Written Answers Nos. 85-104
85. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the ongoing delays in the issuing of passports in both the passport express system and the online application system; the measures is he taking to deal with the delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23889/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe turnaround timeframe for a passport application will depend on the channel through which the application is-submitted. The Passport Service provides a range of channels to Irish citizens wishing to apply for a passport. These include a postal application system, an online passport application service and in person counter application facilities in Dublin and Cork.The target turnaround time for applications made via the online passport application service is 10 working days plus postage. The majority of online applications are currently being processed within 5 working days, well ahead of target. The online service currently accommodates adult renewals and passport card applications and it is planned to further extend this service to other categories of renewals by the end of 2018. The average turnaround time for renewal applications submitted through Passport Express is currently on target at 15 working days. Other types of application, which are generally submitted through Passport Express, such as first time applications or applications to replace lost, stolen or damaged passports take longer. Such applications must undergo additional processes including security checks.
The Passport Service is currently in its peak season for passport demand with the vast majority of applications being received between February and August each year. Measures taken by the Passport Service to minimise the impact of peak time application volumes on turnaround times include the recruitment of additional staff and the use of targeted overtime in all Passport Offices for both temporary and permanent staff.
The Passport Service received sanction this year for 220 Temporary Clerical Officers (TCOs) for appointment to the Passport Offices in Dublin and Cork. TCOs are working together with permanent staff to process passport applications and to deal with the high number of enquiries being made through the Passport Service’s various customer service channels.
The number of Full Time Equivalent staff permanently employed by my Department and assigned to the Passport Service stood at 322 at the beginning of the year. This compares to 310 Full Time Equivalent staff assigned to the Passport Service at the same point last year. In addition, over 20 additional permanent staff have been assigned to the Passport Service in 2018.
The continuous implementation of service improvements has been central to my Department’s response to increasing application volumes. The Passport Reform Programme is delivering major upgrades to the passport service technology platforms and business processes as well as significant customer service improvements. The online passport application service will continue to make a major contribution to the effective management of high application volumes by allowing existing resources to be more effectively deployed within the Passport Service.
My Department has an extensive communications strategy to promote good practice amongst passport holders when planning to travel abroad. We regularly advise applicants:
- to check the validity of their passport in advance of booking travel;
- to apply at least 6 weeks in advance of their travel plans; and
- if they are eligible adults renewing their passport, to consider the online passport application service.
86. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the recent violence and killing of Palestinians on the Israeli border will be discussed by him at the next EU Council meeting in June 2018. [23796/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe agenda of the Foreign Affairs Council on 28 May was determined before the climax of the violence in Gaza on 14 May, but I requested that the Council should nonetheless discuss these tragic and destabilizing events. Accordingly, it was discussed by Ministers in informal format over lunch.Many Ministers expressed their deep concern at the disproportionate use of force by Israel, and the appalling number of casualties. These concerns had already been expressed in EU and national statements, and at the UN Human Rights Council, where Ireland and others supported a successful resolution which will, inter alia, establish a commission of inquiry into these events. In my intervention I also argued strongly that events such as this will only recur if the vicious cycle in Gaza is not broken. It was essential not to despair of progress in Gaza but instead to redouble our efforts to find practical ways to begin to ease the situation there and provide hope. The inhabitants of Gaza must be able to see a political and economic perspective to end the blockade and end their isolation, otherwise more militant voices and groups will inevitably be strengthened.
The meeting also discussed humanitarian assistance, the difficult position of UNRWA, the recent move of the United States Embassy, and the prospects for a peace initiative by the US.
87. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his or the attention of his officials has been drawn to the most recent report to the European Parliament Constitutional Affairs Committee on the implications of a hard Brexit and invoking Article XXIV of the GATT which could allow for keeping an open border. [23792/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the report to which the Deputy refers, which is among several papers which have been commissioned by the European Parliament’s Constitutional Affairs Committee to inform its ongoing deliberations on Brexit-related matters. Professor Federico Fabbrini of Dublin City University, the author of the report, also brought it directly to my attention and to that of my officials. It is a welcome addition to the body of research and analysis that is informing the Government’s ongoing contingency planning and our overall approach to Brexit. This report provides an analysis of the default legal framework that would apply in what would be commonly referred to as a “disorderly Brexit” or “no-deal scenario”, including those rules that would be applicable or might be invoked within the WTO and GATT framework. As concerns the specific reference to Article XXIV of the GATT, the author acknowledges that this has never previously been invoked and, given that it only covers some customs controls, it would also fail to address key issues that would entail the need for other checks and controls, such as animal health checks or sanitary and phytosanitary controls. It would therefore not prevent the emergence of a hard border.
