Written Answers Nos. 47-69
47. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education if an application for additional space by a school (details supplied) for a special unit providing leaving certificate applied tuition can be considered in light of increased roll numbers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4446/24]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that 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 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.
The main focus of my Department’s resources over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of critical additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics. 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.
I can confirm that an application for additional school accommodation (ASA) was received in the Department and based on the school having sufficient permanent and temporary accommodation in place, the ASA was refused.
The purpose of the ASA scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom and Special Education Needs, or SEN, accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.
It is open to the school in question to submit an application for the Department's ASA scheme if there is a change to their enrolments which cannot be managed within the existing building. Any application will be considered by my officials and a decision conveyed directly to the school authorities.
48. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education the number of ASD places available in secondary schools in Ballincollig, County Cork for September 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4455/24]
View answer49. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education the number of ASD places available in secondary schools in Cork city and county for September 2024; if she will provide this information in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4456/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 48 and 49 together.
Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided.
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.
In Co. Cork, 76 new special classes have been sanctioned for opening in the current school year, 52 at primary level and 24 at post-primary level, bringing the total number of special classes in Co. Cork to 496. The vast majority of these classes are autism classes which have a teacher pupil ratio of 1:6.
The attached document provides a breakdown of the autism classes currently sanctioned at post-primary level in Co. Cork for the 2023/24 school year. Planning for special classes and places in Co. Cork and nationwide is currently underway ahead of the 2024/25 school year.
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.
As demand for new special classes at post-primary level is expected to increase significantly over the next few years, due to increasing demographics and increasing prevalence rates, my department and the NCSE have engaged with post-primary stakeholders in relation to the provision of special classes.
My department has communicated to all post-primary schools of the need to begin planning to provide additional special classes. It is envisaged that all post-primary schools will be required to provide special classes over the next 2 to 4 years, with an approximate average of 4 special classes in each school.
The NCSE is committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements will be available for children for this school year and future years.
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 special educational needs organisers (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.
My department and the NCSE are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.
50. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the school building programme in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4457/24]
View answerSince 2020, my Department has invested in the region of €4.3 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 750 school building projects with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes 34 new school buildings.
School building projects at construction involve an overall State investment of over €1.2 billion. We also have a large modular accommodation programme delivering urgently needed school places, of which 33 projects which are at advanced stage of construction and delivery are in county Cork.
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.
Since 2020 in Cork alone, we have invested over €500m in our schools and completed 79 school building projects. We also have construction underway at 19 other projects under the Large Scale and Additional Accommodation Scheme.
The key drivers of capital investment in the schools sector are as follows:
•demographic change, including keeping pace with delivery of SEN and accommodation for Ukrainian pupils particularly at Post Primary level,
•alignment with housing provision and national planning at school planning area level,
•climate action objectives including deep energy retrofit.
Key priorities for my Department are supporting the operation of the school system and adding necessary capacity to cater for special education needs provision, mainstream demographics and catering for students from Ukraine and other countries under the International Protection system.
The current status of all projects, including those in Cork, are listed on a county by county basis at www.gov.ie/en/service/c5b56b-major-projects/ and is updated on a regular basis to reflect their progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.
51. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education when a building project will be progressed (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4464/24]
View answerThe project to which the Deputy refers was approved a project under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme (ASA) for the provision of one Mainstream Classroom.
The school authority was notified of this approval and agreed to adhere to the mandatory procedures and requirements for each stage of the architectural process in order to ensure the project meets my Department’s published standards in design, planning and funding. Unfortunately, these requirements were not adhered to in this instance.
My Department is engaging closely with the school authority in order to resolve any outstanding issues as part of its assessment of the project and will advise the school authority shortly on the outcome of this review.
52. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Oideachais cén costas a bhainfeadh leis an liúntas do mhúinteoirí lánGhaeilge agus Gaeltachta a thabhairt ar ais mar a bhí nuair a cuireadh deireadh leis, agus cén costas a bhainfeadh lena thabhairt de réir ráta a chuimsíonn boilsciú ó cuireadh deireadh leis; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [4470/24]
View answerD'fheidhmigh an roinn toradh an athbhreithnithe ar liúntais agus ar íocaíochtaí bisigh ar fud na seirbhíse poiblí (Meán Fómhair 2012) a rinne an Roinn Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe agus ciallaíonn sé sin nach raibh mórán liúntas, an ceann seo san áireamh, iníoctha a thuilleadh le Múinteoirí a bhí ina “n-iontrálaithe nua”. Tugtar breac-chuntas ar an tionchar atá aige sin ar mhúinteoirí i gCiorclán 0008/2013. Ar aon dul le roinnt liúntas atá bunaithe ar ról poist, tarraingíodh siar an ceadú chun an Liúntas Gaeilge a íoc le tairbhithe nua ón 1 Feabhra 2012 faoi théarmaí an Chiorcláin. Ina theannta sin, má bhí múinteoir i dteideal an liúntas a fháil roimh an 1 Feabhra 2012 agus má d'fhág an duine sin an ról poist sin ar nó i ndiaidh an 1 Feabhra ar bhonn deonach, tagann deireadh lena dteidlíocht i leith an liúntais ón dáta ar fhág sé/sí agus ní fhéadfaidh sé/sí an teidlíocht a fháil ar ais.
Ar 1 Feabhra 2012 íocadh an Liúntas Gaeilge ag ráta €1583 in aghaidh na bliana
agus ón 1 Deireadh Fómhair 2023 faoi mar a fhoráiltear faoin "Ag Dul ó Neart go Neart - Comhaontú Seirbhíse Poiblí Nua 2021-2023", arna athbhreithniú." anois íoctha ag ráta €1812 in aghaidh na bliana.
Ar an dóigh chéanna, íocadh an Deontas Gaeltachta ag €3,063 in aghaidh na bliana agus íoctar anois é ag €3707 in aghaidh na bliana.
Ní fhéadfar leasuithe breise ar théarmaí agus Coinníollacha Múinteoirí, pá agus liúntais san áireamh, a bhaint amach ach amháin trí phlé agus comhaontuithe cómhargála idir an Rialtas agus ceardchumainn na seirbhíse poiblí. Baineann costais shuntasacha bhreise le leasuithe ar bith chun athrú a chur ar na liúntais a íoctar le múinteoirí, bídís ina n-iontrálaithe nua nó ná bíodh, agus ba cheart go mbeidís, faoi mar atá luaite, mar chuid de phlé agus de chomhaontuithe comhchoiteanna idir na Ceardchumainn agus an Rialtas. Tá tabhairt ar ais liúntas mar ábhar plé faoi láthair ag an gComhairle Eadrána do Mhúinteoirí (TCC), a bhfuil an Roinn, ceardchumainn na múinteoirí, comhlachtaí bainistíochta scoile agus an Roinn Caiteachais Phoiblí, Sheachadadh PFN agus Athchóirithe páirteach inti. De bhrí go bhfuil imeachtaí TCC faoi rún, ní bheadh sé cuí go ndéanfadh an tAire aon ráiteas breise agus é fós á phlé.
53. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Oideachais cén costas a bhainfeadh le leabhar Gaeilge ar chostas €10 a mhaoiniú do gach dalta le linn dóibh a bheith i rang a cúig sa bhunscoil agus sa dara bliain sa mheánscoil, i mbliana agus gach bliain go dtí 2030, bunaithe ar líon na ndaltaí lena bhfuil sí ag súil. [4471/24]
View answerTá an Roinn ag cuir an tuairisc meastachán is déanaí i gcrích. Beidh an meastachán don líon ar rolla atá a lorg ag an Teachta Dála laistigh. Beidh muid in ann freagairt a seoladh go dtí an cheist nuair a bhfuil an tuairisc foilsithe.
54. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Oideachais cén costas a bhainfeadh le seachtain bhreise tumoideachais sa Ghaeltacht a mhaoiniú d'ábhair oidí. [4472/24]
View answerTá ceithre institiúid ardoideachais (IAOanna) státmhaoinithe agus soláthraí príobháideach neamhspleách OTM amháin a chuireann oideachas tosaigh múinteoirí (OTM) ar fáil do mhúinteoirí bunscoile.
Is iad na riachtanais reatha maidir le socrúcháin do Thréimhsí Foghlama Gaeltachta (TFGanna) do chláir Oideachas Tosaigh Múinteoirí (OTM) bunscoile ná 2 x 2 sheachtain, atá leagtha amach i Céim: Caighdeáin d’Oideachas Tosaigh Múinteoirí na Comhairle Múinteoireachta.
