Wednesday, 23 Feb 2022

Passport Services

Ceisteanna (131)

David Stanton

Ceist:

131. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when he expects a first-time passport will be issued for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10137/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs

With regard to the passport application about which the Deputy has enquired, the application is incomplete and a passport cannot be issued in this case. The application has now expired and has been cancelled. A refund of the passport fee will be made in due course.

The Passport Service has informed the parents of the applicant that the application has been cancelled and has outlined the full requirements for a new application should they choose to reapply for a passport for their child.

Passport Services

Ceisteanna (132, 136, 137)

David Stanton

Ceist:

132. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when he expects a first-time passport will be issued for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10138/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Michael Ring

Ceist:

136. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will issue for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in view of the fact that this person had submitted their application in ample time before their travel date but due to a systems error in the Passport Office they were not advised that there was an issue with their application. [10228/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

137. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if she will review on an application by a person (details supplied);; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10246/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 132, 136 and 137 together.

With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.

Passport Services

Ceisteanna (133)

David Stanton

Ceist:

133. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a first-time passport will be issued to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10140/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs

With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has provided an update on the status of the passport application to the applicant's parent.

Passport Services

Ceisteanna (134)

James Lawless

Ceist:

134. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10219/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs

With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has provided an update on the status of the passport application to the applicant's parent.

Passport Services

Ceisteanna (135)

Jennifer Whitmore

Ceist:

135. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10223/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs

With regard to the passport application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has contacted the applicant's parent directly and given them a status update on the application.

Question No. 136 answered with Question No. 132.

Question No. 137 answered with Question No. 132.

Undocumented Irish in the USA

Ceisteanna (138)

Pauline Tully

Ceist:

138. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the actions he has taken to raise the situation of the undocumented Irish with the new administration in the United States of America since it came to power; if he will consider appointing an Irish Government representative focussed on dealing with this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10290/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs

Providing ongoing support, along with finding long term solutions, to address the challenges faced by the undocumented Irish in the US, remains a key priority for this Government.

Immigration matters continue to be raised by senior members of the Government at every opportunity, and will be a key issue raised during the upcoming series of St Patrick's Day engagements, not least by the Taoiseach with President Biden.

I, and my Department, have continued to raise immigration issues and seek new immigration pathways, through active engagement at all levels with the US Administration and political leaders. I have raised the matter of our undocumented a number of times, including in high level meetings during my most recent visit to Washington, D.C. We continue to seek opportunities to deepen and strengthen our bilateral relationship with the US Administration and members of Congress on a bipartisan basis, including in support of US immigration reform, through our Embassy in Washington D.C., which acts as the Irish Government's representative in the US.

The Government also remains committed to providing support and annual funding to the US Coalition of Irish Immigration Centers through our Emigrant Support Programme. These facilities, in turn, provide support to Irish citizens, including the undocumented Irish in the US. In 2020, in response to the pandemic, a dedicated COVID-19 Response Fund for Irish Communities abroad was set up to help these organisations meet the needs of those who are particularly vulnerable. In 2021, over €4.2 million was paid to diaspora organisations in the US for emigrant support and Covid-19 related projects.

Consular Services

Ceisteanna (139)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

139. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if there is an honorary consul for the Ukraine in the State; and if not, if the Ukraine can have an honorary consul appointed to ensure that during the current crisis Ireland is prepared to meet the needs of the Irish-Ukrainians and Ukrainians living in Ireland and to ensure the optimum diplomatic and consular assistance required by the Ukrainian and Irish Ukrainian communities [10355/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs

Ukraine is represented in Ireland by a resident Embassy, headed by an Ambassador. The current Ambassador is H.E. Ms. Larysa Gerasko. Ukraine does not have honorary consular representation in Ireland.

Ireland is represented in Ukraine by a resident Embassy, headed by Ambassador Thérèse Healy.

Defence Forces

Ceisteanna (140)

Patricia Ryan

Ceist:

140. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Defence if the person who ordered the dumping and filling in of the hollow next to Donnelly's Hollow was identified during the recent mediation process; if so, if there have been any consequences for that person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10398/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

As the Deputy is aware, my Department engaged with Kildare County Council on this matter and agreed to enter into a confidential mediation process to map out an agreed way forward. The Deputy will appreciate that as this process is confidential to both parties, I am not in a position to comment on the nature of the deliberations leading to the agreed mediation outcome. I am pleased to advise the Deputy that a mediated agreement was reached. As a result of which and in accordance with the agreement, officials from my Department will liaise with Kildare County Council in the preparation and development of the required Environmental reports and agree on any follow up actions arising from same. An Environmental Consultancy Team has recently been appointed to commence this work and will provide their advices in due course.