This serves to further support the shared analysis of both the EU and the UK that the issues identified in the draft Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland as set out in the Withdrawal Agreement are those that need to be addressed within the context of avoiding a hard border on the island of Ireland. In this regard, the Protocol not only addresses the free movement of goods, but also provides for continued regulatory alignment in other areas which are fundamental to the avoidance of a hard border, including but not limited to EU sanitary and phytosanitary rules.
88. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has spoken to his French counterpart recently regarding Brexit negotiations. [23794/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraEngaging with EU partners on the Brexit negotiations is an ongoing priority for the Government and I meet regularly with my counterparts, both individually and at the General Affairs Council (Art. 50). I met with my French counterpart, Minister Le Drian, most recently on 13 May when he visited Dublin. Minister McEntee also met with her French counterpart the following day in Brussels. Brexit was of course, one of the main issues discussed at both meetings.My meeting with Minister Le Drian was an important opportunity to thank him for the continued support of France for Ireland in the negotiations. I also updated the Minister on Ireland’s perspective regarding the current state of play. We discussed the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland and I expressed Ireland’s need to see real and substantial progress on agreeing the Protocol ahead of the June European Council. We agreed that the UK needs to come forward with workable proposals which could form a serious basis for seeking agreement on the text so that the entire withdrawal agreement can be concluded by October. I reiterated Ireland’s readiness to consider any such proposals when they are forthcoming. During our meeting, Minister Le Drian assured me yet again of France’s support for our position on the Irish-specific issues and their solidarity with the EU’s position that “nothing is agreed until everything is agreed” . And so the Minister was clear that negotiations can only progress as long as all commitments undertaken so far are respected in full, including the Irish-specific issues.
The European Council is continuing to follow the negotiations closely and will return in particular to the remaining withdrawal issues, including the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland, at its next meeting in June when it will assess if satisfactory progress has been made and if not, what consequences this will have for the overall negotiations. It is therefore crucial that our engagement with EU partners continues, so that they remain fully aware of Ireland’s position ahead of this important meeting.
89. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on his consultation with an organisation (details supplied) with regard to the provision of flood insurance to households and businesses located in areas in which demountable flood defences have been installed; the action points and timelines resulting from such consultation; when a household or a business located in an area with demountable flood defences can expect to receive flood insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23903/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am conscious of the difficulties that the absence or withdrawal of flood insurance cover can cause to homeowners and businesses, and that is one of the reasons the Government has been prioritising investment in flood defences over the last number of years.
However, the provision of insurance cover and the price at which it is offered is a commercial matter for insurance companies and is based on an assessment of the risks they are willing to accept and adequate provisioning to meet those risks. As Minister for Finance I have responsibility for the development of the legal framework governing financial regulation, and neither I, nor the Central Bank of Ireland can interfere in the provision or pricing of insurance products or have the power to direct insurance companies to provide flood cover to specific individuals or businesses. This position is reinforced by the EU framework for insurance which expressly prohibits Member States from adopting rules which require insurance companies to obtain prior approval of the pricing or terms and conditions of insurance products.
Insurance Ireland has informed me that its members, since 1 June 2014, have factored data on all completed flood defence schemes, provided by the OPW, into their overall assessment of flood risk. This information has been provided as part of the information sharing arrangement entered into between OPW and Insurance Ireland (Memorandum of Understanding). The nature of this arrangement is such that it has led to a greater availability of flood cover in previously higher risk areas. For instance, the most recent Insurance Ireland survey of approximately 85% of the property insurance market in Ireland indicates that of the completed defence schemes, 90% of policies in areas benefiting from permanent flood defences include flood cover, while there has been an increase from 66% to 77% of policies in areas benefiting from demountable defences including flood cover.
