Written Answers Nos. 540-560
540. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education when additional accommodation will be approved for a school in south Tipperary; the reason for the delay in approving such accommodation; the current status of the application for additional accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15129/24]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy, that the school in question has submitted an application for capital funding, under my Department's Additional School Accommodation Scheme (ASA).
The purpose of the Additional School Accommodation 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.
In general, demographics have been falling at primary level and are due to continue to decrease.
Therefore the Department considers it prudent to maximise the use of existing spare accommodation capacity at primary level in the first instance, before considering any applications for further accommodation needs. This is in line with public spending requirements.
The Department’s Planning and Building Unit is therefore carefully analysing the medium to longer-term requirements for additional accommodation taking account of enrolment projections and the need to make optimum use of existing capacity in schools in the area.
Our main focus is on the most critical needs for the next school year. In the context of making most effective use of our capital allocation, and mindful of climate action goals, we are working to make sure that all school accommodation capacity is being maximised. We are looking at how each individual school’s accommodation can be best utilised and at capacity across schools in each school planning area.
The application for this school is being considered in this context and we are working to get a decision communicated to the school as soon as possible.
541. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 708 of 11 September 2023, the current status of an application to build an extension to a school (details supplied) for the provision of two permanent ASD class units and classroom; whether a flood risk assessment has been received by her Department; the next steps to be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15168/24]
View answerThe School to which the Deputy refers was granted funding to provide one mainstream classroom and a two classroom special education needs (SEN) base under my Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme (ASA). The project was devolved for delivery to the school authority.
Officials in my Department frequently engage with Cavan Monaghan Education and Training Board (CMETB), who are assisting on this project. My Department is awaiting an updated cost plan from the School Authority's Design Team. The Department understands that the flood risk assessment has already been completed and is currently awaiting its findings. Following receipt of the cost plan and flood risk assessment report, my Department's officials will review the project and will be in contact with CMETB at that stage.
542. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education the position in relation to payment for a temporary SNA (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15192/24]
View answerI have looked into this matter and I understand that the SNA in question is not working under a contract as a temporary SNA in the school, but rather, is working as a substitute covering the leave absence of a contracted SNA.
Substitute SNAs are paid an hourly rate of €16.44 or a daily rate of €105.23 and are entitled to bank holiday payments if they work 40 hours in the five weeks prior to the bank holiday.
Substitute SNAs are also entitled to 8% holiday pay which is accrued and paid out three times during the year: - at Christmas, Easter and during the summer. It is expected that substitutes would sign on with the Department of Social Protection during school closures.
543. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education for an update on the timings for the permanent extension at a school (details supplied) which was initially due to be finished for September 2024 and has not commenced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15196/24]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has a modular project and a traditional construction project in the pipeline for the school in question.
Following consultation between my Department and Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education Training Board (DDLETB), the patron of the school in question, it was agreed in early 2021 to increase the capacity of the school to 1,500 places. There was no time frame determined for this increase but it was expected that there would be a gradual increase in enrolments over a number of years.
In order to facilitate an initial increase in enrolments, modular accommodation of 4 x Mainstream Classrooms, 2 x Science laboratories and additional toilets was provided at the school in 2022. As a result of continued engagement between my Department and DDLETB it was agreed to provide further modular accommodation at the school for the 2024/25 school year. This accommodation includes reconfiguration within the school building to provide two special education classrooms and modular accommodation consisting of two science laboratories (for displacement) and one prep area, and four x mainstream classrooms. This accommodation is being provided under the Department’s Modular Accommodation Framework. Initial approval issued to the school for this accommodation in February. A subsequent phase two traditional construction project to deliver the remaining accommodation has been agreed by DDLETB and is currently with the department’s Technical team for project typing and costing.
In relation to the time frame for commencement of procurement for the phase two permanent extension, the department is not in a position to guarantee a definitive timeline. As the Deputy will appreciate the progress of the project depends on a multitude of factors such as any identified technical challenges, statutory consents, procurement etc., many of which are outside of the department's control.
My Department continues to work closely with DDLETB to advance both of these projects as quickly as possible.
