Tuesday, 26 Apr 2022

Written Answers Nos. 799-822

Departmental Staff

Ceisteanna (799)

Marc MacSharry

Ceist:

799. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide the details of the name, salary, position and roles of persons who are being paid for by his Department for secondment to another public, private or semi-private entity in tabular form following the announcement that the salary of a person (details supplied) being seconded to Trinity College, Dublin will be paid by the Department of Health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19544/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

There are a small number of employees on secondment from my Department currently.  However, they are not being paid for by my Department.  In the main, the salary is being paid directly by the new employer.  In any case where that is not the situation, the new employer is invoiced and the cost recouped.

Apprenticeship Programmes

Ceisteanna (800)

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

800. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Defence if his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit run apprenticeship programmes or are directly engaged in the training of apprentices; if so, the number of apprentices involved; the specialties in which they are being trained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19580/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

The military authorities advise that Air Corps aircraft technician apprenticeships are provided for new entrants to the Defence Forces and these apprenticeships entail both ‘on the job’ training and formal education. The 4 year apprenticeship is the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Part 66 Programme and leads to the award of Category B qualifications in fixed wing, rotary wing or avionics aircraft maintenance technician.

There are currently 4 Air Corps aircraft apprentice classes, comprised of a total of 66 apprentices who will complete their training between June 2022 and June 2025. 

The 2022 competition for Air Corps apprentice aircraft technicians ran from the 14 February to the 15 April 2022. 

My Department is represented on the  Public Service Apprenticeship Working Group, led by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, and will continue to engage with the Apprenticeship Action Plan 2021-2025.

Departmental Staff

Ceisteanna (801)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

801. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Defence the number of persons employed by his Department and bodies under the aegis of his Department with a rate of pay below the living wage of €12.30; the role that those persons occupy within his Department or relevant body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19624/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

My Department employs civil servants and also, civilian employees attached to military installations.  Thirty two civil servants and 20 civilian staff, all on an incremental pay scale, are currently employed in my Department on a salary below that specified by the Deputy.

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) has overall responsibility for public service pay policy throughout the public sector and the rates applied in my Department are in line with those agreed centrally and with those being paid to equivalent grades in other Government Departments.

The Army Pensions Board, which is an independent statutory body established under the Army Pensions Act 1927, is the only body under the aegis of my Department and its secretariat is provided from within my Department's staff and paid according to their civil service grade. 

Departmental Staff

Ceisteanna (802)

Sorca Clarke

Ceist:

802. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Defence the salaries and expenses paid to advisers, Ministers and-or Ministers of State in his Department in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [19742/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

Since my appointment as Minister for Defence in June 2020, I have appointed two special advisers.  Both are appointed as advisers to me as Minister for Defence and also as Minister for Foreign Affairs.  They are employees of the Department of Foreign Affairs and as such, their salary and expenses are administered by that Department, as is my own salary. 

No expenses have been paid to me from the Department of Defence Vote to date, but a small number of claims relating to expenses incurred as Minister for Defence are currently being processed.

Departmental Staff

Ceisteanna (803)

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

803. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline all of the secondment arrangements within his Department; the conditions related to such secondments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19864/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

There is currently a total of fourteen secondment arrangements within my Department.

Five staff are currently seconded out of my Department. The salary for the majority of secondees out is paid directly by the new employer. In any case where that is not the situation, the new employer is invoiced and the cost recouped.

Nine staff are currently temporarily seconded into my Department. In the main, these secondees are paid directly by my Department.  Again, where this is not the situation, my Department is invoiced and the cost is recouped.

Departmental Staff

Ceisteanna (804)

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

804. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Defence if his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit facilitate internships by students engaged in full-time or part-time further and higher education courses; if so, the number of interns his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit accept annually; if any or all of these interns receive remuneration of any kind; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20002/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

My Department is not currently facilitating internships for students engaged in full or part-time further and higher education courses.  The only State body under the aegis of my Department is the Army Pensions Board and the only staff post is the secretary to the Board, which is provided from the staff of the Department.  

