Frankie Feighan
Question:201. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Education when the ICT grant funding will be paid to primary schools. [18583/24]
View answerSchool Funding
Questions (201)
Written answers
I recently announced €50 million in grant funding for Information and Communications Technology (ICT). This ICT grant has now issued to all recognised primary, special schools and post-primary schools. This funding is being provided to schools to help them continue to embed the use of digital technologies in their teaching, learning and assessment and represents the second tranche of ICT funding under the Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027.
The Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 was published last year and is underpinned by an investment of €200m to support its implementation, committed to under Ireland’s National Development Plan (NDP). The first tranche of €50m issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in late 2021.
Under the previous Digital Strategy for Schools 2015 to 2020, there was an overall investment of €210m issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in annual grant funding. This funding enabled schools to invest in appropriate digital infrastructure to enable the embedding of the use of digital technology in teaching, learning and assessment.
Additionally, further Funding of €50m secured as part of Ireland's National Recovery and Resilience Plan under the NextGenerationEU Recovery and Resilience Facility issued to all recognised schools in the free education scheme to support learners at risk of educational disadvantage through the digital divide in late 2021.
Special Educational Needs
Questions (202)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:202. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education if she will address matters in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18590/24]
View answerWritten answers
Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority 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.
The Special Education Teaching (SET) allocation model for 2024/25 is based on information from all 4,000 schools in the country. The model distributes the total available number of SET posts in line with each school’s profile of need.
The model seeks to distribute teaching resources in the fairest possible manner, taking into account as much evidence as possible in respect of individual schools and evidence in respect of the best possible use of resources. Schools must adhere to the guidance on the use of SET hours and support all children with additional teaching needs using the continuum of support framework.
The revised model is providing an annual allocation of SET hours, using the best possible available data sources and is ensuring that the right resource is available at the right time to meet the needs of children with special educational needs. Schools have autonomy to deploy those resources to meet the needs of their students. In this regard it is important to note that 67% of all schools saw their allocation increase or remain the same, whereas 33% saw a reduction in hours. Of those schools who saw a reduction in hours 90% was a result of falling enrolment.
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 SET hours and schools who have any concerns can engage with the NCSE on their allocation.
Reviews are being conducted by the NCSE, between March and May, to better enable schools to plan for the following September. An internal NCSE review panel will consider the application ensuring that the school have clearly evidenced that the overall level of SET allocation in this school does not have capacity to meet this additional identified need.
Additional resources will be provided to schools in cases where the NCSE have identified that this is required.
This review process has now commenced with reviews being considered on a weekly basis with first priority given to schools who are developing or rapidly developing. A total of 218 applications have been received from schools.
A weekly process for consideration of submitted reviews is in place between the department and the NCSE so that schools can be advised at the earliest opportunity.
It is important to note that SET hours are only one component of support for children in mainstream classes. The most important support is the mainstream class teacher. The student/teacher ratio at primary level is now 23:1 which means there are more mainstream teachers than ever before in our educational system.
The department has adapted to the dynamic landscape of student enrolment. This has been particularly effective in the context of the pace and volume of newly arrived students fleeing the war in Ukraine and the ongoing increase in students, who require English as an Additional Language (EAL) supports to fully access the curriculum.
My department has prioritised enhancing EAL support, recognising the critical role of language proficiency in successful integration and academic achievement.
These supports to schools are provided for new-entrant students i.e., students who arrived in the country in the last 2 years with an EAL requirement. Similar to previous years, supports may also be provided to schools with a high concentration of students that are not classified as new-entrant but who have an EAL need i.e., those pupils with less than 3 years EAL support and register less than B1 in an English proficiency test.
My department’s Inspectorate report 'Meeting Additional Language Needs: Whole-school and Classroom Approaches for Inclusive Language Learning' outlines the best practice approaches in the teaching and learning of EAL involving mainstream teachers. The report underscores the importance of English language provision for educational equity and wellbeing and applauds schools for promoting diversity and belonging. My department will use its recommendations to enhance learning experiences across all schools.
All schools are advised in the first instance to review whether the needs of newly enrolled pupils can be met from within existing allocations. Language supports are also included through SET which encompasses an element of EAL support allocation. Under the SET model, schools are frontloaded with resources to provide support immediately to those students who need it without delay.
My department's policies enable flexible resource allocation to ensure that the resources follow children in the event of them changing schools. Schools may also apply for further language support by an application process during the school year, should their circumstances change.
