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Gnáthamharc

Tuesday, 9 Jul 2019

Written Answers Nos. 190-216

Forensic Science Ireland Laboratory

Ceisteanna (190)

Brendan Ryan

Ceist:

190. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 222 of 21 May 2019, the number of tenders received for the construction project by the closing date; the likely start and completion dates for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29255/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Further to my response to Parliamentary Question No. 222 of 21 May 2019 regarding the Forensic Science Laboratory Project at the Backweston campus. Delivery of this project is managed by The Office of Public Works. The deadline date for the return of tender was scheduled for end of June. However due to requests from the short-listed tenderers, the return date was extended until 12th July. Subsequently, tender assessment will take place during Q3 2019 and it is expected to start construction on site in Q4 2019.

Office of Public Works Projects

Ceisteanna (191)

Timmy Dooley

Ceist:

191. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of a proposed visitor centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29265/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Office of Public Works has, currently, no plans for the development of a visitor centre at Quin Abbey.

Proposed Legislation

Ceisteanna (192)

Thomas Byrne

Ceist:

192. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he was consulted by the Minister for Education and Skills regarding the financial liability to the State contained in section 31 the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) (Amendment) Bill 2018. [29340/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I wish to inform the Deputy that my Department was consulted by the Department of Education and Skills on the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) (Amendment) Bill 2018 in the course of a Memorandum to Government on the issue.  The main issue from my Department’s perspective, in relation to the draft Bill, concerned the funding of the Learner Protection Fund.  The position of my Department was that the fund should be fully financed by providers and there should be no ongoing Exchequer impact of the Fund.   I am advised by the Department of Education and Skills that this is the policy intention and, to that end, the Bill provides for an annual charge to be levied on those providers whose programmes and learners will be protected by the Fund.   I understand that there may be a requirement for some limited initial pre-funding of the Learner Protection Fund, the source of which will be decided in due course following consultation between the two departments.

Departmental Advertising Expenditure

Ceisteanna (193)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

193. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount spent on digital marketing in each of the past eight years; the items on which funds were spent; the criteria by which target audiences were selected; the amount of the digital spend targeted here; the amount targeted abroad; the amount that related to private companies; the amount that related to policy initiatives; and the purpose of the digital advertisements. [29397/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The following table sets out the amount spent by my Department on digital marketing over the past eight years.

Year 

 Cost

 Purpose

 Provider

 Target Audience

  Policy initiatives

 Audience criteria

 2017

 €46,190

Stakeholder support (Office of Government Procurement)

 Private

 Ireland

 Yes

Video material on OGP YouTube channel, catering for Irish SME's and Public Bodies

 2017

 €444

Promoting the whereyourmoneygoes.gov.ie website which shows the Irish government's expenditure data

 Private

 Ireland

 Yes

All Adults in Ireland

 2017

€205,439 

To promote and raise awareness of the Public Services Card and MyGovID 

 Private

 Ireland

 Yes

All Adults in Ireland 

 2018

 €47,337

Stakeholder support (Office of Government Procurement)

 Private

 Ireland

 Yes

Video material on OGP YouTube channel, catering for Irish SME's and Public Bodies

 2018

 €99,669

The promote and raise awareness of MyGovID and the services it enables 

 Private

 Ireland

 Yes

All adults in Ireland

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (194, 195)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

194. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the costs paid to companies (details supplied) for projects on which they were engaged by his Department in each of the years 2015 to 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form; the reason each was engaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29448/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

195. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the costs paid to a company (details supplied) for projects on which they were engaged by his Department in each of the years 2015 to 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form; the reason it was engaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29557/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 194 and 195 together.

The following table sets out the payments to the companies in question from 2015 up to the end of Quarter 1, 2019.

 Company

 Purpose

 2015

 2016

 2017

 2018

 2019

 KPMG

- Technical consultancy on e-invoicing and Government Cloud infrastructure.

