Thursday, 1 Jul 2021

Written Answers Nos. 225-244

Local Authorities

Ceisteanna (225)

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

225. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the cost to date to his Department of the provision of funding to each local authority for the post of vacant homes officers in tabular form; if each such local authority has appointed a vacant homes officer; the date of each appointment; if such appointments are full-time dedicated posts with no other responsibilities attached; if not, the other responsibilities; if he has requested an annual report for each such local authority in relation to the work of each vacant homes officer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35613/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

My Department has provided funding of €50,000 per annum to each of the 31 local authorities since July 2018. The funding is provided to support the work of the Vacant Homes Office in each local authority each year. All 31 local authorities have claimed the funding up to June 2021. My Department will issue a circular in the coming days to invite local authorities to claim the funding up to June 2022. The total amount paid to all 31 local authorities to fund Vacant Homes Offices to date is €4.65m.

Each of the 31 local authorities has appointed a Vacant Homes Officer since 2018, however, there have been many staff changes in the Local authorities in the past 3 years resulting in various different staff members filling the role within the local authorities.

In the table below the date of appointment of the current Vacant Homes Officer is provided and whether the officer is appointed in a full time capacity, dedicated only to the duties of the Vacant Homes Officer, or if they are assigned other responsibilities within the local authority.

Prior to Covid 19 restrictions being introduced, the Vacant Homes Officers submitted quarterly returns to the Vacant Homes Unit in my Department on the number of properties inspected and number of properties brought back into use through the various schemes in their administrative areas. Following the lifting of the restrictions local authorities will recommence this reporting exercise in Q3 of 2021.

Local Authority	Date of Appointment of current VHO	Full time dedicated VHO posts Yes / No	Other responsibilities assigned to Vacant Homes Officers who are not in full-time dedicated VHO posts
Carlow County Council	July 2018	NO	Senior Executive Officer in Housing overseeing various schemes and projects.
Cavan County Council	February 2019	NO
Clare County Council	June 2021	YES
Cork City Council	2019	No	Derelict Sites /Vacant Sites work / Audit Work/ Budgets.
Cork County Council	February 2018	NO	Senior Executive Officer in Housing overseeing various schemes and projects.
Donegal County Council	July 2018	NO	Responsibility as SEO for all Housing & Corporate Services delivered via 5 Municipal Districts. The duties of VHO are decentralised and incorporated into the roles of different staff in different parts of the County.
Dublin City Council	January 2017	YES	None
Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council	June 2019	NO	Other duties include administrative tasks in the following sections: Long-Term Leasing Housing Adaptation Grants Disabled Persons Alterations
Fingal County Council	May 2019	NO	Social Housing Delivery Programme.
Galway City Council	September 2019	NO	Acquisitions,Long term lease scheme, The Repair and Lease scheme, Mortgage to Rent scheme and Buy & Renew scheme
Galway County Council	February 2021	NO	Long term leasing, Acquisitions
Kerry County Council	June 2019	YES	None
Kildare County Council	July 2018	NO	Administrative Officer in the Capital Team with responsibility for the acquisitions/build programmes/Part V/land management/CAS Schemes etc.
Kilkenny County Council	April 2018	NO	Housing Capital Projects (sole Architect in KCC) Design, Site appraisal & feasibility, Forward Planning, Consultants Liaison CAS & CALF project Appraisals Age-friendly Housing Tech. advisor Community Projects-RRDF projects Corporate Project Liaison Access Officer
Laois County Council	September 2018	NO	RAS & Leasing, Private Rented Inspections
Leitrim County Council	2018	NO	80% VHO20% Capital Housing Regeneration and Housing. Refurbishment
Limerick City and County Council	20 July 2020	NO	Duties under the Derelict Sites Act, 1990. Duties under the Housing Act, 1964 Staff and office management
Longford County Council	July 2018	NO	Senior Executive Officer in Housing overseeing various schemes and projects.
Louth County Council	December 2019	NO	Oversight of Housing Financial Dept.
Mayo County Council	May 2020	NO	Manage RAS/STL/HAP/RLS/LTL/CALF/CAS
Meath County Council	October 2019	NO	Vacant Housing Office – 80%Approved Housing Bodies – 20%
Monaghan County Council	July 2018	NO	Delivering Rebuilding Ireland Programme
Offaly County Council	August 2018	NO	DPG, Disabled Person Grants
Roscommon County Council	October 2020VHO position has been consistently maintained since 2018.	VHO post is substantially full time	- 75% of the postholders’ role is VHO related- Derelict Sites and Dangerous Places; - Planning enforcement. Due to backlogs in some other areas of work, primarily arising from Covid 19 related issues and restrictions, the VHO officer has been deployed in recent months to assist in other areas of work. Prior to that, VHO work accounted for 100% of postholder activity.
Sligo County Council	September 2018	NO	Planning, Enforcement and Building Control
South Dublin County Council	November 2019	No	Rent Accounts and Assessment Sale of Local Authority to tenants Local Authority Mortgage Loans/Rebuilding Ireland Home Loans Tenant Purchase Mortgage Allowance Scheme Inspector of Housing Vacant Homes
Tipperary County Council	November 2018	YES
Waterford City and County Council	July 2018	NO	Covid-19 Champion in the Housing Department for Maintenance Section, dealing with the Repair and Lease Scheme in Housing Supply Team.
Westmeath County Council	July 2018	NO	Broadband Officer
Wexford County Council	July 2018	NO	Homeless Co-Ordinator,Private Rented Sector Enforcement of StandardsRAS Co-OrdinatorLeasing Co-OrdinatorRepair & Leasing Co-ordinatorAnnual and Monthly LG Returns
Wicklow County Council	December 2020	NO	Housing Maintenance Private rented accommodation inspections including HAP, leasing & repair and lease inspections. Housing Adaptation Grants