The school referred to by the Deputy was allocated 1 fixed term EAL post for the 2023/24 school year. The school have submitted an application for EAL support for the 2024/25 school year and have been provisionally allocated 10 part time language support hours for 5 new entrant pupils.
Schools who are unhappy with their EAL allocation following consideration of their application can appeal to the Primary Staffing Appeal Board. The next meeting is to be held in June 2024.
I can also confirm to the Deputy that an application under the Additional Schools’ Accommodation (ASA) Scheme was received by my department from the school in 2022. The application related to the provision of accommodation for a special education needs class and for additional and replacement accommodation for special education tuition.
The purpose of the 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 or at other schools in the area.
In February 2023 the department’s Professional and Technical team undertook a feasibility study to establish whether the accommodation sought could be provided on the school site. The study established the site was too restricted for additional accommodation. The school subsequently proposed leasing space from the neighbouring Franciscan community. On foot of this proposal a member of the Professional and Technical team carried out a site visit in July 2023 with a view to determining if the proposal was feasible. The site visit established the project was technically feasible and recommended a feasibility report be completed by a competent architect or engineer.
The department has a significant modular accommodation programme in place to assist schools in the provision of additional capacity, including in respect of facilitating the establishment of special classes. This programme involves the use of project management supports which is designed to enable the accommodation to be provided as quickly as possible and help ease the administrative workload for school authorities in relation to the management and delivery of projects.
I can advise the Deputy that the project is currently awaiting progression to the department’s project managers. Our main focus is on the most critical needs for the next school year. As part of its overall programme planning for 2024 school accommodation needs, my department is now examining enrolment data from the current school year and data on accommodation capacity at schools. This is in order to reassess and identify critical accommodation requirements for the next school year, with a view to advancing these to formal approval stage. Once the critical accommodation needs for the next school year have progressed the project for the school in question will proceed.
School Transport
Questions (203)
Seán Sherlock
Question:203. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the status of a school transport appeal for an individual (details supplied). [18592/24]
View answerWritten answers
The 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.
The family to whom the Deputy refers, was offered School Transport under the scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs but did not accept transport. The family applied for the Special Transport Grant in lieu of school transport and correspondence issued recently in regard to this from School Transport Section of my Department.
Decisions made by, or on behalf of, the Department of Education regarding the provision of school transport services and/or grant-aid under the terms of the School Transport Schemes may be appealed to the School Transport Appeals Board. The School Transport Appeals Board is independent of my Department. Under the terms of reference of the Board, the Board determines appeals against decisions made by, or on behalf of, the Department of Education and Skills regarding the provision of school transport services and/or grant-aid under the terms of the School Transport Schemes.
To date, an appeal has not been submitted by the family to the School Transport Appeals Board.
School Accommodation
Questions (204)
Niall Collins
Question:204. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education for an update on an application from a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18607/24]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy is aware provisional approval was issued to the school in question for 1xEarly intervention classroom, 1x Special education classroom and 1x Mainstream classroom in May 2022. This project is currently at stage 1 with the Delivery section in the Department.
The school also received approval for 1 Modular Special Education needs classroom which is currently in place in the school and 3x Special Education Teaching rooms.
I wish to confirm that my Department received an application from the school authority in question in November 2023 under the Additional Schools Accommodation Scheme, to increase the brief currently at stage 1.
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 school in question currently has teaching space being used for purposes other than for the provision of primary education. The onus is on the Board of Management and the Patron to ensure that there is sufficient accommodation to meet the school’s long-term projected enrolment and any development which may arise in the area. In that regard, where additional accommodation is required at the school in the future, any accommodation used for purposes other than primary school provision must revert to mainstream use as soon as the need arises. The use of classrooms for teaching and learning is the priority for my Department.
The application for additional accommodation has been assessed in this context and the school authority has been notified of the decision.
School Transport
Questions (205)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:205. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education whether a remote area grant is payable to the parent(s) of a student where the school bus pick up point is more than 4.8km from their home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18638/24]
View answerWritten answers
The 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.
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.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application process on time are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
Children who are eligible for school transport but for whom no service is available may be offered the Remote Area Grant towards the cost of making private transport arrangements. The Remote Area Grant is also payable for eligible children who may have to travel 3.2kms or more to or from a designated pick up/set down point.
