Written Answers Nos. 140-159
140. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the strongly held views of local authority elected members regarding comments in the Moorehead report on their work and role as members of local authorities; and if he will engage with organisations (details supplied) as appropriate representative bodies on the matter. [17672/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs a result of feedback from local authority elected members and their representative associations regarding their current remuneration regime, Ms Sara Moorhead SC was commissioned in June 2018 to carry out a review of the role and remuneration of local authority elected members.
During the course of the review a survey was carried out of all local authority elected members. Ms Moorhead also met with the elected member representative associations and other stakeholders, and invited them to make submissions. The survey and submissions informed the content of Ms Moorhead's final report, which was brought to Government on Friday, 19 June 2020, and then published. The Report was circulated on that date to all local authority elected members and to members of both Houses of the Oireachtas.
The Programme for Government - Our Shared Future has a commitment to "implement the Moorhead Report on the Role and Remuneration of Local Authority Elected Members within 12 months". Meeting this commitment is a priority within my Department. I will welcome further engagement and input from elected members and their representative associations during the implementation process.
141. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will provide a terms of reference for the cross-Departmental working group on cost rental; the membership of the group; and the expected date for delivery of its findings. [17692/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Cost Rental Working Group was convened in 2019 in order to assess methods for the consistent and sustainable delivery of Cost Rental at scale. The Group is examining potential funding models, including the use of public land and appropriate Exchequer inputs, in order to establish a sustainable financing and implementation structure to deliver Cost Rental units at the necessary scale. Detailed operational and eligibility criteria for Cost Rental is also being considered.
The membership of the Group includes representatives from across my Department as well as the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the Department of Finance, the Housing Agency, the Housing Finance Agency, the Residential Tenancies Board, the Land Development Agency, and local authorities.
A focused initial report is almost complete, and I expect that this will be available for my consideration within the coming weeks. However, the work of the Cost Rental Working Group will continue, with additional areas to be explored further.
The European Investment Bank (EIB) working on behalf of my Department also recently initiated research consultancy on this area. The EIB has extensive experience in supporting the delivery of affordable housing across Europe. The Report of the research project is scheduled for completion in December, and will feed into the work of the Cost Rental Working Group.
143. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of passports processed to date in July 2020; the number of persons waiting for passports; the number of passports processed in the first half of July 2019; the number of persons waiting for a passport on 16 July 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17457/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Passport Service commenced a phased return to full operations on 8 June 2020.
Between 1 July and 16 July 2020, the Passport Service issued approximately 34,000 passport books and cards. Between 1 July and 16 July 2019, the Passport Service issued approximately 38,000 passport books and cards.
On 16 July 2020, the Passport Online system had approximately 8,000 applications under process and a further 18,000 applications which required action from the applicant, such as further supporting documentation or re-submission of a photograph.
It is not possible to extract historical data for applications under process in 2019 for the same time period.
The Passport Service is currently meeting the target turnaround times for Passport Online applications. This is 10 working days for simple applications and 20 working days for complex applications, once the supporting documentation has been received.
144. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of passport applications made by month from January 2019 to June 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17492/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Passport Service commenced a phased return to full operation on 8 June 2020. The Passport Service has processed over 80,000 books and cards since re-opening and is currently meeting the target turnaround times for Passport Online applications.
The numbers of passport applications received from applicants for the year 2019 and until June 2020 are detailed in the following table.
|
- |
2019 |
2020 |
|
January |
104,413 |
102,542 |
|
February |
99,857 |
91,314 |
|
March |
113,001 |
54,349 |
|
April |
103,609 |
13,820 |
|
May |
103,253 |
16,403 |
|
June |
86,720 |
43,005 |
|
July |
78,728 |
|
|
August |
63,513 |
|
|
September |
58,909 |
|
|
October |
55,565 |
|
|
November |
50,012 |
|
|
December |
40,816 |
145. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Defence if he will commission a report on the activities of UK defence force vessels in Irish waters following a marine accident investigations branch report (details supplied). [17564/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe details provided relate to an event which occurred in a location which is not part of Irish territorial waters and involved vessels neither of which were sailing under an Irish flag. The matter was investigated by the UK's Marine Accident Investigation Branch who were the appropriate investigators. Their report on the matter can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/stena-superfast-vii-and-royal-navy-submarine-report-published.
I have no plans to commission a report into such activities.
146. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide a breakdown of peacekeeping defence missions over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17567/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs of 8 July 2020, Ireland is contributing 541 personnel to 10 different missions throughout the world. The main overseas missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 321 personnel and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria with 134 personnel.