School building projects at construction involve an overall State investment of over €1.2 billion. There is a large number of modular accommodation projects that are very well advanced for delivery or at construction stage. 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.
I can assure the Deputy that my department is very cognisant of the urgency around the delivery of accommodation for the new school year and is working to advance matters as quickly as possible. 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 school planning area for future years.
544. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education for an update on the permanent site for a school (details supplied) currently on the grounds of another school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15197/24]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the site identification and assessment exercise for the new Ériu Community College is ongoing. Potential site options have been identified, including a Minister-owned property.
The Deputy will appreciate that negotiations in respect of site acquisitions are, by their nature, sensitive and for that reason I am not in a position to provide further information at this time.
545. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education given the space constraints at a school in County Cork (details supplied), how she proposes to facilitate the provision of three ASD classes which have been sanctioned; if she is familiar with defects identified by the school in part of the school building; if, in the context of the urgent requirement for additional ASD units in the Ballincollig area and the fact that there are twenty-one students in the school who have been diagnosed with autism but do not have access to an ASD classroom, she will reconsider the decision regarding a proposal to demolish and rebuild part of the school, particularly in the context of sanctioned modular classrooms which could also be accommodated within the demolished and rebuild proposal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15240/24]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that my department received an application under the Additional Schools' Accommodation (ASA) Scheme in 2021 from the school in question for funding for three special education needs classrooms.
The purpose of my department’s Additional Schools' Accommodation (or ASA) scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom accommodation and accommodation for pupils with special education needs is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation or at other schools in the area.
At primary level, this situation generally arises to cater for a school’s accommodation requirements where an additional teaching post has been sanctioned by Teacher Allocation Section, or the requirement for a new class for pupils with special education needs has been identified by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), and all available alternative accommodation within the school is already being used for classroom purposes. The capacity at other schools in the area is also considered as part of the assessment of any accommodation needs.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has a statutory function to plan and co-ordinate the provision of education and support services to children with special educational needs, in consultation with the relevant education partners and the Health Service Executive (HSE). This includes the establishment of special class and special school placements in various geographical areas where there is an identified need.
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.
As you may be aware the department’s Technical team carried out an in-depth review of the school site in 2021. The review confirmed that the school and the site are at maximum capacity and that it would not be possible to provide the required accommodation on site unless vast amounts of existing single storey accommodation was to be demolished and replaced with two storey accommodation.
At that time, considering all the relevant impediments to deliver the brief of accommodation and the site constraints, the Department was not in a position to provide funding for the significant demolition of the school building. In light of this, officials in my department contacted the NCSE to advise them of same and to establish the special classes in other schools in the area.
I can assure the Deputy, in light of receipt of the engineer's condition report from the school in question, my department's Technical Team will review the contents thereof and officials from my department will consult with the school authority on completion of the review.
546. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the joint major building project for schools (details supplied) in Drogheda; what stage it is currently at; when they can expect progression to the next stage of the planning process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15291/24]
View answerThe joint Major Building Project referred to by the Deputy for St Ita's & St Mary's Special Schools, Drogheda, is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning -Stage 2(b) – Detailed Design, where the design team secure all Statutory Applications and prepare the suite of tender documents.The Design Team have recently secured all Statutory Approvals, including Planning Permission, following a request for further information from the Local Authority,The design team are completing work on the Stage 2(b) submission, to be forwarded to my Department for review.Upon receipt, review and approval of the Stage 2(b) submission, the Department will inform the School Authorities and their Design Team of the progression of the major project to the next stage of Architectural Planning – Tender Award.
In accordance with the Infrastructure Guidelines published by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, approval at any stage in the project life cycle constitutes approval to move to the next stage rather than overall project approval.
547. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education if she will outline her Department's policy in respect of the management of a student who has been allowed to withdraw from a curricular subject; if such a student should be accommodated within the school by way of free/study period, placement in an alternative class, or if the student should be required by the school to remove themselves from the school environs during the period of the class from which the student has withdrawn, all in circumstances where no disciplinary or other problems arise; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15292/24]
View answerIn accordance with Section 30 of the Education Act, 1998, parents have a right to have their children opt out of classes which are contrary to the conscience of the parent if they so wish. It is expected that this right be upheld by schools on foot of a parental request.
