Written Answers Nos. 528-546
528. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence the cost of each contract entered into by his Department and the agencies under his remit to deal with Covid-19 management and reaction; and the name of the contractor in each case. [22134/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe detailed information sought by the Deputy is not readily available within the time frame sought. At the request of my Department the military authorities are conducting the search, retrieval and collation of same. I will arrange to have this information forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
529. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Defence the amount spent by his Department on public relations advice and media advice since January 2020 to date in 2021; and the companies engaged for this advice in tabular form. [22269/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not incurred any expenditure on public relations advice and media advice between January 2020 and to date in 2021.
530. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Defence the amount spent by his Department on advertising and public messaging in print, broadcast and online since January 2020 to date in 2021; and the companies engaged to assist with placing the advertisements and the companies advertised with in tabular form. [22287/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has spent the amounts outlined in the table below on advertising and public messaging in print, broadcast and online since January 2020 to date in 2021in tabular form. Also the companies engaged to assist with placing the advertisements and the companies advertised with.
The media company Spark Foundry was engaged to place the radio advertisements with national and local radio stations. My Department engaged directly with the Irish Independent and Twitter.
|
- |
2020 |
|
|
Dates |
Media Outlet |
Total incl. VAT (21%) 23% |
|
Jan-20 |
Canadian Journal of Psychiatry |
€3,246.28 |
|
Mar-20 |
North Wicklow Times |
€479.70 |
|
Jun-20 |
Spark Foundry |
€5,631.95 |
|
|
Spark Foundry |
€5,631.95 |
|
Jul-20 |
Spark Foundry |
€5,306.81 |
|
|
North Wicklow Times |
€479.70 |
|
Sep-20 |
Irish Association of Social Workers |
€200.00 |
|
|
KFM Radio |
€369.00 |
|
Nov-20 |
Radio Advertisements (Be Winter Ready Campaign) |
37,790.90 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total 2020 |
€59,136.29 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2021 to date |
|
|
Feb-21 |
Irish Independent |
€7,865.00 |
|
|
|
2,760.78 |
|
Mar-21 |
North Wicklow Times |
€479.70 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total 2021 to date |
€11,105.48 |
531. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Defence the estimated cost of replacing State vehicles which are owned by his Department or agencies under his remit with hybrid or electric models; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22561/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe detailed information sought by the Deputy is not readily available within the time frame sought. At the request of my Department the military authorities are conducting the search, retrieval and collation of same. I will arrange to have this information forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
|
Vehicle Type |
||||
|
Year of Purchase |
Saloon |
Forklift |
Stores Vehicle |
Electric Buggy |
|
2002 |
2 |
|||
|
2005 |
3 |
|||
|
2008 |
2 |
|||
|
2013 |
3 |
|||
|
2016 |
1 |
|||
|
2017 |
1 |
|||
|
2018 |
1 |
|||
|
2019 |
3 (hybrid) |
|||
|
2020 |
8 |
11 |
||
|
2021 |
8 |
1 |
||
|
Total |
16 + 3 (hybrid) |
12 |
1 |
12 |
532. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education the status of the provision of autism classes in Dublin 12; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21128/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra533. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education the status of the four schools that have been compelled to open autism classes in the Dublin 12 area;; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21129/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra535. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education if additional schools will be compelled to provide autism services in the Dublin 12 area in the near future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21131/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 532, 533 and 535 together.
Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government.
This year, over 20% of the total Education budget or €2bn will be invested in supporting children with special educational needs. As a result, the numbers of special education teachers, SNAs and special class and school places are at unprecedented levels.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide.
NCSE is planning a further expansion of special class and special school places nationally, to meet identified need. This process is ongoing. 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.
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, including South Dublin, where increases in population and other issues have led to concerns regarding a shortage of school places.
The Deputy will be aware of the process underway in South Dublin under Section 37A of the Education Act, 1998. Statutory notices issued under the Act together with the representations received from the schools and their patrons are published on my Department’s website. As the legal process is still underway, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage.
Minister Foley and I also announced the establishment of a new special school (Our Lady of Hope School) in Crumlin, Dublin 12 last December. Both the NCSE and my Department are working closely with the patron and the school's management team on the practical arrangements required to progress this project as speedily as possible.
Finally, I can reassure the Deputy that the local Special Educational 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, the type and location of these classes is published on the NCSE website and is available at www.ncse.ie.
534. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education the status of the two schools (details supplied) that have tendered for the provision of autism services in the Dublin 12 area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21130/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to inform the Deputy that, in relation to the Junior National School referred to, my Department has recently approved this project to go to Construction Stage for a one-classroom SEN base, two mainstream classroom with ensuite toilets, and WC for assisted users under the Additional Accommodation Scheme. The project is expected to commence on-site shortly.
