Written Answers Nos. 163-182
163. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Cosanta cad iad na pleananna atá ag a Roinn chun seirbhísí faoina riar a chur ar fáil trí Ghaeilge, chun cur le líon na seirbhísí atá ar fáil trí Ghaeilge faoina riar, agus chun an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn, le linn 2021. [44167/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraTá mo Roinn tiomanta do na seirbhísí a sholáthar a riarann sí trí Ghaeilge. Ar aon dul leis an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010-2030, shainaithin mo Roinn cuspóirí áirithe amhail bheith ábhartha maidir le seirbhísí a chur chun cinn trí Ghaeilge, cuspóir 2, ach go háirithe.
De réir Chuspóir 2 den Straitéis, cuirfear Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla i bhfeidhm go hiomlán agus forbrófar an ceart atá ag an bpobal an Ghaeilge a úsáid nuair a dhéileálann siad leis an Stát agus le comhlachtaí eile agus cuirfear na socruithe cuí i bhfeidhm chun seo a sholáthar.
Chomhlíon mo Roinn a cuid gealltanas ina leith seo maidir le seirbhísí a sholáthar i nGaeilge faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, 2003. Tá ceathrú Scéim Gaeilge na Roinne 2017-2020, i bhfeidhm ó Mheán Fómhair 2017. Leantar le gealltanais faoin scéim a sholáthar agus áirítear leo na gealltanais seo a leanas:
- Tá an t-ábhar statach ar láithreán gréasáin nua mo Roinne dátheangach agus cuirtear rogha ar fáil d’úsáideoirí teacht ar an láithreán gréasáin i nGaeilge nó i mBéarla.
- Tá grúpa cainteoirí Gaeilge i mo Roinn lena cheadú do chustaiméirí a ngó a dhéanamh tre¨ án na Gaeilge, más mian leo sin a dhéanamh.
- Nuair a eisíonn mo Roinn preaseisiúintí nua, cuireann sí nósanna imeachta i bhfeidhm lena chinntiú go gcomhlíonann sí an ceanglas go gcuirtear ar a laghad 20% díobh ar fáil trí Ghaeilge
- Tá feasacht ar an nGaeilge mar chuid den phróiseas ionduchtúcháin le haghaidh foireann nua i mo Roinn.
Tá Coiste Líonra na Gaeilge i mo Roinn freisin a thionólann cruinnithe i gcaitheamh na bliana.
Tá an chomharthaíocht ag foirgnimh mo Roinne dátheangach agus freagraítear glaonna gutháin a chuirtear ar an Roinn i nGaeilge. Freagraítear i nGaeilge do chomhfhreagras a fhaightear i nGaeilge.
De bhreis air sin, cuireann an Rannóg Foghlama agus Forbartha an Ghaeilge chun cinn go gníomhach trí fhreastal ar iarrataí a dhéantar ar chúrsaí Gaeilge ar leibhéil éagsúla scileanna agus trí imeachtaí éagsúla a chur ar siúl, cosúil le tráth na gceist, biongó agus maidineacha caife trí Ghaeilge.
In 2021, forbróidh mo Roinn Scéim Gaeilge nua (an cúigiú ceann) a chuirfidh leis na cleachtais agus na soláthairtí reatha.
Tuigim gur críochnaíodh an dara céim de Bhille na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2019 sa Dáil an 8 Deireadh Fómhair. Is é príomhchuspóir an Bhille ná Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 a leasú ionas go mbeifear in ann feabhas a chur ar sholáthar seirbhísí phoiblí trí Ghaeilge agus líon na gcainteoirí Gaeilge a earcaítear sa tseirbhís phoiblí a mheadú. Tá tacaíocht an Rialtais faighte roinnt leasuithe a mholadh a láidróidh an Bille. Tá an Rialtas tiomanta an Bhille a bhrú ar aghaidh a luaithe agus is féidir. Beidh Céim an Choiste ag tosú ar an 20 Eanáir.