The manner in which any school ensures that the right to opt out of classes is upheld is a matter for the school concerned. The school must determine the particular arrangements which are most appropriate in its individual circumstances having regard to local issues such as available space, supervision requirements and how the school concerned organises classes etc.
548. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education following on from the debate at the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications (details supplied), if the age limit for school bus drivers can be raised; her views on same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15304/24]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 161,600 children, including over 135,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 19,800 pupils with special educational needs, and 6,800 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02m.
Bus Éireann operates the school transport scheme on behalf of the Department of Education. The purpose of the scheme is to provide transport for children living remotely from their nearest school. Safety is a core value for Bus Éireann and is its first priority in all operations.
While over 90% of services are contracted locally, Bus Éireann apply stringent assessments of each individual driver on over 7,000 school routes. This includes vetting and background checks.
The retirement age for school bus drivers has been set by Bus Éireann at 70 years of age, which also applies to road passenger services.
Bus Éireann part-time school bus drivers and drivers nominated by private operators who operate service as part of the School Transport Scheme may continue to perform in the role provided they hold the requisite license and satisfy an annual medical examination until they retire at age 70. This policy and criteria is applied to all drivers who provide school transport services on behalf of Bus Éireann equally.
The age limit on school bus drivers was increased to 70 years a number of years ago. While Bus Éireann have informed the Department there is no plan to increase the age limit further at this time, the matter will continue to be kept under review. Bus Éireann and Department officials meet regularly to discuss operational and policy matters.
549. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education if teachers will be employed by ETBs to deliver teaching of Ukrainian as a Leaving Certificate subject, or if students will have to get grinds or learn the course outside of the regular school channels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15315/24]
View answerIn August 2022, my Department requested that the State Examinations Commission (SEC) develop a Leaving Certificate examination in Ukrainian as a non-curricular language.
The SEC provides Leaving Certificate examinations in a range of subjects in the language area referred to as the non-curricular EU languages. These are languages which do not appear as part of the normal school curriculum but in which students may opt to be examined if they meet certain criteria. The examination model is based on that of the First Foreign Language final written examination of the European Baccalaureate and is offered at Higher Level only. The SEC have advised that the first examination will be available for students sitting the Leaving Certificate in June 2025
550. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if she will seek or support calls for additional school bus places to cater for all secondary school children travelling from Collon to Ardee, County Louth for the forthcoming school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15337/24]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 161,600 children, including over 135,000 pupils traveling on primary and post primary services, 19,800 pupils with special educational needs, and 6,800 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02m.
Children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
A minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the establishment or retention of school transport services, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits.
The closing date for new applications for the 2024/2025 school year is Friday 26th April 2024. The closing date for payment/entering medical details for tickets for the 2024/2025 school year is Friday 7th June 2024.
All school transport services are reviewed over the summer months. Arising from this review, routes may be altered, extended or withdrawn depending on the number and location of eligible children who will be availing of school transport for the following school year.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application process on time will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation and there is capacity to do so.
Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who completed the application process on time, will be considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Due to the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places, in these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.
Under the terms of the scheme, the availability of concessionary transport varies from year to year based on the capacity on the buses running on all of the various routes and the number of eligible children accommodated on each route.
Routes will not be extended or altered, additional vehicles will not be introduced, nor will larger vehicles or extra trips using existing vehicles be provided to cater for children travelling on a concessionary basis.
Temporary Alleviation Measures are in place for the 2024/2025 school year, these measures mean that transport will be provided where such services are in operation and there is capacity to do so, for concessionary post-primary students who are eligible for transport to their nearest school and are attending their second nearest school and, who applied for school transport by the 26th of April 2024 and pay for a ticket/enter medical card details by the 7th June 2024.
In cases where the Department is satisfied that your nearest/next nearest schools are full, eligibility for school transport will be determined based on the distance you reside from your next nearest school having regard to ethos and language.
If families have applied to attend their nearest school in regards to ethos and language and have been advised by the school authorities that it is full, my Department will consider if students can be deemed eligible for transport to the next nearest school.