Parents of a child wishing to avail of school transport services, for the first time, are required to complete an online application form for school transport at www.buseireann.ie . The closing date for applications for the 2024/25 school year is Friday, 26 April 2024.
After the closing date, Bus Éireann will contact all applicants regarding their eligibility for school transport.
Where there is a transport service available for eligible children, Bus Éireann will continue to liaise with eligible families regarding invoicing, payments, and ticketing.
Where there is no transport service available for eligible children, the Department will then contact families directly regarding the Remote Area Grant.
It is important to note that an application for school transport must be made before a Remote Area Grant may be considered.
Further information on the Remote Area Grant and contact details of officials in School Transport Section are available on the Department's website at www.gov.ie/en/service/07a71-school-transport/#remote-area-grant
School Staff
Questions (206)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:206. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education the number of schools with a principal and two mainstream teachers, which based on enrolment figures of September 2023 are due to lose a teacher for the 2024/2025 school year based on the current teacher retention requirement in their school; the number of schools with one a principal and one mainstream teacher that are due to gain a teacher based on enrolment figures of September 2023, based on the present teacher pupil schedule in their school; whether it is intended to change this schedule this year for smaller schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18640/24]
View answerWritten answers
Due to improvements brought about in recent budgets, the teacher allocation ratio is at an average of 1 classroom teacher for every 23 pupils in all primary schools, the lowest level ever seen at primary level. A three point reduction in the retention schedule, which I introduced in 2021, assists schools that would otherwise be at risk of losing teaching posts.
The staffing of a school is based on the staffing schedule for the current year and enrolments on the previous September. Of the 362 schools with Principal and 2 mainstream teachers, 6 are due to have a teaching post suppressed for the 2024/25 school year on the basis of falling enrolments as relayed to the Department on the September 2023 returns. There are 495 schools with Principal and 1 mainstream teachers, 2 of which will gain a post for the 2024/25 school year. Staffing allocations for the 2024/25 school year will not be finalised until the Autumn when the staffing appeals process has completed and provisional posts are confirmed.
Any further improvement in the teacher allocation ratio would have to be considered in the context of the annual budgetary process.
Disadvantaged Status
Questions (207)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:207. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education whether it is intended to review the decision not to grant DEIS status to a school (details supplied), given that this is a recently amalgamated school where one component of the new amalgamated school had DEIS status previously; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18642/24]
View answerWritten answers
My Department provides a wide range of supports to all schools, DEIS and non-DEIS, to support the inclusion of all students and address barriers to students achieving their potential.
Supplementing the universal supports available to all schools, the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) Programme is a key policy initiative of my Department to address concentrated educational disadvantage at school level in a targeted and equitable way across the primary and post-primary sector.
In March 2022, I announced the single largest expansion of the DEIS programme. This benefited 361 schools. The programme now includes in the region of 1,200 schools and supports approximately 260,000 students. 1 in 4 students and 30% of schools are now supported in the programme.
This expansion added an additional €32million to my Department’s expenditure on the DEIS programme from 2023, bringing the overall Department of Education allocation for the programme to over €180million.
Schools that were identified for inclusion in the programme were those with the highest levels of concentrated disadvantage as identified through the refined DEIS identification model, which is an objective, statistics-based model. Schools were not required to apply for inclusion in the DEIS programme and the model was applied fairly and equally to all schools.
The DEIS Identification process is based on the principle of concentrated disadvantage and the proportion of students from disadvantaged backgrounds within a school. The DEIS identification model aimed to identify those schools with the highest levels of disadvantage or the highest proportion of students from disadvantaged backgrounds within a school using the school’s enrolment data and national census data as represented by the Pobal HP Deprivation index which is publicly available.
A detailed paper on the refined DEIS identification model is available on gov.ie .
In accordance with Circular 0019/22 schools that were not satisfied with the outcome following the application of the DEIS identification model to their school enrolment data were provided with the opportunity to have that outcome reviewed. The DEIS appeals process was applied fairly across all appellants, the window for appeals has now closed and the results are final. My Department will continue to support schools to deliver high quality, inclusive teaching and learning to students and young learners.
In general, where a DEIS post-primary school is amalgamating with non-DEIS post primary schools, the newly amalgamated school will be considered non-DEIS but will retain some DEIS supports in respect of the students in the amalgamating DEIS school for a period of 6 years. The purpose is to ensure that students who are currently enrolled in the DEIS school or whose parents had opted to enrol in the next September, prior to confirmation of amalgamation, continue to avail of DEIS supports for the period of their post-primary years.
