Written Answers Nos. 252-271
252. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of cost-of-doing-business grants processed by his Department by 6 February 2024, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6245/24]
View answerThe Increased Cost of Business (ICOB) grant was announced as part of the Budget 2024 package and will be particularly targeted at Small and Medium sized businesses who operate from a rateable premises. The grant is intended to aid firms who have been most affected by increases in business costs but is not intended to directly compensate for all increases in wages, or other costs, for every business.
Firms who do not have a rateable premises are not within the scope of this scheme, nor are vacant premises. The total allocation for the ICOB grant is €257m.
My Department is leading the introduction of this scheme, working in conjunction with the Local Authorities, the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), the County and City Management Association (CCMA) and the Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage. Service Level Agreements (SLA) are currently being drafted between my Department and the Local Authorities to underpin the operation of this scheme. These will cover the delivery, funding, and oversight arrangements for the grant scheme.
My Department is not administering payments directly, rather the administration of the grant will be carried out by Local Authorities with a view to providing relief in the first quarter of this year. Businesses will be contacted directly by their Local Authority. The grant has been set up in this way to ensure that the scheme is accessible to smaller businesses, who may have had difficulties availing of previous schemes. There is no intention to limit the scheme in any way related to employee numbers.
A business must, at a minimum, meet the following eligibility conditions:
• It is a commercially trading business operating directly within a premises that is commercially rateable by a Local Authority.
• It has provided confirmation of its bank details to the respective Local Authority.
• It is rates compliant, including those businesses with a phased payment arrangement in-place.
• It is tax compliant, and in possession of a valid Tax Registration Number.
Vacant premises will be excluded from the scheme as will public institutions who do not fit the parameters of a commercially trading premises and larger financial institutions will be excluded.
Data analysis was undertaken by my officials, based on data provided by Táilte Éireann, to estimate the number of potentially eligible businesses. This analysis suggests that the ICOB Grant will be available to up to 143,000 businesses operating from a rateable premises, or 95% of all commercially trading business premises nationwide. However, the final number of qualifying premises may differ, as exclusions for vacant premises, non-rates compliant and non-tax compliant businesses are considered.
The table below provides a breakdown of estimated volume of eligible ratepayers in each Local Authority area:
|
Local Authority |
No. of potential qualifying ratepayers |
|
Carlow County Council |
1909 |
|
Cavan County Council |
2385 |
|
Clare County Council |
3955 |
|
Cork County Council |
15718 |
|
Cork City Council |
6857 |
|
Donegal County Council |
5705 |
|
Dublin City Council |
17558 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown |
4409 |
|
Fingal County Council |
5481 |
|
Galway City Council |
3473 |
|
Galway County Council |
4285 |
|
Kerry County Council |
5035 |
|
Kildare County Council |
4639 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
2667 |
|
Laois County Council |
1885 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
1087 |
|
Limerick City and County Council |
6261 |
|
Longford County Council |
1390 |
|
Louth County Council |
4196 |
|
Mayo County Council |
5099 |
|
Meath County Council |
4647 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
2318 |
|
Offaly County Council |
2469 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
2033 |
|
Sligo County Council |
2145 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
6126 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
5161 |
|
Waterford City and County Council |
3580 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
3017 |
|
Wexford County Council |
4399 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
3494 |
253. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to detail the pro-enterprise measures taken by the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6246/24]
View answerLaunched in December 2022, the White Paper on Enterprise sets out Government’s approach to enterprise strategy for the medium to long-term, which will work to enable Irish-based enterprise to succeed through competitive advantage founded on sustainability, innovation and productivity, delivering rewarding jobs and livelihoods.
In order to achieve this vision, Government has set out seven enterprise policy objectives in the White Paper; integrating decarbonisation and net zero commitments, placing digital transformation at the heart of enterprise policy, advancing Ireland’s FDI and trade value proposition, strengthening the Irish-owned exporting sector, enabling locally trading sectors to thrive, stepping up enterprise innovation, and building on Ireland`s existing strengths and opportunities, through a clustering approach.
My Department is leading on the Implementation of the White Paper on Enterprise, where 40 key initiatives across all seven policy priorities are being advanced across Government. Progress on these initiatives is reported on every six-months, to the Cabinet Committee on the Economy and Investment.
Wider supports for SME`s and Entrepreneurs set out in the White Paper on Enterprise 2022-2030 include; supporting firms to decarbonise and providing fiscal support for firms in the green and digital sectors; improving access to finance for start-ups and scale-ups; increasing the number of first time exporters; increasing productivity growth in domestic sectors; expanding programmatic supports to capture additional SME`s/Entrepreneurs; enhanced assistance for High Potential Start Ups; and reducing the regulatory burden on SME`s/Entrepreneurs.