To establish that the nearest school is full parents must provide:-
• The steps taken to enrol their child in the nearest and next nearest schools
• Evidence that an application for enrolment was made within the deadline dates specified by the school and
• A letter from the School Authorities confirming that the school was full at the time of enrolment.
These families can submit details to the School Transport Section in the Department of Education at school_transport@education.gov.ie.
551. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education if adult education tutors employed by ETBs other than BTEI adult educators are included in the salary increases indicated in Circular 0015/2022 under Building Momentum. [15347/24]
View answerThe majority of tutors delivering further education and training are paid a rate aligned to a teacher hourly rate of pay and the Building Momentum pay increases were applied to that rate by relevant circulars.
It recently came to light that some ETBs paid tutors on other rates aligned to rates under the ‘self-financing’ adult education programme. As these rates did not increase under Building Momentum, such tutors had not received increases. Circular 0032/2024, which was published on 27 March 2024, takes account of the revision of pay rate for tutors delivering adult education that are currently being paid on these ‘self-financing’ rates of pay. The circular provides for a revised pay rate taking account of increases arising under Building Momentum – A New Public Service Agreement 2021-2023 and includes arrears to the appropriate points in time.
The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and my Department, which has regulatory responsibility for the ETB sector, issued a proposal to establish a new grade of adult educator, with a standardised pay scale aligned with the Youthreach Resource person scale. This grade will apply to tutors employed in ETBs to deliver FET programmes, who are currently employed under a variety of terms and conditions. This proposal has been accepted by staff representatives and steps will be now be taken to support implementation of the proposal.
Existing staff working as adult education tutors in ETBs will have the option of availing of the new arrangements and assimilating onto the new salary scale or remaining on their current terms and conditions. The provision of a pay scale will allow for incremental progression and a career path for Tutors in the further education and training sector.
552. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education if her Department will send an official to a school (details supplied) in order to assist the school in ascertaining the best approach to improve and enhance the school building. [15364/24]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is not in receipt of a current application from the school in question, for the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme.
The purpose of my Department’s Additional School Accommodation (or ASA) scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom accommodation and accommodation for pupils with special education needs is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.
At primary level, this situation generally arises to cater for a school’s accommodation requirements where an additional teaching post has been sanctioned by Teacher Allocation Section, or the requirement for a new class for pupils with special education needs has been identified by the NCSE, and all available alternative accommodation within the school is already being used for classroom purposes.
The main focus of the Department’s resources over the last decade and for the coming period is on the provision of critical additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics.
In terms of available funding, I can confirm to the Deputy that the Minor Works Grant for primary schools may be used to improve the physical infrastructure and appearance of schools without needing to deal directly with the Department.
Given that each school setting is different, individual schools are best placed to decide how best to use this funding to address their particular maintenance needs. In this respect the minor works grant funding provides good flexibility to address issues at local school level
The Summer Works Scheme (SWS), which is demand based, is designed to allow schools, on a devolved funding basis, to carry out necessary improvement works that will upgrade existing school facilities, which can be carried out during the summer months or at other times that avoid disrupting the operation of the school. The Summer Works Scheme operates on a multi-annual basis. Schools will be notified of the details of future Summer Works Schemes in due course.
My Department also administers an Emergency Works Grant, and its purpose is solely for unforeseen emergencies or to provide funding to facilitate inclusion and access for special needs pupils. An emergency is deemed to be a situation which poses an immediate risk to health, life, property or the environment, which is sudden, unforeseen and requires immediate action and in the case of a school if not corrected would prevent the school or part thereof from opening. Additional information can be located on the Department's website: www.gov.ie/en/service/593d30-emergency-works.
553. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 206 of 27 February 2024, if she can provide an update/progress report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15460/24]
View answerThe property referred to by the Deputy is not in my ownership.
As previously advised, the Department has a process in place whereby requests to surrender the Minister's interest in a non-Minister owned property are progressed.
This process involves the internal appraisal of the property, as well as the preparation of a detailed instruction to our legal representatives in the Chief State Solicitor's Office (CSSO) to draft a Deed of Surrender, following review and approval by my Department.