- Advisory Services on data hosting of Government cloud infrastructure and Build to Share business case.

- Progress central delivery of ICT infrastructure services across the public service.

127,689 

139,851 

 231,006

199,850

 122,921

 Mazars

- Fees for professional services in respect of ERDF audit.

- Review of Garda and Prison Service payroll. 

 32,524

 -

 -

 -

 -

 PwC

- Expert support for implementation of Public Service Reform initiatives and administration advice for outsourcing documents.

- Banking Services for Central Government - Review of market

 -

 -

 44,526

 -

 -

 

Deloitte

- Consultancy and external services for Public Service Reform, Civil Service Payroll Shared Services and Civil Service Financial Management Shared Service.

- Advice on development of a procurement process framework.

 44,881

 1,816,430

 1,802,408

 1,533,960

 6,150

 

Public Service Pay Commission

Ceisteanna (196)

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

196. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the Public Service Pay Commission will complete its work on the examination of recruitment and retention challenges in the defence sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29653/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

 The Public Service Pay Commission was tasked under the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020 to conduct a comprehensive examination of underlying difficulties in recruitment and retention of staff in the public service, including the Defence Forces.

 The Report by the Pay Commission on Recruitment and Retention in the Defence Forces has been published and is available on the Public Service Pay Commission's website here: https://paycommission.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/Dept-of-Defence-PSPC-report-2019-WEB.pdf 

This report represents a detailed and comprehensive analysis of the Permanent Defence Forces encompassing commissioned and enlisted personnel. 

The Report’s main conclusions are that the Defence Forces face challenges in meeting full strength and retaining certain skilled and experienced staff. The implementation of the Report’s recommendations, is provided for under the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020.  

The main findings of the Report, which have been accepted by Government, include:

- An increase of 10% in the Military Service Allowance which is a unique payment to the Defence Forces and paid to the majority of ranks. The overall annual estimated cost of this measure is €4.8m p.a.

- Restoration of a 10% reduction in respect of duty allowances such as Security Duty Allowance and Patrol Duty Allowance that were introduced under the Haddington Road Agreement.  The 10% cuts to overseas allowances will also be restored.

- The overall estimated cost of the restoration of these measures is €3.3m p.a.

- Restoration of premium weekend payment rates which were approximately halved under the Haddington Road Agreement. The annual estimated cost of this measure is €1.4m p.a.

- Restoration of the Pilots Service Commitment Scheme for Flying Officers which is aimed at attracting pilots to continue in service on being able to stand down from the Air Corps. This Scheme was withdrawn in 2010.  The cost of this measure is estimated at €600k pa depending on take up.

A high level plan for the implementation of all of the recommendations in the Report has been approved and work will commence on the actions in the plan immediately. 

The above measures are in addition to the current Public Service Stability Agreement (PSSA) which is currently delivering pay benefits of between 7.4% and 6.2% (or up to 10% for new entrants hired after 2012) for our public servants, including Defence Force personnel at a cost of over €1.1bn, out to 2021.  The Pay Commission’s recommendations on the Defence Forces taken together with the pay measures provided for under the PSSA, represent a tangible package of pay improvements at this time for the members of our Defence Forces.

Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme Applications

Ceisteanna (197)

Joe Carey

Ceist:

197. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 162 of 5 December 2018, the status of the minor works application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29797/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I have been advised that Clare County Council submitted an application to the OPW under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme for the provision of rock armour to protect against cliff erosion caused by waves and tides at Spanish Point.

Following assessment of the application and further to a meeting between OPW and Clare County Council in May 2019, the OPW has requested additional information. When received, assessment of the application will be completed and a reply will issue to the County Council.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (198)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

198. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount spent on tribunals, commissions of investigation and statutory inquiries in each of the years 2009 to 2018 and to date in 2019, by inquiry, tribunal or commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29838/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has not incurred any costs in relation to tribunals, commissions of investigations or statutory inquiries since it was established in 2011.

