Sorca Clarke
Ceist:545. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Defence the projected capital spending from 2022 to 2025 in his Department. [16516/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraDepartmental Expenditure
Ceisteanna (545)
Freagraí scríofa
The White Paper on Defence 2015, reinforced by the White Paper Update 2019, sets out the Government’s medium term policy for Defence. It is recognised that the principal demand drivers of Defence capital funding are the ongoing renewal, retention and acquisition of military equipment along with the development of Defence Forces built infrastructure.
The acquisition of military equipment is pursued through a comprehensive Equipment Development Plan which provides a consolidated, structured basis for investment in military equipment to maintain and develop necessary capabilities. Similarly, an Infrastructure Development Plan sets out the requirements for essential infrastructure development works over a medium term timeframe. These strategic frameworks provide the basis for medium term equipment and infrastructural planning and investment requirements for the Defence Forces.
Capital allocations for the period from 2022 to 2025 are not available yet, pending the completion of the National Development Plan Review process now underway. My Department is actively engaged with this process and I look forward to a positive outcome for Defence which will ensure that the Defence Forces continue to have the capabilities necessary to deliver on all their assigned roles, both at home and overseas, for the coming years.
Defence Forces Remuneration
Ceisteanna (546, 548)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:546. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Defence the reason the technical pay agreement concluded with the Defence Forces in 2019 has not been implemented to date. [16580/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Gerald Nash
Ceist:548. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 423 of 27 January 2021, when the two detailed reports on technical pay grades 2-6 will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16618/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 546 and 548 together.
A review of technical pay in the Defence Forces was provided for in the Public Service Agreement 2010 - 2014 (Croke Park Agreement). The purpose of the review in the context of the agreement was to rationalise existing technical pay arrangements and consider if the requirements could be met in a more cost effective manner. A review of Technical Pay Group 1 was conducted in 2014 and came into effect at the beginning of 2015.
While the review of Technical Grades 2-6 was underway, the recommendation from the Public Service Pay Commission relating to the review was substantially different to the focus of the original review. The Public Service Pay Commission recommended that the review of Technical Pay Groups 2 - 6, be completed at the earliest opportunity, without compromising the Public Service Stability Agreement.
Both the initial report (October 2019) and final report (January 2020) were submitted to Project Sponsors. The quantum and methodology for the implementing the findings of the review of Technical Grades 2-6 remain under consideration, these reports being linked to the wider Public Sector Pay negotiations and are being considered in that context. There are no plans to publish the reports.
Departmental Legal Cases
Ceisteanna (547)
Mairéad Farrell
Ceist:547. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to instances of litigation or the threat of litigation arising from the inclusion of social clauses in public procurement contracts in each of the years 2017 to 2020. [16588/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department of Defence and the Defence Forces procure a wide variety of goods, services and works annually in accordance with both national and EU regulatory requirements and there is regular review of processes to ensure that best practise is observed regarding legal and competition protocols. Incorporated in the competitive processes are social clauses designed to ensure that the objectives enshrined in environmental, labour, health and safety and equality legislation are met as appropriate to the actual contract concerned.
I am advised that no instances of litigation nor threats of litigation have occurred regarding contractual procurement on the part of either the Department of Defence or the Defence Forces in the years 2017 to 2020 arising from the inclusion of social clauses.
Question No. 548 answered with Question No. 546.
Defence Forces Reserve
Ceisteanna (549)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:549. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Defence when a revised Defence Forces regulation review 5 for the Reserve Defence Forces will issue, having regard to commitments made in November 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16623/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department has been actively involved with the Military Authorities in the process of reviewing Defence Force Regulation (DFR) R5. Completion of amendments to DFR R5 and DFR S7 (matters relating to RDFRA) are interlinked. These Regulations encompass a broad range of matters from Finance, Human Resources, promotions and training to effectiveness criteria. Amendments are complex and time consuming and have required extensive internal consultation.
In November 2020, I undertook to have a revised draft of DFR R5 circulated to key stakeholders, including RDFRA (the Representative Association for members of the RDF), by the end of 2020.
I understand that this commitment was met and I am further advised that consultations to finalise the draft, which have been ongoing throughout Q1 2021, are at an advanced stage, and expected to be concluded in the near future.
