1,003 |
71.9% |
21.6 hours |
Female – 51% Male – 49% |
|
Office of the Ombudsman** |
2022 |
155 |
96.8% |
17.5 hours |
Female – 57% Male – 43% |
|
Office of the Ombudsman** |
2023 |
156 |
96.8% |
17.5 hours |
Female – 53% Male – 47% |
|
Public Appointment Service |
2022 |
283 |
99% |
21 hours |
Female – 62% Male – 37% Unknown (1%) |
|
Public Appointment Service |
2023 |
311 |
99% |
21 hours |
Female – 62% Male – 37% Unknown (1%) |
|
National Shared Services Office |
2022 |
827 |
85.5% |
28.4 hours |
Female –70% Male – 30% |
|
National Shared Services Office |
2023 |
820 |
87.4% |
28 hours |
Female – 70% Male –30% |
|
Office of the National Lottery Regulator |
2022 |
11 |
91% |
24.5 hours |
Female – 70% Male – 30% |
|
Office of the National Lottery Regulator |
2023 |
11 |
91% |
21 hours |
Female – 70% Male – 30% |
* OPW Operational Staff are State Industrial Staff whose roles are largely outdoors as Guides, Gardeners, Arterial Drainage/Maintenance Staff and their roles cannot be done remotely. OPW Established Staff are largely office or depot based and their roles can be effectively carried out remotely. The two groups are reported separately due to the unique staffing composition of the OPW.
** The Office of the Ombudsman comprises the Office of the Ombudsman, the Standards in Public Office Commission, the Commission for Public Service Appointments, the Office of the Information Commissioner, the Commissioner for Environmental Information and the Office of the Protected Disclosures Commissioner.
103. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the percentage of social media videos posted on his Departmental social media accounts or the social media accounts of public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit, that included closed captioning/subtitling and Irish sign language translations between 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2023, inclusive. [3369/24]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that 60.5% of the social media posts published by my Department during 2023 included closed captioning or subtitles. None of these posts used Irish Sign Language. The Deputy may wish to note that these functionalities apply to video posts only. In addition, 20% of the Department’s videos also consisted only of text or images with no voice over and so did not require closed captioning / subtitles / sign language.
The following table outlines the position with regard to the bodies under the aegis of my Department. The Deputy may wish to note that the State Laboratory and the Office of the National Lottery Regulator do not use or post on social media platforms.
Bodies under the aegis of the Department
|
|
Included closed captioning/subtitles |
Irish Sign Language translations |
|
Office of Public Works |
100% |
100% |
|
National Shared Services Office |
50% |
0% |
|
Public Appointments Service |
97% |
2% |
|
Office of the Ombudsman* |
Not applicable* |
Not applicable* |
* All Office of the Ombudsman information videos in 2023 consisted of easy to understand text or images and no voice-over. Therefore, closed captioning/subtitles/sign language was not required. None of the videos were in Irish.
104. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide figures for the number of staff directly employed in his Department who work from home/remotely as part of their working week; the percentage of staff on an overall basis who work from home at least one day a week; the number of working hours on average per week that staff in his Department work from home; the gender breakdown of those who avail of the opportunity to work from home/remotely; if they will provide the figures for 2022 and 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3235/24]
View answer105. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide figures for the number of staff directly employed in agencies and bodies directly under his aegis who work from home/remotely as part of their working week; the percentage of staff on an overall basis who work from home at least one day a week; the number of working hours on average per week that staff in relevant agencies and bodies work from home; the gender breakdown of those who avail of the opportunity to work from home/remotely; if he will provide the figures for 2022 and 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3253/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 104 and 105 together.
The information required by the Deputy is outlined hereunder in tabular form with respect to my Department. In respect of the agencies that come within my remit, they are statutorily independent in their functions and this is an operational matter for them. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the agencies for direct reply.
|
Year |
No. of staff working remotely as part of working week |
% of staff on overall basis who work from home at least 1 day per week |
No. of working hours on average per week staff work from home |
Gender breakdown of those who avail of opportunity to work remotely |
|
2022* |
728 |
79.2% |
14.84 |
426 Female 302 Male |
|
2023 |
791 |
83.4% |
15.05 |
475 Female 316 Male |
* Please note that figures for the Department includes staff working in the Labour Court, The Workplace Relations Commission, the Companies Registration Office, the Registry of Beneficial Ownership, and the Intellectual Property Office of Ireland.