Local Authorities

Ceisteanna (226)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

226. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the level of funding under the six main headings provided to Carlow County Council and by comparison to three other councils similar in size and profile to Carlow over the past ten years; if Carlow County Council has been underfunded by his Department in this period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35615/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The funding system for local authorities is complex, with authorities deriving their income from a variety of sources including commercial rates, charges for goods and services and funding from Central Government. It is a matter for each local authority to consider how it can maximise local income sources and manage its own spending, in the context of the annual budgetary process. Most of the funding from Central Government must be used for specified services. These can be grouped into 5 broad programme categories: recreational, education, environment, housing and transport. In relation to funding streams specifically from my Department, €41.9m and €44.5m was provided to Carlow County Council in 2019 and 2020 respectively.

I refer to the unprecedented support for local authorities during the COVID pandemic. In 2020, Carlow County Council applied a 100% commercial rates waiver to almost 2,000 ratepayers and recouped €7.62m in that regard from my Department. In addition, in recognition of COVID related income losses, and additional COVID related expenditure incurred in 2020, my Department provided funding of €1.33 m to Carlow County Council. The Government has introduced a commercial rates waiver for 2021, which has been extended to end of September, at an estimated cost €480 m. As has been the case since the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic, my Department will continue to engage with the local government sector and with individual local authorities on the financial impacts of the pandemic and provide them with the necessary financial supports.

Local authorities vary significantly from one another in terms of size, population, population distribution, public service demands, infrastructure and other income sources, all factors which should be taken into account when comparing levels of funding in different local authority areas. If the Deputy wishes to clarify the details of the specific headings on which he seeks information and the names of the local authorities with which he wishes to compare Carlow County Council, I will endeavour to provide the information requested. However, it is important to note that I can provide information with regard to funding streams from my Department only.

Animal Diseases

Ceisteanna (227)

Jennifer Whitmore

Ceist:

227. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the monitoring of the RHD2 virus in hares; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35640/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Since the initial discovery of RHD2 in wild rabbits and hares in August 2019, the National Parks and Wildlife Service staff of my Department have continued to monitor for the disease with the assistance of colleagues in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM). Reports of suspected cases have been followed up and carcasses submitted to DAFM’s Regional Veterinary Laboratories for testing. Although dedicated surveys have not been possible, the available evidence suggests that RHD2 remains primarily a disease of rabbits, with some limited spill-over into hares. Furthermore, the total number of reports has declined noticeably in 2021. To date this year, four rabbits have been submitted for testing, with only one of these proving positive (this in an animal submitted by a private vet and suspected to be a pet rabbit). Five hares have also been submitted for testing since the start of 2021, four of these have proven negative for RHD2. We are still awaiting the results of the fifth hare. Monitoring will continue.