State Examinations

Ceisteanna (141)

Neasa Hourigan

Ceist:

141. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Education her plans to allow students who are visually impaired to gain access to their leaving certificate examination via a digital paper; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10159/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.

In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.

School Transport

Ceisteanna (142)

Michael Moynihan

Ceist:

142. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Education if the rate of payment of the school transport grant will be reviewed to take consideration of the recent increase in fuel prices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10164/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the current school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 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 €289m in 2021.

Under the terms of my Department's Primary and Post-Primary School Transport Schemes children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 3.2kms at primary and 4.8 kms at post-primary from and are attending their nearest school/education centre as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. An eligible child for whom no transport service is available may, following an application and payment for transport within prescribed time limits, receive a Remote Area Grant towards the cost of private transport arrangements. This grant is also payable for eligible children who may have to travel 3.2 kms or more to or from a designated pick up/set down point.

The purpose of my Department's 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. In general, children with special educational needs are eligible for school transport if they are attending the nearest school 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. A Special Transport Grant towards the cost of private transport arrangements may be provided to families of eligible children in certain situations such as where Bus Éireann is not in a position to provide a transport service or where a child's age, behavioural difficulties or medical needs are such as to make the provision of a transport service impracticable;

There are no plans currently to increase the rate of payment for the Remote Area Grant or Special Transport Grant.

However, the Deputy may be aware that my Department commenced a review of the School Transport Scheme in February 2021. The review is being conducted with a view to examining the current scheme, its broader effectiveness and sustainability, and to ensure that it serves students and their families adequately.

Wider considerations relating to operation of the scheme are taking place in the current phase of the review which is now underway. The Steering Group will continue to report to me on an interim basis as the review progresses, with a view to presenting a final report with recommendations on the future operation of the Department’s School Transport Scheme.

Site Acquisitions

Ceisteanna (143)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Ceist:

143. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the progress made in the provision of a permanent site within the catchment area for a school (details supplied). [10169/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

My Department is currently engaging with City of Dublin ETB (CDETB) in respect of property matters generally. As part of these discussions, it has been proposed that the school in question will be permanently located at Killester College of Further Education. This engagement with CDETB is ongoing and my Department will confirm the position to the school patron as soon as possible.

Public Sector Pensions

Ceisteanna (144)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

144. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the reason that female clerical workers in school settings are not permitted access to the spouses’ and children’s pension scheme; and if the scheme will be amended to allow female clerical workers to take part in this scheme. [10175/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

The Comprehensive and Community Schools Widows’ and Children’s Contributory Pension scheme 1981 commenced with effect from 1st April 1982. At that time membership was limited to male members of the Contributory Pension scheme for full-time non-teaching employees serving on the staff of Community and Comprehensive schools.

While the terms of this scheme have not been updated to provide for the admission of female members they are permitted access to the scheme on the same basis as their male colleagues.

Queries in relation to access to the scheme can be forwarded to my Department by email at sdfinfo@education.gov.ie.

School Enrolments

Ceisteanna (145)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

145. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which her Department is currently engaged with various school authorities in a school (details supplied) with a view to adding an urgently required stream of school places for the forthcoming academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10181/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has no current record of receiving an application for additional accommodation from the school in question.

My Department's capital investment programme provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms for existing schools where an immediate enrolment need has been identified.The purpose of the ASA scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom and Special Education Needs (SEN) accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled in a primary or post primary schools. It is open to the school authority in question to make an application under my Department's Additional School Accommodation Scheme, information relating to same is available on www.education.ie.

The school received approval in 2019 to change their current status of boys-only to fully vertical co-educational. The question of enrolment in individual schools is the responsibility of the Board of Management on behalf of the school Patron and my Department does not seek to intervene in decisions made by schools in such matters with the exception of new schools established since 2011 to meet demographic demand which are required, in the first instance, to prioritise pupil applications from within the designated school planning area(s) which the school was established to serve.

My Department will shortly be engaging further with patron bodies in advance of identifying specific September 2022 capacity pressure point priorities which will necessitate specific action.