Ireland has always been a strong supporter of the United Nations and UN Peacekeeping. Our commitment and support for the primary role of the United Nations, in the maintenance of international peace and security, is expressed in Ireland's long-standing tradition of participating in UN peacekeeping operations. This commitment is also expressed in our engagement in the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).
Details of overseas Missions where Defence Forces personnel have served over the past five years (2015 to date) are set out below.
|
YEAR |
MISSION (all abbreviations outlined at end of document) |
|
2020 |
UNIFIL UNTSO MINURSO MONUSCO MINUSMA UNDOF EUFOR BiH EUTM Mali KFOR OP Sophia (Mission closed on 31 March 2020) OP IRINI |
|
2019 |
UNIFIL UNTSO MINURSO MONUSCO MINUSMA UNDOF EUFOR BiH EUTM Mali KFOR Op Sophia |
|
2018 |
UNIFIL UNTSO MINURSO MONUSCO UNDOF EUFOR BiH EUTM Mali KFOR Op Sophia |
|
2017 |
UNIFIL UNTSO MINURSO MONUSCO UNOCI UNDOF EUFOR BiH EUTM Mali KFOR Op Pontus (Deployed May to Oct 17) Op Sophia (Deployed Oct to Dec 17) |
|
2016 |
UNIFIL UNTSO MINURSO MONUSCO UNOCI UNDOF EUFOR BiH EUTM Mali KFOR RSM Op Pontus (Deployed May to Dec 16) |
|
2015 |
UNIFIL UNTSO MINURSO MONUSCO UNOCI UNDOF EUFOR BiH EUTM Mali KFOR RSM Op Pontus (Deployed May to Nov 15) |
Abbreviation (Explanation)
EUFOR BiH (EU-led Operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina)
EUTM Mali (EU-led Training Mission Mali)]
KFOR (International Security Presence in Kosovo)
MINURSO (United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara)
MINUSMA (United Nations Mission in Mali)
MONUSCO (United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Op Pontus (Naval Service Humanitarian Mission in Mediterranean)
Op Sophia (EU Naval Mission)
Op Irini (EU Naval Mission)
RSM (Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan)
UNDOF (United Nations Disengagement Observer Force)
UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon)
UNOCI (United Nations Mission in Democratic Republic of the Congo)
UNTSO (United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation).
147. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Defence the name and rank of each Irish military member of the Eurocontrol Military ATM Board and the Civilian-Military Stakeholder Committee. [17600/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraLt Col Raymond Martin of the Air Corps is the Irish military member of Eurocontrol's Network Management Board which deals with air traffic management network functions and which is made up of both civilian and military members.
148. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Defence if his Department retains records and statistics on the portions of Irish airspace reserved for military use each year, in particular, the location of the section of airspace reserved, the dates and times on which they are reserved and the duration of the reservation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17601/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraInformation about the airspace used by the Defence Forces is published in the Irish Aviation Authority's Aeronautical Information Publication. In addition, ad hoc airspace structures (temporary restricted areas) may be filed with the Irish Aviation Authority for specific operations and/or training events and are known as NOTAM (Notices to Airmen).
Each activation, deactivation and change to the maximum active levels of the airspace concerned is manually entered into the relevant Air Traffic Control logbooks. Logbooks are retained for a year before being destroyed.
I wish to assure you that effective civil military coordination procedures are in place so as to reduce the impact of military activity on civil operations.
149. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to provide employment contracts to school secretaries. [17543/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI recognise the very important work done by these staff, and the other support staff in the running of our schools.
In Budget 2020 the number of secretaries and caretakers in certain schools was increased, allowing schools with enrolments of 500-625 to fill secretary vacancies provided they have fewer than 1.5 secretaries; schools with enrolments of 626-699 to fill vacancies provided they have fewer than two secretary posts filled, and schools of 700 or more to fill caretaker vacancies provided they have fewer than two caretakers. These measures will take effect from September 2020.
In Spring 2019 the moratorium was relaxed for those C&C and ETB schools with enrolments of 700 and more which allows them to employ additional school secretaries up to a maximum of two per school. There are 91 schools in the C&C and ETB Sector who meet this criteria, based on the information currently available to this Department. This was an initial step and took immediate effect.
Schemes were initiated in 1978 and 1979 for the employment of clerical officers and caretakers in schools. The schemes were withdrawn completely in 2008. These schemes have been superseded by the capitation grant schemes. The current grant scheme was agreed in the context of the Programme for Economic and Social Progress, published in 1991.