The Government has provided significant support to business throughout the period of increasing overheads and has been proactive in limiting the fallout from higher rates of inflation in input costs and prices. However, it is not possible to insulate every business from the total impact of these costs.
Over the two-year period prior to Budget 2024 a total of €12 billion – 4½ per cent of national income – was provided in cost of living and doing business supports, comprising a mix of permanent and one-off measures, to absorb some of the impact and ease the burden of inflation on households and businesses. The main programme introduced by Government to alleviate cost pressures for small business was the €1.3 billion Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS).
Budget 2024 contained a number of measures which will support businesses facing increased costs of doing business.
The 9% VAT reduction for gas and electricity is being extended for an additional 12 months, until 31st October 2024;
The temporary excise rate reductions applying to auto diesel, petrol and marked gas oil which were due to expire on 31st October 2023 was extended until 31st March 2024;
An increase in the limit on the amount that an investor can claim relief on under the Employment and Investment Incentive Scheme, to €500,000;
An increase in VAT registration thresholds for SMEs to €40,000 for services and €80,000 for goods;
Reduced Capital Gains Tax rate of 16% for Angel Investors in innovative SMEs, on gains of up to €3 million;
An increase in the R&D tax credit from 25% to 30%, as well as increasing the first-year upfront payment from €25,000 to €50,000, which will be of particular benefit to SMEs;
The commencement of a range of amendments to the Key Employee Engagement Programme for the attraction and retention of staff.
The Increased Cost of Business Grant (ICOB) was announced as part of Budget 2024 and will be targeted at Small and Medium sized businesses who operate from a rateable premises. Government has approved a fund of €257 million for the ICOB grant. This fund will reach 143,000 businesses which is 95% of all rateable businesses in all corners of Ireland.
The grant is intended to be paid at a rate of half the enterprise’s commercial rates bill in 2023, for firms paying up to €10,000 in rates. For those paying between €10,000 and €30,000 in rates, they will receive a grant of €5,000.
My Department is leading the introduction of this scheme, working in conjunction with the Local Authorities and the Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage to ensure that support can be provided in early 2024. A Service Level Agreement (SLA) is currently being drafted between my Department and the Local Authorities, to underpin the operation of this scheme. This SLA will cover the delivery, funding, and oversight arrangements for the grant scheme.
The administration of the ICOB grant will be carried out by Local Authorities and it is intended that the grant will be provided to qualifying firms in the first quarter of this year. It is not intended that there be a formal application process, rather it is intended that the business will be contacted directly by the local authorities. The grant scheme has been set up in this way so as to ensure that the scheme is accessible to smaller businesses, who may have had difficulties availing of previous schemes.
In recognition of concerns about the abrupt cut-off point of the scheme as initially announced on Budget Day and the need to provide support to firms who were at the margins of the scheme as initially designed, in December 2023, the ICOB grant was extended to ratepayers paying up to €30,000 in rates. This required a reallocation of resources to ensure sufficient funds were available.
However, to ensure that the smallest firms see the greatest benefit, the grant payment for firms paying less than €10,000 in rates was unchanged, at a rate of half the enterprise’s 2023 commercial rates bill. For those paying between €10,000 and €30,000 in rates, they will receive a grant of €5,000. This further ensures that smaller premises receive a higher proportional grant. My Department will continue to monitor what remains a challenging businesses environment and continue to support Irish businesses.
It is understandable that businesses are concerned about the costs that they are encountering at the moment. The Government has provided significant support to business, throughout this period of rising costs and has been proactive in limiting the fallout from higher rates of inflation in input costs and prices.
Over the last several years, Government has advanced a range of measures to improve working conditions in Ireland, including the transition to a Living Wage, Auto-Enrolment Retirement Savings Scheme, Parent’s Leave and Benefit, Statutory Sick Pay, an Additional Public Holiday, the Living Wage, and Remote Working. Extensive public consultations have been held in relation to the introduction of these measures.
Government has endeavoured to introduce these measures on a staggered basis. While these measures will have cost implications for some businesses, there are also important economic and societal benefits which will be delivered, by means of increasing disposable incomes and addressing in-work poverty. These changes will also bring Ireland in line with other advanced economies.
In line with a recommendation from the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council, in its report Ireland’s Competitiveness Challenge 2022, there is currently an assessment of the combined impact of recent and forthcoming changes to working conditions being undertaken by my Department and the Department of Social Protection. This report is supported by evidence received from both employer and trade union perspectives and will be finalised in the coming weeks.
SME Taxation Measures in Budget 2024
The introduction of a new standalone, Angel Investment Scheme, which will be available at a reduced Capital Gains Tax rate of 16% represents a significant move towards growing investment in innovative firms and broadening the modes of finance (including angel financing) available to a business in Ireland.