Departmental Staff

Ceisteanna (805)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

805. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Defence the number of persons currently employed in his Department who have been seconded in from the public sector; the number of departmental officials seconded where the moneys are recouped from the body the person is seconded to or where the Department pays for the person with no recoupment from the other organisation, and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20057/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

There is one person currently employed in my Department who has been seconded in from the public sector. The monies for the person's salary are recouped by the public sector organisation concerned on a quarterly basis.

There are currently no staff seconded out of my Department to the public sector.

Energy Usage

Ceisteanna (806)

Neasa Hourigan

Ceist:

806. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Defence the special measures his Department is taking to reduce energy usage in the scenario in which members of the public are being asked to do the same. [20291/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

In 2009 the government set a national target to improve energy efficiency by 20% by 2020. It set the public sector the more challenging target of improving its own energy efficiency by 33%. The Department of Defence met this target through several energy saving initiatives such as changing all lights inside and outside our buildings from halogen to light emitting diode (LED), installing passive infrared sensor motion detectors (PIR) on lighting throughout or buildings and switching away from kerosene oil for heating.

The Department is a member of OPW-Energy, participating in their state-wide staff energy conservation campaign titled Energy Optimising Power @ Work. The core principle of this campaign is to encourage staff behavioural change with regard to energy usage. The overall aim is to identify and eliminate energy wastage. 

The Department established a Green Team. Staff members from different branches of the Department work together to ensure staff are reminded to power off office equipment such as monitors and PC’s at the end of each day. 

The Department's Facilities Management Team monitor and update our Building Management System (BMS) daily and ensure that the heating is powered off for weekends and public holidays.

The Climate Action Plan 2021 provides a detailed plan for taking decisive action to achieve a 51% reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and setting us on a path to reach net-zero emissions by no later than 2050, as committed to in the Programme for Government and set out in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021.

The Department will continue to follow the Climate Action Plan 2021 in particular section 9 - Public Sector Leading by Example - as we work towards 51% reduction in overall greenhouse gases by 2030.

Departmental Funding

Ceisteanna (807)

Michael Ring

Ceist:

807. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Defence if funding (details supplied) that has been allocated has been drawn down and spent; if there has been a follow-up or appraisal of the funding given under the various programmes or headings; if any of the allocated funding has been recouped or unspent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20391/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

Vote 36 Defence is managed through a single programme with all operational outputs delivered from a single set of forces encompassing the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service. Expenditure by my Department is mainly on pay and allowances, operational costs and capital investment across the Defence Forces. My Department does not provide funding on a geographic basis, with the limited exception of the funding provided from the Defence Vote in respect of Civil Defence.

Civil Defence operations at local level are carried out under the control of the relevant local authority. Funding for Civil Defence operations is shared on a 70/30 basis between my Department and local authorities by way of an annual operational grant to each authority.  The grant covers all allowable administration and running costs for Civil Defence in each local authority. Other grants are also issued to local authorities from time to time towards the purchase of vehicles and equipment for Civil Defence use.

Details of grant funding provided to Mayo County Council for Civil Defence for the period in question is outlined in the table below.

Mayo County Council	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022   (YTD)
Annual Operational Grant for Civil Defence	€85,679	€90,259	€89,886	€90,365	€69,089	-
Other Grants	€25,500	€3,601	€31,991	€40,623	€26,000	-

My Department has appropriate levels of internal financial and risk assessment processes in place to monitor and control all aspects of this expenditure.  

Defence Forces

Ceisteanna (808)

Michael Ring

Ceist:

808. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Defence the reason that services have been restricted (details supplied); the efforts that are being made to improve these services to allow meaningful communications with home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20436/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

The 65th Infantry Group, comprising approximately 138 personnel, deployed to the United Nations Disengagement Observer  Force (UNDOF) on the Golan Heights earlier this month for a six month tour of duty. The Group is based in Camp Faouar on the Syrian side of the area of separation.

As a result of an increase in the cost of fuel and energy consumption in the UNDOF mission, the UNDOF Force Commander introduced a number of measures aimed at conserving fuel and energy. These included turning off electrical power in Camp Faouar for approximately four hours each night. Troops from nine Troop Contributing Nations, including Ireland, live and work in Camp Faouar and were all affected by this cost saving measure.