The majority of primary and voluntary secondary schools now receive assistance to provide for secretarial, caretaking and cleaning services under these grant schemes. It is a matter for each individual school to decide how best to apply the grant funding to suit its particular needs. Where a school uses the grant funding for caretaking or secretarial purposes, any staff taken on to support those functions are employees of individual schools. Specific responsibility for terms of employment rests with the school.
On foot of a Chairman’s Note to the Lansdowne Road Agreement, my Department engaged with the Unions representing school secretaries and caretakers, including through an independent arbitration process in 2015. The Arbitrator recommended a cumulative pay increase of 10% between 2016 and 2019 for staff and that a minimum hourly pay rate of €13 be phased in over that period. This arbitration agreement covered the period up to 31 December 2019.
The arbitration agreement was designed to be of greatest benefit to lower-paid secretaries and caretakers. For example, a secretary or caretaker who was paid the then minimum wage of €8.65 per hour in 2015 prior to the arbitration has from 1 January 2019, been paid €13 per hour which is a 50% increase in that individual’s hourly pay.
The increases recommended by the Arbitrator are binding and must be applied by all schools who employ staff to whom the Arbitrator’s recommendation applies.
A survey of Secretaries and Caretakers undertaken in 2019 identified some schools that are non-compliant with the provisions of the 2015 Arbitration Agreement, and my Department has contacted these schools to remind them of their obligations under the agreement, as implemented through various circulars. The links below will bring you to the most recent circulars in respect of the pay increases under the 2015 Arbitration Agreement.
https://www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0076_2018.pdf
https://www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0077_2018.pdf.
Officials from my Department attended a meeting of the Joint Committee on Education and Skills on the 9th of April 2019 to discuss the status of non-teaching staff.
In May last year officials from my Department had discussions with FÓRSA trade union representatives as part of a planned meeting. FÓRSA took the opportunity to formally table a pay claim.
This was tabled as a follow-on claim from the pay agreement for this cohort of staff which lasted until December 2019. The Department issued surveys on the 10th of July 2019 to establish the full current cost of the trade union’s claim. This is standard practice.
Officials from the Department met with FÓRSA representatives in September 2019. Management Bodies representing the employers of schools impacted by the action were also in attendance at the meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to further explore the details of the pay claim as presented by FÓRSA and the nature of the industrial action.
On 30 September 2019 FÓRSA requested the Department to agree to use the services of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) to resolve the dispute. As is normal practice the Department agreed to use the industrial relations machinery of the state in an effort to resolve this matter.
In order to address the various issues within the claim and to arrive at a mutually acceptable solution, the Department and Management Bodies are in discussions with FÓRSA under the auspices of the WRC. These talks are subject to the normal procedures including confidentiality. The talks began in the WRC in October.
Following industrial action, which commenced on the 10th January 2020, both parties have agreed to return to talks at the WRC. FÓRSA agreed to the WRC request to suspend their ongoing work-to-rule to allow the talks to progress. This suspension was effective from 21st January 2020.
150. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a building project for a school (details supplied) [17460/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school to which the Deputy refers to was approved funding under the Additional Accommodation Scheme 2018 to enable it to build three classrooms, one resource room, two standard WC and one WC for assisted users.
A Stage 1 submission was received in the Department which indicated there were site restrictions applicable to the project which in turn will lead to increased costs for its delivery. This submission is under review by officials in my Department in that context and we will revert with a response directly to the school when that review is completed.
151. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a building project for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17464/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that a building project for the school in question is included on the Department's Capital Programme to be delivered as part of the National Development Plan (NDP).
My Department is currently finalising the accommodation brief for the building project and was in contact with the school authority recently relating to the progression of the project to the next stage. My Department will be in further contact with the school authority in this regard.
152. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Skills the arrangements for a school (details supplied) without access to a school building at present in view of the lease expired on previous temporary accommodation in June 2020; if a lease agreement has been signed for the new temporary accommodation; and when the school will be given access to the new temporary accommodation. [17488/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that a licence arrangement has been agreed between my Department and the landowner of the new temporary accommodation for the school in question.
My Department is in the final stages of signing the contract with the preferred contractor to undertake refurbishment works in this accommodation. It is intended that the contractor will commence on site in the coming days. The school patron has been advised accordingly.
My Department will continue its engagement with the patron relating to these works to ensure that contingency arrangements are in place where necessary.
153. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a person (details supplied) will allow medical students to undertake one-month summer placements in hospitals in 2020. [17539/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra154. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to allow medical students to undertake one-month summer placements in hospitals in 2020. [17540/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraClinical training placements for medical students are a matter for the Health Service Executive and the relevant Higher Education Institution medical schools. I have no function in relation to this matter. However, in order to assist the Deputy, Department officials have been in contact with the Higher Education Authority and the Authority is currently following up with the medical schools at the appropriate level in relation to the mattter, the outcome of which interaction will be relayed to the Deputy.
155. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the parents of a person (details supplied) can expect to receive their transportation grant for travel incurred. [17542/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Skills.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
In the 2019/20 school year over 120,000 children, including over 14,200 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres at a cost of over €219m in 2019.
With regard to transport arrangements for the July Programme my Department will provide grant funding to support parents with the cost of transport arrangements for those children who are eligible for school transport and who have been approved to participate in the school based July Programme.
Schools are required to identify children who are on a School Transport service or who are in receipt of a grant. School Transport Section will be in contact with schools and families in regard to the arrangements for payment.
156. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will consider introducing one-hour class blocks when schools return for the forthcoming academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17549/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is the clear goal of the Government, in collaboration with all education stakeholders to support the education system so that we can welcome our pupils and staff across our school communities back into a safe environment at the start of the new school year.
Planning for this has been underway for a number of months in collaboration with stakeholders. Intense engagement with these stakeholders on the public health advice and planning process for both primary and post-primary schools is continuing.
Draft Covid-19 plans for both primary and post primary schools with details on a range of practical measures to support schools to reopen safely are being progressed. The plans will include information on suggested classroom layouts to maximise physical distancing, guidelines on enhanced cleaning regimes in schools and some options around timetabling considerations. As each school setting is unique schools will be expected to examine and implement the measures that suit its own environment from a practical and public health perspective in order to reopen safely.
157. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration will be given to extending the medical card waiver to each student eligible for concessionary school transport in view of the fact that many families are on reduced incomes as a result of the Covid-19 crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17562/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
In the 2019/2020 year over 120,000 children, including over 14,200 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres at a cost of over €219m in 2019.
Children who are not eligible for school transport under the terms of the scheme may apply to Bus Éireann for transport on a concessionary basis subject to a number of conditions including the appropriate annual charge is paid. The Medical Card waiver is not applicable to children who are not eligible for school transport. There are no plans to waiver the fee for concessionary children who are medical card holders.
158. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if financial supports will be put in place to assist college students with accommodation costs (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17566/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science is working with representatives from the higher education sector to address the challenges faced by students in this difficult time. Students who were residing in university-owned accommodation will receive pro-rata refunds if they vacated their accommodation due to the Covid-19 pandemic. While I would wish to see pro-rata refunds applied in the case of students who were residing in privately owned student accommodation, it is not within the remit of my Department to direct any accommodation provider to offer a refund.
Student accommodation licence terms including cost, duration, refund and cancellation policies should be set out in the licence agreement signed at the beginning of the academic year. While I would hope that accommodation providers would show flexibility to students in the current times, agreements between students and accommodation providers are a private matter, and neither I nor my Department have any remit to issue instructions in relation to the private rental market.
159. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of vehicles that would be required in the 2020/2021 school year based on the current rule of using 50% of public transport capacity due to Covid-19, that will provide the same level of service as was provided in the school transport scheme in 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17575/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
In the 2019/20 school year over 120,000 children, including over 14,200 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres at a cost of over €219m in 2019.
The Department is currently working with the education partners and relevant stakeholders in planning for the re-opening of schools in late August/September, which will be based on public health advice and which will put the best interests of our school population first. The objective is to re-open schools as fully, normally and safely as possible in late August and September 2020. The operation of school transport services in September 2020 will also be informed by the outcome of this planning for re-opening schools.
Interim public health advice from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) in relation to the re-opening of schools has recently been received and published. The interim public health advice can be found here: https://www.education.ie/en/covid-19/interim-recommendations-for-the-reopening-of-schools-and-educational-facilities.pdf. The recommendations relating to School Transport are set out in Section 6.
With regard to school transport, we are continuing to engage with relevant stakeholders including Bus Éireann, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the National Transport Authority on the logistical considerations that arise from the public health advice received.
We aim to have guidance issued in line with the health advice by the end of July at the latest and there will be a communications campaign for parents and the whole school community to support the re-opening of our schools which will include guidance on the operation of school transport services. This will also include communications with school transport operators.