Rinneadh foráil i mBuiséad 2020 chun an deontas do chostas iomlán na dTréimhsí Foghlama Gaeltachta (TFGanna) d’fhochéimithe agus d’iarchéimithe i gcláir OTM bunscoile atá maoinithe ag an Stát a thabhairt ar ais, le héifeacht ón mbliain acadúil 2020/2021. Rinne mo Roinn an deontas seo a mhaoiniú suas go dtí an bhliain acadúil 2012/2013, nuair a cuireadh deireadh leis mar gheall ar shrianta airgeadais. Tá ráta an deontais do mhic léinn 2024 socraithe ag €815 ar an meán. Clúdóidh sé seo costas an chúrsa coicíse in 2024. Cuirfear an deontas seo ar fáil d’fhochéimithe agus d’iarchéimithe i gcláir Oideachas Tosaigh Múinteoirí (OTM) Státmhaoinithe.
Meastar go dtabharfaidh 3160 mac léinn faoi TFG in 2024, ar chostas thart ar €2,575,000.
Chosnódh seachtain bhreise TFG do na mic léinn sin in 2024 thart ar €1,288,000.
55. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education if there are plans to build new secondary schools in Newcastle and Rathcoole given the recent population growth; what planning is in place to address this shortage of secondary school places in both areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4488/24]
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_Rathcoole. 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_Rathcoole 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.
My Department will continue to liaise with Local Authorities in respect of their County Development Plans and any associated Local Area Plans with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements across school planning areas including in Newcastle_Rathcoole.
56. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Education to outline when the transition year curriculum was last amended; if she will carry out a review of the possible benefit of adding dance and performative arts to the current curriculum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4518/24]
View answerOn 29?March?2022, I announced an ambitious programme of work for a reimagined Senior Cycle, including the development of an updated Transition Year Programme Statement for introduction into schools in 2024. The updated Programme Statement will replace the current Guidelines for Schools document which was introduced in 1993 and which has been kept under regular review by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) from 1995 onwards.
Each school has autonomy in developing their Transition Year (TY) Programme to suit the needs and interests of their pupils. The programme statement provides a guidance framework for schools that supports this autonomy, allows for school-led innovation, and facilitates collaboration between schools and their localities as pupils are encouraged to become engaged citizens and explore a range of future pathways. Each school will balance curriculum components to include continuity learning, subject sampling, TY specific modules, and additional learning experiences. The autonomy of schools in designing their own TY programmes in line with the dimensions outlined in the Programme Statement facilitates schools to “build additional capacity, offering students a wider range of components, while also supporting and promoting internal professional learning, creativity and collaboration.”
Work on the development of a revised Transition Year Programme Statement has been undertaken within the structures of the NCCA. A background paper and brief for the review and revision of the Programme Statement was prepared in late 2022 and a public consultation on the background paper was concluded in December 2022. Following the development of the background paper and brief, a development group for the revised Programme Statement was convened.
The draft Programme Statement for a Revised Transition Year was published in June 2023 and a public consultation on the draft concluded on 20 October 2023. A public online survey on the Programme Statement was available in addition to an online survey directed at post-primary schools. Information Webinars for teachers, parents, and stakeholder groups including the Transition Year-Teacher Professional Network and with the Irish Second level Students Union (ISSU) were organised. Work has continued within the NCCA to further update and finalise the draft Programme Statement following the consultation.
I understand that the draft Transition Year Programme Statement will be submitted to me in the coming weeks for my approval prior to its introduction in schools in the 2024/2025 school year.
It may also interest the Deputy to note that the draft specification for the new Leaving Certificate subject of Drama, Film and Theatre Studies is expected to be made available for public consultation in the coming weeks. Drama, Film and Theatre Studies will extend the options available to students in the creative arts and provide them with an opportunity to engage critically and practically with these cultural forms. The subject will initially be rolled out on a phased basis, beginning in the 2025/2026 school year. Details of how schools can apply to participate in the first phase will also be made available in the coming weeks.
57. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education the reason SUSI is refusing to accept child benefit as proof of residence for a home-schooled Irish-born child of a resident Irish citizen, despite the fact that under statute such payments can only be made on Irish residency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4522/24]
View answerThe question raised by the Deputy is not within my Department's remit, and would be for my colleague, Minister Simon Harris in the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
58. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education the criteria for the STEM awards; if there is an appeal process; if she is aware that schools maintain that the capitation grant does not allow for STEM resources to be purchased; and if consideration will be given to alternatives to fund this new mandatory curriculum.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4578/24]
View answerThe STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) grant scheme was an action in the new STEM Education Implementation Plan published in 2023. The grant is to support schools in carrying out projects to stimulate an increased interest in STEM and included an application process as with other STEM initiatives in the past such as the STEM clusters project.
As you are aware the initial funding available at the time of the call for applications was €1.5m. Given the high demand from schools the Department worked to secure as much additional funding as possible, bringing the total available to €4.7m. Unfortunately, on this occasion, the funding fell short of the ask of over €25m. Given the very high number of valid applications (2,727) and the budget available for the scheme, a decision was made by the Department to run a lottery on this occasion. Each of the applications were read and logged with any invalid applications removed. They were then subject to the lottery system. Any school that succeeded in the lottery system was assessed with regards to the requirements as set out in the call for grant applications.
The Department is front loading the grant scheme in 2023/2024 school year with all monies available having been allocated to schools. It is hoped that a further round of funding can be run this year which means that eligible schools that were not successful this time may receive funding in the future. The amount of funding available will depend on the priorities and demands on the Department’s allocated budget. In relation to any future funding that becomes available, the Department will be in contact with schools.
The promotion of STEM and digital learning within our education system is a key priority for the Department of Education, and is reflected in multiple strategy documents, such as the STEM Education Policy Statement, Digital Strategy for Schools, Action Plan for Education, Ireland’s National Skills Strategy, Arts in Education Charter, and the National Strategy: Literacy and Numeracy for Learning and Life.
Under the STEM Education Policy Statement 2017-2026 my Department continues to provide support for STEM including STEM related curricular reform, ongoing provision of STEM professional development by the Department of Education support services, development and publication of guidelines for STEM partnerships between schools and business/industry, partnership with Science Foundation Ireland to support education and public engagement projects in STEM through the SFI Discover Programme, development of the SFI ‘Curious Minds’ programme and ongoing support of informal STEM education projects such as Scifest, BTYSTE, Science Blast and iWish.
The Department continues to provide support in relation to the redevelopment of the Primary curriculum. In the STEM area, the new Primary Mathematics Curriculum (PMC) was published in September 2023. A suite of high-quality professional development supports is being provided by the Department, together with Oide and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to support the engagement, collaboration and professional learning of school leaders and teachers to become familiar with, and implement, the PMC. The support includes a comprehensive range of face-to-face and online supports to introduce, implement and embed the Primary Mathematics Curriculum over the course of an extensive three-phase continuous professional development (CPD) framework. Online resources have also been developed www.curriculumonline.ie/Primary/Curriculum-Areas/Mathematics/Toolkit/. The toolkit provides practical support for teachers in building rich mathematical learning experiences for children. Support continues to be provided for the Primary Language Curriculum over a number of years. Support will be provided by the Department for the other curricular areas which will be introduced to schools in the coming years.
59. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of requests for a meeting made to her Department by an organisation (details supplied), by year, in 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; and how many meetings have taken place, in tabular form, per year, for the same period. [4584/24]
View answerMy Department undertakes a significant amount of consultation across a range of policy and operational areas on a wide array of issues on an ongoing basis. This underlines the collaborative approach to addressing challenges and developing policy in the education sector.
The organisation referred to by the Deputy is a key member of the Special Educational Needs Forum which meets on a periodic basis to discuss developments in the area of special education.
I can confirm that my department will carry out thorough searches to establish what contact was received from this organisation and if meetings were held and officials will revert directly to the Deputy with a complete response in due course.
60. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education what representative groups were engaged with in the production of the new guidelines on restraint and seclusion. [4585/24]
View answerI wish to thank the Deputy for her question. It is important to note that the Department is not preparing guidelines for schools on restraint and inclusion. The Guidelines in preparation are designed to develop and enhance schools’ understanding of behaviours of concern and to assist them in managing crisis situations. I can advise that my Department has carried out significant consultations in this process which, is still ongoing. We have engaged with education stakeholders and many advocacy groups in preparing the Guidelines and have endeavoured to take account of feedback provided.