Voluntary Sector Remuneration

Ceisteanna (199)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

199. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an organisation (details supplied) is no longer reimbursed to allow it to pay increments to staff that care for clients and that this is leading to staff shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29848/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The issue raised by the Deputy is a matter for the Minister for Health, to whom I understand an identical question has been submitted.

Climate Change Policy

Ceisteanna (200)

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

200. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department has ceased the purchase and use of single-use plastics; the public bodies and agencies under his remit to which he has issued an instruction to cease the purchase and use of single-use plastics; when the instruction issued; the bodies which have confirmed that they no longer purchase and use single-use plastics, respectively; the bodies which have not provided such confirmation to date; when they will confirm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29990/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Prior to the announcement by the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment in January 2019 that “no government department or agency will buy single-use plastic cups, cutlery or straws for use within their offices”, the Departments of Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform – through their shared Facilities Management Unit (FMU) – had already begun eliminating such plastics.  In line with the announcement on Single-Use Plastics, the FMU confirms that no Single-Use Plastics have been purchased since January 2019.  It retains an existing inventory of non single-use, re-useable and recyclable plastic cups for water in the main reception and selected areas for external visitors to the Department.

The instruction relating to Single-Use Plastics issued to the bodies under the aegis of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on 14 March 2019.  All of the bodies under the aegis of the Department (the Office of Public Works, the National Shared Services Office, the Public Appointments Service, the Office of the Ombudsman, the National Lottery Regulator, the State Laboratory, the Institute of Public Administration and the Economic and Social Research Institute) have confirmed that they are no longer purchasing single-use plastics.  One organisation has advised that it still has some single-use plastics in stock but this is almost exhausted.

Schools Establishment

Ceisteanna (201)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

201. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the provision of a multi-denominational school in the Palmerstown, Ballyfermot, Chapelizod and Cherry Orchard areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29075/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The requirement for new schools in this area is being kept under ongoing review and in particular will have regard for the increased rollout of housing provision as outlined in Project Ireland 2040. 

Palmerstown/Ballyfermot/Chapelizod/Cherryorchard was one of 43 areas surveyed as part of the patronage divesting process in 2013.  The outcome was that there was sufficient parental demand for a multi-denominational school in this area. 

A number of years ago (c. 2013) there were proposals in relation to re-organisation of four of the Catholic schools in the area by the Dublin Archdiocese, largely to bring about co-educational provision.  These proposals met with resistance from some of the local community at the time and there was much discussion between the patron of the schools and the school community in this regard.  I understand that the outcome of this interaction undertaken by the patron is that three of the four schools, have changed to co-educational status, following consultation with their parents, staff and Boards of Management. The other school closed on 30 June 2019, when the last group of pupils completed sixth class.  From the outset it was clear that the Trustees of the school, the De La Salle Brothers, planned to sell the school property in which the latter school was located and accordingly the property would not be made available under the patronage divesting process.  According to Department records, my Department does not hold any legal interest, such a charging lease, over the property.     

The Programme for Government commits to increasing the number of multi-/non-denominational schools to 400 such schools by 2030. As the Deputy will be aware, my Department has developed the Schools Reconfiguration for Diversity process to deliver on this commitment through patronage transfer, in line with the choices of local parents and school communities.  The process involves the transfer of live schools and has the potential to significantly increase patronage diversity in our school system.

In addition to the main provisions of this process, the “early movers” provision enables school communities which have already decided to seek a transfer of patronage (independent of the survey process) to request that their existing patron makes an application to the Minister for a direct transfer of patronage under section 8 of the Education Act.  I encourage any school community which is seeking a transfer of patronage to make contact with their school patron in this regard.

While the new structures to support the schools reconfiguration for diversity process are being introduced, my Department will continue to work to progress delivery of diversity in areas already identified, including the areas referred to by the Deputy. 