Defence Forces Reserve
Ceisteanna (550)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:550. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Defence the criteria for promoting Defence Forces Reserve officers from the rank of lieutenant to captain who were commissioned on or after 1 October 2005; the number promoted each year since 2005 excluding fixed term promotions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16624/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The legislative provision regarding Officer promotions is set out in Part 4 section 45 of the Defence Act.
Defence Force Regulation R5 (New Series) is the governing Regulation for the Reserve Defence Force, and Paragraph 31 therein governs promotions within the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve.
Section 31(2) of the Regulation additionally provides that an Officer of the Reserve, commissioned on or before 1 October 2005, and having attained the rank of Lieutenant, may be promoted to the rank of Captain having served 15 years of service as an officer and having met certain criteria, as laid out in the Regulation.
While promotions of RDF Officers commissioned on or after 1 October 2005 have taken place at different ranks under the provisions of paragraph 31, I am advised that no promotions have taken place from the rank of Lieutenant to Captain, with the exception of the provisions outlined in Section 31(2).
A review of Defence Force Regulation R5 (New Series) is currently being finalised I understand that the Regulation will contain revised procedures, including assessment criteria, under which Lieutenant to Captain promotion competitions will be conducted going forward.
Army Equitation School
Ceisteanna (551)
Martin Browne
Ceist:551. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Defence the estimated cost of purchasing nine additional horses for the Army Equitation School. [16884/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The mission of the Army Equitation School is to promote the Irish Horse through participation in international competition at the highest level. The Army Equitation School has discharged this task with considerable distinction down through the years and, through its participation and numerous successes in equitation events at home and abroad, it has successfully promoted the qualities of the Irish Horse.
The Army Equitation School continues to source suitable Irish bred horses that meet the required standard as judged by the School's Horse Purchase Board. Horses are acquired through either purchase or lease agreement.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the purchase price of any horse varies depending on a number of factors including age, ability, temperament etc. The School’s budget allocation in 2021 for horse acquisitions is €450,000. While it is difficult to predict the number of acquisitions this year, the Deputy might note that in 2020 three new horses were purchased and one horse leased by the School. The School have purchased two horses to date 2021.
I am satisfied that the current arrangements allow the School to maintain its competitiveness at national and international events.
Defence Forces Recruitment
Ceisteanna (552)
Martin Browne
Ceist:552. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Defence if a new cadetship competition for the Naval Service will open in quarter 3 of 2021. [16885/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
It is anticipated that cadetship competitions for the 3 branches of the Permanent Defence Force will commence shortly.
The Government is committed to maximising recruitment and so retain the capacity of the Defence Forces to operate effectively across all roles.
Irish Sign Language
Ceisteanna (553)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:553. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Defence the way in which his Department and agencies under his remit are meeting obligations under the Irish Sign Language Act 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17422/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Irish Sign Language Act, 2017 recognises Irish Sign Language (ISL) as a native language of the State and provides that the “community of persons using ISL shall have the right to use, develop and preserve Irish Sign Language”.
My Department is committed to doing all that is reasonable to ensure free ISL translation services for ISL users when that person is seeking to avail of or access statutory entitlements or services provided by or under statute. It should be noted that my Department does not operate any public offices, nor does it generally supply direct services to the public.
The only State body currently under the aegis of my Department is the Army Pensions Board which is an independent statutory body, established under the Army Pensions Act 1927 and consisting of a chairman and two ordinary members. The Secretary to the Board is provided from the staff of my Department and therefore, any service requests will be supplied by my Department.
Commencement of Legislation
Ceisteanna (554)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:554. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Defence the details of the Acts falling under his Department which have been signed into law but have not been commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17440/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I wish to advise the Deputy that there are no Acts, or parts of Acts, coming under the responsibility of the Department of Defence awaiting commencement.
Question No. 555 answered with Question No. 544.
Departmental Expenditure
Ceisteanna (556)
Mairéad Farrell
Ceist:556. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Defence the spend for his Department on public procurement disaggregated by spend on goods, services and capital works in each of the years 2018 to 2020, in tabular form. [17957/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Expenditure on the procurement of goods and services by my Department is mainly on Defence Forces standing and operational costs such as utilities, fuel, catering, maintenance, information technology and training and is classified as ‘Current’ expenditure. Expenditure on replacement and renewal of military equipment (including IT) and infrastructure development across the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is classified as ‘Capital’ expenditure. This expenditure is mainly accounted for in Subheads A8 to A20 of the Defence Vote and is set out in disaggregated format in the table below, for the years in question.