Departmental Schemes

Ceisteanna (228)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

228. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of funding provided under each of the housing adaptation grants in each of the years since 2010. [35690/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

For 2021, total funding of €75 million has been provided for the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability scheme for private houses. Details of the funding provided for the grants from 2008 up to 2020 are available on my Department's website at the following link: www.housing.gov.ie/housing/statistics/social-and-affordble/other-local-authority-housing-scheme-statistics.

Departmental Schemes

Ceisteanna (229, 230)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

229. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimate of the respective cost in 2022 of adjusting the income criteria applying to each of the housing adaptation grants for every €1,000 increase in the income criteria. [35691/21]

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

230. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the respective cost in 2022 of adjusting the income criteria applying to each of the housing adaptation grants for every €1,000 increase in the maximum grant amount available under the scheme; and when the last increase occurred under each of the schemes. [35692/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 229 and 230 together.

My Department provides funding under the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants in respect of private houses. There are three separate grants available, including the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, the Mobility Aids Grant and Housing Aid for Older People grant, with responsibility for the apportionment between them being a matter for each local authority. Any increase in the existing grant limits and income thresholds would have to be considered in the context of the full suite of grants.

The terms and conditions governing the grants were examined in 2013 by a review group that included representatives of grant beneficiaries and the local authorities. They considered how the benefits of the grants could be spread as widely as possible and to achieve fairness and value for money in the grants process. Arising from the recommendations of the review group, the income requirements, eligibility and maximum grant were revised in 2014 to focus the grants towards those with the greatest need.

My Department has committed to beginning a review this year of the means test criteria and maximum grant limits applicable to the housing adaptation grants.

Funding of €75 million is available nationally in 2021 for the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability Scheme. This funding has increased year on year since 2014. As part of the annual budgetary process, consideration will be given to this funding in future years in line with the Programme for Government commitments and the Policy Statement on Housing Options for Our Ageing Population, which is available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/ea33c1-housing-options-for-our-ageing-population-policy-statement/.

Question No. 230 answered with Question No. 229.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (231)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

231. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of funding made available under the capital assistance scheme in each of the past three years. [35693/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Information on the funding provision under the Capital Assistance Scheme for the years 2018-20 is set out below. Under the Capital Assistance Scheme, funding of up to 100% of project costs may be advanced by local authorities to Approved Housing Bodies to provide accommodation for priority categories on the waiting list including elderly, people/families who are homeless and people with a disability.

Capital Assistance Scheme funding provision 2018 - 2020

2018	2019	2020
€80,650,495	€97,703,056	€95,131,412

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (232)

Pa Daly

Ceist:

232. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the representations that have been made in relation to vaccine supplies in Nepal, especially with regard to the availability of second doses since the Delta variant has become dominant. [35438/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs

On 8 May, the Government of Nepal made a request for emergency assistance to the EU through the EU Emergency Response Mechanism. In response, Irish officials made an assessment of medical equipment available in the HSE's stockpile of medical supplies.

On June 16, Ireland donated the following equipment to Nepal: 72 oxygen concentrators; 42 ventilators; 12 bipap machines; 400 oximeters; 50 respiratory monitors; 50 defibrillators; 100 thermometers; 1,126 oxygen and air regulators; 99,750 protective coveralls; 201,600 face shields and 1,008,000 surgical masks.

Transporting this donation to Nepal would not have been possible without the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. This partnership represents EU solidarity and cooperation at its best.