Furthermore, the Key Employee Engagement Programme has been extended to the end of 2025 and, following EU State Aid Approval, the increase in the maximum limit of KEEP shares a company may grant in its lifetime has been increased from €3 million to €6 million from 20 November 2023.
The extension of the Accelerated Capital Allowances (ACA) scheme for Energy Efficient Equipment, beyond the end of 2023 will prove valuable, considering the ongoing success of this regime and the volume of requests the government has received for an extension of this scheme. The main benefit of the ACA scheme is that it promotes environmentally friendly purchases and provides a cashflow benefit to firms, which may be of particular benefit to SMEs availing of the scheme.
The increase in the rate of the R&D (Research and Development) Tax Credit from 25% to 30% is welcome as it means that any in-scope entities (those with a turnover of greater than €750 m) will be eligible for the same value of the R & D tax credit before the implementation of the minimum effective tax rate. Furthermore, SME companies will be able to retain the full benefit of the increase in the R&D Tax Credit.
The availability of a larger upfront payment of €50,000, along with a rate increase to 30% will boost the attractiveness of our smaller innovative businesses and assist them to compete with their larger counterparts on R&D (Research and Development activities.
An increase to the VAT registration thresholds for goods and services will mean a substantial reduction in the administrative and cost burden for many small businesses across the country.
Broader relief measures in Budget 2024
The extension of the 9% VAT rate on gas and electricity to the end of October 2024 will alleviate some of the pressures faced by businesses as a result of rising energy prices. It must be noted that this reduced rate was originally due to expire on 31st October 2023.
In addition to the measures announced at Budget time, the Business Users Support Scheme for Kerosene (BUSSK), announced in September, offered eligible businesses a once off grant as reimbursement for half of their increased costs during the period from March to December 2022, compared to the same months in 2021.
The temporary excise rate reductions applying to auto diesel, petrol and marked gas oil which were due to expire on 31st October 2023 are being extended until 31st March 2024;
Seed and Venture Capital
My Department, through Enterprise Ireland and its strategic partners, has long identified the need to increase the availability of risk capital to support innovation through the continued development of the equity market in Ireland to achieve a more innovative, commercially viable and sustainable entrepreneurial sector for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Government also recognises that if new companies are not supported at the seed stage, it creates an issue where there will not be enough scalable companies available later in the development life-cycle.
Therefore, there are a suite of supports available to innovative, high potential companies in Ireland, that aim to help them succeed and grow in Ireland.
The Seed and Venture Capital Scheme, operated by Enterprise Ireland, fosters a strong pipeline of high growth, innovative businesses in the Irish economy by increasing the availability of appropriate sources of risk capital for start-up/early-stage businesses with high growth potential at each stage of their development. The current €175 million, five-year scheme is due to expire at the end of this year and officials from my Department and Enterprise Ireland are currently working on developing a future scheme.
The Irish Innovation Seed Fund Programme’s ambition is to support early-stage, high-growth companies in Ireland seeking seed capital to grow their businesses. So far, under this programme, two tranches of funding totalling approximately €55 million has been allocated to two funds for dispersion to innovative, high potential seed companies. Further funding announcements will be made later this year.
254. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if Ireland will make a contribution to the International Court of Justice proceedings, convened at the request of the ILO, to urgently render an advisory opinion on whether the right to strike of workers and their organisations is protected under ILO Convention No. 87 on Freedom of Association, to which the International Court of Justice has invited state parties to the Convention, such as Ireland, to submit written contributions on the question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6280/24]
View answerOn 13 November 2023, the Director General of the International Labor Organization (ILO), on foot of a decision of the 349th Governing Body, sent a request for an advisory opinion to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) concerning the Right to Strike under ILO Convention No. 87 Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948.
On 14 December 2023, the ILO Office sent a dossier of papers, comprising an introduction and 342 documents to provide the Court with a comprehensive background on the matter.
Governments that have ratified ILO Convention No. 87 have been invited to make a submission, if desired, by 16 May 2024.
Any submissions to the ICJ should supplement rather than repeat the information already submitted by the ILO Office.
My Department is considering the ILO submission and at this time does not intend to make a national submission.
255. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of local enterprise applications received by county in tabular form; and the number that were successful and the number are refused in 2022 and 2023. [6299/24]
View answerI understand that the Deputy is seeking information regarding Carlow in particular on this matter.
The number of participants in the Start Your Own Business Programme in any given year gives some indication of the number of entrepreneurs who have contacted their Local Enterprise Office (LEO) regarding a new business idea. In addition, by looking at the level of Feasibility and Priming grants applied for and approved, we get a better idea of the quantity of businesses starting up throughout the country.