Home Schooling
Ceisteanna (557)
Paul Donnelly
Ceist:557. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Education the reason home school supports were removed from a person (details supplied). [16326/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government has always been guided by public health advice in relation to what is safe in schools. The CMO has made it very clear in his advices to Government which are published on gov.ie, that schools are safe environments, with very little evidence of transmission within schools, and that the majority of infections of children and adolescents occurs outside the school setting. The decision to delay the reopening of schools was in recognition of the need to reduce societal activity and movement to curb the spread of the virus at a time where there was unprecedented levels of disease transmission in the community. This was not based on a changed assessment of the risks in relation to transmission levels in schools.
Schools have put significant infection prevention control measures in place to reduce the risk of coronavirus being transmitted to/within the school and funding of almost €650 million has been put in place by my Department to fund Covid-19 related measures, including funding for PPE, sanitation and additional cleaning etc.
The HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) has issued specific advice about children attending school in the context of Covid-19. This advice covers both children with underlying medical conditions and children living with family members with underlying conditions. For all children, care should continue to be taken to reduce transmission through the infection control measures promoted by HPSC.
The HPSC advice advises that children with immediate family members, including parents, in both the ‘high risk’ and ‘very high risk’ categories can return to school and it is important for the child’s overall well-being. This is consistent with public health advice internationally in relation to at-risk family members. The priority is that the household continues to follow all current advice on how to minimise the risk of coronavirus, through regular hand washing, etc.
My Department has also published guidance to support schools in making adapted education provision for students with an underlying medical condition who cannot return to school because they are medically certified as being at very high risk to COVID-19.
Special Educational Needs
Ceisteanna (558, 559)
Dessie Ellis
Ceist:558. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Education the resources required for an ASD unit to be put in place at a school; the resources that can be provided to the school by the NCSE; the additional resources the school must provide from its current funding sources; if there are other funding sources to assist the school to provide ASD units; the reason that may be given by a school that decides it cannot provide an ASD unit or additional places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16349/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraDessie Ellis
Ceist:559. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Education her plans to work with primary or post-primary schools in Ballymun, Dublin 11, to assist in providing ASD units for children in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16350/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 558 and 559 together.
Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government. The Department of Education will spend approximately €2 Billion or over 20% of its total educational budget in 2021 on making additional provision for children with special educational needs this year.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide. It has well established structures in place for engaging with schools and parents. NCSE seeks to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all children who have been identified as needing special education placements.
It is open to any school to make an application to the NCSE for the establishment of a specialised provision and where sanctioned, a range of supports, including capital funding, is made available to the school.
Notwithstanding the extent of this investment, there are some parts of the country where increases in population and other issues have led to concerns regarding a shortage of school places.
Through better planning at both national and local level, it is my objective that specialist education places should come on stream to meet emerging demand on a timely basis. However, the active collaboration of school communities is essential in this regard.
There are currently sixteen special classes attached to mainstream primary and post-primary schools in Dublin 9 and Dublin 11, including 1 Early Intervention class, providing ASD placements for students in the area.
The NCSE is aware of an identified need for ASD classes at primary and post primary levels in the Dublin 9 and 11 areas and in the Fingal area as a whole. Through ongoing consultation at local level, the NCSE is also aware of those parents whose children will be seeking placement for the 2021/22 academic year, including mainstream placement with appropriate support, special class placement, Early Intervention and special school placement. The NCSE continues to work to identify any and all relevant suitable placements.
The NCSE is working with a significant number of schools in this area to encourage and support the opening of new special classes at all levels and has specific plans in place to increase the number of places available.
I should also clarify that the NCSE does not maintain waiting lists for schools. Boards of management of individual schools are responsible for such enrolment matters.
My Department will continue to support the NCSE and schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children are successful in accessing an education and I want to reassure you that the delivery of the necessary additional provision is being progressed as an absolute priority.
In circumstances, where no placement is available for a child with special educational needs, the Department can provide Home Tuition grant funding towards the provision of 20 hours home tuition per week as an interim measure until the NCSE confirms that a placement is available.
I can also reassure the Deputy that the local Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) continue to be available to assist and advise both schools and the parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available at: https://ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list.
Information on the list of schools with special classes is available at www.ncse.ie.