In April 2019 there was a public consultation seeking contributions and views on the use of physical intervention and physical isolation in schools. This was undertaken by way of an online questionnaire and had over 2,600 respondents. The main contributors were school staff who made up over 80% of respondents and parents who totaled 12%. The remainder were from varied backgrounds but included representatives from healthcare professions, e.g., psychologists, speech and language therapists, and social workers and a small number from students.
In 2019, draft Guidelines issued to stakeholders for their consideration and discussion at a consultation event held in November 2019. Attendance at the event included primary and post-primary school management bodies, teacher and SNA unions, school principals representative bodies, disability representative organisations, parent representative bodies, academic institutions, principals of special schools, the OCO and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. Submissions were also received separately from stakeholders unable to attend the consultation event, including the Health Service Executive and Brothers of Charity.
In January 2023 the draft guidelines were shared with principals of a number of special schools to review and receive their feedback. Further stakeholder consultation was undertaken in-person in April 2023. Additional stakeholder consultation and advocacy groups’ engagement was held in August and September 2023. We are also currently engaging with the OCO and Tusla on their review and input into the Guidelines. In addition, officials in my Department have engaged individually with key stakeholders on the Guidelines in preparation.
61. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide a breakdown in tabular form of the projects relating to arts and culture that have been supported by the Shared Island Unit, including the amount of funding provided to each project. [4501/24]
View answerThe Creative Ireland Programme within my Department is deploying funding from the Shared Island Initiative to increase opportunities for cross-community cultural and creative exchange through support for the following projects:
|
Creative Communities on a Shared Island – Clare County Council |
€250,000 |
|
Creative Communities on a Shared Island – Cavan County Council |
€250,000 |
|
Creative Communities on a Shared Island – Dublin City Council |
€50,000 |
|
Creative Communities on a Shared Island – Cork County Council |
€50,000 |
|
Creative Communities on a Shared Island – Fingal County Council |
€50,000 |
|
Creative Communities on a Shared Island – Donegal County Council |
€50,000 |
|
Creative Communities on a Shared Island – Leitrim County Council |
€50,000 |
|
Creative Communities on a Shared Island – Waterford City & County Council |
€50,000 |
|
Creative Communities on a Shared Island – Limerick City & County Council |
€50,000 |
|
Cruinniú na nÓg 2023 |
€81,899 |
|
Creative Youth on a Shared Island - flagship initiative - Fighting Words |
€160,000 |
|
Creative Health & Wellbeing on a Shared Island : Creative Connections for Mental Health |
€45,000 |
|
Creative Climate Action : Divergently Together |
€250,000 |
|
Creative Climate Action : Shifting Tides and Sea Change - Creative Coastal Conversations |
€230,000 |
|
Creative Climate Action : Creative Boardroom : Collaborate4Climate |
€250,000 |
|
Total |
€1,866,889 |
In addition, the Creative Youth on a Shared Island funding scheme is currently open for applications. Further information on these projects is available on the Creative Ireland website: www.creativeireland.gov.ie
In September 2023, I along with the Taoiseach and Tánaiste, announced five new all-island Arts Capital investment projects, which are being delivered with a total allocation of €7.4m from the Government’s Shared Island Initiative. These Shared Island allocations will complement capital support for arts and cultural infrastructure with a defined all-island focu s.
|
Irish Architectural Archive (IAA) - digitisation project |
€100,000 |
|
Irish Film Institute (IFI) - archival project |
€200,000 |
|
Irish Traditional Music Archive (ITMA) studio space and digitisation |
€1,000,000 |
|
Tyrone Guthrie Centre at Annaghmakerrig - new visual art studio |
€1,500,000 |
|
Bellaghy Bawn Writers Residencies - facilities development |
€4,600,000 |
|
Total |
€7,400,000 |
In addition to the capital allocations being made available, the Arts Council and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland will be working together to support Arts programming on a collaborative cross-border basis.
62. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an dtabharfaidh sí briseadh síos i bhfoirm tábla de na tograí a bhaineann leis an nGaeilge a fuair tacaíocht ó Thionscnamh an Oileáin Chomhroinnte, agus méid an mhaionithe a tugadh don togra á chur san áireamh [4502/24]
View answerTá maoiniú caipitil €15.6 milliún san iomlán curtha ar fáil do mo Roinn faoi Thionscnamh an Oileáin Chomhroinnte, chun tionscadail nua a fhorbairt sna réimsí a thagann faoi chúram na Roinne seo. Baineann €2 milliún den allúntas seo le tionscadail a fhorbairt in earnáil na Gaeilge agus na hUltaise ar mhaithe le tuiscint níos fearr a chothú ar oidhreacht teanga agus cultúir an oileáin ar fad.
Faoi láthair, táthar i gcomhráití le grúpaí éagsúla maidir le tógraí caipitil féideartha, a bhféadfaí a fhorbairt faoi scáth an tionscnaimh. Leagtar amach sa tábla thíos sonraí maidir leis an maoiniú ón gCiste atá íoctha amach go dáta:
|
Togra |
Cur síos |
Suim Íoctha |
|
Naíscoil na Seolta |
Naíscoil a fhorbairt in Oirthear Bhéal Feirste |
€208,668 |
63. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the up-to-date position on a sports capital grant application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4351/24]
View answerThe Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. Over 13,000 projects have now benefited from sports capital funding since 1998 bringing the total allocations in that time to over €1.15 billion. The Programme for Government commits to continuing the SCEP and to prioritising investment in disadvantaged areas.
The latest round of the SCEP (2023) closed for applications on Friday 8 September, 2023. A preliminary examination of the submitted applications demonstrates that the Programme has again generated a very large number of applications, including one from the organisation to which the Deputy refers. The total number of 3,210 applications exceeds the record number submitted under the last (2020) round.
The "Scoring System and Assessment Manual" for the 2023 round has been finalised and published along with a list of all applications received by county including the relevant sport type for each application received. The detailed assessment work has commenced and it is planned to assess the "equipment-only" applications first and announce these grants in the coming months. Work will then commence on assessing the capital applications with the allocations likely to be announced later.
64. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will advise when the sports capital grants that were submitted in September 2023 will be allocated. [4453/24]
View answerThe Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. Over 13,000 projects have now benefited from sports capital funding since 1998 bringing the total allocations in that time to over €1.15 billion. The Programme for Government commits to continuing the SCEP and to prioritising investment in disadvantaged areas.
The latest round of the SCEP (2023) closed for applications on Friday 8 September, 2023. A preliminary examination of the submitted applications demonstrates that the Programme has again generated a very large number of applications. The total number of 3,210 applications, exceeds the record number submitted under the last (2020) round.
The "Scoring System and Assessment Manual" for the 2023 round has been finalised and published. Also published, is the full list of all applications received by county including the relevant sport type for each application received. The detailed assessment work has commenced and it is planned to assess the "equipment-only" applications first and announce these grants in the coming months. Work will then commence on assessing the capital applications with the allocations likely to be announced later.
65. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the estimated revenue that would be generated by introducing a levy of 3% on audiovisual media service providers as provided for under the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022, and if her Department discussed such a provision with Coimisiún na Meán in the last 12 months. [4475/24]
View answerArticle 13(2) of the revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive ('AVMSD') provides that Member States may require media service providers under their jurisdiction to make a financial contribution to the production of European works.
To exercise this option under the AVMSD, section 159E of the Broadcasting Act 2009 (as amended) provides that Coimisiún na Meán may impose a content production levy on media service providers (i.e. providers of broadcasting and video on demand services) to fund a scheme (termed ‘the European works scheme’) to support the production of European works, including Irish works.
Coimisiún na Meán have engaged consultants to conduct research and make recommendations in relation to the feasibility of an audiovisual content levy and fund. It is expected that this research will include estimates of the potential revenue that may be generated from the imposition of such a levy, along with an analysis of the consequences associated with the levy, including the impact on Irish broadcasters who may be liable for the levy.
The outcomes of the research, including the associated recommendations, will help inform An Coimisiún’s considerations regarding the potential for the development and structure of any new content levy and fund and their subsequent submission to me on the practicality of any such content levy and fund. It is expected that the research will be submitted to me later this year.