In addition, the Deputy should note that the Insurance Ireland/OPW working group, which the Department of Finance attends, now meets on a quarterly basis to support the above information flow and to improve the understanding of issues between both parties. The working group allows for the sharing of relevant data on completed flood defence schemes. In this regard, the OPW has also provided a significant amount of detailed data in relation to adequacy and resourcing of flood warning systems, and mobilisation, efficacy, maintenance and development of demountable defences to Insurance Ireland. A sub-group has also been set up to explore the technical and administrative arrangements that may allow for the further sharing of data.
One of the outcomes of these discussions is that the insurance industry has now acknowledged that they accept that the demountable defences meet the desired 1:100 year standard. However it still maintains the view that while demountable defences are effective where correctly deployed, there are significant interdependencies, including human intervention, which increases the risk of failure. This is subject to ongoing discussions.
Finally, it is important to note that a consumer can make a complaint to the Financial Services Ombudsman in relation to any dealings with a Financial Services or Insurance provider during which they feel they have been unfairly treated. In addition, individuals who are experiencing difficulty in obtaining flood insurance or believe that they are being treated unfairly may contact Insurance Ireland which operates a free Insurance Information Service for those who have queries, complaints or difficulties in relation to insurance.
90. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Finance his plans to offer relief to homeowners that took out mortgages in recent years and now face potential interest rate increases. [23880/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt present, there are no plans to provide specific additional income tax relief for mortgage payments, as the Government’s priority is on reducing the income tax burden for low to middle income earners, while limiting the benefit for high earners and keeping the tax base broad.
As indicated in the last two Budgets, Mortgage Interest Relief is being phased out. The residual availability of the relief will taper out over the next three years before ceasing at the end of 2020. These developments reflect commitments contained in the Programme for a Partnership Government and the policy framework contained in the confidence and supply arrangement negotiated by Government.
My Department published guidelines for the evaluation of potential tax expenditures in October 2014 (http://budget.gov.ie/Budgets/2015/Documents/Tax_Expenditures_Oct14.pdf). Drawing on economic evidence, these made clear that it is important that any policy proposal which involves tax expenditures should only occur in limited circumstances where there are demonstrable market failures and where a tax-based incentive is more efficient than a direct expenditure intervention.
A view that causes concern is that mortgage interest relief can effectively become priced-in to the purchase price of the property. It is therefore not considered efficient to allocate further funds solely to minimize mortgage interest payments. Instead, my focus is on a more general reduction of income tax across all income earners, with a particular focus on those on low to middle incomes as already indicated.
91. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on the working group established to review the factors which are influencing the increase in cost of motor insurance and for particular sectors, for example, taxi drivers in relation to both the availability and cost of SPSV insurance (details supplied); if new taxi drivers can obtain vehicle insurance at a reasonable price; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23908/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Finance, I am responsible for the development of the legal framework governing financial regulation. Neither I nor the Central Bank of Ireland can interfere in the provision or pricing of insurance products, as these matters are of a commercial nature, and are determined by insurance companies based on an assessment of the risks they are willing to accept. This position is reinforced by the EU framework for insurance which expressly prohibits Member States from adopting rules which require insurance companies to obtain prior approval of the pricing or terms and conditions of insurance products.
However, it is acknowledged that pricing in the motor insurance sector has been subject to a lot of volatility in recent years and, indeed, the problem of rising motor insurance premiums was the main impetus for the establishment of the Cost of Insurance Working Group. Its Report on the Cost of Motor Insurance was published in January 2017. As the Deputy notes, the Report makes 33 recommendations with 71 associated actions to be carried out in agreed timeframes.
Work is ongoing on the implementation of the recommendations and there is a commitment within the Report that the Working Group will prepare quarterly updates on its progress. The Fifth Quarterly Progress Update was published on 11 May 2018: http://www.finance.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/5th-Progress-Update-Q1-2018-Focus.pdf. It shows that of the 50 separate deadlines set to date within the Action Plan, 40 have been met. Substantial work has also been undertaken in respect of the nine action points categorised as “ongoing”.
In line with the EU framework, the Cost of Insurance Working Group’s starting position on insurance for small public service vehicles was that it was not possible for it to make a recommendation on pricing as this is primarily a commercial matter for insurers. It did however recognise that this sector serves a social as well as an economic purpose, particularly in rural areas where public transport is less readily available. This position was acknowledged by the inclusion of Recommendation 10 in the Report of the Cost of Insurance Working Group on the Cost of Motor Insurance. This recommended that the Advisory Committee on Small Public Service Vehicles should enter regular discussions with Insurance Ireland to explore solutions for drivers in the sector.
