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Gnáthamharc

Wednesday, 24 Nov 2021

Written Answers Nos. 85-104

Foreign Policy

Ceisteanna (86)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

86. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the actions the Government is taking to raise the plight of religious and ethnic minorities in Afghanistan, in light of a recent USCIRF report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57887/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I remain deeply concerned at the situation in Afghanistan, including the Taliban’s approach to religious and ethnic minorities. The recent report on Afghanistan from the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom is troubling, outlining the constraints on religious freedom in Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover, including the reinstatement of the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. Reports of widespread persecution of religious minorities are alarming, as is the finding that those belonging to religious minorities are now living under fear of reprisals for practicing their religion.

The right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion (more commonly referred to as freedom of religion and belief) is a fundamental freedom, provided for under Article 18 of both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights. It is a priority for Ireland’s human rights engagement at both multilateral and bilateral levels and we consistently co-sponsors resolutions on freedom of religion or belief at the UN.

Ireland fully subscribes to the EU benchmarks, set out in Council Conclusions on 15 September, which outline our expectations of the Taliban. Future EU support will depend on respect for the international legal framework and norms on human rights. The Conclusions call on the Taliban to promote, protect and respect all human rights, including those of persons belonging to minorities.

This document forms the basis of EU contact with the Taliban, including the scheduled meetings in Doha this coming weekend, led by EU Special Envoy Tomas Niklasson. The conditions do not preclude a certain level of working contact required for humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people and evacuation of EU nationals. The Conclusions are clear that such contact does not confer any legitimacy on the Taliban.

Ireland has also expressed concern about the human rights situation in Afghanistan at the United Nations Human Rights Council. On 7 October, at the 48th Session of the Human Rights Council, an EU-led Resolution was adopted on the Situation of Human Rights in Afghanistan. The resolution established a mandate for a Special Rapporteur (SR) to to monitor the situation of human rights in Afghanistan. The SR is mandated to seek, receive, examine and act on information from all relevant stakeholders pertaining to the situation of human rights in Afghanistan.

At the UN Security Council, Ireland has also highlighted the plight of minorities at the since the Taliban takeover, most recently on 17 November. Ireland strongly condemned recent terrorist attacks, violence, intimidation and forced displacement targeting minorities.

Approximately 500 Afghan citizens have been offered refugee status in Ireland under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP). A number of the IRRP beneficiaries are from minority religious and ethnic backgrounds, including Shia and Hazara.

Foreign Policy

Ceisteanna (87)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

87. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the assessment the Government has made of the recent reports from an independent NGO (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57888/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in the Sahel generally, and in Burkina Faso specifically, is of significant concern. Burkina Faso faces internal and external threats, with internal non-state armed actors frequently linked to extremists in neighbouring countries.

The deteriorating security situation in Burkina Faso has many complex and interwoven drivers provoking tensions within and between groups. These drivers include: poverty; lack of access to services; weak state structures, including security; cross-border security threats; rapidly increasing populations; climate change; and diminishing access to resources. Increased violence against civilians, including the killings of over 160 civilians in June and 59 civilians in August, is the regrettable outworking of these tensions, which also may have a sectarian dimension.

I condemn all attacks on civilians in Burkina Faso, in the wider Sahel and elsewhere, irrespective of who the perpetrators of such violence are, and their purported motives. There is no justification for acts of violence or discrimination based on religion or beliefs.

Ireland is working with partners in support of the protection of civilians across the Sahel region, including Burkina Faso.

In line with commitments in Ireland’s Africa Strategy to 2025, Ireland has significantly enhanced our engagement in francophone West Africa and the Sahel in recent years. Members of the Permanent Defence Forces are serving as peacekeepers with the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) in Mali, and the EU Training Mission in Mali (EUTM). An Irish civilian expert is also deployed to the European Union Capacity Building Mission in Niger.

Irish Aid has contributed over €3.2 million in bilateral funding since 2014 to civil society working in Burkina Faso, and supports the ongoing work of the International Committee of the Red Cross there. In addition, Irish Aid funds a number of smaller organisations working on youth, peace and security.

Burkina Faso also receives United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (UN CERF) funding, this year totaling over $11 million. Ireland is the eighth largest donor the UN CERF since the Fund's inception.