No representation has been received from Nepal seeking vaccine supplies. Nepal was among the first countries receive vaccines from the COVAX facility. Irish Aid has so far this year provided €4 million to COVAX facility, to finance the procurement and distribution of vaccines, with an accompanying €1 million to WHO to support its oversight role. COVAX has so far shipped over 89 million vaccines to 133 participating countries: the EU and Member States have committed over €3.2 billion to COVAX.

The Irish Aid contribution to COVAX is part of Irish Aid's allocation of at least €100 million to global health this year. This will enable an effective and holistic pandemic response through strengthening public health systems, including capability to run vaccination campaigns.

Anglo-Irish Relations

Ceisteanna (233)

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

233. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the outcome of the recent meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35525/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs

I was pleased to co-chair the most recent meeting of the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference (BIIGC) held in Dublin last week, together with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Brandon Lewis MP. also participating were my colleague the Minister for Justice, Heather Humphreys TD, and the Minister of State at the Northern Ireland Office, Robin Walker MP.

The BIIGC is an important institution of the Good Friday Agreement. It was positive to see it take place for the first time since 2019, and we agreed that the Conference should meet again in November.

The Conference was established under Strand Three of the Good Friday Agreement “to promote bilateral co-operation at all levels on all matters of mutual interest within the competence of both Governments”. East-West relations are a core part of the Good Friday Agreement. The meeting allowed for discussion of a wide and positive agenda of East-West and economic and security cooperation. We considered shared ambitions for the future of the British-Ireland relationship and looked ahead to further discussions between the Taoiseach and Prime Minister on this topic. The Conference reviewed progress made in strengthening the Common Travel Area - a keystone to the relationship between our islands – and discussed developments in relation to international travel and collaborating on recovery from the current pandemic. We were also able to discuss how we can, together, best support the stability of all the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement.There were also important discussions around the need to make progress on addressing the legacy of the past in Northern Ireland. It has been the consistent position of the Government that the Stormont House Agreement provides a balanced and comprehensive framework to address the legacy of the Troubles, and that progress on its implementation is crucial, for families and victims, and for society as a whole. The Stormont House Agreement provides the framework, but we need to engage where there are concerns about how to implement it so that we can find a collective way forward. This needs to be discussed and agreed by both Governments and the parties to the Northern Ireland Executive. It is also essential that the needs and the voices of victims and families are at the heart of this process.As agreed at the BIIGC last week, the Government will engage and work with the British Government and the parties to the Northern Ireland Executive in partnership on this very important issue in the period immediately ahead.

Historical Conflicts

Ceisteanna (234)

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

234. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland will recognise the Holodomor of 1932-1933 as genocide against Ukrainians; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35591/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs

Ireland has great sympathy for the suffering of the Ukrainian people during the devastating famine of 1932-33, known as the Holodomor. In view of the enormous effect of famine in the nineteenth century on our own people and subsequent history, the Irish people can empathise deeply with the Ukrainian experience.

The Government has not taken a stance on whether those terrible events should be described as a genocide as we believe we are not in a position to adjudicate on this matter. To reach a conclusion that any events amount to genocide involves the consideration and determination of a number of complex legal issues, and an assessment of the actions and intentions of many parties. Ireland is not in a position to do so with regard to these events.

Ireland follows the practice of recognising genocide only where this has been established by a judgement of an appropriate international court, or where there is international consensus on the matter.

Ireland has joined in United Nations declarations which commemorate this tragedy. In December 2018 Ireland joined a declaration which marked the eighty-fifth anniversary of the Holodomor of 1932–1933 in Ukraine.

That statement commemorated the victims of the Holodmor and recognised that it was a man-made deadly famine. It condemned the Stalinist regime's policies, such as forced collectivization and food requisition, which led to the death of a significant proportion of the Ukrainian people.

It also emphasised that the memories of past horrors and atrocities should reinforce the efforts of the international community to ensure unconditional observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms throughout the world.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (235)

Colm Burke

Ceist:

235. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the new procedures that will be put in place in circumstances in which a person travels to Ireland from non-EU countries after 19 July 2021 and in which they have clear evidence that they have received a Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35592/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs

There continues to be a Government Advisory in place against non-essential travel, which will remain in place until 18 July. From 19 July, and subject to the prevailing epidemiologic situation, Government advice will be to travel safely and in accordance with public health guidance and restrictions and to avoid non-essential travel to countries to which an ‘emergency brake’ has been applied.