The supports retained include the DEIS grant, which will continue at the rate previously paid to the amalgamating DEIS school. Additionally, the Home School Community Liaison (HSCL) allocation will be maintained at the level provided to the amalgamating DEIS school. Furthermore, the provision of School Meals will be sustained at the rate applicable to the amalgamating DEIS school.
However, under 2022 Dormant Accounts Funding secured to support attendance, participation and retention among Traveller and Roma students, the school to which the Deputy refers has been allocated a HSCL. Ten new Home School Community Liaison (HSCL) coordinator posts are currently supporting 14 post-primary schools outside of the DEIS programme that have high numbers of Traveller and Roma children and young people, including this school. The HSCLs receive funding to implement and run initiatives to encourage improvements in school attendance, retention and progression for Traveller and Roma students. A new coordinator for the STAR (Supporting Traveller and Roma) pilot project also supports these HSCLs by facilitating effective information-sharing between the STAR teams and the new HSCL coordinators, including in relation to good practice and initiatives that work well.
While the newly formed school will not be included in the DEIS programme, the Department recognises the need to target resources to those schools who need them most. The extension of the DEIS programme to new schools is just one component of work in my vision for an inclusive education system which supports all learners to achieve their potential. While the DEIS programme supports those schools with the highest levels of concentrated educational disadvantage, I also recognise that there are students at risk of educational disadvantage in all schools. Since June 2020, and over the past four budgets, I have secured funding to provide measures to support children in this regard.
My Department recognises the need to target resources to those schools who need them most and the next phase of work will explore the allocation of resources to all schools to tackle educational disadvantage.
The DEIS Plan is based on the premise that in order to have the maximum possible impact on providing opportunities for students most at risk of educational disadvantage, then extra resources need to be targeted as closely as possible at those students with the greatest level of need. This will involve further development of the existing DEIS programme, to create a more dynamic resource allocation model where levels of resources more accurately follow the levels of need identified by objective data.
To support this work my Department has invited the OECD Strength Through Diversity: Education for Inclusive Societies Project to review the current policy approach for the allocation of resources to support students at risk of educational disadvantage in Ireland. This review is ongoing and the OECD team estimate that the review will be complete in Q2 of 2024. This review will provide an independent expert opinion on the current resource allocation model for the DEIS programme and, drawing on international examples, inform a policy approach for an equitable distribution of supplementary resources to support students at risk of educational disadvantage attending all schools, both DEIS and non-DEIS.
In addition to this, following the National Census conducted in April 2022, an updated HP Deprivation index has now been generated by Pobal. My Department is engaging with Pobal regarding this development and this, along with other data, will be thoroughly reviewed to inform future resource allocation aimed at tackling educational disadvantage.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (208)
Réada Cronin
Question:208. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education when construction of a permanent building will begin for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18670/24]
View answerWritten answers
Since 2020, my Department has invested in the region of €4.5 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 800 school building projects. Construction is currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes 31 new school buildings. Projects at construction involve a total State investment of over €1.2bn.
I recently announced that close to 90 school building projects currently at tender stage will be authorised to proceed to construction over the course of 2024 and early 2025. In total, around €800 million will be invested in these projects under the department’s Large Scale Capital Programme and Additional Accommodation Scheme for essential classroom accommodation.
This level of construction rollout recognises the priority that Government puts on investment in education, including responding to the increased requirement for special education provision.
The project for the school referred to by the Deputy currently has planning permission and will, along with a number of other projects with planning permission, be brought to the level of employer-led design with a Design Team assigned to do so under the supervision of my Department’s Project Manager. The process of appointing the Design Team from my Department’s Frameworks of Consultants was completed in September 2023 and the project is now progressing through design development stages.
My Department will continue to liaise with the school and patron body in relation to interim accommodation requirements and provide any updates in relation to progress on the school building project.
School Transport
Questions (209)
Michael Lowry
Question:209. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if a school bus route which provides transport to a school (details suppled) will be adjusted and the route changed, in order that children living in a particular area can be collected outside of their home; the reasons previous correspondence to Bus Éireann on this matter have not received a reply; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18679/24]
View answerWritten answers
The 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.
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.