As a EU Member State, Ireland also contributes to peace and security in Burkina Faso. The EU's Emergency Trust Fund for Africa has allocated €184.5 million to Burkina Faso, to help that country address the root causes of instability.

As a member of the UN Security Council, Ireland is engaging with the African Union and other regional organisations on a range of issues of interest to the continent, including the Sahel. I note in particular, our close partnership with Niger as co-penholders on the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS). As co-penholder, our key priority is to support and facilitate UNOWAS in its work on conflict prevention and peacebuilding, as well as promoting democracy and respect for human rights in the region. In its most recent Presidential Statement on this matter, on 17 August 2021, the UN Security Council strongly condemned continued attacks against civilians in the region, and expressed the need for accountability for human rights violations and abuses.

Foreign Policy

Ceisteanna (88)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

88. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government intends to raise the recent and ongoing destruction of places of religious worship by the military in Myanmar, as evidenced by recent media reports (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57889/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Ireland strongly condemns the coup carried out by the Myanmar military in February and its attempts to legitimise the military regime. The coup is a reversal of the progress made towards democracy and rule of law in Myanmar that has taken years to establish. I am appalled by the grave human rights violations perpetrated by the Myanmar military in recent months and deeply concerned by the escalation of violence in recent weeks. I am also aware of reports of attacks against places of worship across Myanmar, including in Shan State.

Since the military coup, I have issued three statements strongly condemning the coup, calling for the immediate release of detainees, and expressing abhorrence at the indefensible killing of unarmed civilians. Ireland is also actively engaged through the European Union and in our role as an elected member of the Security Council to call on all sides to refrain from violence, and to fully respect human rights and comply with international law, including international humanitarian and human rights law.

On 10 November, the EU released a statement condemning in the strongest terms the attacks by the Myanmar military on civilians and villages in Chin State, including the use of torture, sexual violence, arbitrary detention and the destruction of private property and religious sites, which are blatant violations of human rights and international law and call for justice and accountability.

The situation in Myanmar has been considered seven times by the United Nations Security Council, most recently on 8 November 2021. At that meeting Ireland also raised the destruction of places of worship. The Security Council issued a statement on 10 November expressing deep concern at further recent violence across Myanmar and calling for an immediate cessation.

Military rule opens scope for further human rights abuses in Myanmar and Ireland has voiced its concern at four sessions of the Human Rights Council since February 2021. Ireland has consistently voiced support for international efforts towards ensuring accountability and justice in Myanmar, including the ongoing processes at the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar, the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court.

Ireland will continue to work actively to use our influence with partners and through our position on the Security Council and our EU membership to promote the rule of law and protect the human rights of the people of Myanmar.

Departmental Staff

Ceisteanna (89)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

89. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if personnel in his Department have been removed from their positions, have been transferred to another role or had their employment terminated from 2011 to date due to breaches of Departmental standards or professional misconduct or incompetence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57899/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Department of Foreign Affairs is committed to ensuring that standards of behaviour and levels of performance are maintained is guided by the relevant Civil Service codes including but not limited to the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour.

The Department takes a robust approach to breaches of these standards and to all forms of professional misconduct and incompetence. This approach typically involves the deployment of the Civil Service Disciplinary Code, the Management of Underperformance Policy and the Dignity at Work Policy as appropriate and has resulted in the dismissal of a number of DFA staff since 2011.

Defence Forces

Ceisteanna (90)

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

90. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Defence if the report of the Military Court of enquiry into an armed raid (details supplied) is available for perusal by FCA personnel who gave evidence in the military archives or his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57751/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

With regard to Military Courts of Inquiry, the Defence Forces Regulation (DFR) A5, together with Rules of Procedure (Defence Forces) 2008 (SI 204/2008), set out the procedures for Courts of Inquiry. Defence Forces Regulation A5 provides that:

“The findings and recommendations of all courts of inquiry shall be treated as confidential. They shall not be disclosed to interested parties, except as provided in subsection 181 (2) of the Defence Act, 1954, Rules of Procedure (Defence Forces) 2008 and the Defence Force Regulations A.8 unless otherwise directed by the Minister”

This does not exempt Court of Inquiry files from the National Archives of Ireland Act. Where Court of Inquiry records have been transferred to the Military Archives, copies of statements made to the Court of Inquiry can be provided to the person who made the statement.