Please note that the ‘no. of working hours on average per week staff work from home’ is calculated as per the number of days and hours per week staff are, on average, approved to work from home.
106. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his assessment of the likely impact of new United Kingdom import controls; the action taken by his Department in relation to this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3353/24]
View answerOn 31st January 2024, the UK Government will introduce the first phase of its much-delayed post-Brexit import controls on goods from the EU, including Ireland. Following Brexit, all EU Member States, including Ireland, introduced full third-country customs and Sanitary and Phyto-sanitary (SPS) checks on imports from Great Britain as per the Union Customs Code and Officials Controls Regulation for SPS goods.
The UK is introducing its new customs and SPS requirements in phases, as set out in its Border Target Operating Model. The first phase is starting on 31 January.
The new UK requirements will be a significant change and will require everyone in the supply chain, and businesses in the agri-food sector in particular, to look at their business model and processes, and adapt them to the new requirements, particularly around timing.
It is important to note that the new UK requirements do not apply to goods moving between Ireland and Northern Ireland, North-South on the island of Ireland.
The Government has been actively encouraging all Irish exporters, in particular exporters of agri-food products, to examine their supply chains and to speak to their customers in the UK - and to their transport and logistics providers - to ensure they are ready for these new UK rules.
The Government has led extensive stakeholder engagement as well as communications and advertising campaigns to make sure that all affected Irish stakeholders (including producers, manufacturers, hauliers, logistics companies, ferry operators and ports) are fully aware of the new UK requirements. This cross-Government engagement has been ramped up ahead of the 31 January milestone and is focussed on assisting Irish exporters to become familiar with and get ready for these changes. Engagement with the UK Government at an operational and official level around preparedness in the UK has been taken place regularly in the lead up to the 31st January.
The Government, including agencies within my Department, have rolled out an intensive communications campaign in recent months to raise awareness among Irish audiences of the new UK rules, including a local and regional media, online and social media advertising campaign. I would encourage all Irish exporters, in particular exporters of agri-food products, to examine their supply chains and to speak to their customers in the UK and to their transport and logistics providers, to ensure they are ready for these new UK rules taking effect at the end of this month.
I would also encourage businesses who export to Great Britain to engage with Enterprise Ireland or the Local Enterprise Office, who provide various supports for Irish exporters. Businesses can also use the gov.ie/Brexit website for more information on the UK Border Target Operating Model.
107. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the percentage of social media videos posted on his Departmental social media accounts or the social media accounts of public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit, that included closed captioning/subtitling and Irish sign language translations between 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2023, inclusive. [3361/24]
View answerI can confirm that 100% of my department’s social media video content included captions during 2023. None of the video content included Irish Sign Language translations in 2023.Please note that the social media activity of the Agencies and Public Bodies under my Department’s remit is an operational matter for those agencies, and I do not have any direct function in these matters.
108. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the number of secondary school spaces that are allocated for students from Newcastle, Dublin 22 primary schools in local secondary schools or nearby secondary schools in other villages (details supplied). [3108/24]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that the provision of school places to meet the needs of children and young people at primary and post primary level, including children and young people with special educational needs is an absolute priority for my Department.
As the Deputy may be aware, while there can be enrolment pressures and demand for additional school places in some areas, it is important to note sometimes this may not be as a result of lack of accommodation, but may be driven by the following factors:
• Duplication of applications
• School of choice
• Single sex schools
• External draw
Notwithstanding the above, in some areas demographic pressures and other factors are driving a requirement for additional school places.
In response to such previously identified demographic pressures, my Department has delivered a Modular Accommodation project in 2022 of an additional 3 main classrooms for Holy Family Community School which allowed for a further 90 mainstream school places. Additionally, my Department is providing significant additional post primary capacity, including new 1,000 pupil school buildings for both Holy Family Community School and Coláiste Pobail Fola. These projects are currently at Stage 3, Tender Stage.