The Metrics for Carlow are set out in the table below.
Please note the below are provisional figures as final figures are not available yet for 2023.
|
Carlow |
No. of Projects Applications |
No. of Projects Approved |
|
2022 Feasibility |
6 |
5 |
|
2022 Priming |
9 |
7 |
|
2023 Feasibility |
2 |
2 |
|
2023 Priming |
4 |
4 |
|
Carlow |
No. Training Participants |
|
Start Your Own Business 2022 |
92 |
|
Start Your Own Business 2023 |
140 |
256. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he plans to engage with companies providing residential waste collection services in respect of them raising the price of bin collections for households, in some instances several times in a year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6531/24]
View answerWaste collection and the structure of the waste collection market is under the remit of the Department of Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.
However, under consumer protection law, before a consumer signs up to a contract with a waste operator they must be provided with certain information. This includes the total price of the service or the method of calculating the price (e.g. by weight) and the duration of the contract, or if it is ongoing, how a consumer can cancel their contract.
When a consumer enters into a contract for a service such as waste collection, there is an onus on the consumer to review all of the terms and conditions attached to this service, including collection fees and charges. Once a consumer has agreed to the service, not necessarily in writing, they have also agreed to the terms and conditions and may be bound by them. terms and conditions are set at the company's own discretion?and therefore may include potential contract alteration notices and associated fees.
My officials have advised at present traders in Ireland are generally free to set and change their own prices for goods and services.
257. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 146 of 7 February 2024, how many applications for a general employment permit for a mechanic role have been submitted in 2023 and 2024; how many have been awarded in 2023 and 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6583/24]
View answerFollowing the review of the Employment Permits Occupations Lists in 2023 the occupation of HGV/bus mechanic was removed from the ineligible occupations list and became eligible for a General Employment Permit, subject to a quota of 200 General Employment Permits.
This role became eligible for a General Employment Permit with effect from 20 December. Before an application can be submitted for this role, there is a requirement for the employer to undertake a Labour Market Means Test (LMNT). To meet the requirements of the LMNT, an employer must advertise the vacancy with the Department of Social Protection Employment Services/EURES employment network for at least 28 consecutive days without any edits or amendments. As the quota was effectively opened on 17 January, no applications for this role have been processed to date, but a keyword search of the processing queue indicates that three applications have been received and are awaiting processing (it should be noted that as an occupational code is not determined until an application is processed, it is not possible to give a precise details of the number of applications for a given role in the queue).
There is currently a very high demand for employment permits, following the changes to the occupations lists and salary thresholds. The Department has assigned additional resources to help manage this demand. Current processing times are available on the Department’s website at Current processing dates - DETE (enterprise.gov.ie).
258. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if Enterprise Ireland intends to open an office in Mexico City. [6595/24]
View answerEnterprise Ireland has a network of 39 international offices and regularly reviews their global footprint to ensure the agency is fully aligned with the market needs of their client companies.
Enterprise Ireland currently has a trade consultant/pathfinder based in Mexico city working with Irish companies and Team Ireland colleagues.
Enterprise Ireland will continue to closely monitor the market opportunity and client demands as part of their annual strategy planning cycle.
259. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount of capital funding allocated to IDA Ireland for its Regional Property Programme in 2023 and 2024, in tabular form.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6596/24]
View answerFor 2024, I secured an increase of €5m in Exchequer Funding on the 2023 level of €60m in capital spending for the IDA in respect of the agency’s property programme. In this regard, the IDA Regional Property Programme is designed to ensure the supply of land, buildings and infrastructure in regional locations as required by current and prospective clients of the IDA itself as well as Enterprise Ireland and the LEOs.
The total capital allocation for the IDA Regional Property Programme in 2023 included capital carryover as well as an allocation from the agency’s own resource income (ORI) generated from property sales that year, with ORI adding an additional €19.4m to the Programme in 2023. For this year, some €46m in property sales is projected, subject, of course, to client demand, which will augment the Exchequer allocation (€65m) and Capital Carryover (€10m).
A robust property and infrastructure ecosystem can be the key differentiator in winning FDI projects. In a challenging, competitive and uncertain global environment, IDA’s regional property programme ensures the supply of land, buildings and infrastructure in regional locations as required by current and prospective clients. Under its current strategy, ‘Driving Recovery and Sustainable Growth 2021–2024’, IDA is progressing delivery of 19 Advanced Building Solutions (ABS) in regional locations together with working with Local Authorities on advance planning permissions for additional building solutions.