With regard to passengers arriving from the EU, Ireland will operate EU Digital Covid Certificates for travel. With regard to passengers arriving from outside the EU, Ireland will also broadly align itself to the approach to non-essential travel to the EU from Third Countries. Any quarantine requirements, where applicable, will depend on the specific country of origin and the public health situation in that jurisdiction.

As the Deputy will appreciate, specific questions regarding public health guidelines for individuals arriving in the State are a matter for the Department of Health, as are the guidelines around recognition of vaccines.

Naval Service

Ceisteanna (236)

Catherine Connolly

Ceist:

236. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Defence the activities Naval Service sea vessels undertook on 27 June 2021 at a nearshore location on the north shore of Galway Bay, east of An Spidéal, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35612/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

The Naval Service is the State's principal sea-going agency and is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. The main day-to-day role of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with the State's obligations as a member of the European Union. On any given patrol day the Naval Service can carry out a number of taskings on behalf of other State agencies such as the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, An Garda Síochána and the Customs Service of the Revenue Commissioners.

On the 27 June 2021 the L.É. Samuel Beckett was on Sailing Order carrying out Maritime Defence and Security Operations and was in the vicinity of An Spidéal, County Galway.

For operational and security reasons, it would not be appropriate to disclose further specific details of the operational deployment of any individual vessel in the Naval Service.

Anglo-Irish Relations

Ceisteanna (237)

Catherine Connolly

Ceist:

237. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Defence the engagement he has had with the UK Secretary of State to date in 2021 with regard to the defence memorandum of understanding between Ireland and the UK; the number of meetings he has had to date in 2021 on this matter with the UK Secretary of State; the details of the matters discussed at such meetings in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35621/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

I spoke by telephone with the current UK Secretary of State for Defence, Ben Wallace, MP in July of 2020. The main focus of our discussion related to areas of mutual interest covered by the UK-IRL Memorandum of Understanding on aspects of defence cooperation.

An in-person meeting which was planned to take place in April of this year in London was unfortunately cancelled. It is hoped to reschedule this meeting when circumstances permit. I have not, therefore, had any official engagement with the UK Secretary of State this year with regard to the defence memorandum of understanding between Ireland and the UK.

School Curriculum

Ceisteanna (238)

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

238. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education her plans to progress the recommendations of the special Dáil Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution report specifically its recommendations on sex education in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28818/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

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, including an inclusive programme on LGBTI+ relationships and make appropriate legislative changes, if necessary’.

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 NCCA advises the Department and Minister in relation to the curriculum to be taught in schools.

The Final Report on the Review of RSE in Primary and Post-primary Schools was published by the NCCA in December, 2019.

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. Both the primary and post primary SPHE/RSE Development Groups have been meeting virtually on a monthly basis since the groups were convened in October 2020.

The immediate focus of the work is on creating support materials for teachers for publication online as part of the Interim Guidance Toolkit. The toolkit's purpose is to support effective teaching and learning of SPHE/RSE linked to the current curriculum. This work is progressing well and with sections of the toolkit (a portal repository of teaching and learning resources linked to the Primary SPHE Curriculum, the SPHE Junior Cycle Short Course and Senior Cycle SPHE Framework).

In tandem with the development of the online Toolkit, preparation for the broader redeveloping and updating of the SPHE curriculum as recommended in the NCCA Report has begun, with an initial focus on Junior Cycle. The review of the current Junior Cycle SPHE course has been completed and will be considered by the NCCA Council in June. This review contains a brief which will inform the work of the subject development groups in formulating an updated Junior Cycle SPHE specification, which will begin in September. A draft of the updated Junior Cycle SPHE specification will be available for public consultation in Q1 of 2022.

Citizens' Assembly

Ceisteanna (239)

Gary Gannon

Ceist:

239. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education when the Citizens' Assembly on education committed to in the programme for Government is expected to take place. [35001/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

I am very pleased to see the inclusion of a Citizens’ Assembly on the future of education in the Programme for Government. Experience internationally and here at home of citizen’s assemblies as exercises in deliberative democracy have been extremely positive.