Bus Éireann is responsible for the planning and timetabling of school transport routes on behalf of the Department. Safety of children travelling on the school transport services is of paramount importance to the Department and to Bus Éireann. Bus Éireann endeavours, within available resources, to ensure that each eligible child has a reasonable level of school transport service in the context of the Scheme nationally.
Home pick-ups are not a general feature of the Primary or Post Primary Schemes. Where practicable, and subject to considerations of cost and logistics, routes are planned to avoid an eligible post primary child having to travel more than 3.2 kilometres to or from a pick up/set down point.
Bus Éireann advise that the pupils referred to by the Deputy are eligible for transport as they are attending their nearest post primary school. They reside 2 kilometres from their home to the pick up point which is within the guidelines of the scheme.
Bus Éireann have reviewed this request and advise it is not possible to extend the route to do a home pick up for these pupils as to do so would inconvenience other pupils and the road is not suitable for the vehicle to travel on.
Arts Council
Questions (210)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:210. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide an update on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18608/24]
View answerWritten answers
I am aware of the challenges that have faced the organisation in question in recent years. I am advised that my officials have engaged with the Arts Council and Kerry County Council to support the plans of the board and management to ensure a sustainable future for this critically important cultural centre. The engagement by my Department at all times respects the curatorial independence of the organisation.
In 2023, the organisation was awarded funding by my Department on foot of an application incorporating a restructuring plan to secure its long-term future. The funding requires the organisation's co-operation with a governance review by the Arts Council. Details of arts and culture payments are published annually by my Department at the following links www.gov.ie/en/publication/6acdc-cultural-projects-funding/ and www.gov.ie/en/publication/b1eab-creative-arts-grants-and-funding-previous-schemes/#cultural-development-expenditure .
Film Industry
Questions (211)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:211. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide an overview of her Department’s understanding of production activity in the film and audiovisual sector at present; the efforts, if any, she is undertaking to increase the volume of production activity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18682/24]
View answerWritten answers
The national agency for the Irish film, television drama, animation and documentary industry is Screen Ireland, an Agency under the aegis of my Department. Screen Ireland invests in production activity in several ways, including local production activity investment, inward production support for international producers and co-productions, and the promotion of Ireland as a film location internationally.
Irish creatives and Irish production companies have achieved outstanding international success in recent years. Irish films, high-end TV drama, animation and documentaries have premiered at all major international festivals, sold in every territory around the world and received critical acclaim and awards recognition at the highest levels. These successes are about individual talent and the collective work of a highly skilled creative industry. It is part of a long-term strategic vision led by sustained investment in Irish filmmakers and artists over many decades.
Screen Ireland adopts a dual approach to industry development, balancing local Irish filmmaking and inward international production. Attracting large-scale, international projects to Ireland generates significant spend in the Irish economy, creates employment opportunities and world-class skills development alongside ensuring strong levels of investment in Irish stories on screen and projects creatively led by Irish artists.
In 2023, Screen Ireland launched a new Nationwide Additional Production loan to encourage projects (live-action and animated feature film and television and short films) to film in areas of Ireland nationwide. Since last October, 7 film and television project applications were contracted under this fund including projects filming in Kerry, Cork, Tipperary and Donegal.
Screen Ireland recently announced increases to its budget and award thresholds for the agency's Fiction: Irish Production fund to ensure the continued production of Irish film and television production. These changes are part of Screen Ireland’s remit and responsibility to ensure the continued creative success of Irish film and television production.
Nationwide skills development plays a crucial role across industry growth and continued production activity across the country. Screen Ireland provides a wide range of career supports at all levels – supporting first-time writers, directors and producers, as well as crew. The skills team in Screen Ireland address ongoing skills needs across the country through its online courses, funding schemes, courses and other activities, and through its work in relation to the skills requirements of the Section 481 tax credit.
In 2023, Screen Ireland supported over 5,000 skills participants across a range of activities, both directly and through its National Talent Academy Network, and evaluated over 50 skills development plans from Section 481-supported film and television productions.
The National Talent Academy network, which was established in 2022, comprises five Talent Academies based around the country, with a key focus on diversity and inclusion. A new Talent Academy for VFX was announced in late 2023 and will launch in 2024.
Screen Ireland's Inward Production team supports international production in Ireland, promoting Ireland as a filming location for international studios and production companies. The team promotes and sells Ireland as an attractive place to base a film or high-end television production, based on Ireland’s range of locations, crew expertise and experience, high-end facilities and the attractive tax credit of 32% offered by the Irish government, Section 481. They facilitate and advise these productions on visa applications, location scouting, studio space and more.