Ceadaíonn an Bille Coiste Comhairleach reachtúil um Sheirbhísí Gaeilge a bhunú d’fhonn soláthar sheirbhísí poiblí trí Ghaeilge a mhéadú agus a fheabhsú. Bunófar an Coiste Comhairleach tráth nach ndéanaí ná sé mhí tar éis an Bhille a bheith achtaithe. Leagtar amach feidhmeanna an Choiste Chomhairligh sa Bhille, lena n-áirítear Plean Náisiúnta a fhoilsiú ar mhaithe le soláthar seirbhísí poiblí trí mheán na Gaeilge a mhéadú. Beidh an Plean Náisiúnta ullmhaithe agus curtha faoi bhráid an Aire tráth nach ndéanaí ná dhá bhliain tar éis a bhunaithe. Déanfar tuairisciú rialta ar an dul chun cinn trí tuairisc gach dara bliain ón Choiste Chomhairligh, a bheidh le cur chuig an Aire, an Coimisinéir Teanga agus le leagan os comhair na Tithe. Tabharfaidh sé seo leibhéal trédhearcacht d’obair an stáit chun soláthar sheirbhísí poiblí trí Ghaeilge a mhéadú agus a fheabhsú.
164. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Cosanta sonrú a dhéanamh ar gach post atá sainaitheanta mar phost a bhfuil riachtanas Gaeilge leis ina Roinn faoi láthair, líon na bhfostaithe ina Roinn a bhfuil cumas sa Ghaeilge acu, agus líon iomlán na bhfostaithe ina Roinn. [44168/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraNíl aon phoist sa Roinn Cosanta go bhfuil an Ghaeilge riachtanach. Faoi láthair fostaíonn an Roinn ar thimpeall 358 státseirbhísí agus 454 fostaí sibhialta. Tá 15 fostaí a bhfuil in ann seirbhís a thabhairt trí Gaeilge. Ar an iomlán, bhí 233,868 fiosrú nó idirghníomhú le glaoiteoirí in 2018. Bhí 4 díobh seo as Gaeilge.
165. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Cosanta cad iad na fadhbanna is práinní i leith seirbhísí faoi riar a Roinne a sholáthar trí Ghaeilge sna ceantair Ghaeltachta, agus cad atá beartaithe aige chun iad a réiteach. [44169/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraNíor cuireadh ar an eolas mé gur tháinig aon fhadhbanna chun solais nuair a bhí na seirbhísí a chuireann mo Roinn ar fáil á soláthar trí Ghaeilge sna ceantair Ghaeltachta.
166. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the specific educational supports available to Syrian refugee children as part of the resettlement programme; the in-classroom supports available such as SNAs and so on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43621/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has put arrangements in place via the Education and Training Board (ETB) sector to provide for the interim educational needs of families accommodated in EROCs.
Educational supports available to mainstream schools are available to EROC schools, including the supports of the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) and National Council for Special Education (NCSE). EROC staff also have access to CPD, through the Department’s Professional Development Support Services.
Primary school children access education in the EROC, which replicates the school day and introduces children to the primary school environment, prior to their transition to mainstream schools.
167. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Education if she will consider amending the current public health Covid-19 guidance to ensure that the HSE informs school principals of positive Covid-19 cases, regardless of parental consent, to help protect teachers and other students in the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43630/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn instances where a child attending school tests positive, the HSE will inform the school principal if the child was in the school in the infectious period regardless of parental consent. In these circumstances the HSE will conduct a Public Health Risk Assessment with the school principal. This is usually undertaken the same day they are notified, but it may be the following day.
Public Health will work with the school principal to identify the close contacts and all close contact will be informed and scheduled for testing and asked to restrict their movements. Parent/guardians will be informed if their child is a close contact.
The wider school community can be informed that the school is working with public health who are guiding the school through the actions they need to take to protect staff, pupils and the school community. It is important to note that the response to confirmed cases or outbreaks of Covid-19 in the community or in a school is the responsibility of, and will be led and managed by, Public Health HSE. All decisions as to appropriate actions following a confirmed case or outbreak will be made by their teams in the context of a full Public Health Risk Assessment procedure.
Schools are working hard to implement the public health advice which is proving to be effective in keeping transmission levels in schools so low. All recommendations are being kept under review by consultants / specialists in Public Health as we continue to deal with the ongoing pandemic.
168. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if contact has been made with the local authority or other relevant Department toward the alleviation of the serious traffic congestion in the town of Celbridge, County Kildare, in the context of replacement facilities for a school (details supplied) given that resolution for same was made a prelude to the provision of new schools or extension to existing schools in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43637/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, a new site will be required for a school campus development, in order to cater for the permanent needs of St. Patrick’s National School, Celbridge Community College and St. Raphael’s Special School. The Department is presently at a very advanced stage in the process of acquiring a suitable site, located at Donaghcumper.