Ireland is considered a leader in the use of deliberative democracy processes, having convened three in recent years: the Convention on the Constitution (2012-14), the Citizens’ Assembly (2016-18) and the Citizen’s Assembly on Gender Equality (2019-2021).

Typically, Citizens' Assemblies have been established by individual Oireachtas Resolutions, which have set out their terms of reference. I understand that initial proposals to hold a citizens' assembly on education have been informed by proposals from the Burren College of Art, which called for the Assembly to examine issues such as how to properly position post-primary education for the 21st century and how to encourage greater creativity, student agency and resilience.

My recently published Statement of Strategy 2021-2023 incorporates priority actions for the Department from the Programme for Government, including exploring the scope for a Citizen’s Assembly on the Future of Education. Officials in my Department are working on developing a consultation proposal and will work with colleagues in the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Skills to advance this.

Education Schemes

Ceisteanna (240, 244)

John Lahart

Ceist:

240. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education the status of the summer programme for 2021 including registrations to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35398/21]

Emer Higgins

Ceist:

244. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education if she will report on the strands of the summer provision programme in 2021; and the measures being implemented or planned to increase participation on account of exceptional challenges posed by Covid-19. [35411/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Education

I propose to take Questions Nos. 240 and 244 together.

In May 2021 the Government has announced a package of supports to allow primary and post primary to offer a summer programme for students with complex special educational needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage, as a COVID-19 pandemic response measure, for summer 2021.

The total funding available to provide summer programmes this year is up to €40 million, a one hundred per cent increase on the allocation for summer programmes in 2020.

The programme was developed following extensive engagement with education stakeholders, parent and disability advocacy groups.

The programme aims are to support pupils to maintain their connection with education, to build their confidence and increase their motivation, promote wellbeing and for those who are at key transition stages, help to ensure that they continue their education journey in September either in school or in further/higher education or training.

The programmes on offer this summer include a new 2-3 week summer programme available to all primary schools and an expansion of the existing programmes in special schools and classes and in DEIS schools.

Existing programmes:

- Literacy and numeracy camps in DEIS primary schools

- A school-based summer programme in primary special classes and special schools.

- Home-based provision for students with complex needs where no school based programme is available.

New programmes:

All primary schools have the opportunity to provide a 2 week summer programme for mainstream pupils with complex needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage.

- All Post Primary Schools have the opportunity to provide a 2 week summer programme for students with complex needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage

Similar to last year children with complex needs entering primary school next September are also eligible to participate in summer programmes.

This range of programmes on offer builds on the success of the expanded programmes that ran last year and incorporates feedback from education stakeholders as to how to better support the programme for all involved in summer 2021.

The Department has addressed concerns previously raised by stakeholders by introducing measures to support schools to encourage schools to offer the programme, funding for a Programme Overseer, preparation time, faster payments of staff, ease of administrative burden on schools and greater guidance materials on programme content.

In addition the programmes can be run at any time over the summer providing schools with autonomy to split the programme weeks to best meet the needs of pupils and staff participating in the programme. Schools were also given the opportunity to appeal any element of the resource allocation for the programme.

A home-based summer programme is available for students with complex special educational needs where a place on a school-based programme is not available to them. Under the home-based strand grant funding is made available so that parents/legal guardians can engage the services of a Teacher or an SNA to provide tuition or care support as appropriate in the child’s home. Parents of eligible children may arrange their programme over the school summer holidays to best suit their needs. An additional 10 hours has also been made available to pupils who were eligible for the Supplementary Programme earlier in the year but were unable to avail of any hours under that programme.

Further details on the different strands including available supports are available at gov.ie/summerprovision. This includes promotional materials such as posters for parents, and information videos for schools. A dedicated helpline and email address has also been available to schools since the launch of the programme.

An extended timeline for registration was also provided. Schools had until 25 June 2021 to register.

