Written Answers Nos. 145-164
145. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on possible accession to the Antarctic Treaty in view of its potential to impact positively on national climate action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17737/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland holds the view that the management and use of Antarctica should be conducted in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations in the interest of maintaining international peace and security and promoting international cooperation for the benefit of mankind as a whole.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is committed to collective climate action, including through our engagement in multilateral fora and as a focus of our international development programme. My Department recognises the value of the Antarctic Treaty System’s objective to provide comprehensive protection of the Antarctic environment and its dependents and associated eco-systems.
The question of Ireland’s ratification of the Antarctic Treaty and related agreements comprising the Antarctic Treaty System has been the subject of research in some detail by the Government and Offices concerned on a number of occasions.
While the objectives and achievements of the Antarctic Treaty System are of considerable importance and the commitment of the signatories is commendable, such research to date has found that the direct benefits to Ireland of ratification would be relatively minor.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will continue to keep under review the question of engagement with the Antarctic Treaty System with a view to exploring a possible way forward.
146. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the live harvesting of human organs in China; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17763/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government closely follows reports of human rights violations in China, including allegations of live organ harvesting, and we regularly raise human rights concerns with the Chinese authorities during both bilateral and multilateral meetings.
New laws on organ donation came into force in China at the beginning of 2015 with a view to ending the practice of forced organ transplants, including from prisoners. The Embassy of Ireland in Beijing, in cooperation with our EU partners, continues to monitor the implementation of this legislation.
The Government, together with our EU partners, will continue to address human rights issues with China, in frequent and regular dialogue through both bilateral meetings and the relevant multilateral channels.
147. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the level of engagement he has had with Bahrain in the past two years; the nature of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17941/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland and Bahrain enjoy good bilateral relations, and there are significant links between the two countries, particularly in the medical field. I met with the former Foreign Minister of Bahrain at the UN General Assembly in New York in September 2019. In May 2020, I spoke on the phone with the current Foreign Minister of Bahrain.
Our discussions on both occasions covered a number of issues, including the Middle East Peace Process, the situation in Yemen, and ongoing tensions in the Gulf region, as well as our bilateral links.
I also made a point of raising the human rights situation in Bahrain directly with the former Foreign Minister, expressing the hope that Ireland and Bahrain can have an open and honest discussion on these issues. Ireland also raises our concerns about the human rights situation in Bahrain through multilateral fora, including through our active participation at the UN Human Rights Council.
In addition to my conversations with the Foreign Minister, my officials regularly meet with the Bahraini authorities to discuss the full range of bilateral and multilateral issues, including human rights. Discussions took place most recently this week at senior official level, with the Ambassador of Bahrain to Ireland.
Ireland will continue to develop our bilateral relationship with Bahrain, including through ongoing dialogue on human rights issues.
148. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Defence if a person that is being discharged from the Army due to the fact they have diabetes and that has been deemed not of medical standard to serve in the Defence Forces is entitled to be given a medical discharge as opposed to an administrative discharge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17777/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraDefence Force Regulations contain the provisions by which the discharge of a member of the Permanent Defence Force can be effected. Within those provisions, there are a number of factors which may determine that a member be discharged, including the individuals' own circumstances.
Where the request for discharge is not initiated by the individual, the process set out in Defence Forces Regulations further provides that the individual is made fully aware of the reasons for the proposed discharge.
149. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if additional funding will be made available to schools to ensure they have enough teachers, cleaning staff and other resources necessary to reopen safely; if students with additional needs will not lose vital supports due to a lack of teaching resources and funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17755/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe interim public health advice received by my Department sets out the key public health requirements that will be required for a safe full reopening of schools in late August/ September and the measures that will be required to achieve this.
This public health advice will underpin ongoing engagements with education partners and stakeholders in terms of planning and providing guidance for schools in relation to logistical, curricular and wellbeing arrangements. The advice also contains important measures required for infection prevention and control to ensure a full return to school is safe for children and staff.
At present my Department is engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on the requirements to provide funding to schools for measures such as enhanced cleaning regimes and PPE. My Department has also arranged for a drawdown framework to be established to enable schools purchase hand-sanitisers and PPE for use in the school and classroom. The procurement process for this framework has already commenced and it is intended these materials will be available in early August.
My Department’s ongoing work with education partners and other key stakeholders on guidance for re-opening schools is aimed at reducing the burden on schools at a local level by providing central guidance and supports to the greatest extent possible by the end of July in order to allow time for schools to implement the necessary arrangements locally.
150. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills if provisions will be considered to allow Irish persons studying medicine in other EU states to continue their studies at medical schools here for the duration of the Covid-19 crisis. [17831/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn annual quota applies to the intake of EU students to medical education in the State. Thereafter, the number of places allocated to non-EU students is a matter for the individual Higher Education Institution (HEI) concerned with the availability of clinical placements being an important factor in this regard.
HEIs are governed by the Universities Act 1997, the Institutes of Technologies Acts 1992 to 2006 and the Technological Universities Act 2018. Within the meaning of these Acts, HEIs are autonomous with regard to the management of their academic affairs and as such retain the right to determine their own procedures, criteria and processes including in relation to the selection, admission and transfer of students.
As such, my Department does not have a role in the matter raised by the Deputy.
151. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the relationship and sexual education programme; when the stakeholder consultation will be completed; the level of funding that is available for the implementation of a new sexual education curriculum in schools commencing September 2021; the plans in place to account for the necessary training in advance of the anticipated roll out of the new curriculum; if this new curriculum will begin in September 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17697/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn April 2018, the then Minister for Education and Skills Mr. Richard Bruton asked the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) to undertake a major review of Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) in schools across all stages of education to ensure that it is fit for purpose and meets the needs of young people today in modern Ireland.
The Report on the Review of Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) in primary and post-primary schools was published by the NCCA in December, 2019. The report is based on commissioned research and extensive public consultation.
The NCCA report makes a number of recommendations, including the development of a single integrated curriculum for RSE and Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) in schools. This development work will be commenced by the NCCA early in the new school year, will include engagement with all the key education stakeholders, as well as a further process of public consultation, and is expected to take between 18 and 24 months to complete. Issues in relation to funding and teacher continuing professional development to support implementation of the new curriculum will also be addressed during that time.
The NCCA in the meantime has commenced work on a number of other recommendations made in the report. These include
- Development and publication of interim guidelines to support the teaching of SPHE/RSE in the shorter term. These Interim Guidelines will provide guidance on how the current curriculum can be approached in a more holistic way, provide clarity on how topics can be taught to incorporate various themes identified by the NCCA’s review and suggestions for how the topics can be taught in a fully inclusive manner. It is anticipated that publication of a first batch of guidance materials will be made available through an online toolkit early in 2021;
- Work on a single online access point for RSE resources;
- Development of an overall framework to inform the development of future SPHE/RSE resources;
- Examination of opportunities for SPHE/RSE within the new Junior Cycle Wellbeing area of learning.
152. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a design team will be appointed for the Gaelscoil campus in Athenry, County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17716/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, a major project to provide new school buildings for a primary and post primary school on the campus in Atheny is included in my Department's building programme to be delivered as part of the National Development Plan (NDP).
My Department is currently finalising the accommodation briefs for the project and this process is expected to be completed shortly. It is intended that the project will be devolved to Galway Roscommon Education and Training Board for delivery.
153. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps taken to facilitate those that have not applied to university via CAO or UCAS and that may now miss out on their place in a university on mainland Europe due to the delay until September 2020 in the releasing of leaving certificate results; and if alternative provisions will be put in place to ensure that these students do not miss out on attending university in 2020. [17738/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am very conscious of the impact arising from the issue of the 2020 Leaving Certificate results on 7th September on all students, in particular for those students who chose to pursue their undergraduate studies in other EU Member States.
In that regard, and further to previous correspondence from my predecessor on this matter, I have written to all EU Minsters seeking their support for special consideration by higher education institutions in their countries for Irish students this year.
154. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if PLC courses are considered third-level courses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17754/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraPost Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses are a core part of the further education and training sector that, along with higher education, is under the remit of the new Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. References to third level courses generally include PLC but the context of any specific reference needs to be considered.
PLC courses are full time programmes for learners who have completed their second level education, and for adults returning to education. PLC courses aim to provide participants with specific vocational skills and adopt an integrated approach, focusing on technical knowledge, core skills and work experience. Typically, courses last one to two years and are generally at levels 5 and 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).
155. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools constructed under the design and build programme in the past five years by county in tabular form. [17758/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra156. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools which had to be repaired after they were constructed under the design and build programme in the past five years by county in tabular form. [17759/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra157. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of the repairs of each school which had to be repaired after being constructed under the design and build programme in the past five years by county in tabular form. [17760/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 155 to 157, inclusive, together.
I can confirm to the Deputy that there were 47 schools constructed under my Departments internal Design & Build programme in the last five years of which 15 were identified as requiring redemediation.