That Fifth Update Report mentioned above outlines the implementation of this recommendation. In summary, Insurance Ireland met with the Advisory Committee on Small Public Service Vehicles, commonly known as the Taxi Advisory Committee (TAC), on 22 May 2017. The TAC submitted the required report in relation to this meeting on 21 June 2017 to the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. To date, no further meetings have taken place between the TAC and Insurance Ireland. However, the TAC has advised my officials that it is keeping itself informed of developments in the area, particularly through the industry representatives on the Committee, and future meetings with Insurance Ireland are a part of the TAC strategy. Recommendation 10 has been completed in the sense that the TAC has reported to the Minister for Transport. Notwithstanding this, my view would be that work needs to continue on this general issue. Therefore, I look forward to further engagements between the TAC and the insurance industry.
I would add that, notwithstanding the role of the TAC, the issues raised by the taxi sector were in the main similar to those affecting consumers generally, notwithstanding that there are risks that are specific to the sector. While there is no silver bullet to reduce the cost of insurance, I believe that cooperation and commitment between all parties can deliver fairer premiums for consumers, including taxi drivers.
I also believe that the work of the Cost of Insurance Group should better facilitate potential new entrants to the market. In this regard, I have been informed by my officials that Insurance Ireland has stated that there has been some increase in market capacity in relation to the provision of motor insurance for taxi drivers recently.
Finally, if a consumer is unable to secure a quotation on the open market, he or she may be in a position to avail of the Declined Cases Agreement (DCA) process. Under the terms of the DCA, the insurance market will not refuse to provide insurance to an individual seeking insurance if the person has approached at least three insurers and has not been able to obtain cover from them. Insurance Ireland also operates a free Insurance Information Service for those who have queries, complaints or difficulties in relation to obtaining insurance. The relevant contact details are: feedback@insuranceireland.eu or declined@insuranceireland.eu or 01-6761914.
92. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 90 of 23 May 2018, the number of times the community sector high level forum or working group has met in the past six months; if it has considered the issue of pensions for community employment scheme supervisors in the past six months; if there is a timeline in place for the review group to finish its deliberation or to come to a decision in relation to the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23853/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would refer the Deputy to my responses to PQ 54985/17 of 16 January 2018, and to PQ 13684/18 of 27 March 2018.
93. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding a building project (details supplied) and the provision of new accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23975/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of Public Works is finalising planning documentation and a Part 9 Planning application will be lodged in the coming weeks. Once the Planning process has been completed the OPW will then undertake the required Public Procurement Process for construction works.
94. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Skills if SNA support for the 2018-2019 school year for a person (details supplied) will be granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23845/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra95. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Skills if SNA support for a person (details supplied) for a school year will be granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23809/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 95 together.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating a quantum of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support for each school annually taking into account the assessed care needs of children qualifying for SNA support enrolled in the school.
The NCSE allocates SNA support to schools in accordance with the criteria set out in Department Circular 0030/2014, which is available on the Department's website at www.education.ie, in order that students who have care needs can access SNA support as and when it is needed. The Department’s policy is to ensure that every child who is assessed as needing SNA support will receive access to such support.
In considering applications for SNA supports for individual pupils, the SENOs take account of the pupils' needs and consider the resources available to the school to identify whether additionality is needed or whether the school might reasonably be expected to meet the needs of the pupils from its current level of resources. SNAs are not allocated to individual children but to schools as a school based resource.
SNA allocations to all schools can change from year to year as children with care needs leave the school, as new children with care needs enrol in a school and as children develop more independent living skills and their care needs diminish over time.
I was very pleased to announce on Friday 18th May that 800 additional Special Needs Assistants will be allocated for the beginning of the next school year, with a further 140 expected to be allocated by the end of the year.
I was also pleased that the announcement was in keeping with the commitment made last year to inform schools of the September 2018 allocation before the end of May. In making this announcement at this time the Department is providing certainty to schools, parents and of course SNA's in relation to the posts that will be in place for the coming school year.
By the end of this year, there will be a total of 15,000 Special Needs Assistants working in our schools, a 42% increase on 2011.