In the event that the particular files that the Deputy is enquiring about have been transferred to Military Archives, I can advise that Courts of Inquiry records transferred to Military Archives may be made available for public inspection, or withheld from public inspection under the terms of the National Archives of Ireland Act, 1986, Section 8 (4) a-c. These Sections are invoked when the release of a record would:

Not be in the public interest.

Constitute a breach of statutory obligation (ie, Defence Act, Data Protection Act, Official Secrets Act etc).

Constitute a threat of serious distress or danger to a person(s) still living.

Military Archives has been the official place of deposit for records of the Defence Forces, the Department of Defence and the Army Pensions Board since 1990, as defined in the National Archives Act, 1986.

Further details are required from the Deputy in order for my Department to assist with this particular enquiry. Once clarification is received on the particulars of the enquiry as well as a time-frame to which the records relate, a substantive response can be provided.

Civil Defence

Ceisteanna (91)

Denise Mitchell

Ceist:

91. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Defence if the Civil Defence has ceased the practice of transporting elderly persons to hospital appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57792/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Department of Defence is responsible for the development of Civil Defence at national level. In this context my Department provides policy direction, centralised training through the Civil Defence College, administrative support, guidance and centralised procurement of certain items of uniform and equipment in support of local authority Civil Defence efforts.

The local authorities have operational responsibility for Civil Defence. There is a Civil Defence Unit in each local authority area. Civil Defence services are delivered through the Civil Defence Officer (CDO) of the relevant Local Authority for that area and the CDO is a full time employee of the local authority.

The decision of a Civil Defence Unit to provide or to discontinue a particular service is ultimately a matter for each local authority. The Minister for Defence has no role in the day to day management of local Civil Defence Units.

Notwithstanding the above, I understand that, given the current heightened public health concerns, the Department of Housing have recently requested the Local Authorities ensure that Community Call helpline numbers are open so that, if there are people in need of support, they can access help locally.

Departmental Staff

Ceisteanna (92)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

92. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Defence if personnel in his Department have been removed from their positions, have been transferred to another role or had their employment terminated from 2011 to date due to breaches of Departmental standards or professional misconduct or incompetence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57894/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The civil servants of my Department are expected to operate to the highest standards as set out by the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour. Any breach of these standards, including professional misconduct or incompetence, is dealt with under the Civil Service Disciplinary Code which sets out the processes for investigating such matters and the range of sanctions which may be applied, up to and including termination of employment.

From 2011 to date, nobody has been removed from their position, transferred to another role or had their employment terminated due to breaches of standards, or professional misconduct or incompetence.

Special Educational Needs

Ceisteanna (93)

Seán Canney

Ceist:

93. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education if she will provide assurances to parents of children with special needs that special needs classes will remain open and that these parents will not face the devastating impact of school and class closures in coming weeks and months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57647/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Ensuring that schools can operate safely has been a key priority for Government. The Department of Education has an ongoing close working relationship with the Department of Health and the HSE throughout the pandemic in order to support and advise schools about the appropriate infection prevention control measures to ensure that schools can operate safely.

As the rest of our society and economy is now fully reopened it remains a key objective of Government that pupils/students and school staff can continue to attend school safely. In that context there are no plans for further school closures.

I am aware that the COVID-19 pandemic and associated schools closures have had adverse consequences for many children and their families. The impact on children with special educational needs has been greatest.

For this reason, my Department has prioritised support for this vulnerable group through the provision of additional supports, additional guidance for schools and new and enhanced education programmes.

Pupils with special educational needs were prioritised for an early return to in-school teaching and learning earlier this year.

While school buildings were closed, these students had access to a Supplementary Programme which provided additional one-to-one tuition or care support in their homes up until the end of April.

A significantly expanded Summer Programme was offered during the summer vacation period. This programme put an emphasis on supporting children with special educational needs to reengage with education, rebuild their confidence and increase motivation, promote their wellbeing and inclusion and to help ensure that they could transition to their planned educational placements in September 2021. A home-based strand was also available to pupils with complex needs where their school was not in a position to run a programme.