I can confirm that agreement in principle has been reached with a landowner for the acquisition of the site and that ongoing work is progressing in respect of technical matters crucial to the delivery of the acquisition. These matters are being addressed at a technical and proceedural level - as a priority. As part of our appraisal, traffic management analysis is indeed being examined and we are continuing to actively engage regularly with both Kildare Co. Co. and the Landowner on all aspects of the future operation of the proposed site.
Unfortunately, due to the very specific commercially sensitive nature of this site acquisition - I am unable to elaborate further but please rest assured that this project is considered a priority and is being given our full attention.
169. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education her plans to implement the recommendations of the report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution in respect of sex education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43649/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccess to relationships and sexuality education (RSE) is an important right for students. Schools have a responsibility to provide for this, importantly, in consultation with parents and having regard to the ethos of the school. Curricular provision for Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE) and RSE across primary and post-primary level is aimed at ensuring that topics are covered in an age appropriate manner. The teaching of RSE is mandatory up to and including Senior Cycle (Leaving Cert).
Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) supports the personal development, health and well-being of young people and helps them create and maintain supportive relationships. RSE forms a key part of this. RSE has been a compulsory part of the primary and post-primary curriculum since the late 1990s.
The Programme for Government states that this Government will develop inclusive and age appropriate curricula for Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) and Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) across primary and post-primary schools.
In April 2018, 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 review originated from the June 2017 report of the Citizens’ Assembly on the 8th Amendment to the Constitution and the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the 8th Amendment’s report of December 2017.
The NCCA is the body which has statutory responsibility to advise the Minister on the contents of curriculum. It conducted a thorough and transparent review, including consideration of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the 8th Amendment’s report and published its report, “Report on the Review of Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) in primary and post-primary Schools” in December 2019. This report was developed on foot of extensive consultation which was conducted between June 2018 and March 2019.
The NCCA were asked to look at a number of specific issues in respect of RSE and the curriculum, in particular the importance of consent and what it means. Other areas looked at included, but were not limited to: developments in relation to contraception; healthy, positive, sexual expression and relationships; safe use of the Internet; the role of school ethos: and, LGBTQ+ matters.
The NCCA report makes a number of recommendations. These include primarily the development of a single integrated curriculum for RSE and SPHE in schools. Work on updating or developing new specifications for SPHE/RSE will commence in the NCCA in 2021, beginning with a focus on Junior Cycle. This work will include engagement with all the key education stakeholders as well as a further process of public consultation before any new curriculum specifications are finalised.
The NCCA has established two development groups, one for primary and one for post-primary, to oversee the work in this area and support the development of guidance material for schools. These groups were unable to commence their work until recent months due to the COVID-19 restrictions on public gatherings. Both the primary and post primary development groups have met, first on the 20th of October and a further two times since. Further meetings are scheduled for 2021 at a similar pace.
The NCCA has worked collaboratively with the teacher professional development support services and other relevant groups in completing an audit of current teaching and learning resources relevant to SPHE/RSE and compiled a comprehensive resource list which will be published as part of an online toolkit for SPHE/RSE. This will provide a single, online access point for up-to-date resources.
Further recommendations in the report in relation to Initial Teacher Education (ITE) and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) regarding SPHE and RSE are being considered by my Department with a view to putting enhanced supports in place.
170. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education if a refund or credit will be extended to pupils whose school bus tickets have been issued only in recent weeks and who have been charged for the full term up to the Christmas break. [43713/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
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 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. Under the terms of my Department’s School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2kms at primary and 4.8kms at post-primary and are attending their nearest School/Education Centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
School Transport services commenced on the 26th August for the 2020/21 school year. All children who are eligible for school transport and who applied and paid by the deadline have been accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
The annual charge for school transport services is €100 per annum for primary children and €350 for post primary children with a maximum family charge of €220 for primary children only or €650 overall. The service is heavily subsidised, with less than 8% of the cost of the scheme being recouped from fare-paying pupils in 2019.
In view of the exceptional circumstances arising this year there will be a flexible approach adopted with regard to refunds on bus tickets. My Department is currently liaising with Bus Éireann in this regard.
171. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the status of progress on the building of a permanent school building for a school (details supplied); the status of the tendering process; and the timeframe for completion of the build. [43766/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra172. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of providing prefab accommodation for a school (details supplied); the length of time she expects the teachers and students to be accommodated in same; and the reason there has been a delay in providing a permanent school building for the school. [43767/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 171 and 172 together.