In relation to the National School referred to, my Department granted approval under the Additional Accommodation Scheme 2020 to build a two-classroom SEN base and one WC for Assisted Users. The Department received an Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) application from the school in October 2020 relating to alteration works to main entrance doors and fire exit doors which is currently being assessed in terms of the feasibility of incorporating these works into this project. The Additional Accommodation project is currently at the Design Stage and a Stage 1/2a Report is required to be submitted at this time.
Both projects have been devolved for delivery to the School Authority to advance in that context
536. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education when the independent review into the 2020 leaving certificate calculated grades system will be completed and published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21142/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 3 October 2020 I announced that I had asked that a comprehensive independent review of the design and implementation of the 2020 Calculated Grades process should take place. I asked that the review should consider key aspects of the Calculated Grades process, including the initial decision to adopt the model, whether the process met its objectives, how effective the process was, how the process worked in terms of design and implementation and how effective the governance and oversight procedures were.
Further steps remain ongoing with regard to the completion of the 2020 Leaving Certificate, which includes the Calculated Grades process. My Department has requested legal advice on a number of aspects of the proposed review, including the possible impact on litigation concerning the process.
The development work for the accredited grades process being put in place for Leaving Certificate 2021 is being informed by the experience of implementing the system of Calculated Grades in 2020.
537. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Education if she will address the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21159/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 114,100 children, including over 14,700 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €224.7m in 2020.
Based on the public health advice published in early July 2020, and the updated advice received from the HPSC on 7th August and from NPHET on the 18th August 2020, the Department has been planning for School Transport Scheme services for the 2020/2021 school year to fully operate, but with additional measures and hygiene requirements in place and with the rolling implementation of measures on post-primary services as required to provide physical distancing, using 50% of passenger capacity.
Bus Éireann have confirmed that the pupil referred to by the Deputy is currently travelling on a service that now operates a double trip in the afternoons to cater for social distancing. The double trip on its return collects the pupils at 16:20 from the school and drops to the agreed drop off point at 16:30.
Bus Éireann have advised that a new service for social distancing for this service was not an option as there is currently a shortage of vehicles and drivers in the area.
Bus Éireann have further advised that their local office have been in touch with the parent of the child referred to by the Deputy and have advised that a Service Inspector will monitor the service in the coming days.
538. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the number of guidance counsellors who are currently registered with the Teaching Council as non-teacher guidance counsellors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21180/21]
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.
It is a function of the Council under the Teaching Council Acts (s7(2)) to act as the competent authority for recognition of qualifications obtained by a person who has applied under this Act for registration as a teacher.
As set out in the Schedule of the Regulations, the Council registers teachers under four routes of registration: Primary, Post-primary, Further Education and Other. In order to be entered on the Register of Teachers, and depending on the route of registration, all registrants are required to hold, or attain within 3 years, a suitable teacher education qualification.
While a registrant may indicate that they hold additional qualifications in the area of Career Guidance, it is not a registration requirement and therefore it is not possible to provide the requested information.
539. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the actions taken to implement the recommendations of the 2019 report on career guidance that was commissioned by his Department and produced by a company (details supplied). [21181/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn foot of the publication of the Review of Career Guidance, a Taskforce comprised of senior officials within the then Department of Education and Skills was established to oversee the implementation of the recommendations of the review. The Taskforce has met six times and progressed valuable work which began with a detailed consideration of what is understood by Guidance in Ireland and the wider post-primary holistic model that encompasses not just career guidance but education and social personal guidance too. Further work has started to consider how to manage Guidance issues within my Department, the need for a cohesive guidance policy framework, the potential value of a Guidance curriculum and how the work of guidance counsellors can best be supported my Department.
Following the establishment of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS), the recommendations of the Indecon review now span two Departments, the Department of Education and DFHERIS.
Each of the two Departments has primary responsibility for specific recommendations of the Indecon report that are relevant to their respective mandates. Both Departments are continuing to closely collaborate in order to ensure a fully joined-up approach to implementation of the report, which will be rooted in a recognition of the continuum of lifelong guidance. Officials of my Department are working closely with officials of DFHERIS in order to ensure continued progression of the recommendations of the review.
540. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the actions that have been taken to recognise the role of non-teacher qualified guidance counsellors working within second-level education relative to teacher qualified guidance counsellors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21182/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the Deputy that at present, qualified post-primary teachers who also hold a recognised qualification in Guidance Counselling are entitled to apply for permanent positions as Guidance Counsellors in schools.
In exceptional circumstances, where a school can demonstrate that it has tried on many occasions and was unsuccessful in recruiting a fully qualified guidance counsellor-cum -teacher, that school may be permitted to employ a guidance counsellor (who does not have a teaching qualification) but only on the unqualified teacher’s pay rate without increments.