Schools Building Projects

Ceisteanna (94)

Emer Higgins

Ceist:

94. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education the status of a planning application by a school (details supplied); the delays preventing the planning application from being granted; and if the timeline for completion of works is still in place. [57679/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The permanent school building project for the school referred to by the Deputy has been assigned to my Department’s Design & Build delivery programme.

This delivery programme uses a professional external Project Manager to progress the project through the relevant stages of architectural planning, tender and construction.

An application for Planning Permission was submitted to the relevant Local Authority in June 2021.

A Request for Further Information (RFI) was received on 28th July 2021 and my Department’s Project Manager has been actively working through the 12 no. items raised in the RFI. It is expected that a response to the RFI will issue shortly.

It is not possible to provide an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project to tender and construction stages until such time as the necessary statutory approvals have been secured.

School Transport

Ceisteanna (95)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

95. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education if the planned return to 100% capacity on school transport on 29 November 2021 will be postponed due to the escalation in Covid-19 numbers and the resulting health and safety risks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57724/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2020/21 school year over 114,100 children, including over 14,700 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €224.7m in 2020.

Planning for school transport scheme services for the 2021/22 school year proceeded on the basis that the public health measures in place as schools closed at the end of the last school year would remain as the term began in this new school year. This included the operation of post-primary services at 50% capacity, in addition to hygiene measures and the wearing of masks on-board. The Department has kept this position under review as the vaccination programme for children on post-primary services was rolled out and as the lifting of restrictions on public transport services proceeded.

In line with the lifting of restrictions on public transport, and with effect from the return of schools following the October mid-term break, implementation commenced for post-primary school transport services to resume operating at 100% capacity. This process will take a period of time to re-organise and re-schedule services and communications will be issued to families regarding any revised arrangements.

All other measures relating to hygiene, pre-assigned seating, cleaning and the wearing of masks by post-primary students will remain in place subject to further review and my Department continues to provide funding for all additional hygiene measures required on school transport services.

School Transport

Ceisteanna (96)

Michael McNamara

Ceist:

96. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Education if a school transport route could be reviewed for persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57757/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the 2020/2021 school year over 114,100 children, including over 14,700 children with special educational needs, were 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.

Bus Éireann is responsible for the planning and timetabling of school transport routes and endeavours, within available resources, to ensure that each eligible child has a reasonable level of school transport service in the context of the Scheme nationally.

Where practicable, and subject to considerations of cost and logistics, routes are planned to avoid an eligible post-primary child having to travel more than 3.2 kms to or from a pick up/set down point. Routes are planned on the basis of the locations of children who are eligible for school transport only.

Bus Eireann has advised that the family to whom the Deputy refers is eligible for school transport. Bus Éireann has also advised that the pick-up point referred to by the Deputy has been assessed as being suitable as a pick-up point under the School Transport Scheme and that diverting the service is not possible due to time constraints as other eligible existing pupils are collected along this route.

Departmental Correspondence

Ceisteanna (97)

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

97. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education further to a letter from your office (details supplied) if a review has taken place; the outcome of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57759/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I can confirm to the Deputy that the review which was referred to in the letter sent to the person mentioned on 25th August 2021 is near completion. It is expected that in early 2022, officials from my Department will then correspond with all individuals concerned. Officials from the Pension Unit of my Department were in direct contact with the person mentioned by the Deputy, last week, to provide an update to them on the review.

State Examinations

Ceisteanna (98)

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

98. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education if a decision has been made regarding leaving certificate 2022; and if students will have the option of predictive grading or sitting the exams given that students and teachers are anxious to know. [57839/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí 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.

Special Educational Needs

Ceisteanna (99)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

99. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education the number of applications received for SNA support in County Donegal in 2021; the number of successful and unsuccessful applications, respectively in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57845/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The NCSE has responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of SNAs and reviews.

The Special Needs Assistant (SNA) scheme is designed to provide schools with additional adult support staff who can assist children with special educational needs who also have additional and significant care needs. Such support is provided in order to facilitate the attendance of those pupils at school and also to minimise disruption to class or teaching time for the pupils concerned, or for their peers, and with a view to developing their independent living skills.

SNAs are not allocated to individual children but to schools as a school based resource. The deployment of SNAs within schools is a matter for the individual Principal/Board of Management of the school. SNAs should be deployed by the school in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of the children enrolled in the school for whom SNA support has been allocated.