The application for planning permission for the permanent school building for the school referred to by the Deputy was lodged in December 2018 and the notification of the Decision to Grant Permission (subject to 18 no. conditions) was received on 13 June 2019. Two of these conditions were subsequently the subject of a first party appeal by my Department to An Bord Pleanála (ABP). The decision on this appeal was received on 4 February 2020.
In early December 2019, the tender notice was published for the first bundle of projects in the first stage of a two stage tender process to establish a new Framework of Design and Build Contractors.
It was not possible for the school in question to be included in the first bundle of projects as the decision of ABP was not received until February 2020.
This school building project is due to be included in the next bundle of projects and it is expected to go to tender in Quarter 2 of 2021. This exact timeframe will be dependent on the completion of phase 2 of the current tender process to establish the Framework of Contractors which is expected to conclude in Quarter 1 of 2021.
Pending delivery of the permanent building project, my Department will continue to address the interim accommodation needs of the school on its permanent site and the school authorities will be kept informed of progress.
Since 2016, the total spend on the provision of interim accommodation is some €4.78m including some €220,000 of expenditure related to Furniture/Equipment and ICT which will be used when the school moves to their permanent accommodation and some €1.5m of expenditure related to site works for the interim accommodation which will also facilitate the construction of the permanent school building.
173. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education her views on the need for reform of school transport, with particular reference to the extent to which both the public and the private sectors contribute to the overall provision of transport; the funds available to them to do so; the extent to which the responsibility for school transport remains with the public or the private sector by way of percentage of the overall; if changes in the system are mooted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43770/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. 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 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 October 2019, my predecessor announced a review of the school transport scheme with a view to ensuring funds are being spent in the most effective way to meet the objectives of the scheme. Terms of reference and the scope of the review have been drafted and a Steering Group has been established.
Given the current evolving situation with Covid-19 and the continued restrictions the work of the Steering Group has been delayed. It is intended to convene the Steering Group shortly and to agree and supplement revised terms of reference to reflect the Programme for Government.
The Review will build on the proposals in the Programme for Government as they relate to school transport, including examining the options to reduce car journeys and assessing how the School Transport Scheme can work in liaison with the Safe Routes to Schools Programme; examining the options for providing a better value and a better service for students, including and examining issues such as the nearest or next-nearest school.
174. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education the progress of a new school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43771/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that a building project for the school in question is included on the Department's school building programme and a site has been acquired for this purpose.
My Department is engaging with the school's patron in the context of the planning work associated with the project. In this regard, the school patron will be furnishing certain information to the Department and once this is received, further progress can be made.
The Department has published technical guidance documents on the identification and suitability assessment of sites for schools which sets out the criteria to be used in assessing potential school sites. These guidance documents recommend that as part of the evaluation of site suitability a number of factors are taken into account including zoning, existing services, site orientation, topography, transport and access. The Department makes use of its own in-house professional and technical staff in relation to the technical assessment of sites, to ensure the suitability of a given site for the development of a school building.
175. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education if there has been a recent study conducted on demand for and availability of secondary school places in an area (details supplied); if so, the projections from that research; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43777/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, 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, utilising data from a range of sources including information on planned and current residential development, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. Enniscorthy is situated in the Enniscorthy school planning area.
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 local authority to obtain the up-to-date data on significant new residential development in each area. My Department then makes an assessment of the existing capacity within the particular area and its ability to meet increased demand.
Where data indicates that additional provision is required at primary or post primary level, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may 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.
The requirement for additional school places is kept under on-going review and work on an updated exercise to assess needs for the coming years, including those which may arise in the Enniscorthy school planning area, is at an advanced stage.
Furthermore, similar to the process adopted in advance of the current academic year, my Department is engaging with patron bodies, including those in County Wexford, to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming year(s) which may necessitate action.
In addition to these ongoing exercises, my Department continues to liaise with Wexford County Council in respect of potential longer-term requirements for educational provision in all areas of Wexford. My Department engages further on such matters with the Council through the review of the County Development Plan, preparation of Local Area Plans and other relevant statutory planning processes.
176. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education the status of the building project for a new building for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43782/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraA potential site option has been identified and discussions with the landowner are at a very advanced stage with a view to acquiring this site.
Once a suitable site has been acquired my Department will be in a position to progress the project concerned into the architectural planning process.