The NCSE Appeals Process may be invoked by a parent or a school where it is considered that a child was not granted access to SNA support on the grounds that Department policy was not met in accordance with Circular 0030/2014.
Schools may also appeal a decision, where the school considers that the NCSE, in applying Department policy, has not allocated the appropriate level of SNA supports to the school to meet the special educational and/or care needs of the children concerned.
Where a school has received its allocation of SNA support for 2018/19, but wishes new enrolments or assessments to be considered, which were not taken into account when the initial allocation was made, they may continue to make applications to the NCSE. The closing date for receipt of any appeals in regard to SNA allocations is Friday, 28th September 2018.
As this question relates to an individual child I have referred the question to the NCSE for their direct reply.
96. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to provide an ASD unit at a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23810/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides for a range of placement options and supports for schools, which have enrolled students with special educational needs, in order to ensure that wherever a child is enrolled, s/he will have access to an appropriate education.
Such placements facilitate access to individualised education programmes which may draw from a range of appropriate educational interventions, delivered by fully qualified professional teachers, with the support of Special Needs Assistants and the appropriate school curriculum.
My Department therefore provides for a continuum of provision which includes mainstream school placements with additional supports, or for pupils who require more specialist interventions, special school and special class placements.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible for organising and planning provision for children with Special Educational Needs, including the establishment of special classes in mainstream primary and post primary schools.
This network includes 130 ASD early intervention classes, 641 primary ASD classes and 277 post-primary ASD classes in mainstream schools and 125 Special Schools.
ASD Early Intervention classes are available for children aged 3-5 with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Early intervention classes are intended to provide early support for children with ASD before they start school. Following early intervention, children will attend a mainstream class unless there is professional guidance that they require a special class or a placement in a special school.
The NCSE, in looking to open special classes in certain areas, must take into account the present and future potential need for such classes, taking account of location, sustainability, the accommodation and accessibility of schools in the area and the number of special classes, already in schools in the area.
While it is not always possible to ensure that a special class placement will be available in a child’s local school, the NCSE are satisfied that there are sufficient ASD special class placements to meet the projected need for students in Co. Longford in the forthcoming school year.
The school referred to by the Deputy currently operates an ASD Early Intervention class and a Primary ASD Special Class.
Should the NCSE identify the requirement for additional special class placements in the future it will contact schools in the area in relation to establishing an ASD special class.
Parents/Guardians who may need advice or are experiencing difficulties in locating a school placement, including special class placement, should contact their local Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO) who can assist in identifying an appropriate educational placement for their child. Contact details are available at http://ncse.ie/seno-contact-list.
My Department continues to work with the NCSE to ensure that there is appropriate planning in place to ensure that all children who require special class placements can access such placements in schools within their communities.
97. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) will be allocated the necessary level of special needs assistants it requires; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23815/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating a quantum of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support for each school annually taking into account the assessed care needs of children qualifying for SNA support enrolled in the school.
The NCSE allocates SNA support to schools in accordance with the criteria set out in Department Circular 0030/2014, which is available on the Department's website at www.education.ie, in order that students who have care needs can access SNA support as and when it is needed. The Department’s policy is to ensure that every child who is assessed as needing SNA support will receive access to such support.
In considering applications for SNA supports for individual pupils, the SENOs take account of the pupils' needs and consider the resources available to the school to identify whether additionality is needed or whether the school might reasonably be expected to meet the needs of the pupils from its current level of resources. SNAs are not allocated to individual children but to schools as a school based resource.
SNA allocations to all schools can change from year to year as children with care needs leave the school, as new children with care needs enrol in a school and as children develop more independent living skills and their care needs diminish over time.
I was very pleased to announce on Friday 18th May that 800 additional Special Needs Assistants will be allocated for the beginning of the next school year, with a further 140 expected to be allocated by the end of the year.
I was also pleased that the announcement was in keeping with the commitment made last year to inform schools of the September 2018 allocation before the end of May. In making this announcement at this time the Department is providing certainty to schools, parents and of course SNA's in relation to the posts that will be in place for the coming school year.
By the end of this year, there will be a total of 15,000 Special Needs Assistants working in our schools, a 42% increase on 2011.
