Written Answers Nos. 216-237
216. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the breakdown of the €123 million allocation in 2019 for the Hawkins House project; the date in 2019 the project is expected to begin; if it will be impacted by the cost overrun on the national children's hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6910/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to delivering Project Ireland 2040 within the overall multi-year resource envelope that has been set out. For 2019, the capital allocation has increased by €1,325 million or just over 22% above the 2018 allocation as stated in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2019. With regard to implications arising from the National Children’s Hospital project, the Government is currently considering how the additional cost pressures will be accommodated within the multi-year envelope, with a minimum of disruption to the planned rollout and delivery of important infrastructure projects under Project Ireland 2040, which I am pleased to report are proceeding at a strong rate.
There is a provision of €2.5 million included in the OPW Capital Allocation for new works in 2019 for the Hawkins House project. However, this provision relates solely to the demolition of the existing building on the site. The allocation of €123 million referred to in the Deputy's question relates to an Office of Public Works 2017 submission to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform seeking capital funding under the National Development Plan. No specific allocation was made to OPW for the redevelopment of the Hawkins House site in response to that submission. The OPW is currently carrying out an options appraisal on the future of the Hawkins House Site. I anticipate that this process will be completed over the coming months and will inform a decision on the future of the site. The outcome of this exercise will be significantly influenced by the availability of sufficient capital funding for building new office accommodation and projected demand for civil service office accommodation in the area.
217. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the breakdown of the €46 million allocation in 2019 for the Leeson Lane redevelopment; the date in 2019 the project is expected to begin; if it will be impacted by the cost overrun on the national children's hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6911/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to delivering Project Ireland 2040 within the overall multi-year resource envelope that has been set out. For 2019, the capital allocation has increased by €1,325 million or just over 22% above the 2018 allocation as stated in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2019. With regard to implications arising from the National Children’s Hospital project, the Government is currently considering how the additional cost pressures will be accommodated within the multi-year envelope, with a minimum of disruption to the planned rollout and delivery of important infrastructure projects under Project Ireland 2040, which I am pleased to report are proceeding at a strong rate.
Planning permission for this project was granted on 10th October, 2017. At present the detailed design and tender documentation are being developed and are expected to be published at the end of Q1/ early Q2 2019 with a view for construction to commence in Q3/ Q4 2019 or early 2020.
218. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the breakdown of the €37 million allocation in 2019 for the Enniscorthy flood relief scheme; the date in 2019 the project is expected to commence; if it will be impacted by the cost overrun on the national children's hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6912/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra220. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the breakdown of the €24 million allocation in 2019 for the Arklow flood relief scheme; the date in 2019 the project is expected to begin; if it will be impacted by the cost overrun on the national children's hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6914/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra221. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the breakdown of the €30 million allocation in 2019 for the Skibbereen flood relief scheme; the date in 2019 the project will be completed; if it will be impacted by the cost overrun on the national children's hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6915/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra222. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the breakdown of the €23 million allocation in 2019 for the Bandon flood relief scheme; the date in 2019 the project will be completed; if it will be impacted by the cost overrun on the national children's hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6916/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 218 and 220 to 222, inclusive, together.
The current position on these flood relief schemes is set out in the table below.
|
Scheme |
Current Status |
|
Arklow |
Wicklow County Council is progressing flood protection measures for the town of Arklow with funding provided by the Office of Public Works. Consultants have been commissioned to undertake engineering and environmental studies and to assess and develop a viable, cost-effective and sustainable flood relief scheme for the Avoca River. An Environmental Impact Assessment Report is currently being prepared and once completed an application for planning permission will be sought from An Bord Pleanála. |
|
Enniscorthy |
Wexford County Council is progressing flood protection measures for the town of Enniscorthy with funding provided by the Office of Public Works. It is expected that a formal Exhibition of the proposed scheme will be held in late March/early April 2019. Following this and presuming general public acceptance of the scheme proposals, formal Confirmation to proceed with the scheme will be sought from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, with construction commencing probably in early 2020. |
|
Skibbereen |
The Skibbereen Flood Relief Scheme is under construction and is expected to be completed in mid 2019. |
|
Bandon |
The Bandon Flood Relief Scheme is under construction and is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2019. |
The funding required for the completion and/or further progression of the projects concerned will not be impacted by the cost overrun on the National Children's Hospital.