In view of the importance of troops being able to maintain regular contact with home and the vital role that families play in supporting personnel serving overseas serving and the contribution that they play in the success of the mission, representations were made, including by the Officer Commanding the 65th Infantry Group, to minimise the disruption for Irish personnel in so far as possible..

I am pleased to say that last week the UN confirmed that the decision to cut off electrical power for a number of hours every night has now been reversed and full internet services have therefore now been restored.

Defence Forces

Ceisteanna (809)

Matt Shanahan

Ceist:

809. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Defence his Department’s latest resource plans across the Irish Defence Forces given the crisis in Ukraine and Ireland’s well stated military deficiencies in terms of home Island defence; the actions that have been agreed to in the interim and prior to any delays in awaiting recommendations from pending Defence Forces Commission recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20454/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

Ireland's defence policy is set out in the White Paper on Defence (2015) and the White Paper Update (2019).  Both the White Paper and the White Paper Update were based on security environment assessments carried out by interdepartmental groups.   

The White Paper set out an ambitious programme of capital investment for the Naval Service, including the mid-life refit and upgrade of the P50 class of vessels, and the replacement of the flagship LÉ Eithne with a multi-role vessel (MRV).  The MRV, is an important element of the Defence Equipment Development Plan and is provided for in the Government's National Development Plan as a major capital project. It is the Government’s intention that this new vessel will provide a flexible and adaptive capability for a wide range of maritime tasks.   

The White Paper, in addressing Air Corps capability, provided for the replacement of the Cessnas and Casa 235 fleets.  The Cessnas have now been replaced by three Pilatus PC-12 aircraft in the Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) role providing a substantially increased capability with their state of the art surveillance technology.   A further Pilatus PC-12 was also procured arising from the demands of Covid.  A contract for the supply of two C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft to replace the two Casa 235s was signed with Airbus in 2019, with delivery of the aircraft expected in 2023.  These C295s are larger and more capable aircraft than those they replace and will enable the Air Corps to conduct maritime patrols and surveillance across Ireland's area of maritime interest, with enhanced capabilities.

Equipment projects for the Army include the midlife upgrade of the Army's fleet of 80 Mowag Piranha III armoured personnel carrier vehicles which is well underway as well as the completion of the delivery of an additional 30 Armoured Utility Vehicles. The Army's softskin fleet continues to be updated also with over 220 vehicles due for delivery in 2022.  

The Department of Defence has received a capital allocation under the National Development Plan of €566m over the 2022-2025 timeframe. Within that capital allocation the Defence annual capital budget for 2022 is €141m. This will enable continued investment in defence equipment, including major platforms, and barracks infrastructure. 

The report of the Commission on the Defence Forces and the current events in Ukraine are prompting an open debate and consideration of our defence requirements.  I fully accept there is an ongoing requirement to consider whether the capabilities we maintain are appropriate, having regard to the security environment, the roles that we wish the Defence Forces to undertake, and likely risks.   

The report of the Commission on the Defence Forces was published on the 9th February 2022.  The Commission's terms of reference included the consideration of appropriate capabilities, structures and staffing for the Army, the Air Corps and the Naval Service.  The Commission's report is being fully considered, in consultation with Ministerial colleagues and other stakeholders.   The intent is to revert to Government with a proposed response and a high-level action plan in advance of the summer recess. 

The establishment of an independent Commission on the Defence Forces underpins the Government's commitment to ensuring that the Defence Forces are fit for purpose, both in terms of meeting immediate requirements and also in terms of seeking to develop a longer term vision beyond 2030.

The Deputy will note the strong emphasis by the EU on diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the current situation in Ukraine.  Ireland strongly supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, a position I have repeatedly reaffirmed at UN Security Council meetings on Ukraine and in EU meetings.  

The Government remains resolute in its solidarity and support for Ukraine, and reiterates the call on Russia to cease all hostilities immediately and to withdraw from Ukraine unconditionally. Ireland is providing €20 million in humanitarian assistance to the UN and the Red Cross to deliver life-saving humanitarian assistance in Ukraine and in neighbouring countries.