The registrations as of 25 June are as follows:

Post primary (no of schemes being run)

Inclusion programme	Special Classes
120	4

A total of 124 post primary schools have registered

Primary (number of schemes being run)

Special Class programme	Special School	Inclusion programme	DEIS Primary School Literacy and Numeracy Camps
356	48	466	352*

A total of 844 primary schools (including special schools have registered as providing at least one scheme.

Totals

Total Post-Primary Schemes	Total Schemes run by Primary Schools	Total Schemes
124	1222	1346

A total of 968 primary and post primary schools have registered.

Claim forms for the home-based strand are submitted at the end of the programme, with a closing date of 03 September 2021, so actual participation numbers will not be available until late October/early November.

Educational Disadvantage

Ceisteanna (241)

John Lahart

Ceist:

241. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education the planned measures to support children and young persons who are at risk of the highest levels of educational disadvantage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35399/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) is the main policy initiative of my Department to tackle educational disadvantage at school level. The DEIS Plan sets out the vision for interventions in the critical area of educational disadvantage policy and is based on the findings of an extensive review of the DEIS programme, which involved consultations with all relevant stakeholders.

In the 2020/21 school year there are 887 schools in the DEIS Programme serving 185,000 pupils (689 primary and 198 post primary). This includes 79 schools, who had the highest concentrated levels of disadvantage, were added to the DEIS Programme for the first time from September 2017

My Department spend on DEIS in 2021 is over €150million, with additional funding provided from Department of Social Protection for the School Meals Programme.

In March I announced a package of measures to tackle educational disadvantage. My announcement includes a one point improvement on the staffing schedule for all DEIS Urban Band 1 schools. This will allow for a preferential pupil teacher ratio for those schools with the highest concentrations of learners at risk of educational disadvantage.

I have also announced a 5% increase in the budget of the School Completion Programme and extension of the School Completion programme to 28 Urban Band 1 and post-primary schools newly included in DEIS in 2017. The School Completion Programme is one of the key supports available in DEIS schools to support attendance, participation and retention of learners. The enrolment threshold for the allocation of an additional deputy principal in DEIS post-primary schools, was also reduced from 700 to 600 students.

Responding to specific actions in the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy (NTRIS), a 2 year pilot project has been established to target attendance, participation and school completion in specific Traveller and Roma Communities regionally. There are a total of 55 schools participating, in which over 1,300 Traveller and Roma children are enrolled.

Since March 2020, my Department has put in place a number of measures to support vulnerable learners and those at risk of educational disadvantage during possible partial or full school closures due to Covid-19. It is crucially important that the learning of all learners, especially vulnerable learners and those at risk of educational disadvantage are supported at this time.

Tusla Education Support Services engaged with principals to promote connectedness to schools for children who are at risk of educational disadvantage and liaised directly with Direct Provision accommodation centres, refuges for families experiencing domestic violence and homeless hubs to ensure students were linked with their schools.

I recently announced the provision of expanded summer education programmes, for pupils with complex special educational needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage, as a Covid-19 pandemic response measure, for summer 2021. The programmes are available to all primary and post primary free education schools, and aims to support pupils to re-engage with education, to build their confidence and increase their motivation, promote wellbeing and for some who are at key transition stages, help to ensure they can move on to their planned educational placement next September along with their peers. Under this expansion of the summer programme, students with complex special educational needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage will have access to an enhanced summer programme of education. The total funding available to provide the programme is up to €40 million, a one hundred per cent increase on the allocation for summer provision in 2020.

Education Welfare Service

Ceisteanna (242)

Cathal Crowe

Ceist:

242. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education the planning in place to support students due to sit the 2022 leaving certificate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35403/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

My Department is acutely aware of the disruption caused to students as a result of school closures resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. From 11 January 2021, all students, including students currently in fifth year and who are due to sit the Leaving Certificate examinations in 2022, engaged in a programme of remote learning with their schools. Students in fifth year were prioritised for a return to school following the return of sixth year students.