The NCSE Appeals Process may be invoked by a parent or a school where it is considered that a child was not granted access to SNA support on the grounds that Department policy was not met in accordance with Circular 0030/2014.
Schools may also appeal a decision, where the school considers that the NCSE, in applying Department policy, has not allocated the appropriate level of SNA supports to the school to meet the special educational and/or care needs of the children concerned.
Where a school has received its allocation of SNA support for 2018/19, but wishes new enrolments or assessments to be considered, which were not taken into account when the initial allocation was made, they may continue to make applications to the NCSE. The closing date for receipt of any appeals in regard to SNA allocations is Friday, 28th September 2018.
As this question relates to an particular school I have referred the question to the NCSE for their direct reply.
98. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if funding will be provided to a school (details supplied) for a new extension incorporating a general purpose room and new accommodation for physical education and a classroom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23846/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has received an application for additional accommodation from the school in question.
The application will be assessed and a decision will be conveyed to the school authority as soon as the assessment process has been completed.
99. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills if grant aid or support will be provided for a school (details supplied) in view of the granting of planning permission for new housing developments in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23848/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware my Department approved funding for the school referred to, in June 2016, to provide additional mainstream classroom accommodation to cater for an increase in enrolment which resulted in the appointment of an additional mainstream teaching post.
In that regard, it is open to the school to submit a further application in the future, under my Department’s Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme, should the school enrolment position result in the appointment of a further mainstream teaching post, and where it is determined that there is a deficit in mainstream teaching accommodation.
I wish to advise the Deputy that the external works referred to are eligible to be considered for funding under the Summer Works Scheme, the purpose of which is to devolve funding to individual school authorities to facilitate carrying out small and medium scale works that will improve and upgrade existing school buildings and the grounds within the school site area.
The Department intends to engage with the relevant education partners in relation to giving schools a better lead-in period for planning and delivering projects under the summer works scheme from 2019 onwards. While the Summer Works Scheme is hugely successful in enabling small scale refurbishment works to be done on a devolved basis, the Department considers that the operation of the scheme could be improved by providing a better lead-in period for schools rather than in Quarter 2 as in previous years. This will also help ensure that works done under the Summer Works Scheme fit better with any wider refurbishment/energy retrofit plans that may be done at schools under the increased funding provided in the National Development Plan. The engagement with education partners will commence shortly and will assist in developing a better timeline for the planning and delivery of summer works projects for 2019 onwards.
It remains open to the school to use its minor works grant, which all primary schools received last November, to carry out works in full or on a phased basis, as that grant permits, if the school considers the works to be a priority.
100. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a reply will issue to concerns raised by a SNA in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23854/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs you will be aware, I was very pleased to announce on the 18th May 2018 that 800 additional Special Needs Assistants will be allocated for the beginning of the next school year, with a further 140 expected to be allocated by the end of the year.
I was also pleased to be able to make the announcement in May, in keeping with the commitment made last year to inform schools of the September 2018 allocation before the end of May. In making this announcement at this time the Department is providing certainty to schools, parents and of course SNA's in relation to the posts that will be in place for the coming school year.
By the end of this year, there will be a total of 15,000 Special Needs Assistants working in our schools, a 42% increase on 2011. The National Council for Special Education notified the schools of their SNA allocations on 18th May and the details of these allocations are now published and available on their website.
The NCSE has completed a comprehensive review of the SNA scheme, in consultation with other relevant Departments and State Agencies, including the National Disability Authority (NDA), to identify the most appropriate form of support options to provide better outcomes for students with Special Educational Needs, having regard to the significant amount of State investment in this area.
The NCSE has submitted that full and final report of the SNA Comprehensive Review and its contents are currently under consideration. The qualifications of SNAs have been considered as part of this Review.
The NCSE Appeals Process may be invoked by a parent or a school where it is considered that a child was not granted access to SNA support on the grounds that Department policy was not met in accordance with Circular 0030/2014.
Schools may also appeal a decision, where the school considers that the NCSE, in applying Department policy, has not allocated the appropriate level of SNA supports to the school to meet the special educational and/or care needs of the children concerned.
Where a school has received its allocation of SNA support for 2018/19, but wishes new enrolments or assessments to be considered, which were not taken into account when the initial allocation was made, they may continue to make applications to the NCSE. The closing date for receipt of any appeals in regard to SNA allocations is Friday, 28th September 2018.