Summer Works Scheme Applications

Ceisteanna (202)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

202. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a funding application by a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29095/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The school referred to by the Deputy has submitted an application for car parking (Category 10) under my Department’s multi-annual Summer Works Scheme (SWS) 2020 onwards.

I wish to advise the Deputy that commensurate with the level of funding available for the SWS in 2020, applications will be assessed on a top down basis in accordance with the prioritisation criteria outlined in the governing Circular Letter for the Scheme. This Circular Letter (0027/2019) is available on my Department's website www.education.ie.

It is my intention to publish a list of successful applicants in Q4 2019 for works to be carried out in summer 2020.

Schools Refurbishment

Ceisteanna (203)

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

203. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Skills the works outstanding at a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29097/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The roof remediation works at the school to which the Deputy refers were completed over the Easter period.  

My Department has previously asked the school to report back directly to the Department if there are other issues which need attention. A response from the school is still awaited. Officials will contact the School Authority again regarding these matters. 

Separately, a programme for works identified under the fire risk assessment report is being developed by my Department.  Once this is finalised my Department will contact the school authorities directly.

Schools Grievance Procedures

Ceisteanna (204)

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

204. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the further steps open to parents that are dissatisfied with the manner in which a particular issue such as the alleged bullying of their child has been dealt with by a school,including by the board of management; his plans to introduce changes in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29099/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Under the Education Act 1998, legally, all schools are managed by the school Board of Management and as my Department has no role in the employment of staff in schools or the day to day management of schools, a complaint about a child’s school and its staff should be made to the school itself.

Accordingly, while my Department provides funding and policy direction for schools, my Department does not have the power to instruct schools to follow a particular course of direction with regard to individual complaint cases or to investigate individual complaints except where the complaint involves a refused enrolment, expulsion or suspension, in accordance with section 29 of the Education Act, 1998.  In dealing with parental complaints, my Department's role is to clarify for parents how their grievances and complaints regarding schools can be progressed.

Where a parent has a concern about a child at school they can discuss the matter informally with the class teacher and/or the principal. If the matter cannot be resolved informally, the school should have a formal complaints procedure that can be followed. This procedure should set out what a parent may have to do and how long it should take to deal with a complaint.  The role and responsibilities of the principal and board of management should also be set out. The complaint procedures currently operated by most schools are the standard procedures that have been agreed between the teacher unions and school management bodies and a copy should be provided by schools to a parent on request. 

The Action Plan on Bullying, which was published in January 2013, sets out my Department's approach to tackling bullying and promoting an anti-bullying culture in schools. As part of the implementation of the Action Plan my Department published new anti-bullying procedures for all primary and post primary schools at the beginning of the 2013/14 school year. The procedures are designed to give direction and guidance to school authorities and school personnel in preventing and tackling school-based bullying behaviour amongst its pupils.

In accordance with the Anti-Bullying Procedures, where a parent is not satisfied that a school has dealt with a bullying case in accordance with the procedures the parents must be referred, as appropriate to the schools complaints procedures.

Where a parent is of the view that a school's board of management has failed to investigate or adequately investigate their complaint, they should bring the matter to the attention of the patron.  In the event that, after raising its concerns with the school patron, a parent still considers that the matter has not been resolved, it is open to the parent to raise the matter with the Ombudsman for Children.

The Office of the Ombudsman for Children may also independently investigate complaints relating to the administrative actions of a school recognised by the Department of Education and Skills provided the parent has fully followed the school's complaints procedures. The key criterion for any intervention by the Ombudsman for Children is that the administrative actions of a school has, or may have, adversely affected the child.

The Deputy may be aware that my Department has been working on the drafting of the Education (Student and Parent Charter) Bill 2019 in conjunction with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel.

Under the Bill, each school will be required to prepare, publish and implement a Student and Parent Charter in accordance with national guidelines to be published by the Minister after consultation with the education partners, including those bodies representing parents.