The public health restrictions which resulted in the closure of schools in March 2020 highlighted the absolute necessity for schools to be agile in providing for continuity of schooling in the future. As a contingency measure against the possibility of partial or full school closures, my Department provided a suite of guidance materials, agreed with the education partners, to enable schools to mediate the curriculum safely for all pupils/students in a COVID-19 context. These are available at www.gov.ie/backtoschool.

The nature of distance learning, which was necessitated during the unprecedented closure of schools last year and early this year, required educators to take on a range of approaches to support their pupils’ continuity of learning during that period. Assisted by Department-funded resources and supports, schools and teachers demonstrated great innovation in adapting to the unprecedented situation including the use of digital technologies and online learning platforms for teaching and learning.

Extensive guidance and supports have been and continue to be made available by my Department and its support services to support schools to plan for the transition to online and remote learning. Circular 0074/2020, ‘Communication/Teaching & Learning Platform’, was issued by the Department last year. In accordance with the circular, it became a requirement for all schools to have in place a communication/learning platform (while acknowledging that many schools have already put such platforms in place) that supports them to respond in the event of a partial or full school closure in the future, including the facilitation of some use of live or recorded video lessons where practicable.

The circular includes links to a range of materials and supports developed by the Digital Technologies team of the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST), including information and resources for commonly used platforms for teaching, learning and assessment, short video tutorials exploring how digital platforms and tools can be used effectively for remote learning purposes and clarity regarding how chosen platforms can be effectively used for assessment and feedback purposes, links to each of which are shown.

Other documents published by my Department include Guidance for Practical Subjects in Post-Primary Schools and Centres for Education and Returning to school: Guidance on learning and school programmes for post primary school leaders and teachers . These documents provide guidance for teachers and schools that is specific to each practical subject area, so that students can be facilitated to actively engage with their learning. A number of adjustments were made to the assessment arrangements for the 2021 Leaving Certificate examinations to take account of the disruption to learning experienced by the students who are due to take these examinations.

However, I am conscious that students who are due to take their Leaving Certificate examinations in 2022 have experienced a degree of disruption to their learning.

Yesterday, the Advisory Group on Planning for State Examinations received an update in relation to the 2022 Leaving Certificate and Junior Cycle examinations. I announced that the level of adjustment to the assessment arrangements for the 2022 Leaving Certificate Examination cohort would be broadly the same as that applied by the Assessment Arrangements for Leaving Certificate Examinations 2021, as set in December 2020. There arrangements were announced before the second period of school closures. Minor changes will be made to that document to reflect syllabus content specific the 2022 examinations. The revised document will be published later this month.

I also announced yesterday that the State Examinations Commission (SEC) will run an alternative set of Leaving Certificate Examinations in 2022, shortly following the main set of examinations. The SEC will set out the eligibility conditions for these examinations, which will be limited to certain students who are unable to sit the main set of examinations due to close family bereavement, COVID-19 illness during those examinations, and certain other categories of serious illness, to be clearly and strictly delineated. The SEC will issue further details regarding these examinations, with all arrangements guided by prevailing public health advice. There will also be further engagement with stakeholders in this matter.

Health Services

Ceisteanna (243)

Cathal Crowe

Ceist:

243. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education the status of public health supports available to schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35404/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

Schools have put significant infection prevention control measures in place to reduce the risk of coronavirus being transmitted to/within the school and significant 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. These measures will continue for the coming school year.

The weekly reports from Public Health since schools reopened are very reassuring, showing that the close contact positivity rate in schools is remaining very stable and is still at a low level. Unavoidably there has been some outbreaks and some students have had to return for a short period to remote teaching and learning. However, I am confident that the combined supports from my Department and the HSE schools teams are proving very effective in supporting schools to manage through these events.

There is a dedicated school principal’s help line open seven days a week supported by staff of the Department. This is a dedicated service for principals. Following the reopening of schools on a phased basis in February/March 2021, the Department increased the percentage assignment of Department inspectors to the HSE to support this dedicated phone line. The Department is coordinating closely with the HSE Public Health Team on a weekly basis – and sometimes more frequently – to manage the support needed by the HSE. The level of support required will be kept under review for the new school year.

Question No. 244 answered with Question No. 240.