Screen Ireland continues to work to increase Ireland’s international profile, bringing international production activity to Ireland, and deepening US-Ireland industry relationships through the agency's LA office, established in 2021, and Screen Ireland’s Head of US Production & Partnerships.
Applications for the film tax relief and the digital gaming tax under Section 481 and 481A respectively of the Taxes Consolidation Act are made to my Department and certificates are issued to the successful projects that allow the successful projects to claim 32% tax relief on expenditure in Ireland subject to a cap. As part of Budget 2024, the Minister for Finance increased that cap from €70m up to €125m per project. The increase should see increased production activity, particularly from incoming international productions over the coming years.
Wind Energy Guidelines
Questions (212)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:212. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when new wind energy guidelines will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18510/24]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is currently undertaking a focused review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines. The review is addressing a number of key aspects of the Guidelines including noise, setback distance, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections.
My Department, in conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) which has primary responsibility for environmental noise matters, has been working to advance guidance on the noise aspect of Guidelines, which is highly technical in nature.
The two Departments have been engaging on proposals regarding the measurement and assessment of noise from wind turbines to ensure they are robust and fit for purpose having regard to, inter alia, the revised 2030 target to generate up to 80% of our electricity from renewable sources.
Further to this engagement, DECC appointed noise consultants in May 2023 to inform any amendments to the noise aspect of the Guidelines. This work is substantially complete. My Department, in conjunction with DECC in respect of its environmental noise remit, will make any further changes to the draft Guidelines which are deemed necessary or appropriate in the wake of this work to ensure that the finalised Guidelines, once issued, are fit for purpose to provide guidance in line with renewable energy and climate targets, whilst having appropriate regard to the impacts of wind energy development, including in relation to noise annoyance.
With regard to the finalisation of the review of the Wind Energy Development Guidelines, the Climate Action Plan 2024 sets out a timeline of Q4 2024 for publication of the final updated Guidelines and my Department is working towards meeting this commitment. When finalised, the revised Guidelines will be issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended or, subject to enactment of the Planning and Development Bill 2023, as a National Planning Statement, as appropriate. The current 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines remain in force, pending the finalisation of the review.
An Teanga Gaeilge
Questions (213)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:213. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta an bhfuil sé ar an eolas maidir le comharthaíocht a cuireadh in airde chun bothanna vótála a fhógairt le linn an reifrinn ar 8 Márta i mbliana, comharthaíocht a bhí i mBéarla amháin nó a raibh an Béarla i bhfad níos mó agus níos feiceálaí ná an Ghaeilge uirthi; an bhfuil sé chun a chinntiú go mbeidh aon chomharthaíocht oifigiúil maidir le toghcháin nó reifrinn amach anseo chomh mór agus chomh feiceálach i nGaeilge ar a laghad agus atá i mBéarla de réir Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [18601/24]
View answerWritten answers
Is é creat beartais agus reachtaíochta iomchuí a sholáthar do chóras toghcháin nua-aimseartha agus éifeachtach an phríomhfheidhm atá ag mo Roinn i gcúrsaí toghcháin. Laistigh den chreat sin, tá na Cinn Chomhairimh Áitiúla neamhspleácha freagrach as gach gné a bhaineann le reáchtáil iarbhír na dtoghchán agus na reifreann.
Moltar sa Treoir do Chinn Chomhairimh, a eisíonn mo Roinn roimh imeachtaí toghcháin, gur chóir comhartha a thaispeánann "Stáisiún Vótaíochta" a chur suas lasmuigh de gach foirgneamh a úsáidtear chun críocha vótaíochta agus gur chóir dá litreoireacht a bheith mór a dhóithin chun go bhfeicfear go soiléir ó chian é. Moltar sa Treoir gur chóir go mbeadh na comharthaí dátheangach de ghnáth agus gur chóir dóibh a bheith i nGaeilge amháin i gceantair Ghaeltachta.
Wastewater Treatment
Questions (214)
Brendan Griffin
Question:214. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for clarification on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18508/24]
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My Departments’ Multi-annual Developer Provided Water Services Infrastructure Resolution Programme (DPI Programme) provides funding to assist local authorities to resolve issues with DPI to enable the taking-in-charge of housing estates.