SNA allocations to all schools can change from year to year as children with care needs leave the school, as new children with care needs enrol in a school and as children develop more independent living skills and their care needs diminish over time.
In terms of the education provision for children who have autism, the Department has always recognised the importance of early intervention. Children with autism can be enrolled in an early intervention class from the age of 3.
Children in early intervention classes benefit from a reduced pupil-teacher ratio of 6:1. Class teachers are fully qualified and have access, through the Special Education Support Service, to training in a range of autism-specific interventions. Each class will have a minimum of 2 Special Needs Assistants.
Children with disabilities now have better access to pre-school services under a new Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) programme of supports, which was announced, on 15th June 2016, by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.
AIM is a child-centred model, involving seven levels of progressive support, moving from the universal to the targeted, depending on the needs of the child and the pre-school.
Details of the supports which are available under AIM can be found at www.preschoolaccess.ie which contains comprehensive information on the access and inclusion model and on how to apply for the new schemes and supports. As Lorraine is attending a private pre-school through the ECCE programme, questions relating to the AIM supports should be addressed to the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.
The Department’s policy is that all children enrolled in an Early Intervention Class funded by this Department must have left the class and be enrolled in the primary school system, whether through placement in mainstream classes, in special classes or in special schools in the September prior to their sixth birthday. If children are not in school by six years of age, under the Education Welfare Act 2000, the Educational Welfare service must be satisfied that the child is receiving a minimum standard of education in a place other than a recognised school.
The Department provides for a continuum of provision which includes mainstream school placements with additional supports, or for pupils who require more specialist interventions, special school and special class placements.
Where a Special Needs Assistant with a minimum of one year’s service is made redundant he/she is deemed to be a member of the SNA supplementary panel and can apply for other SNA posts. If a Special Need Assistant does not want to take up another position he/she can opt out of the panel and receive a Redundancy payment. Circular 0034/2018 (Recruitment of SNA’s – Supplementary Assignment Arrangements for 2018/2019 school year) refers.
101. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the need for an extension to a school (details supplied) will be examined in view of increased pupil enrolment for September 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23861/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that the school in question recently wrote to my Department advising that it expects enrolments to increase in the coming academic year 2018/2019.
My Department contacted the school and advised the Principal that should enrolment increase to a level that would warrant the appointment of an additional teacher, it is then open to the school to submit an application for additional accommodation, under the Additional Accommodation Scheme, should the school's existing accommodation not be capable of accommodating the additional teacher. An application form can be accessed on www.education.gov.ie.
102. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will report on his discussions with the Department of Health on plans to place a defibrillator in all schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23862/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe position is that under the provisions of the Education Act 1998, the Board of Management is the body charged with the direct governance of a school.
The decision to install a defibrillator is made at local school level and is a matter for the Board of Management of each individual school.
I understand that a National Steering Group on Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest was established in 2017 and is representative of health professionals, patient groups, healthcare providers and other sectors. It aims to strengthen the chain of survival for cardiac arrest. The report from the group, due in 2018, will provide advice to the HSE and the Department of Health on the most effective ways of improving survival for cardiac arrest including training for cardiopulmonary resuscitation, building on the Community First Responder Programme and making public access defibrillators more easily accessible in community settings and in schools.
I will carefully consider any findings that may emerge from the work of this Group that are relevant to my Department.
103. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason an application for emergency works by a school (details supplied) was not supported; and the reason they were not successful. [23870/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school to which the Deputy refers has appealed my Departments decision not to approve an emergency works grant application. This appeal is under consideration and a decision will issue to the school authority as soon as possible.
104. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a matter in relation to a child (details supplied) regarding transport. [23876/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
Currently over 116,000 children, including almost 12,000 children with special educational needs, are being transported in over 4,500 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually at a total cost of almost €190 million in 2017.
Under the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, children are eligible for transport where they are attending the nearest recognised school that is or can be resourced to meet their special educational needs.
Special Schools funded by my Department are intended to cater for children and young persons with special educational needs from 4 years until the end of the school year in which they reach their 18th year.
At that point, the Department of Health/Health Service Executive assumes direct responsibility for young adults with special educational needs who are over 18 years.
Accordingly, the person referred to by the Deputy is not eligible for school transport under the terms of the above scheme.