The key aim of the legislation is to improve how schools engage with students and their parents. Schools will be required to respond to feedback and comments from students and parents where appropriate on matters relating to the school, including as appropriate in relation to their anti-bullying policy.

The legislation also provides for the development of new complaints procedures in schools to ensure that grievances of students or their parents relating to the school are dealt with efficiently, effectively, fairly and consistently across schools.

Subject to Government approval, I intend to publish the Bill in the Autumn.

Schools Building Projects Status

Ceisteanna (205)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

205. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills if correspondence has been received from a group (details supplied) regarding a school project in County Donegal; if a reply has issued to the correspondence; the status of the progress being made to deliver the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29108/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I have not received correspondence from this group in relation to a building project for the school named by the Deputy.

School Staff

Ceisteanna (206)

Joe Carey

Ceist:

206. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) will not lose a teacher for the forthcoming academic year 2019-2020 in view of the altered circumstances since the original determination on teaching resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29126/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30th September.

The school referred to by the Deputy is due to have a teaching post suppressed due to a fall in enrolments in September 2018. 

The staffing process includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeals Board. It is open to Boards of Management to assess the criteria which best applies to their school and submit an appeal to the Primary Staffing Appeals Board. To date, the Department has not received a staffing appeal from the school referred to by the Deputy.

Circular 0019/2019, “Staffing Arrangements in Primary Schools for the 2019/20 School Year” provides details for schools wishing to make an appeal.  The next meeting of the Primary Staffing Appeals Board to consider staffing appeals for the 2019/20 school year will be held in October.

Third Level Fees

Ceisteanna (207)

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

207. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if universities are free to set out their own level of non-refundable capitation fee for students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29142/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In accessing third level education in this State, students may be liable to pay tuition fees and a student contribution.

The Exchequer meets the cost of tuition fees through the Free Fees Initiative which was introduced in 1995 by the then Government to assist third level undergraduate students in publicly funded higher education institutions. Currently, under the terms of the Initiative, the Exchequer meets the cost of tuition fees in respect of eligible students who are pursuing full-time undergraduate courses of study which are a minimum of two years duration in an approved higher education institution. The main conditions of the scheme are that students must be first-time undergraduates, hold inter alia EU/EEA/Swiss nationality in their own right, and have been ordinarily resident in an EU/EEA/Swiss state for at least three of the five years preceding their entry to an approved third level course

The Student Contribution, which currently stands at €3,000, was introduced by my Department with effect from the 2011/12 academic year replacing the previous Student Services Charge. It should be noted that there has been no increase in the Student Contribution since the 2015/16 academic year.

Measures are in place to assist students and their parents in meeting the cost of the Student Contribution.  Almost 50% of full-time undergraduate students have all, or part of, the contribution paid by the State on their behalf through the Student Grant Scheme.

Students may also be requested by their respective institutions to pay an additional student levy. The determination of the level and payment of such levies are a matter for the institutions themselves and are not collected centrally by my Department.

In addition, tax relief provisions are also available so that second and subsequent siblings do not have to bear the full cost of the Student Contribution. Full details are available form the Revenue Commissioners.

Schools Building Projects Status

Ceisteanna (208)

Pat Deering

Ceist:

208. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an extension approved for a school (details supplied) in April 2017; the status of applications for a further extension or changes to that already approved in relation to the school. [29152/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy might be aware, the school to which he refers was granted approval to build one Mainstream Classroom with en-suite toilets and one WC for assisted users under the Additional Accommodation Scheme 2017. A letter confirming this was issued to the school in April 2017. The project is devolved for delivery to the School Authorities and it currently lies with the School Authorities to progress the project to the next stage.

Schools Building Projects Status

Ceisteanna (209)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy

Ceist:

209. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the development of a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29188/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The delivery of a new building project for the school to which the Deputy refers is being devolved to Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB). To enable this, my Department is currently preparing a Service Level Agreement (SLA) for issue to the ETB.