My Department is aware of pressures for school places for the 2024/25 school year in Newcastle. A critical next step for my Department is to establish the actual number of additional first year places required for 2024 in order for an appropriate solution to be put in place. In that context, schools in a number of areas of enrolment pressure, including Newcastle_Rathcoole, have been requested to share data on applications for admissions.
This data has been received by my officials and is currently being analysed with a view to establishing the actual requirement for places. Preliminary assessments indicate that duplications of applications, and applications from outside the local area, are very much contributing to enrolment pressures in the town.
The availability of places is a matter for each individual school in the context of their Admissions legislation. Enrolment data for previous schools years is available on the Department website. Provisional enrolment data for the 2023/24 school year is available of the Departments website at www.gov.ie
My Department is working to clarify the actual requirement for additional school places and to identify particular further capacity requirements for 2024 and forthcoming years. I can assure the Deputy that Department officials will continue to actively engage with schools and patrons to ensure that there is appropriate provision for all students in Newcastle for the 2024/25 school year and into the future. Families can be assured that any necessary solution will be delivered so that all of the children across the School Planning Area will receive a first year place.
109. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if there are plans to develop a secondary school for Newcastle in Dublin 22; and if so, the status of such a plan (details supplied). [3109/24]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, while there can be enrolment pressures and demand for additional school places in some areas, it is important to note sometimes this may not be as a result of lack of accommodation, but may be driven by the following factors:
Duplication of applications
• School of choice
• Single sex schools
• External draw
Notwithstanding the above, in some areas demographic pressures and other factors are driving a requirement for additional school places.
In response to such previously identified demographic pressures, my Department has delivered a Modular Accommodation project in 2022 of an additional 3 main classrooms for Holy Family Community School which allowed for a further 90 mainstream school places. Additionally, my Department is providing significant additional post primary capacity, including new 1,000 pupil school buildings for both Holy Family Community School and Coláiste Pobail Fola. These projects are currently at Stage 3, Tender Stage.
My Department is aware of pressures for school places for the 2024/25 school year in Newcastle. A critical next step for my Department is to establish the actual number of additional first year places required for 2024 in order for an appropriate solution to be put in place. In that context, schools in a number of areas of enrolment pressure, including Newcastle_Rathcoole, have been requested to share data on applications for admissions.
This data has been received by my officials and is currently being analysed with a view to establishing the actual requirement for places. Preliminary assessments indicate that duplications of applications, and applications from outside the local area, are very much contributing to enrolment pressures in the town.
My Department is working to clarify the actual requirement for additional school places and to identify particular further capacity requirements for 2024 and forthcoming years. I can assure the Deputy that Department officials will continue to actively engage with schools and patrons to ensure that there is appropriate provision for all students in Newcastle for the 2024/25 school year and into the future. Families can be assured that any necessary solution will be delivered so that all of the children across the School Planning Area will receive a first year place.
110. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Education to review correspondence (details supplied); if she will address the issues outlined and provide an update as to when this school will receive the ICT grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3118/24]
View answerThe Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 was published last year and is underpinned by an investment of €200m to support its implementation, committed to under Ireland’s National Development Plan (NDP). The first tranche of €50m issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in late 2021.
The previous Digital Strategy for Schools 2015 to 2020 saw overall investment of €210m issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in annual grant funding. This funding enabled schools to invest in appropriate digital infrastructure to enable the embedding of the use of digital technology in teaching, learning and assessment.
Funding of €50m secured as part of Ireland's National Recovery and Resilience Plan under the NextGenerationEU Recovery and Resilience Facility also issued to all recognised schools in the free education scheme to support learners at risk of educational disadvantage through the digital divide in late 2021.
My Department intends to pay the next tranche of ICT grant funding in the 2023 to 2024 school year. The specific timing for issue of the ICT grant is subject to the availability of Exchequer funding and the wider capital needs of the Department including the building programme to ensure the supply of school accommodation.