I appreciate that the process is taking a considerable length of time but I can assure you that the acquisition of the site for the school is very active on the programme of site acquisitions and every effort is being made to secure this site for the school as expeditiously as possible.
Due to the commercially sensitive nature of site acquisitions generally, it is not possible to comment further at this stage.
177. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education when a Teaching Council number will issue to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43853/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015 the Teaching Council is the body with statutory authority and responsibility for the regulation of the teaching profession in Ireland including the registration of teachers in the State.
Teachers whose applications meet all the necessary requirements are registered by the Teaching Council under Section 31 of the Teaching Council Act and the Teaching Council (Registration) Regulations 2016.
The person referred to by the Deputy should continue to liaise directly with the Teaching Council and the relevant HEI and follow their guidance regarding any required registration documentation.
178. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Oideachais cad iad na pleananna atá ag a Roinn chun seirbhísí faoina riar a chur ar fáil trí Ghaeilge, chun cur le líon na seirbhísí atá ar fáil trí Ghaeilge faoina riar, agus chun an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn, le linn 2021. [43876/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra180. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Oideachais cad iad na fadhbanna is práinní i leith seirbhísí faoi riar a Roinne a sholáthar trí Ghaeilge sna ceantair Ghaeltachta, agus cad atá beartaithe aici chun iad a réiteach. [43878/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraTáim chun ceist PQ 178 agus ceist PQ 180 a fhreagairt le chéile.
Tá mo Roinnse tiomanta a chinntiú go gcuireann sí an tseirbhís is fearr is féidir ar fáil don phobal i gcoitinne, sa dá theanga oifigiúil.
Bhí ceithre cinn de Scéimeanna teanga don Ghaeilge ag mo Roinnse ó 2005 i leith. Tá an ceathrú Scéim Teanga don Ghaeilge i bhfeidhm faoi láthair agus mairfidh sí idir 2020 agus 2023.
Dheimhnigh an tAire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an Ceathrú Scéim. Cuireadh tús léi le héifeacht ón 1 Feabhra 2020 agus beidh sí i bhfeidhm ar feadh tréimhse trí bliana nó go dtí go ndéanfar scéim nua a dheimhniú – pé acu is déanaí – i gcomhréir le halt 14(3) d’Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, 2003. Féadfar teacht ar an scéim sin ar shuíomh gréasáin na Roinne: https://www.education.ie/ga/An-Roinn/Seirbh%C3%ADs-do-Chustaim%C3%A9ir%C3%AD/sceim-faoi-alt-15-de-acht-na-dteangacha-oifigiula-2003-2020-2023-.pdf
Foráiltear leis an Acht go ndéanfaidh comhlachtaí poiblí scéim teanga a ullmhú ina sonraítear na seirbhísí a chuirfidh siad ar fáil:
- trí mheán na Gaeilge,
- trí mheán an Bhéarla, agus
- trí mheán na Gaeilge agus an Bhéarla
chomh maith leis na bearta atá le glacadh chun seirbhísí trí Ghaeilge a chur ar fáil.
Maidir leis na seirbhísí atá á cur ar fáil ag mo Roinn do phobail na Gaeltachta, bunaíodh an tAonad um Oideachas Gaeltachta sa Roinn Oideachais i 2017 chun maoirseacht a dhéanamh ar chur i bhfeidhm an Pholasaí don Oideachas Gaeltachta 2017-2022. Cuireann an tAonad um Oideachas Gaeltachta seirbhísí trí Ghaeilge, lena n-áirítear seisiúin comhairliúcháin ó chigirí an Aonaid, ar fáil do bhunscoileanna agus d’iarbhunscoileanna atá lonnaithe i limistéir pleanála teanga Gaeltachta agus a bpobail. Is é sprioc uileghabhálach an Pholasaí don Oideachas Gaeltachta 2017-2022 ná a dheimhniú go mbíonn fáil ar oideachas ardcháilíochta trí mheán na Gaeilge i limistéir Ghaeltachta chun tacú le húsáid na Gaeilge mar phríomhtheanga phobail na Gaeltachta. Tá an Roinn Oideachais tiomanta do na bearta atá sa Pholasaí don Oideachas Gaeltachta a chur i bhfeidhm. Tá buiséad nach mór €6 mhilliún curtha ar fáil chun an costas a bhaineann le bearta an Pholasaí a chur i bhfeidhm i 2020, agus tá thart ar €14m ina iomlán curtha ar fáil ó cuireadh tús le cur i bhfeidhm an Pholasaí i 2017.