The process in this case is ongoing. Updates will be provided to the property owners at the appropriate time or if further detail is needed in order to further their request. These requests can sometimes take time, given the due diligence required to inform a legal instruction.
The matter is being expedited the matter as quickly as possible and the property owners will be informed of the progress in this regard.
554. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education if she will provide clarification on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15461/24]
View answerThe Professional Master of Education (PME) is a two-year, full-time Level 9 postgraduate professional teacher education programme designed to qualify graduates as primary & post-primary teachers. Changes to the duration and content of initial teacher education programmes were made in response to recommendations in the National Strategy to Improve Literacy and Numeracy among children and Young People 2011-2020 and were incorporated into the Teaching Council’s accreditation standards. What had been the ‘H-Dip’ of 18 months at primary and 1 year at post-primary became the two-year Professional Master of Education for both. The standards were arrived at following extensive research and consultation with regard to the programme that would be required in order to develop the skills, knowledge, understanding, and professional values expected of newly qualified teachers. The reforms were focused on improving the quality of teaching and learning in schools, which is central to the educational outcomes of children. The extended duration allowed for substantial periods of school placement and a number of mandatory elements in all programmes including literacy and numeracy and ICT in teaching and learning. These standards were recently updated by the Council in Céim (2020) which reaffirms that post-graduate ITE programmes shall be a minimum of two years’ duration. The extensive nature of curriculum and assessment reforms over the past decade, the more complex legislative and regulatory context within which teachers and schools operate, expanded pedagogical approaches and a focus on learner-centred processes have resulted in evolving demands on teachers to reach and demonstrate high professional standards. The requirements for ITE are a significant factor in the high quality of our teaching profession in Ireland, which is recognised at home and abroad.
While there are currently no plans to reduce the duration of the postgraduate ITE programmes to one year, the Department’s ongoing approach is to continue to develop further innovative measures to improve the availability of teachers.
Student teachers are not paid for the duration of designated school placements. However, for the many student teachers who choose to register with the Teaching Council, there are many opportunities during the academic year, outside of their school placement period, to earn while working in schools, and many student teachers do so.The Deputy may also be interested to know that in Budget 2024, a number of specific, targeted measures were announced, including a PME incentive scheme. This PME incentive scheme will be introduced for newly qualified teachers graduating in 2024. Those newly qualified teachers who graduate with a PME will, subject to some conditions, be eligible for an incentive payment of up to €2,000. This incentive payment will be paid to eligible primary and post-primary teachers in 2025. This will recognise the costs that PME students incur when completing their initial teacher education, assist them with these costs and encourage suitable candidates to consider a career in teaching. The aim of the incentive is to encourage more graduates to consider a career in teaching and to encourage future NQTs with PMEs to take up teaching roles in Ireland after graduating. Further details of this incentive scheme will be announced in the coming months.
555. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Education if a school place will be available in Dublin 13 for a child (details supplied) for the academic year beginning September 2024. [15477/24]
View answerIn relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an admissions policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998 and the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018. Under the provisions of the Act, school admission policies are approved by the Patron, following consultation with staff and parents of children who are attending the school. The school’s admissions policy is published on the school’s website. The Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in that area.
Parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available, a selection process will be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.
As the Deputy may be aware, in order to plan for school place needs, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and utilises a Geographical Information System to anticipate school place demand. Information from a range of sources, including Child Benefit data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is used for this purpose. Additionally, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform my Department's projections of school place requirements. It is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not always be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:
• Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area
• School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area
• Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school they are not available to all pupils
• External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area
Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) is the agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. TESS can be contacted at 01-7718500 (tessinfo@tusla.ie) for assistance. More information is available on their website on the following link: www.tusla.ie/tess/tess-ews/.
556. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Education to engage through her officials with Donegal County Council to enable discussions in finding a sensible solution with regard to a road and established right-of-way at Ballyconnell in Falcarragh, County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15484/24]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, this is not a public road. It is in the ownership of the Department and signs have been recently erected on the road to state this. It is not suitable for, and should not be used for, access or recreational purposes. Discussions have taken place with Donegal County Council with respect to this road, however my Department has no immediate plans with regard to the resurfacing of the road.My Department remains open to any constructive proposal with regard to the road, while also taking account of any relevant procedures in relation to proposals concerning rights of way on Minister owned land.
557. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the amount spent by her Department on travel and accommodation costs associated with Ministerial visits abroad to date in 2024, in tabular form. [13815/24]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy in respect of the amount spent by my Department on travel and accommodation costs associated with Ministerial visits abroad to date in 2024, where bills have been received at this point, is set out in the table below. Personal expenses incurred by accompanying officials are claimed by the individual officers in accordance with applicable Civil Service procedures.
|
Minister |
Dates of travel |
Destination |
Travel Costs |
Accommodation costs paid by D/TCAGSM |
Total in Travelling Party |
|
Minister Martin |
08-14 March 2024 |
USA, Nashville, Austin |
€11,147 |
Awaiting Invoices from Department of Foreign Affairs |
3 |
|
Minister Byrne |
13-20 March 2024 |
USA, Phoenix, Los Angeles |
€10,454 |
Awaiting Invoices Department of Foreign Affairs |
3 |
|
Minister O'Donovan |
14-18 March 2024 |
USA, St. Louis, Kansas City |
€6,591 |
Awaiting Invoices from Department of Foreign Affairs |
3 |
All flights were booked in accordance with Government Guidelines. My Department makes an annual payment to the Climate Action Fund scheme, administered by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications to offset emissions for travel on commercial flights, in accordance with Circular 01/2020 (D/PER).
558. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of properties either owned or leased by her Department, which are currently vacant; the length of time the properties have been vacant for; and the location of the properties, in tabular form. [13833/24]
View answerIn general, matters relating to property for my Department are the responsibility of the Office of Public Works as my Department does not own any properties. I am advised that my Department does not have control of any vacant or derelict properties.
559. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aindrias Moynihan den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén caitheamh caipitiúil a bhí ag Údarás na Gaeltachta sna réigiúin éagsula, le 5 bliana anuas, i bhfoirm thábla [14060/24]
View answerTugann an tábla thíos léiriú ar an gcaiteachas tógála de €50m a rinne Údarás na Gaeltachta idir na blianta 2019 agus 2023. Tá punann fairsing maoine ag an Údarás ina bhfuil breis agus 500 aonad tionsclaíocha agus gnó scaipthe thar na seacht gcontae Gaeltachta. Thug Údarás na Gaeltachta le fios gur tógadh formhór na bhfoirgnimh sin sna 70idí agus sna 80idí. Baineann an caiteachas a rinneadh le meascán de thograí caipitil idir foirgnimh nua mar aon le hathchóiriú agus athearraíocht ar shean fhoirgnimh. Tháinig méadú suntasach ar an gcaiteachas tógála idir na blianta 2019 agus 2023 atá maoinithe go príomha ó Vóta mo Roinne. Tá maoiniú breise aimsithe ag Údarás na Gaeltachta ó fhoinsí eile ar nós an Ciste um Athghiniúint agus Forbairt Tuaithe le roinnt blianta anuas.
Tá sé de chúram ar an Údarás a chinntiú go n-úsáidtear na foinsí maoinithe atá ar fáil dó ar thograí fiúntacha ag cinntiú go bhfaightear luach ar airgead agus go gcloítear leis an gCód Caiteachais Poiblí. Braitheann an caiteachas a dhéantar ag aon phointe ama ar shaolré na dtograí atáthar a fhorbairt agus áirítear leis sin an gá le cothromaíocht réigiúnach a bhaint amach. Le linn na tréimhse cúig bliana atá luaite, rinneadh 46% den chaiteachas i nGaeltacht na Gaillimhe, le 22% déanta i nGaeltacht Dhún na nGall agus 12% i nGaeltacht Mhaigh Eo. Tá sé le feiceáil go bhfuil, den chuid is mó, comhchoibhneas idir an pátrún caiteachais de réir contae Gaeltachta agus an daonra Gaeltachta atá lonnaithe sna ceantair sin.