The Government is committed to delivering Project Ireland 2040 within the overall multi-year resource envelope that has been set out. For 2019, the capital allocation has increased by €1,325 million or just over 22% above the 2018 allocation as stated in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2019. With regard to implications arising from the National Children’s Hospital project, the Government is currently considering how the additional cost pressures will be accommodated within the multi-year envelope, with a minimum of disruption to the planned rollout and delivery of important infrastructure projects under Project Ireland 2040, which I am pleased to report are proceeding at a strong rate.
219. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the breakdown of the €30 million allocation in 2019 for the children's science museum and the National Concert Hall; the date in 2019 the project is expected to commence; if it will be impacted by the cost overrun on the national children's hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6913/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to delivering Project Ireland 2040 within the overall multi-year resource envelope that has been set out. For 2019, the capital allocation has increased by €1,325 million or just over 22% above the 2018 allocation as stated in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2019. With regard to implications arising from the National Children’s Hospital project, the Government is currently considering how the additional cost pressures will be accommodated within the multi-year envelope, with a minimum of disruption to the planned rollout and delivery of important infrastructure projects under Project Ireland 2040, which I am pleased to report are proceeding at a strong rate.
The proposed redevelopment of the National Concert Hall and the new National Children’s Science Centre forms part of the Cultural Quarter Development programme planned for the National Concert Hall campus at Earlsfort Terrace Dublin 2. The Office of Public Works has commenced the procurement of consultants for the overall National Concert Hall campus development. It is planned to carry out the works on a phased basis and it is expected that the first phase will commence on site in 2020. This will be preceded by the obtaining of the necessary statutory approvals, detailed design and tender process, which is expected to be progressed during 2019.
223. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if officials from his Department will inspect coastal erosion at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6978/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that the Office of Public Works approved funding to Kerry County Council of €75,000 in March 2018 under its Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection scheme for a Coastal Erosion & Flood Risk Management Study for Dingle Bay East-Castlemaine Harbour. The area mentioned in the Deputy’s question is included in this study. Kerry County Council is currently progressing the procurement of a consultant for this study.
224. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 164 of 5 December 2018, if a representative from the OPW will contact a person (details supplied) in County Kerry regarding flood defence works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6982/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraKerry County Council carried out a pre-feasibility study for the Sneem area, the recommendation of which was to carry out further more detailed river modelling to assess the feasibility of the measures identified in the pre-feasibility study. Working in co-operation with Kerry County Council, the Office of Public Works (OPW) have agreed to undertake this study and assessment, which will be completed in the summer of 2019.
Please be advised that an OPW Engineer was in contact with Mr. O'Sullivan in January regarding the flooding of properties at Atlantic Gateway Developments. The OPW will directly contact Mr. O'Sullivan again prior to completion of their assessment.
Should a suitable scheme be identified, it will be open to Kerry County Council to apply for funding under the OPW-operated Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. This Scheme’s eligibility criteria, including a requirement that any measures are cost-beneficial as published on the OPW website, apply to all applications.
225. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress to date on infrastructural projects in County Meath listed in the national development plan; and the amount spent on consultants and construction projects, respectively, in respect of same. [7013/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn my role as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments and for monitoring monthly expenditure at a Departmental level. Decisions on how and where those allocations are invested by Departments are a matter, in the first instance, for my Ministerial colleagues. The key role in leading development at county level rests with the relevant local authority.
However, my Department publishes a major capital projects tracker on the website of the Department, which sets out details of the key projects and programmes being implemented under the NDP, including the location of the projects where possible. The tracker currently focuses on projects and programmes with a value of greater than €20 million. Therefore, while it does not provide an exhaustive list of all capital expenditure, the list of projects serves to highlight the diverse range of infrastructural demands competing for the resources of the State.
The tracker can be found at the following URL:
https://www.per.gov.ie/en/investment-projects-and-programmes-tracker/
It is currently possible to search the project tracker by location and, for example, obtain a list of the projects on the tracker that are being delivered in a particular county. However, my Department is currently developing a mapping function for projects on the capital tracker in consultation with Ordnance Survey Ireland. This function will be available shortly and will make it easier to locate projects being delivered in a particular location, which will be an important step in increasing public awareness of the projects being delivered under Project Ireland 2040 and the National Development Plan 2018-2027.
226. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) was refused the SUSI grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6256/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of a comprehensive customer service and communications strategy provided by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) to ensure that all necessary avenues are open to applicants to receive the information they need, a dedicated email and phone line service is provided by SUSI for Oireachtas members. This was established to meet an identified need for applicants who choose to engage the assistance of their public representatives in making enquiries about their grant applications.