This may be permitted as a temporary, interim measure until either the guidance counsellor completes the Professional Masters in Education to qualify as post-primary teacher or the school recruits a qualified guidance counsellor.
There is an alternative route for Teaching Council registration for those working in the Further Education and Training sector.
We have been requested to explore other possibilities for those that hold a guidance qualification, but do not hold not a PME (or equivalent), to fulfil the Teaching Council requirements.
My officials have committed to reviewing this situation, in consultation with the relevant partners, including the Teaching Council, as part of the ongoing wider review of Guidance Counselling which is currently in progress.
541. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education if she will provide clarification on a matter in relation to a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21254/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September.
For the 2021/22 school year, an improvement of one point in the appointment threshold in primary schools has been introduced and schools will be provided with class teachers on the basis of of 1 teacher for every 25 pupils which is a historical low ratio. In addition, a three point reduction in the retention scale has also been introduced for September 2021. These measures will help to ensure that less pupils are required to recruit or retain a teacher.
The staffing process contains an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria to an independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board. The school referred to by the Deputy is due to have its staffing reduced in September as a result of falling enrolments. The school has submitted a staffing appeal which will be considered by the Appeals Board later this month and the school will be notified of the outcome in early May.
542. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education if she will provide clarification on a matter in relation to a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21256/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe main grant funding mechanisms for undertaking works of the nature referred to by the Deputy are the Annual Minor Works Grant or the Summer Works Scheme. The Minor Works Grant last issued to primary schools in December 2020 and provides flexibility for schools to manage and prioritise necessary small-scale works.
The Summer Works Scheme provides a mechanism for undertaking medium to larger-scale improvement works in school buildings including in relation to improvements to lighting. This Scheme operates on a multi-annual basis and is not currently open for new applications pending existing applications being addressed.
As part of Climate Action initiatives, my Department will be rolling out a national Deep Energy Retrofit programme from 2023 onwards and this will provide opportunities for energy efficiency and decarbonisation improvements in schools. The approach for rollout of this will be determined after the review of the National Development Plan is finalised and the Government's Climate Action Plan is published.
543. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education if she will review concessionary school transport and make students eligible to travel to their nearest and second nearest schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21270/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 114,100 children, including over 14,700 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €224.7m in 2020.
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 the scheme, children are eligible for school transport if they satisfy the distance criteria (3.2km at primary and 4.8km at post-primary) and are attending their nearest school/education centre as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language
All children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application and payment process on time will be accommodated on school transport services for the 2021/2022 school year where such services are in operation. Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only and will be facilitated where spare seats are available after eligible children have been accommodated.
In October 2019, my predecessor announced a review of the school transport scheme with a view to taking a fresh look at the service and its broader effectiveness and sustainability. Given the evolving situation with Covid-19 the work of the Steering Group had been delayed. However, an initial meeting of the Steering Group was recently held in order to recommence the process, which will continue over the coming period. The review is being conducted to ensure that the school transport is fit for purpose and that it serves students and their families adequately.
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.
544. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education if secondary school teachers returning to Ireland from Abu Dhabi having taught in private schools there and wishing to resume teaching in Ireland will qualify for salary increments as is the case with primary school teachers and those in the medical profession; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21271/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe criteria for the award of incremental credit to recognised teachers was agreed under the auspices of the Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC). This Council is comprised of representatives of teachers, school management, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Department of Education. The Council is chaired by an official of the Workplace Relations Commission.
The criteria for the award of incremental credit is laid out in my Department’s Circulars 10/2001 for Primary teachers, 29/2007 and 29/2010 for Post-Primary teachers.
These circulars provide for the award of incremental credit for service given within the EU. While the circulars provide for the award of incremental credit in respect of teaching service in private primary schools outside the EU no provision is made for the award of incremental credit in respect of teaching service given in private post primary schools outside of the European Union.
The teachers unions have lodged a number of claims at TCC in relation to incremental credit, including one in relation to recognising private teaching service, given by post-primary teachers, outside the EU. TCC agreed to establish a sub-Committee to consider the claims. The claims are still under consideration.
545. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education when the review of the RACE emergency provisions during State examinations will recommence; the number of submissions which were received on this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21295/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. The Commission in this regard operates a scheme of Reasonable Accommodations in the Certificate Examinations.
In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
546. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Education the status of the project for the ASD class in a school (details supplied); and the timeline for the completion of works; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21319/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application for capital funding, under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme, from the school in question.
Officials from my Department have been in communication with the school authority who have requested a review of the proposed brief. This review is currently under assessment, on completion the school authority will be contacted directly with a final decision.