My officials continue to engage with Coimisiún na Meán on an ongoing basis in relation to this and other matters within their remit.
66. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide, in tabular form, a list of every State board or council over which she has responsibility for appointments, and separate columns outlining the total number of board members and the number of current vacancies on the board, as well as a column stating if the position of chair of the board or council in question is vacant or occupied. [4495/24]
View answerI am advised that the information requested by the Deputy is set out in the below table.
|
D/TCAGSM STATE BOARD |
No. of Positions |
Total Current Members |
Current Vacancies |
Chairperson Position Vacant or Occupied |
|
Arts Council |
13 |
8 |
5 |
Vacant |
|
Crawford Art Gallery |
12 |
12 |
0 |
Occupied |
|
Fáilte Ireland |
13 |
13 |
0 |
Occupied |
|
Foras na Gaeilge |
16 |
13 |
3 |
Occupied |
|
Irish Language Services Advisory Committee |
11 |
11 |
0 |
Occupied |
|
Irish Manuscripts Commission |
20 |
19 |
1 |
Occupied |
|
Irish Museum of Modern Art |
12 |
10 |
2 |
Occupied |
|
National Archives Advisory Council |
12 |
0 |
12 |
Vacant |
|
National Concert Hall |
10 |
10 |
0 |
Occupied |
|
National Gallery of Ireland |
17 |
14 |
3 |
Occupied |
|
National Library of Ireland |
12 |
9 |
3 |
Occupied |
|
National Museum of Ireland |
16 |
15 |
1 |
Occupied |
|
RTÉ |
12 |
9 |
3 |
Occupied |
|
Screen Ireland |
7 |
5 |
2 |
Occupied |
|
Sport Ireland |
13 |
12 |
1 |
Occupied |
|
TG4 |
12 |
10 |
2 |
Occupied |
|
Tourism Ireland |
12 |
11 |
1 |
Occupied |
|
Údarás Na Gaeltachta |
12 |
11 |
1 |
Vacant |
|
Ulster Scots Agency |
8 |
5 |
3 |
Vacant |
67. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide a progress update on the plans to redevelop the Abbey Theatre, Ireland's national theatre. [4496/24]
View answerIn 2018, 'Investing in Our Culture, Language and Heritage' was published as part of Project Ireland 2040 and included plans for the redevelopment of the Abbey Theatre. The development of this Cultural Institution is recognised in the National Development Plan 2021-2030 as one of national importance in order to preserve, celebrate and grow the Abbey's position at the forefront of Irish arts.
A Preliminary Business Case has been prepared by the Abbey Theatre, presenting a range of development options. Under the Public Spending Code, major projects that must undergo an External Assurance Process before being submitted to Government for approval to advance. This is for the purposes of improving value for money and support funding departments and Government with expert, independent insights relating to project risks, delivery, feasibility, robustness of costings, governance and procurement. PWC has been engaged by the Department to complete the EAP and this is currently underway.
After the EAP the next step is the design phase of the project.
68. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide a progress update on the work of the expert committee examining the establishment of a national women's museum, and a list of times and dates when the advisory committee met since being established. [4497/24]
View answerIn September 2023, I informed the Government of my intention to establish an Advisory Committee on the representation of women and women’s stories within the collections of the National Cultural Institutions. The Committee will also consider the possibility of creating a dedicated presentation of women’s stories through a range of options, within the framework of the Public Spending Code. These options may include a women’s museum, a re-imagining of the National Collection or other initiatives that the Committee considers appropriate.
At present, the membership of the Committee has not been finalised but discussions are ongoing and I hope to be in a position to put the membership in place soon.
69. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide a progress update on the work of the advisory committee on the restitution and repatriation of cultural heritage, and a list of times and dates when the advisory committee met since being established. [4498/24]
View answerLast June, I brought a Memorandum to Government to inform them of my intention to establish an Advisory Committee on the Restitution and Repatriation of Historically and Culturally Sensitive Objects in Ireland. The Committee is tasked with the drafting of policy advice and national guidelines on the restitution and repatriation of cultural heritage in Ireland that has been illegally or unethically elicited or traded, or may be viewed as culturally sensitive or contested.
I appointed the members of the committee in November 2023 and to date they have met once, on 4 December 2023.