Eight of these 19 buildings are complete, in Monaghan, Sligo, Dundalk, Carlow, Waterford and Athlone, as well as 2 in Limerick. Further buildings are expected to be on site in 2024 in Sligo, Galway, Cavan and Athlone. The buildings for Mullingar and Letterkenny are currently at procurement stage and the proposed ABS for Drogheda is currently in the planning system. The remaining properties for Tralee, Castlebar, Oranmore and Longford are at Site Selection stage.
I can assure the Deputy that the IDA is using its best endeavours to deliver all buildings in a timely manner. Against the backdrop of the difficulties experienced in the construction sector globally and despite the impact of Covid and construction price inflation on both works and budgets, IDA has maintained momentum on the delivery of its Regional Property Programme. IDA Ireland also maintains a focus on land banks and strategic sites to future proof the ability of the property portfolio in regional locations to support the project pipeline.
The delivery of the Regional Property Programme is dependent on and influenced by a wide range of external stakeholders, public processes and commensurate timelines. By their very nature capital-intensive property investment projects can run over multiple years. Therefore, many factors can impact on delivery timelines and budgetary drawdown for same. This can include delays with respect to planning and procurement processes along with challenges in finding appropriate land banks for development within the calendar year.
IDA Ireland Regional Property Programme Capital Allocations for 2023 and 2024, which is augmented by Agency property "ORI" contribution, are set out in the table below:
|
- |
Exchequer Allocation REV |
Capital Carryover |
Total |
|
2023 |
€60m |
€10.5m |
€70.5m* |
|
2024 |
€65m |
€10m |
€75m |
260. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn den Aire Oideachais an bhfuil cinneadh déanta maidir le líon na sraithphictiúir atá le déanamh ag daltaí atá ag ullmhú don Ardteist; an bhfuair a Roinn aon chomhfhreagras ó dhaltaí ag léiriú míshástacht faoin mbrú a chuireann an 20 sraithphictiúir reatha orthu; agus cé na hiarrachtaí atá ar bun aici chun an brú i measc an chúigiú agus an séú bliain a laghdú. [6037/24]
View answerTá na sraitheanna pictiúr mar chomhpháirt den Bhéaltriail Ghaeilge d’iarrthóirí Ardleibhéil agus Gnáthleibhéil, agus 40% de na marcanna iomlána don Ghaeilge san Ardteistiméireacht ag dul don Bhéaltriail.
Mar fhreagra ar cheisteanna a d’ardaigh an CNCM agus COGG faoin sraith pictiúr agus faoi ghnéithe comhrá den Bhéaltriail Ghaeilge, thug Coimisiún na Scrúduithe Stáit isteach coigeartuithe ar struchtúr an Bhéaltriail Chomónta do scrúduithe 2020 agus ina dhiaidh sin. Tá sé mar aidhm acu seo deiseanna breise a chruthú don idirghníomhú idir an iarrthóir agus an scrúdaitheoir agus dá réir sin scóip a thabhairt don iarrthóir a inniúlacht a léiriú ach cothromaíocht a choinneáil ag an am céanna idir na codanna éagsúla den bhéaltriail. Níor tharla na béaltrialacha in 2020 mar thoradh ar an bpaindéim.
Ó shin i leith rinneadh coigeartuithe ar shocruithe measúnaithe do na scrúduithe Stáit i bhfianaise thionchar na paindéime ar an teagasc agus ar an bhfoghlaim. Rinneadh na hathruithe agus aird chuí tugtha ar phrionsabail an chomhionannais, na cothroime agus an ionracais, maidir le comparáidí scoláire le scoláire, ábhar-le-hábhar, agus bliain le bliain. Maidir le Gaeilge na hArdteistiméireachta, i measc na gcoigeartuithe seo tá laghdú ar an líon sraitheanna pictiúr nach mór do gach iarrthóir a ullmhú, ó 20 go 10. Ar an 16 Bealtaine, d'fhógair mé go mbeadh na coigeartuithe sin i bhfeidhm arís in 2024.
Níl cinneadh déanta go fóill maidir le coigeartuithe measúnaithe do 2025. Cuirfear sonraí aon choigeartuithe measúnaithe a d’fhéadfadh a bheith i gceist do scrúduithe 2025 in iúl do na scoileanna a luaithe a bheidh cinneadh déanta, agus iarrfar ar scoileanna a chinntiú go gcuirtear gach scoláire ar an eolas faoi na hathruithe seo.
Tá comhfhreagras ar an ábhar seo faighte ó mhic léinn, mar a tharlódh le raon ábhar ó am go ham, agus tá an seasamh mar atá leagtha amach anseo léirithe sna freagraí a thugtar go díreach do na mic léinn.
The sraitheanna pictiúr, or picture sequences, are a component of the common Irish Oral test for Higher Level and Ordinary Level candidates, with the Oral test accounting for 40% of the overall marks for Leaving Cert Irish.