|
- |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
Iomlán |
% den iomlán |
% den Daonra |
|
|
€’000 |
€’000 |
€’000 |
€’000 |
€’000 |
€’000 |
||
|
Dún na Gall |
4,311 |
2,174 |
1,181 |
1,107 |
2,450 |
11,223 |
22% |
23% |
|
Maigh Eo |
632 |
798 |
623 |
1,680 |
2,420 |
6,153 |
12% |
10% |
|
Gaillimh |
1,712 |
2,721 |
5,022 |
6,621 |
6,773 |
22,849 |
45% |
51% |
|
An Mhí |
1,135 |
1,702 |
290 |
75 |
646 |
3,848 |
8% |
2% |
|
Ciarraí |
30 |
1,076 |
114 |
599 |
2,016 |
3,835 |
8% |
8% |
|
Corcaigh |
60 |
516 |
882 |
341 |
301 |
2,100 |
4% |
4% |
|
Port Láirge |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0% |
2% |
|
Iomlán |
7,880 |
8,987 |
8,112 |
10,423 |
14,606 |
50,008 |
560. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aindrias Moynihan den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén maoiniú caipitiúil atá curtha ar fáil ag Údarás na Gaeltachta do thogra Pháirc na Mara, le 5 bliana anuas, i bhfoirm thábla, cé mhéad den mhaoiniú a caitheadh sna blianta éagsúla; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [14061/24]
View answerTá Páirc na Mara aitheanta mar cheann de thograí straitéiseacha Údarás na Gaeltachta ina bhfuil sé beartaithe ionad náisiúnta taighde, nuálaíocht agus forbartha a lonnú i gCill Chiaráin, Conamara a bheidh dírithe ar dheiseanna in earnáil na mara a thapú. Deir Údarás na Gaeltachta gur togra uaillmhianach é seo a thagann leis an bhfís atá ag Údarás na Gaeltachta postanna a chruthú atá ceangailte go dlúth leis an gceantar ina bhfuil siad lonnaithe – bíodh siad ina dtograí teanga-lárnaithe, nó ina dtograí bunaithe ar acmhainní nádúrtha. Tá maoiniú iomlán de €2 milliún ceadaithe ag Fiontraíocht Éireann don togra seo.
Mar atá léirithe sa tábla thíos, is caiteachas de €1.024m atá déanta ar an togra idir na blianta 2019 agus 2023. De réir Údarás na Gaeltachta, bhain formhór an chaiteachais sin le hobair dheartha, innealtóireachta agus comhairleoireachta ar mhaithe le hiarracht a dhéanamh an togra a chur tríd an bpróiseas pleanála.
As an maoiniú iomlán de €2 milliún atá ceadaithe don togra, cheadaigh Fiontraíocht Éireann deontas caipitil de €1.6 milliún d’Údarás na Gaeltachta le forbairt a dhéanamh ar Ionad Nuálaíochta agus Forbartha Mara (MIDC) ar thalamh atá i seilbh an Údaráis i gCill Chiaráin. Is faoin gCiste Forbartha Fiontraíocht Réigiúnaigh (CFFR) a ceadaíodh an maoiniú d’fhorbairt an ionaid seo atá mar chuid lárnach de mhór thogra straitéiseach, Páirc na Mara.
Cuireadh iarratas pleanála faoi bhráid Chomhairle Contae na Gaillimhe i mí Bealtaine 2020, ach dhiúltaigh an t-údarás áitiúil don iarratas sin. Ina dhiaidh sin, chinn an Bord Pleanála diúltú den achomharc a rinne an tÚdarás i dtaca leis an gcead pleanála i mí Márta 2023.
Tá sé ráite ag an Údarás, tar éis athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar na roghanna éagsúla, go bhfuil sé beartaithe ag an eagraíocht tabhairt faoi iarratas nua a ullmhú ar mhaithe leis an togra tábhachtach seo a thabhairt chun cinn. Tá obair ar siúl chun an t-iarratas sin a ullmhú i láthair na huaire.
|
Caiteachas Caipitil |
||||||
|
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
Iomlán |
|
|
Páirc na Mara |
€355,152 |
€357,579 |
€122,501 |
€10,404 |
€178,848 |
€1,024,484 |