State Examinations
Ceisteanna (560)
Claire Kerrane
Ceist:560. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education the position of her Department regarding the requirement for teachers to examine students for oral exams without masks being worn; if this proposal for oral exams has been approved by NPHET; the measures that will be in place to ensure both student and staff safety during examinations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16367/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.
In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
State Examinations
Ceisteanna (561)
Cathal Crowe
Ceist:561. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if she will consider revising the procedures for conducting the 2021 oral examinations and to include the wearing of masks as a precaution in order that the risk of Covid-19 can be reduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16370/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.
In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
School Enrolments
Ceisteanna (562)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:562. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education her plans to provide further post-primary schools in addition to increased provision within existing schools for the Dublin 9 and 11 areas given the increase in population; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16371/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As 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, using data from a range of sources, including Child Benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
The most recent analysis undertaken by my Department projects that over 60% of the 314 school planning areas at primary level have stable or decreasing projected enrolments for the period to 2024, whereas some 90% of the school planning areas at post-primary level are anticipated to have increased enrolments for the period to 2027.
The level of demand volume across school planning areas with an increasing net requirement ranges from small to medium increases that are likely to be accommodated by existing schools through to significant projected growth that may require additional provision.
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.
Following on from a previous such demographic exercise a new post primary was announced for the Drumcondra_Marino_Dublin1 school planning area, to be established in 2022.
In addition, the following major projects are in place for post-primary schools in Dublin 9/11
Scoil Chaitriona Glasnevin – extension to provide for 500 places – this is at project brief stage.
Rosmini Community School – Extension/Refurbishment to cater for 350 places – this project is at stage 2b.
There is also a number of Additional School Accommodation (ASA) projects as follows:
St. Aidan’s CBS Dublin 9 – additional accommodation approved in August 2020 to expand the school to cater for 850 pupils.
Clonturk College Dublin 9 – Application on hand in the Department currently under consideration.
Dominican College Griffith Avenue Dublin 9 – additional accommodation approved in March 2021 for extension to cater for 800 pupils.
Similar to the process adopt in advance of the current academic year, my Department is engaging with patron bodies, to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming year(s) which may necessitate action including, where required, the provision of modular accommodation solutions.
School Patronage
Ceisteanna (563, 564)
James O'Connor
Ceist:563. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Education the procedure for the divestment of schools under Roman Catholic patronage to new school patronages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16375/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraJames O'Connor
Ceist:564. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Education if there is a national framework for the divestment of schools under Roman Catholic patronage to other patronages to enhance diversity of choice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16376/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 563 and 564 together.
The Programme for Government commits to achieving a target of at least 400 multi-denominational primary schools by 2030 to improve parental choice.
The Schools Reconfiguration for Diversity process, supporting transfers of schools to multi-denominational patrons in response to the wishes of local families, has been developed in order to accelerate the delivery of multi-/non-denominational schools across the country. This Reconfiguration process involves the transfer of existing live schools as opposed to the amalgamation and/or closure model of the patronage divesting process.
The initial identification phase of the process involved each of the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETB) identifying an initial pilot area within their functional area where they considered there may be unmet oncoming demand for a multi-/non-denominational school and arranging for surveys of parents of pre-school children in these areas.
My Department officials have been engaging with representatives of the Irish Episcopal Conference with a view to developing an agreed approach to the next Phase of the process. The identification phase work provides useful learning and is informing the development of the process.
The “Early Movers” provision of the Schools Reconfiguration process enables school communities which have already decided to seek a transfer of patronage (independent of the survey process envisaged as part of the Reconfiguration process) to engage with their school patron on the matter. A patron may transfer patronage under section 8 of the Education Act 1998. A number of patronage changes, including seven involving Catholic patrons, have taken place in recent years in this context, resulting in the provision of an additional 11 multi-denominational Community National Schools. School communities who wish to explore the potential to transfer patronage should contact their school patron in the first instance.
In parallel with the Reconfiguration process, my Department is continuing to work with stakeholders to progress delivery of diversity in areas already identified as part of the 2012 and 2013 patronage divesting process surveys. 12 schools have been established under this process, all of which have a multi-denominational ethos.
State Examinations
Ceisteanna (565)
Steven Matthews
Ceist:565. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the State Examinations Commission guidelines with regard to the leaving certificate oral examinations which state that face masks must not be worn by either the teacher or the student during the exam; if provisions are being made for teachers and students who are in a high risk category or live with a person in this category; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16436/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.
In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.