Due to ongoing legal process, my Department is not in a position at this time to provide information in relation to the costs of remediation to those schools under the Schools Remediation Programme.
The attached document identifies all the projects completed in the last five years by county in tabular form.
|
Year Completed |
County |
School Name |
|
2016 |
Cork |
GS De Hide Fermoy |
|
Cork |
Holy Family Charleville |
|
|
Cork |
GS Mhainistir na Corrainn, Midleton |
|
|
Dublin Belgard |
Lucan CNS* |
|
|
Dublin Belgard |
Scoil Aoife CNS* |
|
|
Dublin Belgard |
Scoil Chaitlin Maude* |
|
|
Dublin City |
Broombridge ETNS* |
|
|
Dublin Fingal |
Colaiste Ghlor na Mara, Balbriggan |
|
|
Dublin Fingal |
Powerstown ETNS |
|
|
Dublin Fingal |
Scoil Caitriona, Rush |
|
|
Galway |
Colaiste Bhaile Chlair Phase 11 |
|
|
Meath |
Gaelscoil Tulach na Og, Dunboyne* |
|
|
Meath |
De Lacy College, Ashbourne* |
|
|
Meath |
GS na Mí, Ashbourne* |
|
|
Meath |
Ashbourne ETNS* |
|
|
Offaly |
Tullamore ETNS |
|
|
Wicklow |
Wickow ETNS |
|
|
2017 |
Cork |
Midleton ETNS |
|
Cork |
Carrigaline Post Primary |
|
|
Donegal |
Letterkenny ETNS* |
|
|
Dublin Belgard |
Firhouse ETNS* |
|
|
Dublin Fingal |
GS an Chuilinn, Powerstown |
|
|
Galway |
GS Riabhach, Loughrea |
|
|
Galway |
GS Mhic Amhlaigh, Knocknacarra |
|
|
Galway |
GS Iarfhlatha, Tuam |
|
|
Limerick |
GS an Raithin, Limerick |
|
|
Limerick |
Limerick ETNS |
|
|
2018 |
Clare |
Scoil Chroist Ri, Ennis |
|
Cork |
Scoil Aonghus, Mallow |
|
|
Dublin Belgard |
GS Teach Giuise, Firhouse* |
|
|
Dublin Dun/Rath |
Stepaside ETNS |
|
|
Galway |
Galway ETNS* |
|
|
Kildare |
GS Mhic Aodha* |
|
|
Leitrim |
GS Liatroma |
|
|
Wexford |
St Joseph's NS, Gorey* |
*Included in Schools Remediation Programme
|
Year Completed |
County |
School Name |
|
2019 |
Clare |
CBS Ennis |
|
Dublin Belgard |
Belmayne ETNS |
|
|
Dublin Belgard |
St Francis of Assisi |
|
|
Dublin Belgard |
Citywest and Saggart CNS |
|
|
Dublin Belgard |
Citywest ETNS |
|
|
Dublin City |
Shellybanks ETNS Temporary School |
|
|
Dublin Fingal |
Luttrellstown Community College* |
|
|
Galway County |
Claregalway ETNS |
|
|
Galway County |
Colaiste Bhaile Chlair CC Phase III |
|
|
Laois |
Scoil Padraig, Portarlington |
|
|
Westmeath |
The Saplings Special School |
|
|
Westmeath |
Gaelscoil an Choillin |
*Included in Schools Remediation Programme
158. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on the situation for international students that already have their results and are waiting to see whether they have been accepted into a university here through the CAO system; her further views on whether they will be able to start university as normal in September 2020 in view of the quick turnaround between round 1 CAO offers and the beginning of the academic year and the required 14-day quarantine many will have to undertake if travelling here; if these international students will receive their CAO offers early; and the provision which will be made for these students to ensure that they do not miss out on the start date of their courses. [17766/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraHigher education institutions (HEIs) are autonomous with regard to management of their academic affairs including admissions procedures. The majority of international students who come to Ireland are coming from outside the EU, and therefore apply directly to their HEI of choice and not to the CAO. The admission of these students is not impacted by the recently announced CAO round 1 offer date.
Students coming from inside the EU or EFTA apply to the CAO, who process applications for undergraduate, and some postgraduate, courses on behalf of the HEIs. Neither I nor my Department has any role in relation to the operation of the CAO. Queries on these processes should be sent directly to the CAO, contact details for which can be found on their website www.cao.ie.
HEIs are currently working through their arrangements for first year students in light of the announced results date, and will publish these details as soon as they are available. As start dates will vary between institutions, any queries on these dates should be directed to the institution in question.
159. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which she plans to address a matter regarding a student (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17774/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am very conscious of the impact arising from the issue of the 2020 Leaving Certificate results on 7th September on all students, in particular for those students who chose to pursue their undergraduate studies in other EU Member States, including the Netherlands.
In that regard, and further to previous correspondence from my predecessor on this matter, I have written to Minster Van Engelshoven seeking her support for special consideration by higher education institutions in the Netherlands for Irish students this year, and I hope to hear from her soon.
160. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the increased funding made available to provide extra concessionary school transport tickets for the 2019/2020 school year; the number of extra places facilitated by the funding by county; her plans to provide similar funding for the 2020/2021 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17775/20]
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 2019/2020 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.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application and payment process on time will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who complete the application and payment process on time, will be considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
In 2019/20 school year temporary alleviation measures to address a shortage of school transport capacity on the post primary scheme were put in place. The cost of these measures was given to those areas where there was a significant concentration of post-primary children who have paid on time for the 2019/2020 school year and who are attending their second closest school.
All school transport services are reviewed over the summer months. Arising from this, routes may be altered, extended or withdrawn depending on the number and location of eligible children who will be availing of school transport for the following school year.
161. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if funding supports will be put in place for pilots that have lost their jobs due to Covid-19 or are on the temporary wage subsidy scheme to retrain and upskill as a flight instructor on single engine aircraft. [17782/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraA range of upskilling and reskilling supports such as Skills to Compete and Springboard+ are available through the education and training system.
Eligibilty for these schemes for those who are unemployed or in receipt of the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme is a matter for the Department of Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands.
162. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education and Skills the outcomes of each of the 52 actions outlined in the Further Education and Training Strategy 2014-2019; the actions which have been successfully completed, are ongoing and yet to be initiated, respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17793/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
163. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education and Skills the date the apprenticeship action plan 2020 will be published; the consultation process taking place to inform the action plan; if there is a public consultation process; if so, the details of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17794/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government commits to publishing an updated Apprenticeship Action Plan to look at new ways of structuring, funding, and promoting apprenticeships. The Action Plan will be published by year end.
Apprenticeship depends on a strongly collaborative approach between employers and educational providers to successfully deliver a high quality work based learning experience, both for the employer and the apprentice. The development of an effective roadmap and actions for the new Action Plan requires a clear understanding of the perspectives and ideas of stakeholders on proposals to advance key objectives. Consequently, it is planned that a comprehensive consultation process to seek input and to determine views from across the apprenticeship system be undertaken. Details of this consultation process will be announced before the end of July.
164. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on whether many third-level students face challenges during the Covid-19 restrictions, such as issues of mental health and well-being, access to on-campus support services, challenging home lives and access to the internet for remote learning; if she has considered encouraging third-level institutions to consider allowing students to use work done during the year to contribute towards their final grade, particularly for students that for a variety of reasons failed their final exam in the summer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17795/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe wellbeing of third-level students is a priority of this Department and work is ongoing to enhance student supports in the areas of mental health, well-being, and connectivity. The €168 million package of supports for further and higher education institutions and students, announced this week, includes €15m to assist students to access technology such as laptops and €3m for student mental health and well-being. These supports are additional to work already ongoing in these areas.
In the area of mental health and well-being, a National Framework on Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention has recently been developed by a working group, which included representatives from the HEA, USI, National Office of Suicide Prevention, Psychological Counsellors in Higher Education in Ireland, the HSE as well as from the Department. It is expected that the Framework will be published in the coming weeks, thus providing an invaluable resource to the third-level institutions.
In Budget 2020 funding of €2 million was provided by the Government for student mental health and wellbeing initiatives in the higher education sector. Each higher education institution will benefit from this funding, which will enable them to enhance the range of services they are currently offering to their students. The objective of the initiative is to enhance the capacity, for example by providing funding for the recruitment of additional counsellors, and to reduce waiting time for students by supplementing the funding that institutions already invest in the provision of services to students.
A working group has been established to examine connectivity issues impacting on further and higher education. The group’s key aims are to identify connectivity challenges in relation to broadband, data, networks and devices, to develop solutions for challenges and work through their resolution with third parties and to provide advice and guidance to other groups in relation to technology and connectivity. The group has facilitated the distribution of devices to learners in need, and the provision of student-friendly data packages for those with connectivity issues. It is also exploring longer term provision of devices and student-friendly mobile packages.
In relation to third-level examinations, higher education institutions are autonomous institutions with regard to management of their academic affairs, including their assessment of students. As such, neither I nor my Department have any role in relation to this particular matter.