This service complements the established channels provided by SUSI, which include online application-tracking, a dedicated website, a telephone helpdesk, email and social media, including Facebook and Twitter.
Enquiries may be emailed direct to SUSI at oireachtas@susi.ie. Staff in SUSI are responding to email queries within a matter of days.
If the student in question considers that he has been unjustly refused a student grant or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, he may appeal this decision to SUSI within the statutory time limit of 30 days of his decision letter.
Where an individual applicant has an appeal turned down in writing by SUSI and remains of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in his case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted online by the applicant to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board within the required timeframe of 30 days.
227. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of planned school building works at a school (details supplied). [6279/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe project referred to by the Deputy has been devolved for delivery to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA).
I can inform the Deputy that the NDFA has started preparations for the appointment of a design team for the project. This appointment will be a key first step in the design and construction stages. While at this early stage it is not possible to provide a timeline for completion of the project, the NDFA will be engaging directly with the school authority to keep it informed of progress.
228. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a school building project (details supplied) in County Cork; and when construction will commence. [6305/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has requested additional information from the Patron of the school in question regarding the ownership of the proposed site.
On receipt of this information the project will be given further consideration and a decision will be conveyed directly to the school authority.
229. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to have a third autism spectrum disorder, ASD, unit provided at a school (details supplied) for the 2019-20 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6310/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has a statutory function to plan and co-ordinate the provision of education and support services to children with special educational needs, including Autism, in consultation with the relevant education partners and the Health Service Executive (HSE). This includes the establishment of special class and special school placements in various geographical areas where there is an identified need.
There are 5 special schools and 49 special classes attached to mainstream schools in Co. Limerick. Of these, 5 are ASD early intervention classes, 22 are primary ASD classes and 14 are post-primary ASD classes. The number of ASD special classes in Co. Limerick has increased from 2 in 2013/2014 to 41 in 2018/2019. Details of all special classes for children with special educational needs are available by county on the NCSE website www.ncse.ie.
Schools may apply to the NCSE to open a special class where a need has been identified in their area i.e. a number of students have professional reports indicating they require the support of a special class.
The local SENO, in looking to open special classes, must take into account the present and future potential need for such classes, taking particular account of the educational needs of the children concerned. The local SENO will also take account of location and sustainability in looking to establish special classes in certain areas.
In addition, the local SENO will consider:
- the school’s accommodation and accessibility and
- the number of special classes, if any, already in the school.
The decision to sanction a special class in a specific school is a matter for the NCSE local SENO. My Department has no role in making such determinations.
The NCSE has informed my Department that the local SENO is satisfied that there are currently sufficient special class placements available to meet identified in the area referred to by the Deputy.
Should the NCSE identify the requirement for an additional ASD special class in the area the local SENO will consider all schools in the area in relation to establishing an ASD special class.
230. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to introduce autism spectrum disorder, ASD, units at secondary school level (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6312/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has a statutory function to plan and co-ordinate the provision of education and support services to children with special educational needs, including Autism, in consultation with the relevant education partners and the Health Service Executive (HSE). This includes the establishment of special class and special school placements in various geographical areas where there is an identified need.
The NCSE is aware of emerging need from year to year, and where special class provision is required, it is planned and established to meet that need.
Since 2011, the NCSE has increased the number of post-primary special classes from 72 in 2011 to 322 across the country now. This is a natural consequence of the earlier growth in primary ASD special class numbers.
My Department will continue to support the NCSE in opening ASD special classes in areas where there is an identified need.
From time to time, the NCSE identifies local areas where additional special class provision is required. In those circumstances, SENOs work with the schools and families concerned to resolve the issues involved.
The Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 will assist in addressing this issue where the NCSE is of the opinion that there is insufficient education provision for children with special educational needs in an area.
Section 8 of the Act, which commenced on the 3rd of December 2018, provides the Minister with a power, after a process of consultation with the NCSE, the board of management and the patron of the school, to compel a school to make additional provision for the education of children with special educational needs.
Details of all special classes for children with special educational needs are available by county on the NCSE website at www.ncse.ie.
231. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of young persons in the school cycle who do not avail of transition year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6338/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere were 44,950 students in Transition Year in September 2017, compared to 62,549 in Third Year in September 2016, meaning that 17,599 (28%) of those pupils did not avail of Transition Year.
The proportion of pupils availing of Transition Year has shown a marked increase over the past number of years, rising from 50 per cent in 2008 to over 70 per cent currently.