Tá gealltanais i gClár an Rialtais 2020 – 2025 Ár dTodhchaí Le Chéile maidir leis an Gaeilge sa chóras oideachais. Tá na gealltanais seo déanta i gcomhthéacs na hoibre ar chur i bhfeidhm Straitéis 20-Bliain an Rialtais don Ghaeilge. Chun cur leis an obair atá á dhéanamh ag mo Roinn-se maidir le cur i bhfeidhm an Pholasaí don Oideachas Gaeltachta tá tús curtha le hobair phleanála do pholasaí don oideachas trí mheán na Gaeilge lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht chomh maith.
179. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Oideachais sonrú a dhéanamh ar gach post atá sainaitheanta mar phost a bhfuil riachtanas Gaeilge leis ina Roinn faoi láthair, líon na bhfostaithe ina Roinn a bhfuil cumas sa Ghaeilge acu, agus líon iomlán na bhfostaithe ina Roinn. [43877/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIs iad na príomhghráid sa Roinn atá gafa le seirbhísí a sheachadadh ar phobal na Gaeilge ná na gráid a bhaineann le cigireacht na scoileanna agus le soláthar na seirbhísí síceolaíochta oideachais a chuireann An tSeirbhís Náisiúnta Síceolaíochta Oideachais ar fáil do scoileanna i gceantair Ghaeltachta agus do Ghaelscoileanna. Tá 26 síceolaí oideachais sa tseirbhís faoi láthair atá inniúil sa Ghaeilge agus a chuireann a gcuid seirbhísí proifisiúnta ar fáil trí Ghaeilge. Tá 58 cigire i Rannán Chigireacht na Scoileanna ag an mbunleibhéal, agus éilítear ar gach duine acu inniúlacht sa Ghaeilge a bheith acu. Ag an iar-bhunleibhéal is speisialtóirí in ábhar-réimsí na cigirí. Is speisialtóirí i nGaeilge iad cúigear agus bíonn obair chigireachta agus seirbhisí comhairleacha trí mheán na Gaeilge á chur ar fáil ag seisear eile. Is féidir le triúr cigire Luathbhlianta obair chigireachta agus chomhairleach a dhéanamh trí mheán na Gaeilge i naíonraí.
Ó bunaíodh an Aonad um Oideachas Gaeltachta sa Roinn i 2017, tá seirbhísí trí mheán na Gaeilge ar fáil sa Roinn chun tacú le scoileanna Gaeltachta agus chun an Pholasaí don Oideachas Gaeltachta 2017-2022 a chur i bhfeidhm. Tá foireann de sheisear oifigeach stáit seirbhíse ar an bhfoireann seo.
I dteannta sin tá líon oifigigh i ngrádanna riaracháin atá ábalta plé le fiosrucháin trí mheán na Gaeilge. Faoi láthair, tá 1,408 stáitseirbhíseach fostaithe sa Roinn Oideachais.
181. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the rental costs following the decision to place six specialist Portakabins on a site (details supplied); if rental costs for the overall site increased; if so, the amount by which they increased; if her Department examined alternative sites nearby to accommodate the Portakabins; if there is a cost differential between the two sites; if so, the amount; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43961/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe planning application for the additional accommodation for the school to which the Deputy refers was lodged by my Department with the relevant Local Authority on Friday 11 December 2020. The tender process for the units will be progressed in tandem to the planning application and these costs are not yet available.
My Department does not generally disclose the value of particular leasing agreements as these matters are considered commercially sensitive.
182. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education the stages of a typical school building project from beginning to end in tabular form; the steps involved in each of these phases; the timeline for a new permanent school building project (details supplied) in this context; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43969/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe building project referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under my Department's Design & Build programme. This delivery programme uses a professional external Project Management team to progress the project through the stages of architectural planning, tendering and construction.
Planning permission was lodged on the 31st March 2020. A Notification to Grant planning was received on 4 December 2020 and the final grant of planning is now awaited. As with all school building projects, the exact timeframe for delivery of the school will be dependent on the grant of planning permission. It is intended that this project will proceed to tender as early as possible in 2021. The expected construction period for this project is approximately 70 weeks.
My Department will keep the Board of Management fully informed of developments as they occur.