As regards the estates referred to in the details supplied, my Department received an application for funding under the DPI Programme from Kerry County Council. The specifics of the application were assessed by an independent Expert Panel which was established and tasked with critically evaluating each request received under the Programme.
I can confirm that, based on the recommendation from the Panel, I have approved funding.
A further submission from Kerry County Council relating to the overall costs involved to deliver this project was received by my Department last week. The submission is currently being reviewed and the Council will be informed of the outcome shortly.
Regeneration Projects
Questions (215)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:215. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the regeneration projects for flat complexes within Dublin City Council's jurisdiction, in tabular form; the current stage of progress for these projects, including the movement of tenants out of their accommodation; to indicate any delays encountered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18528/24]
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The National Regeneration Programme ensures the most disadvantaged communities are placed at the centre of all considerations surrounding physical, social and economic regeneration. My Department fully supports a wide ambit of regeneration projects which ensures that complexes with historic disadvantages are placed at the forefront of regeneration.
My Department currently funds multi-year programmes of large-scale regeneration projects in?Dublin and has a long-standing history of supporting?communities through a holistic programme of physical, social and economic regeneration.With the support of my Department and under the care of local authorities, such regeneration projects target the country’s most disadvantaged communities, including those defined by the most extreme social exclusion, unemployment and anti-social behaviour.
A large number of these flat complexes will be effectively rebuilt while others will be refurbished and in some cases will need amalgamations (i.e. two in one) due to unacceptable sizes of some homes.
My Department have provided various levels of approval for the below flat complexes:
|
Project |
Current stage of progress |
Date of Funding Approval |
|
Dolphin House Phase 1 |
Complete |
17/09/2013 |
|
Dominick Street Lower (East) |
Complete |
25/06/2016 |
|
Dolphin House Phase 1b |
LA: Procurement of Integrated Design Team and development outline design |
16/10/2019 |
|
Dorset St / St Mary’s Place |
Tender Approved |
24/04/2020 |
|
Constitution Hill |
LA Procurement of Integrated Design Team and development outline design |
05/06/2020 |
|
Emmet Road Mixed Tenure Project |
LA Procurement of Integrated Design Team and development outline design |
23/06/2020 |
|
Matt Talbot Court |
LA Procurement of Integrated Design Team and development outline design |
28/07/2020 |
|
St. Andrews Court |
LA advancing Statutory Approvals including Part 8, DAC and Fire Safety |
18/12/2020 |
|
Cromcastle Court & Old Coalyard site |
LA Procurement of Integrated Design Team and development outline design |
10/03/2021 |
|
Pearse House |
LA advancing design for Statutory Approvals including Part 8, DAC and Fire Safety |
30/04/2021 |
|
O’Devaney Gardens Mixed Tenure |
On-site |
02/06/2021 |
|
School Street / Thomas Court Bawn |
LA advancing design for Statutory Approvals including Part 8, DAC and Fire Safety |
04/08/2021 |
|
Oliver Bond House Complex |
LA advancing design for Statutory Approvals including Part 8, DAC and Fire Safety |
16/03/2022 |
|
Glover Court |
LA advancing design for Statutory Approvals including Part 8, DAC and Fire Safety |
14/06/2022 |
|
St. Teresas Gardens / Donore Project |
LA Procurement of Integrated Design Team and development outline design |
07/11/2022 |
|
Dominick Street Lower (West) |
LA advancing design for Statutory Approvals including Part 8, DAC and Fire Safety |
17/01/2024 |
|
Dolphin House Phase 2 and 3 Mixed Tenure |
No funding proposal recieved to date |
N/A |
The de-tenanting process is a matter for the local authority.
Delays encountered by the local authority in advancing these projects are a matter for the local authority
My Department looks forward to working with DCC on these important projects.
Derelict Sites
Questions (216)
Michael Ring
Question:216. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of derelict sites that a local authority (details supplied) has taken into its possession in the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18567/24]
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While Local authorities are empowered under a number of statutes to acquire land, by agreement or compulsorily, for the purposes of performing any of its functions, the number of derelict sites acquired within their functional area under the provisions of the Derelict Sites Act 1990 (the Act) are submitted to my Department as part of the annual return on the operation of the Act. The number of sites specifically acquired under the Act by Mayo County Council, both by way of Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) or by agreement, in the years 2022 and 2023 is provided in the Table below.
|
|
No. of Sites acquired by agreement |
No. of Sites acquired compulsorily |
|
2022 |
0 |
4 |
|
2023 |
0 |
1 |
A new CPO Activation Programme was launched by my Department in April 2023. The Programme supports a proactive and systematic approach by local authorities to the activation of vacant properties. It also includes guidance for local authorities to actively use their legislative powers to acquire vacant and derelict properties, where engagement with owners has been unsuccessful. Support and guidance on implementation of the Programme is being provided to local authorities by the Vacant Homes Unit in my Department and by the Property Optimisation Unit in the Housing Agency.