Further information on the trends in Transition Year uptake is available in the attached table.
|
Academic Year |
Third Year |
Transition Year |
TY As % of previous 3rd Year |
|
2007 |
55,857 |
27,759 |
- |
|
2008 |
55,298 |
28,347 |
50.7% |
|
2009 |
56,034 |
28,635 |
51.8% |
|
2010 |
56,832 |
30,534 |
54.5% |
|
2011 |
58,910 |
32,673 |
57.5% |
|
2012 |
59,990 |
34,721 |
58.9% |
|
2013 |
60,551 |
37,020 |
61.7% |
|
2014 |
59,966 |
39,346 |
65.0% |
|
2015 |
60,905 |
40,452 |
67.5% |
|
2016 |
62,549 |
42,891 |
70.4% |
|
2017 |
63,526 |
44,950 |
71.9% |
232. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of persons over 18 years of age who are undertaking the leaving certificate for the first time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6339/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.
In view of this I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to him.
233. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of children up to12 years of age in catchment areas (details supplied) in County Wicklow; the number of available primary school places in the area; the projected school places in each of the years 2020 to 2024, inclusive; if additional provision for school places will be required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6346/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information is not available in the format requested by the Deputy. Detailed information relating to enrolment levels in all primary and post-primary schools nationwide is available on the Department's website at the following link: https://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Statistics/Data-on-Individual-Schools
In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises to determine where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
Major new residential developments in a school planning area have the potential to alter demand in that area. In that regard, as part of the demographic exercises, my Department engages with each of the local authorities to obtain the up-to-date data on significant new residential development in each area. This is necessary to ensure that schools infrastructure planning is keeping pace with demographic changes as there is a constantly evolving picture with planned new residential development.
Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, depending on the circumstances, be provided through either one, or a combination of, the following:
- Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,
- Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
- Provision of a new school or schools.
There are currently two primary schools in the Kilcoole school planning area with a combined 2017/18 enrolment of 932 and one post-primary school with a 2017/18 enrolment of 689. There are currently eight primary schools in the Greystones school planning area with a combined 2017/18 enrolment of 3,195 and two post-primary schools with a combined 2017/18 enrolment of 1,110.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Government announced plans for the establishment of 42 new schools over the next four years (2019 to 2022), including the following new primary and post-primary schools to be established in the areas referred to by the Deputy as follows:
- a new 8-classroom primary school to serve the Kilcoole/Newtownmountkennedy school planning area to be established in 2019; and
- a new 800-pupil post-primary school to be established in 2021 to serve the Kilcoole & Greystones school planning areas as a regional solution.
234. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined and revised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6347/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials in my Department will contact the teacher referred to by the Deputy in relation to the taxation issues outlined.
235. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a major building project for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6362/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe major building project for this school is at an advanced stage of architectural planning, Stage 2b – Detailed Design, which includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Cert and Disability Access Cert and the preparation of tender documents. All statutory approvals have been obtained.
A legal challenge to the pre-qualification process for the main contract from one unsuccessful contractor has recently been struck out and a new invitation to pre-qualify will issue shortly on the e-tenders platform.
When the pre-qualification process for the main contract and reserved specialists contracts is complete the project will then be progressed to tender stage.
Regarding the site, legal representatives for both parties are working together with a view to concluding the conveyancing. There has been significant progress recently on foot of close and intense engagement from all parties. All parties continue the work to ensure the acquisition completes at the earliest possible date and at this point it is still not anticipated that the completion of conveyancing will impact on the timelines for delivery of the building project.
236. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for the proposed extension of a school (details supplied); the status of the project; the timeline for completion of the works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6363/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe project referred to by the Deputy has been devolved for delivery to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA).
I can inform the Deputy that the NDFA has started preparations for the appointment of a design team for the project. This appointment will be a key first step in the design and construction stages. While at this early stage it is not possible to provide a timeline for completion of the project, the NDFA will be engaging directly with the school authority to keep it informed of progress.
237. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for the proposed extension of a school (details supplied); the status of the project; the timeline for completion of the works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6364/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe process of Pre-Qualification of contractors for the project in question is under way. The Pre-qualification process culminates in the compilation of shortlists of suitable candidates for each respective discipline.
The draft pre-qualification report was submitted to my Department for review in January 2019. The Department has issued comments to be actioned by the Design Team with regard to finalising the process.
When this review is complete the project will then be progressed to tender stage, which normally takes between 7 and 8 months to complete.
This project is included in the Department of Education and Skills' six-year construction programme.