In response to issues highlighted in National Council for Curriculum and Assessment and An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta & Gaelscolaíochta research about the sraitheanna pictiúr and the conversational elements of the Oral Irish exam, the State Examinations Commission introduced adjustments to the structure of the Common Oral examination for the 2020 exams and thereafter. These aim to create greater opportunity for candidate-examiner interaction and so give the candidate scope to display their competence while keeping a balance between the different parts of the oral exam. However, the oral exams did not take place in 2020 as a result of the pandemic.
Since then there have been adjustments to assessment arrangements in light of the pandemic’s impact on teaching and learning. These adjustments have been made with due regard for the principles of equity, fairness and integrity, in relation to student-to-student, subject-to-subject, and year-to-year comparisons. They include a reduction in the number of sraitheanna pictiúr that each candidate must prepare, from 20 to 10. On the 16th of May 2023, I announced that these adjustments would apply again in 2024.
A decision has not yet been made in relation to assessment adjustments for 2025. The details of any assessment adjustments which may apply to the 2025 examinations will be communicated to schools once a decision is made, and schools will be asked to ensure that all students are made aware of these changes.
Correspondence on this matter has been received from students, as would be the case with a range of matters from time to time, and the position as outlined here is reflected in responses to students directly.
261. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education if a special needs place at a particular school can be allocated to students (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6041/24]
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 of State with responsibility for Special Education and 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 €113 million 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, two new special schools are being established for this current school year in Cork and Dublin, with further capacity being expanded in 11 other special schools.
In December 2023, I was also very happy to announce with my colleague the Minister, Deputy Foley, the establishment of a further four new special schools for the 2024/25 school year in Enfield, South Kildare, Gorey and Limerick. This will bring to 11 the number of new special schools established in recent years.
Along with the two new special schools opening this school year, 390 new special classes – 254 at primary and 136 at post-primary level – have been sanctioned by the NCSE for opening this current school year.
Of these 6 are in Westmeath, 4 at primary level and 2 at post-primary level. This brings to 59 the number of special classes in Co. Westmeath, 39 at primary level and 20 at post-primary level.
The NCSE have advised my Department that they are aware of the children referred to by the Deputy and the local special educational needs organiser (SENO) will continue to engage with the parents and remains available to provide support and assistance to ensure that appropriate school places can be secured.
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.
262. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education when a NEPS assessment will be made available to a person (details supplied). [6050/24]
View answerUnder the model for allocating additional teaching resources to support children and young people, with special educational needs, in our schools, the Department provides supports directly to schools, allowing schools greater autonomy in the flexible allocation of teaching resources, based on the needs of children and young people. Schools can respond to individual needs in a flexible way, and children do not have to have a psychological assessment, or a diagnosis of a disability, in order to access Special Education Teaching support. This means that those with the highest level of need can access the highest level of support, within the school, in a timely manner.
My Department’s National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides educational psychological support to all primary and post-primary and special schools.
The NEPS service provides access for all schools to:
• Psychological support in the event of a Critical Incident
• A Casework Service for individual children where there is a need for intensive consultation and assessment via a NEPS psychologist or through the Scheme for the Commissioning of Psychological Assessments (SCPA).
• A school staff Support and Development Service, to build school capability to provide a comprehensive continuum of support in schools and
• Ongoing access to advice and support for schools.
The focus of the service is on empowering teachers to intervene effectively with pupils whose needs range from mild to severe and transient to enduring. NEPS encourages schools to use a continuum based assessment and intervention process whereby each school takes responsibility for initial assessment, educational planning and intervention for pupils with learning, emotional or behavioural difficulties. Teachers may consult their NEPS psychologist should they need to at this stage in the process. Where reasonable progress is not made, following a school's best efforts in consultation with NEPS, a psychologist may become involved with an individual child for intensive intervention or assessment.
Where a parent/guardian has a concern about their child’s progress in school, they should request a meeting with the Principal to discuss the child's needs and the supports the school have put in place, and if appropriate to consider a consultation with a NEPS psychologist.
In relation to the pupil to which the Deputy refers, no request for the involvement of a NEPS psychologist has been received from the school which this pupil attends.
263. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education to detail all payments made to a club (details supplied) in relation to the construction of a school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6066/24]
View answerThe information requested is currently being collated by my officials and will be sent to the Deputy directly under separate cover once finalised.
264. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education the status of a building development project for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6067/24]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of an application for additional school accommodation (ASA) from the school authority in question. The school’s application for capital funding was assessed and the Department made a decision to broaden the scope of the project taking in to consideration the future needs of the school and the school planning area more generally. The school agreed a proposed brief of:
- 9 general classrooms- 2 special education rooms- a music room- a textiles room- a science laboratory and preparation area- a technology room- 3 special needs classrooms and associated ancillary space- a user assisted WC and a staff room. Given the restricted nature of the school site and the scale of the proposed development the agreed brief was subsequently referred to the Department’s Professional and Technical team to establish whether the accommodation could be delivered. The Professional and Technical team established that the proposed development is viable. The brief is now awaiting project typing and costing before being devolved directly to the school authority for delivery. Prior to this project the Department’s Planning and Building Unit received an application in 2022 from the school in question seeking funding for 2 special needs classrooms, a sensory room, multi-purpose room, office and toilets. This is in addition to funding which was approved under the Additional School Accommodation (or ASA) Scheme in 2021 for the reconfiguration of space within the existing school building for special needs accommodation. This project was devolved to the school authority for delivery and completed in 2023.
The consideration of the accommodation requirements for the school in question forms part of the Planning and Building Unit’s overall assessment of its work programme and priorities in the context of available capital funding.
The provision of required school places, including for children with special educational needs, is a priority for my Department. My officials are working to ensure that there is sufficient provision to meet the school place needs in the school in question and the wider area for 2024/25 and future years.
265. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education the reason a school (details supplied) has been refused approval under the Emergency Works Programme for an urgent project which impacts children’s safety in this school; what programmes are available to schools to apply for works urgently due to the health and safety nature of the works, that the school can receive urgent funding for the project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6073/24]
View answerThe School to which the deputy refers submitted an Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) application seeking funding for works to Life Safety Systems in the school. The application was approved and the school was advised to carry out works immediately. This particular application refers to an evolving situation and as such, My Department will continue to liaise with the school in question.
266. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education if an issue in relation to SNAs (details supplied) will be examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6086/24]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for his question.
Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) make a valuable contribution to our school communities through the provision of adult support to enable students with significant care needs attend school.
The SNA Workforce Development Unit within Special Education Division in my Department has commenced work on the first Special Needs Assistants Workforce Development Plan. The plan will be developed over the next two years in consultation with stakeholders including school leaders and the SNAs themselves. There will be an opportunity for all concerned to provide input and share views on the future development of the SNA service.
The plan will introduce policy developments which will bring greater clarity and direction to the SNA service. A key step in the development of the plan will be a review of the SNA contract of employment which will fulfil a commitment under the Building Momentum public service agreement.
The plan will also include consideration of how best school leaders and SNAs can work together to ensure that both are supported to provide the most effective service to children with significant care needs in our schools.
267. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 246 of 21 November 2023, if she will provide an update and a timeframe for an extension to a school (details supplied) consisting of an additional modular classroom, which was approved in March 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6087/24]
View answerFurther to Parliamentary Question No.246 of 21 November 2023 I can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application for capital funding, under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme from the school in question.
The purpose of the Additional Schools Accommodation (ASA) scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream and special education classroom accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year and where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.
My Department's focus is on the most critical needs for the next school year and how each individual school’s accommodation can be best utilised and at capacity across schools in each school planning area. In the context of making most effective use of our capital allocation, and mindful of climate action goals, my officials are working to make sure that all school accommodation capacity is being maximised. The application for the school to which the Deputy refers to is being considered in this context and a decision will be communicated to the school as soon as possible.
The consideration of the accommodation requirements for the school in question forms part of the Planning and Building Unit’s overall assessment of its work programme and priorities in the context of available capital funding.
The provision of required school places, including for children with special educational needs, is a priority for my Department. My officials are working to ensure that there is sufficient provision to meet the school place needs in the school in question and the wider area for 2024/25 and future years.
268. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Education to consider a redeployment scheme for SNAs who lose positions in a school and are seeking to be deployed to another school. [6092/24]
View answerTo address the issue of casualisation of employment amongst SNAs, where a school/ETB has an additional allocation of standard SNA hours/posts (e.g. an additional allocation of standard SNA hours/posts or an SNA has left the employment) then that additional allocation of hours/posts must be offered to any existing part-time SNAs in standard SNA posts in that school, in order of seniority, before the employer has recourse to these arrangements.
This means that before an employer opts to recruit further persons as SNAs, they must ensure that all existing part-time SNAs in standard posts in their employment, in order of seniority, have been offered a full-time position in the school or, in the case of ETBs, a full-time position in a school within the ETB scheme.
The purpose of the SNA Supplementary Assignment arrangements is to facilitate eligible SNAs who are being made redundant by one employer in filling SNA vacancies that may become available in another school / ETB.