My Department set targets for each local authority on the number of properties to enter the Programme in 2023. Each local authority is to provide data in relation to these properties, activity undertaken by them and outcomes, including the scheme or measure used where the property was brought back into use. My Department will report on the 2023 CPO Activation Programme targets in Q2 2024.
National Parks and Wildlife Service
Questions (217)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:217. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the NPWS branch of his Department applies for and receives any annual grants or Common Agricultural Payments on State owned land from the Department of Agriculture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18636/24]
View answerWritten answers
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department does not apply for, or receive, such payments from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Derelict Sites
Questions (218)
Martin Browne
Question:218. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he can provide an update on the extension of the local authority home loan to include derelict properties. [18656/24]
View answerWritten answers
On 14 November 2023, the Cabinet agreed a proposal to broaden the Local Authority Home Loan, to make finance available to purchase and/or renovate derelict or non-habitable properties.
The extended Loan will be restricted to applicants who qualify for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant. This is to ensure that applicants who qualify for the VPRG can avail of financing to renovate their homes and bring these back into use. It will not limited to the amount of the VPRG and will allow for works required to bring the residential property up to habitable standards within the house price limits applicable to the Local Authority Home Loan, excluding the VPRG amount which will be repaid on completion of the works.
Currently, only habitable properties meet the property eligibility of the Local Authority Home Loan. Under the new purchase and renovation loan, applicants will be required to meet all of the eligibility criteria for Local Authority Home Loan applicants. The loan will include the amount needed to fund renovations, subject to scheme rules and project viability assessment.
A Working Group of key local authority stakeholders has been established and continues to meet to develop the supports and structures required to successfully implement the extension across the Sector. The extension of the Local Authority Home Loan is to be implemented by end Q2 2024.
Business Supports
Questions (219)
Pearse Doherty
Question:219. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider targeted supports to businesses experiencing increased costs through changes, including rebates, under employers PRSI; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15233/24]
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In general, the issue of targeted supports for businesses is a matter for the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. However, the following is the position with regards to employer PRSI.
The Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance Fund as at 31 December 2020 found that even without any economic shocks to the economy or change to policy, the long-term sustainability of the Fund will face significant challenges. In the absence of any action to tackle the shortfalls, the excess of expenditure over income of the Fund will increase significantly over the medium to long term with an accumulated deficit of €500 billion by 2076 .
It is in this context that under the PRSI Roadmap agreed by Government there will be modest, incremental increases in all classes of PRSI (employer, employee and self-employed) over the period 2024-2028 commencing with an increase of 0.1 percentage points on 1 October 2024. Also, in respect of Budget 2024, it was decided, on balance, to maintain the employer PRSI threshold at the same level for 2024.
However, in recognition of the pressures faced by businesses due, in particular, to the cumulative impact of measures taken by the Government to improve the working conditions, Government decided that an options paper on the application of the lower (8.8%) rate of employer PRSI would be prepared. The options paper is currently being prepared by my Department, in conjunction with the Departments of Finance, Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform and Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Benefits
Questions (220)
John McGuinness
Question:220. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if carer’s allowance will be approved for a person (details supplied) who is giving full-time care to their father; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18538/24]
View answerWritten answers
Carer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 14 November 2023.
It is a condition for receipt of a CA that the person being cared for must have such disability that they require full-time care and attention.
This is defined as requiring from another person, continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or continual supervision in order to avoid danger to him or herself and likely to require that level of care for at least twelve months.
The evidence submitted in support of the application was examined and the deciding officer decided that this evidence did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care was satisfied.
The person concerned was notified on 13 December 2023 of this decision, the reason for it and of their right of review and appeal.
The person concerned requested a review of this decision and submitted additional evidence in support of their claim.
Following this review, the decision remained unchanged. The person concerned was notified on 11 January 2024 of this decision, the reason for it and of their right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.