Written Answers Nos. 208-215
208. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education if, in relation to the reduction of SET hours for schools, her Department is fully compliant with the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9886/24]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for the question.
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.
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.
The SET allocation model has been in place since 2017 based on a 2014 NCSE report, my Department believed a review of the model was prudent. The department commenced a review in late 2022 to ensure that the model was meeting the changing needs in special education.
The review examined the following:
• The individual inputs (components) of the model
• The validity and reliability of the data used for each component
• Feedback from our education partners and individual schools
The review of the SET allocation model further identified that a programme of continuous development was required to ensure that the model was delivering effectively, both in supporting the changing needs in the education system, and for individual schools.
A high level roadmap has been discussed and agreed with our education partners during a series of consultations to enhance the inputs and improve the sensitivity of the model.
The journey of enhancement begins with the 2024/25 allocation by ensuring that the model has a strong foundation.
The key to building a solid foundation is ensuring that the data, for each pillar within the model, is already available to the department and provided by schools. Where data used in the model is received from external sources, it is critical that the information is being received on a consistent basis.
The Education for Persons with Special Educational Act 2004 is currently under review as it has been in place for over 19 years, during which significant policy developments have occurred in the field of special education. The review process is characterised by open collaboration and consultation with various stakeholders.
My department is committed to ongoing engagement with our education partners in relation to future developments and enhancements to the SET model and Education for Persons with Special Educational 2204 Act.
The Department acknowledges that every school is different, and that schools can experience unique circumstances that may be difficult to reflect in any standardised method. This is always a challenge when making allocations in respect of 4,000 schools. It is for this reason that the Department, working with the NCSE has streamlined the review process for special education teachers and schools who have any concerns can engage with the NCSE on their allocation.
209. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education for an individual update on all school capital projects in Kildare south; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9896/24]
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 800 school building projects with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes 33 new school buildings.
These 300 projects currently at construction involve a total State investment of over €1.2bn.
There are also approx. 90 projects currently at the tender stage including a further 28 new school buildings. All these new school buildings are flagship projects in their area and transform the education infrastructure for those school communities.
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 Kildare alone, we have invested over €250m in our schools, of which circa. €105m was in Kildare South constituency, and have completed 31 school building projects of which 10 are in Kildare South.
Construction is underway at 14 other projects in County Kildare. 7 under the Large Scale Capital Programme, of which 6 are in Kildare South, 4 under the Additional Accommodation Scheme, of which 1 is in Kildare South. Additionally, there are 3 projects under the Modular Programme, of which 1 is in Kildare South.
The key drivers of capital investment in the schools sector are as follows:
• demographic growth, particularly at post primary level
• increased demand for special educational needs provision
• alignment of school place provision with new housing development
• climate action objectives including deep energy retrofit
The current status of all projects, including those in Kildare South, is listed on a county by county basis at www.gov.ie. This is updated on a regular basis to reflect the progress of projects through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.
210. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will review the funding allocated to the sports lottery fund and allocate extra investment in sports facilities across Ireland, where there is a growing population, and where the annual house building target is expected to increase by 100%, to 60,000 per annum. [9771/24]
View answerCapital funding for sport is provided though the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) and the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF).
My Department is conscious of the need to respond to growing demand including demand arising from population increase. The 2020 round of the SCEP attracted a record 3,106 applications with a total of €166.6m allocated to the Programme.
After every recent round of the SCEP a review is undertaken with a view to making recommendations on how to improve the programme and process for future calls. The review of the 2020 programme identified new areas for focus including prioritising applications from areas witnessing significant population growth. Accordingly, the "Scoring System and Assessment Manual" for the 2023 round includes criteria to address the issue of population growth
The latest round of the SCEP 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 National Sports Policy which was published in 2018 provided for a new Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The aim of the fund is to provide Exchequer support for larger sports projects and facilities where the required Exchequer investment is greater than the maximum amount available under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP).
In January 2020 allocations of €86.4 million in LSSIF funding were awarded to 33 different proposals. In December Minister Martin and I announced additional funding amounting to a total of €37.6 million, with 27 existing LSSIF projects benefiting, bringing the total awarded to date to LSSIF-funded projects to €124 million. This additional funding for projects was provided, in response to delays experienced by grantees arising from the pandemic and construction inflation.
Minister Martin and I have also confirmed that a new round of the LSSIF will open for applications in the first half of 2024, with the dates, terms and conditions to be published on the Department’s website in due course.
Finally, Minister Martin and I are engaging with the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform with regard to the Department's capital allocations for the coming years. This process is ongoing and the outcome will inform the level of funding which will be available for allocation.
211. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide a breakdown of all EU funding made available to her Department which has not yet been allocated; and the purpose for which this funding has been made available by the EU. [9815/24]
View answerI am advised by my Department that there is no EU funding made available to my Department which has not yet been allocated.
212. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when she or her Department was first informed by the Chair of the RTÉ Board (details supplied), or any other person, of concerns regarding the performance of the former Director General of RTÉ; the nature and content of the communications; the action she took in response to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9866/24]
View answer213. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when she or her Department was first informed by the Chair of the RTÉ Board, or any other person, of concerns regarding the operation of barter accounts at RTÉ; the nature and content of the communications; the action she took in response to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9867/24]
View answer214. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she or her Department has been informed by the Chair of the RTÉ Board, or any other person, of concerns regarding financial, commercial, employment or behavioural irregularities at RTÉ, outside of what has already transpired publicly; the nature and content of the communications; the action she took in response to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9868/24]
View answerNo further irregularities at RTÉ, outside of those that have previously been publicly disclosed or have been subject to review or investigation, have been brought to my attention by the former Chair or any other person.
Where matters come to light and are brought to the attention of my Department these are brought to the attention of RTÉ in the first instance. I have received correspondence from a number of individuals previously employed or engaged by RTÉ, regarding issues or experiences. In each case, I have ensured that these are provided to the Director General to address appropriately, given that under the Broadcasting Act, 2009, RTÉ is independent with regard to operational matters and as Minister, I have no role in respect of such matters.
215. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Mairéad Farrell den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán i dtaobh Scéim Cothabhála na mBád Seoil a bhí á riaradh ag Údarás na Gaeltachta, cad é iomlán na ndeontas a bronnadh in aghaidh na bliana faoin scéim seo sa chúig bliana deireannacha a raibh sí á feidhmiú lena linn; an bhfuil measúnú déanta ar an éifeacht a bhí le deireadh a chur leis an scéim; agus an bhfuil machnamh déanta ar an scéim a athbhunú; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [9869/24]
View answerTá curtha in iúl dom ag Údarás na Gaeltachta gur cuireadh deireadh le Scéim Cothabhála na mBád Seoil roinnt blianta ó shin agus nach bhfuil na taifid a bhaineann leis an scéim ar fáil san eagraíocht a thuilleadh, dá bharr.
Níl aon mheasúnú déanta ar an éifeacht a bhí le deireadh a chur leis an scéim agus níl sé i gceist an scéim a athbhunú.