The execution of this SLA will allow LOETB to procure a Design Team to take the project through the various stages of architectural planning and onwards through statutory planning requirements and construction.

The timeframe for the construction of the project will not be known at least until the relevant design stages have been completed and planning permission secured.

Summer Works Scheme Applications

Ceisteanna (210)

Kevin O'Keeffe

Ceist:

210. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application by a school (details supplied). [29192/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The school referred to by the Deputy has submitted an application for car parking (Category 10) under my Department’s multi-annual Summer Works Scheme (SWS) 2020 onwards.

I wish to advise the Deputy that commensurate with the level of funding available for the SWS in 2020, applications will be assessed on a top down basis in accordance with the prioritisation criteria outlined in the governing Circular Letter for the Scheme. This Circular Letter (0027/2019) is available on my Department's website www.education.ie.

It is my intention to publish a list of successful applicants in Q4 2019 for works to be carried out in summer 2020.

Schools Building Projects Status

Ceisteanna (211)

Kevin O'Keeffe

Ceist:

211. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of project works at a school (details supplied) in County Cork; and if the works are on schedule to be completed for the commencement of the 2019/2020 academic year. [29205/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Deputy will be aware that the delivery of this project has been devolved to Cork Education & Training Board (CETB).

Construction work to complete this project commenced in mid April. It remains on schedule to be completed for the start of the 2019/20 academic year.  

School Accommodation Provision

Ceisteanna (212)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

212. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the delivery of two special educational needs rooms will be prioritised in view of approval for a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29212/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the school to which he refers received grant approval in June 2019 under the Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme. This approval was provided for the purposes of constructing a 2 x SEN base classroom (with total area including walls and circulation of 439m2).

The project has been devolved for delivery to the school authority so it is now a matter for the Board of Management to advance the project.  

School Enrolments

Ceisteanna (213)

Joe Carey

Ceist:

213. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address a matter regarding school enrolment in Ennis, County Clare (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29235/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that, following a very positive collaborative process between officials from my Department and the representatives of the local post-primary schools in question, an agreement was reached on 2nd July 2019, which guarantees that all pupils will have a school place this September.     

Schools Building Projects Status

Ceisteanna (214)

Brendan Ryan

Ceist:

214. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 274 of 11 June 2019, if the tender report has been received; if the letter of intent has issued; the date on which the contractor is likely to be on site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29249/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The project to which the Deputy refers has been devolved for delivery to Kildare and Wicklow Education & Training Board (KWETB).

KWETBs assessment of the tenders is now complete and the Tender Report is awaited from the Design Team.  The Letter of Intent has not issued yet. On that basis, it is expected that the successful contractor will recommence work on site in Q3 2019 and the buildings will be available for occupation prior to September 2020.

Schools Building Projects Status

Ceisteanna (215)

Brendan Ryan

Ceist:

215. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 275 of 11 June 2019, the number of tenders received for the project by the closing date of 21 June 2019; if the tender report has been received; if the letter of intent has issued; the expected construction start date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29250/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy is aware this project has been devolved to Kildare and Wicklow Education & Training Board (KWETB) for delivery.

The tender process was extended until 28th June 2019 and 8 tenders were received by the closing date.  The Design Team are currently preparing the Tender Report for issue to the Department.  The Letter of Intent has not issued yet. It is expected that the project will commence construction in November this year so that the project will be completed before September 2021.

Schools Building Projects Status

Ceisteanna (216)

Brendan Ryan

Ceist:

216. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 271 of 11 June 2019, if the design team has been appointed; the timeframe for the completion of its work; and when the work will commence on the project. [29251/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The delivery of a new building for the school to which the Deputy refers has been devolved to Kildare and Wicklow Education & Training Board (KWETB). 

I understand from KWETB that it has recently completed the appointment of a design team for this project. The Design Team will now take the project through the various stages of architectural planning and onwards through the statutory planning requirements and construction.

The timeframe for the construction of the project will not be known until the design stages have been completed and planning permission secured.

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