Departmental Data

Ceisteanna (146)

Chris Andrews

Ceist:

146. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Education the number of children in secondary level education in Dublin 1, 2, 4, 6 and Dublin 6W in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10202/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

Please find attached requested information

Academic Year	Post Code	Enrolment in Post-Primary Schools
2020-2021	D1	1953
2020-2021	D2	1223
2020-2021	D4	2561
2020-2021	D6	3661
2020-2021	D6W	3443
	Total	12841

Note: Figures are taken from the Post-Primary Online Database and are for those pupils enrolled in schools located in Dublin 1, 2, 4, 6 & 6W for the academic year 2020-2021, the last year we have final enrolment figures for

School Discipline

Ceisteanna (147)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

147. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education when the parents of student (details supplied) can expect the results of their appeal to her Department under section 29 of the Education Act 1998. [10272/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

In accordance with the Procedures for hearing and determining appeals under section 29 (1) (c) (i) of the Education Act, 1998, where possible, section 29 appeals will be examined within 21 calendar days from the date of receipt of the fully completed appeal application by the Section 29 Appeals Administration Unit.

All documentation for this appeal was received from the applicant on 8th February 2022. Documentation is also sought from the school prior to the hearing taking place.

The outcome of the appeal , which operates independently from my Department ,will issue to both parties to the appeal as soon as possible once the Appeals Committee make a determination on the appeal of the Applicant

School Facilities

Ceisteanna (148)

Gerald Nash

Ceist:

148. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education the provision that is being made for playing pitches, basketball courts and other outdoor sports facilities for students at a school (details supplied) in advance of the development of the permanent school facility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10282/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

The planning application for the next phase of interim accommodation for the school referred to by the Deputy was submitted to the Local Authority on 15th December, 2022. Included as part of this phase is a hard play area i.e. basketball court. It is not proposed nor is it included in the planning application already submitted to provide any other amenity facilities as outlined by the Deputy given the complexities of this site.

Teaching Qualifications

Ceisteanna (149)

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

149. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education if she will establish an expert review group to examine the minimum essential qualification for special needs assistants and issue recommendations; if a commitment will be given to implement the expert review group recommendations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10330/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Education

Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) play a huge role in helping to ensure the inclusion of pupils with significant care needs in education and in school life. This was acknowledged in the Comprehensive Review of the Special Needs Assistant Scheme (SNAs) published by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) in 2018.

The Review made a number of recommendations regarding SNAs including the training needs of SNAs. In this regard, the NCSE recommended that a new national training programme at Level 5 of the National Qualification Framework be developed for existing SNAs who do not have the requisite level of training and for new SNAs on appointment. The NCSE also recommended that training tailored to the complex needs of some students would also be provided.

The policy advice has been considered by my Department. It was decided that priority would be given to the development of a training programme for SNAs who may not have had a recent opportunity to access a training programme tailored to their role.

The first national training programme for SNAs is now in place and it aims to enhance the knowledge, skills and expertise of SNAs whose work is central to the inclusion of students with additional care and complex needs in school life. The programme is fully funded by my Department and delivered at no cost to the SNA.

As this is the first programme, it is appropriate to take the time to review outcomes and this will inform the future approach to ongoing training and professional development of SNAs. Part of that consideration will include accreditation.

Raising the minimum qualification for appointment as a special needs assistant has been raised by the FORSA union and has been referred to the Workplace Relations Commission. My Department is engaging in that process.

The recruitment and appointment of Special Needs Assistants is a matter for each individual school authority. In addition, the actual requirements for a post will vary depending on the specific needs of the children and the school to which the SNA is to be appointed. My Department does not believe that the existing minimum qualifications has impacted on the calibre of person appointed and it is also the case that people with experience and/or higher qualifications than the minimum are often the successful candidate in competitions held by schools.

However, having considered the claim and, in particular, the period of time since they were set, my Department is open to reviewing the position. My Department has also agreed to a review of the SNA contract which was agreed as part of the Building Momentum national pay agreement. My Department is of the view that the forthcoming review of the SNA contract should be carried out and implemented first.

I am satisfied that the approach outlined fully recognises the important place of SNAs in our schools. The forthcoming review of the SNA contract along with the new training programme for SNAs that is now in place will help to enhance the experience of children with special needs in our schools.

Teaching Qualifications

Ceisteanna (150)

Pauline Tully

Ceist:

150. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education if she will commit to the immediate establishment of an expert review group prior to forthcoming review of the SNA contract to examine the minimum essential qualification for a special needs assistant and issue recommendations; if she will subsequently commit to implementing the expert group recommendations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10356/22]