As recently announced by Minister Madigan, the SNA Workforce Development Unit within Special Education Division in my Department is currently working on the development of the first Special Needs Assistant Workforce Development Plan (the plan). The plan, which will be developed over the next 2 years, will introduce policy developments which will bring clarity and direction to the SNA service. The areas of recruitment and redeployment will be considered as part of the overall work undertaken on the plan.
The plan will be developed in consultation and collaboration with stakeholders including school leaders and the SNAs, giving all parties an opportunity to provide input and share views on the future development and direction of the SNA service.
269. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Education for an update on the review she ordered on the guidance document that relates to how to facilitate the use of the spaces and facilities for the wider community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6095/24]
View answerI wish to thank the Deputy for the opportunity to give an update on the review of my Department's 'Guidelines on the Use of School Buildings Outside of School Hours', which the Deputy appears to be referring to. My Department supports and encourages the use of school buildings for community and recreational purposes where feasible, and this has remained a core feature of the new Guidelines - or Procedures as they are now called.
My Department first published the Guidelines on the use of School Buildings outside of School Hours in October 2017. The purpose of these guidelines was to provide guidance to schools in relation to their current arrangements for the use of school buildings outside of school hours. The Guidelines outline the various scenarios and informs where consent of the Department of Education is required.
Part of the review included a school survey to inform the updating of the existing Guidelines. The survey was issued to patron bodies of a sample of selected primary and post-primary schools for distribution. The survey invited schools to share their views on topics including: whether and how their school facilities are currently used by organisations other than the school, future plans for the use of school buildings and any current barriers encountered regarding the use of school buildings after hours. The responses to the survey were returned, analysed and informed the review. Following the survey, further engagement took place with the stakeholders, patron bodies and other government Departments on the Procedures.
It is expected that the new Procedures will be published very shortly and all schools will be notified of the changes.
270. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education the breakdown of the language of instruction in each primary school, the full complement of teachers each school should have; the number of current vacancies in teaching posts at the school; and the number of unqualified teachers employed to fill teaching posts at the school, in columns, in tabular form. [6098/24]
View answerPlease find attached list of primary schools with language of Instruction. Please note that primary schools teaching through the medium of Irish have an Irish Classification of "All Subjects Through Irish" This list is based on the final enrolment data for 2022-2023, the latest year we have final data available for. Final data for 2023-2024 will be published in June 2024, at the link below;
www.gov.ie/en/collection/primary-schools/ .
List of primary schools with language of Instruction - Table
Overall allocation figures per school sector can be found at www.gov.ie/en/publication/055810-education-statistics/#education-indicators. Allocations may change slightly throughout the year depending on individual school needs. The Department does not publish this data at individual school level.
Teacher allocations to all schools are approved annually by the Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. The criteria for the allocation of posts are communicated to school managements annually and are available on the Department website.
The recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for individual school authorities, subject to procedures agreed under Section 24 of the Education Act 1998 (as amended by the Education (Amendment) Act 2012). The deployment of teaching staff in the school is in the first instance a matter for the school management authorities as the employer.
The Department does not collect data on the recruitment by individual employers, therefore we do not have figures on current vacancies.
It is a legal requirement for a teacher to register with the Teaching Council in order to receive a salary paid by the State. This ensures all teachers are qualified, capable and ethical professionals (www.teachingcouncil.ie).
Schools are permitted to employ substitute teachers, who are not fully qualified teachers, when all attempts at recruiting a qualified substitute teacher have been unsuccessful. Schools may only employ an unqualified substitute teacher for short periods up to a maximum of 5 days, as a last resort.
Schools have been advised to have plans in place to ensure that they have access to suitable qualified substitutes to cover teacher absences.
271. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education if she will reassess the proposal to split a school up across a town (details supplied); and to outline the cost of the measures involved in all options. [6107/24]
View answerA project to provide a new 16 classroom primary school building plus provision for special education needs for the school referred to by the Deputy is being advanced by my Department.
The project will be delivered as part of my Departments ADAPT Programme. ADAPT is an acronym which stands for the Accelerated Delivery of Architectural Planning and Tendering. The ADAPT Programme uses a professional external Project Manager to co-ordinate and drive the Design Team to achieve the best possible timeframe for the project through the stages of Architectural Planning to Tender and Construction. The project is currently at Design Team tender assessment and it is estimated that the Design Team appointment will be ratified during Quarter 2 2024.
Upon appointment, the Design Team will proceed to Stage 1 of Architectural Planning – Preliminary Design, where the Design Team will assess the site and prepare their initial sketch schemes. A preferred design option, including the scope and extent of works to be carried out will be established during this early stage.
Pending the completion of this new school building, interim arrangements for the accommodation of the school have been put in place. In order to facilitate the continued growth of the school, additional accommodation is required for the 2024/25 school year. The Department is currently engaging with the school patron to put a solution in place in this regard.