As part of the forthcoming Review of the National Development Plan, my Department’s aim is to provide better clarity and certainty for schools on the timelines for payment of minor works and ICT grant funding.
111. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education to outline the process for allocating school buses to schools or to areas within the greater Dublin area. [3120/24]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 161,600 children, including over 135,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 19,800 pupils with special educational needs, and 6,800 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02m.
There has been an overall increase in both applications and tickets issued for the 2023/2024 school year in comparison to the 2022/2023 school year.
The purpose of the scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school. Children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application process on time are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation and where capacity exists.
Under the current terms of the scheme, children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Any children who do not meet these criteria are deemed not eligible, or otherwise known as concessionary applicants, and are allocated a ticket based on the availability of a seat when all eligible children have been catered for.
Temporary Alleviation Measures (TAMS) at post-primary level are continued for the current school year. Under these measures, transport will be provided where there is a route in operation and where capacity exists for concessionary post-primary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school and are attending their second nearest school and who applied and paid on time.
Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only and will be facilitated where spare seats are available after eligible children have been accommodated. Where the number of ineligible children exceeds the number of spare seats available Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for the spare seats using an agreed selection process.
Bus Éireann is responsible for the planning and timetabling of school transport routes on behalf of my Department. New school transport routes are established on a demand-led basis, subject to eligibility requirements. A minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the establishment or retention of school transport services, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits.
112. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education if she will fund the establishment of a special class building for a school (details supplied). [3138/24]
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.
In 2023, my department spent over €2.6 billion on special education and further progress will be made this year as an additional €113m will be dedicated to providing supports for children with special educational needs.
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 2024, the number of teaching and SNA posts in our schools will increase with an additional 744 teachers and 1,216 SNAs 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.
Over the last number of years, my department and the NCSE have introduced a number of strategic initiatives to plan for and provide sufficient special class and special school places.
These initiatives are bearing fruit with almost 1,300 new special classes sanctioned and seven new special schools established over the last four years.
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.
As a result of this forward planning, Minister Foley and l announced the establishment of two special schools for this current school year, with further capacity being expanded in 11 other special schools and that a further four special schools for the 2024/25 school year will be established.
Along with the two new special schools, 389 new special classes – 253 at primary and 136 at post-primary level – have been sanctioned by the NCSE for opening this current school year.
Of these, 76 are in Cork - 52 at primary level and 24 at post-primary level, bringing the total number of classes in Co. Cork to 496.
The NCSE actively encourages expressions of interest from schools to open special classes, and I appreciate and commend the efforts taken by Boards of Management in expressing their interest.
When assessing the needs in the local area, the NCSE identify schools in the neighbouring vicinity with available special class vacancies and assess their capability with consideration to demographical and statistical data. The availability of school accommodation is a key consideration as well.
The NCSE is continually working with schools to expand specialist placements to ensure that there are adequate and appropriate places in special classes in schools in students’ local communities.
The NCSE has advised that the local special educational needs organiser (SENO) for the school remains available to provide advice on opening additional special classes.
Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes. The local SENOs remain available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available at: www.ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list
Information on the list of schools with special classes, the types and locations of these classes is published on the NCSE website and is available at: www.ncse.ie/special-classes
I want to assure you also that 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.
113. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Education the expected timeline for a decision on an application for capital funding, under the additional school accommodation scheme, from a school (details supplied) for special class accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3153/24]
View answerThe project to which the Deputy refers, was approved a project under my Department’s Additional School Accommodation Scheme (ASA) in January 2024 for the provision of 1 mainstream classroom and 2 class SEN base.
This project has now been devolved to the school authorities for delivery.The school authority is now required to appoint a Design Team to prepare a Stage 1 design report, which will then be submitted to my Department for review by the Department officials and progression of the project.
114. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 680 of 17 January 2024, when the next round of applications will open; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3166/24]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that it is not possible to commit to a date or a new round of funding at this time. As the Deputy will be aware, any future funding is contingent on the budgetary resources available to the Department and the priorities and demands relating to the budget.