It is a matter for schools to allocate support as required, and on the basis of individual need, which allows schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.

In light of the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the introduction of the new Frontloaded Allocation Model for SNAs for students in mainstream classes in primary and post -primary schools is to be deferred for a further year to the beginning of the 2022/23 school year.

In order to minimise disruption for schools, in the current circumstances, and to provide for continuity of allocations the following arrangements for the allocation of Special Needs Assistants for mainstream classes for the 2021/22 school year:

Existing mainstream class SNA allocations in schools on 30 April 2021 will be maintained and will automatically rollover into the 2021/22 school year.

No school will therefore receive an allocation less than that which they had on 30 April 2021.

SNAs currently in mainstream settings can continue in post for the next school year in the normal way.

Priority consideration will now be given by the NCSE to applications for increased support for the 2021/22 school year, in particular, applications from schools with no SNAs and developing schools will be prioritised. Determinations will be made before 30 June. Other applications will be processed in order of date received.

As in previous years, where circumstances change during the course of the 2021/22 school year that materially increase the level of care need in a school to the extent that the school can clearly demonstrate that it cannot be met within the existing SNA allocation, the school may apply to the NCSE for a review. Detailed information on the NCSE exceptional review process is published on the NCSE website ncse.ie/for-schools.

The NCSE has published the SNA allocations on its website www.ncse.ie.

SNA allocations for special classes and special schools are not affected by this arrangement.

Since the commencement of the 2020/2021 school year schools do not apply for SNA access for individual students. School have maintained their previous school year’s mainstream SNA allocation. Where a school believes they have identified insufficient SNA support to respond to an increase in teh care needs profile of the school, they can apply for an exceptional review.

The SNA exceptional review considers the overall profile of needs in the school and is not specific to individual students. Students are no longer required to have a diagnosis or supporting clinical reports in order to access supports.

Decisions regarding the appropriate deployment of SNA supports are made by school management.

Circular 0029/2021 has been published and advises schools of the arrangements for the allocation of SNAs for the 2021/22 school year.

Provisions set out in Circular 0030/2020 has been extended for the 2021/22 school year.

Circulars 29/2021 and 30/2020 are available on the Gov.ie website. www.gov.ie/en/circulars/?organisation=department-of-education.

My Department does not have a role in making individual school determinations, accordingly your correspondence has been forwarded to the NCSE for direct reply.

Departmental Data

Ceisteanna (100)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

100. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education the criteria currently governing the retention of teachers at primary level; the number of schools which closed in each of the years 2017 to 2020 and to date in 2021 as a result of the loss of a teacher in tabular form; the corresponding counties in which such closures took place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57846/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Teacher allocations to all schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment on the previous 30 September, and are available on the Department website.

There have been a number of positive measures implemented to support small schools including an improvement of one point in the appointment threshold and a reduction in the number of students required to retain a teacher which was introduced for September 2021 in primary schools. The current staffing arrangements at primary operates on the basis of 1 teacher for every 25 pupils which has resulted in the lowest pupil teacher ratio ever at primary school

Budget 2022 further improved the staffing schedule by one point which will bring the staffing schedule to a new historical low of 1 teacher for every 24 pupils in September 2022.

This builds on measures in previous budgets which has seen improvements in the overall allocation of teaching posts and specific targeted measures for small and isolated schools as well as primary schools on our islands.

The decision making authority for a school closure belongs to the Patron of the school. Any proposal to close a school must involve consultation with all of the relevant stakeholders, parents, teachers, students and local communities and follow decisions taken at local level.

Of the 18 mainstream schools which closed from 2017 to date, 3 schools had a teaching post suppressed, due to falling enrolments, in the year of closure - one school in Co. Donegal in 2018 and two schools in Co. Mayo in 2019. The decision to close a school by a Patron can be varied depending on local conditions. The Department is not aware of a decision to close a school based on the loss of a teaching post.

In August I launched the Small Schools Clusters Action Research Project which is an innovative research project which aims to encourage small schools in a number of clusters to collaborate together and identify common challenges and trial innovative solutions. I hope the learning from this project will help inform the policy approach to supporting small schools.

School Admissions

Ceisteanna (101)

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

101. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education if the attention of her Department has been drawn to waiting lists for first year post-primary school places for the 2022-2023 school term in schools in Wexford Town; if an assurance can be provided that there are sufficient places for all children within the catchment area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57849/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Department is aware of some local pressures and demand for additional post-primary school places in a number of school planning areas across the country, including Wexford Town.

However, it is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:

Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area

School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area

Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school there are not available to all pupils

External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area

My Department is working to establish the true extent of any capacity issues through ongoing discussions with the relevant school authorities. In that context, similar to the process adopted in advance of the current academic year, the Department is engaging with school patron bodies to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming year 2022/23 which may necessitate action including, where required, the provision of modular accommodation solutions. This engagement with Patrons is ongoing and is focussed on ensuring that the start of the 2022/23 school year operates as smoothly as possible for all schools and their students.

As the Deputy will be aware, a building project to provide a new 1,000 pupil school with a Special Education Needs Base is being planned for Wexford town. The new school is part of a campus development and the architectural planning process to deliver the project has commenced.

School Transport

Ceisteanna (102)

Colm Burke

Ceist:

102. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education when school transport will be awarded to a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57851/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2020/21 school year over 114,100 children, including over 14,700 children with special educational needs, were 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 the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children with special educational needs arising from a diagnosed disability.

Under the terms of the Department’s School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, children are eligible for school transport where they have special educational needs arising from a diagnosed disability and are attending the nearest recognised school/class that is resourced to meet their special educational needs. Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers.

The child referred to by the Deputy is eligible for school transport under the terms of the above scheme and I am pleased to advise that an email has issued to the family offering the Special Transport Grant. School Transport is awaiting notification from the family if they wish to avail of the Special Transport Grant or are not in a position to avail of this grant. If the family is unable to avail of the Special Transport Grant, School Transport Section will establish a new transport service to cater for the pupil.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (103, 106, 107)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

103. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education if she will provide details of the antigen testing process for junior infant, senior infant, 1st and 2nd classes that do not operate in pods. [57867/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

106. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the steps she is taking to ensure that parents of school age children receive an antigen tests as rapidly as possible in the post. [57870/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

107. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education if a process of antigen testing is being rolled out in secondary schools; if antigen testing in secondary schools has been examined; and if not, the reason therefor. [57871/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 103, 106 and 107 together.

The Department of Health and the HSE, working in collaboration with the Department of Education announced last week a programme in which antigen tests will be made available to children in primary schools.

Parents and Guardians of a primary school child, who is a confirmed case of COVID-19 following a PCR test, will be asked to inform their school’s principal. The school principal will then inform the parents of other children in the pod of a confirmed case. No personal details of the child will be shared. These parents will be provided with the option to receive free antigen tests for their child, which they will be able to order for delivery to their home. These tests can be ordered from a helpline operated by the HSE. The tests will be sent to the children’s parents by the HSE.

It is important that parents inform principals quickly if a child receives a PCR ‘detected’ test for Covid-19. By doing this, the choice to participate in antigen testing can be offered to other parents quickly. It is important that everyone continues to follow all the public health advice in using this new programme

It is not mandatory for children to participate in antigen testing. Children who are in a pod where a child has tested positive for Covid-19 can continue to attend school, whether they participate in antigen testing or not. Where two or more confirmed cases of COVID-19 occur in a class, within a seven-day period, outside of a single pod, antigen testing will be offered to the full class. Pod size can vary depending on the class size and the infrastructure.

The programme will commence on or before 29 November.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (104)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

104. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the role the HSE and school specific public health teams will play in schools given the new announcements that place an onus on the principal to complete contact tracing. [57868/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The HSE’s Public Health teams will continue to provide support to schools should it be required and testing will remain available more broadly to children should it be required on public health or clinical grounds or following a Public Health Risk Assessment. The HSE’s Public Health teams continue to prioritise high-risk settings and vulnerable groups such as special schools and special classes.

In relation to the programme in which antigen tests will be made available to children in primary schools announced last week, school principals will not be required to gather evidence of participation or of any antigen test results. School principals on receiving confirmation from a parent of a confirmed case following a PCR test will notify other parents of children in a pod so that they can order antigen tests directly from the HSE. Where two or more confirmed cases of COVID-19 occur in a class, within a seven-day period, outside of a single pod, antigen testing will be offered to the full class.

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