Departmental Staff

Ceisteanna (810)

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

810. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Defence the number of staff within his Department who availed of a secondment from January 2019 to date on the basis that it was not the intention of the staff member to return to his or her position within the Department. [20637/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

My Department has not seconded in any staff in the period from January 2019 to date on the basis that it was not the intention of the staff member to return to their position within my Department. 

Defence Forces

Ceisteanna (811)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

811. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Defence if he will list the Defence Forces munitions and other military equipment which has reached or will reach within the next five years the end of its effective use date; the procurement plan to replace all such equipment and munitions; the disposal plan for out of effective use munitions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20722/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government, as set out in the White Paper on Defence.  Equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are being considered in the context of the lifetime of the White Paper on Defence as part of the capability development and Equipment Development Planning (EDP) process. Further additions to the Equipment Development Plan are currently under consideration.

The Department of Defence has received a capital allocation under the National Development Plan of €566m over the 2022-2025 timeframe. Within that capital allocation the Defence annual capital budget for 2022 is €141m. Over recent years the capital budget has also been augmented through the reallocation of pay savings.

Details regarding the quantity and condition of Defence Forces munitions are not released for operational security reasons.

Regarding disposals, it is Defence Forces policy to obtain best value (both economic and user related) from munitions by the live firing of same for training and overseas mission preparation exercises.

With regard to replacement programmes, there are a number of defensive equipment acquisition and upgrade projects for which there will be capital expenditure in the coming years. These include the midlife upgrade of the Army's fleet of 80 Mowag Piranha III armoured personnel carrier vehicles which is well underway as well as the delivery of an additional 30 Armoured Utility Vehicles. The Army's softskin fleet continues to be updated also with over 220 vehicles due for delivery in 2022.    

In relation to air-based capability, the programme for the supply of two C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft is well underway with delivery of the aircraft expected in 2023. Alongside the recently acquired PC-12 aircraft some €276 million, including VAT, has been committed to the acquisition of all of these enhanced capabilities.  

With regard to the Naval Service, the programme of works for the midlife refit and upgrade of LÉ Róisín has been completed, while works have commenced on LÉ Niamh. The replacement of the flagship LÉ Eithne with a multi-role vessel, MRV, is an important element of the EDP. Marine Advisors have been appointed to support the procurement of the MRV. The replacement of other vessels is also under consideration.

An independent Commission on the Defence Forces was established in December 2020. The work of the Commission encompassed the consideration of appropriate military equipment capabilities, structures and staffing, and their report is currently being considered. 

Commemorative Medals

Ceisteanna (812)

Emer Higgins

Ceist:

812. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Defence the status of the provision of 100-year commemorative medals for serving personnel to commemorate the founding of the State. [21048/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

Military medals are awarded to members of the Defence Forces in line with Defence Force Regulation (DFR) A9, which sets out the qualifying criteria, delineates the procedures required for the awarding of Defence Forces Medals and sets out the various types of medal awards.

Óglaigh na hÉireann hold that its origins lie in the Irish Volunteers founded in November 1913, running forward through to the 1916 Rising, the 1919-1921 War of Independence, and the Civil War, therefore, Óglaigh na hÉireann precedes the founding of the State.

As the Deputy will be aware, the 1916 Centenary Commemorative Medal was awarded to circa. 13,200 members of Óglaigh na hÉireann who served in 2016 to celebrate and commemorate the Centenary year. The medal serves to honour the legacy of continuous service by Óglaigh na hÉireann to the State since its foundation.

Currently there are no plans to amend DFR A9 in relation to the introduction of new medals and the question of issuing a medal to Defence Forces personnel to commemorate the founding of the State is not under consideration at this point in time.

Data Protection

Ceisteanna (813)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

813. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Defence if a piece of surveillance technology (details supplied) is being used by his Department or any agencies under his remit in view of the fact that there are security and privacy concerns associated with the use of same; the data protection policies on the use of artificial intelligence with respect to instances in which this technology is being used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21230/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

I wish to highlight to you that my response to the above PQ contained a typographical error. The response set out mistakenly that one of the Department’s offices was located in Oranmore, Galway when the correct location is Renmore, Galway. Therefore in the reply, the word “Oranmore” should be deleted and replaced with the word “Renmore”. My Office will request the Questions’ Office to amend the record.

School Transport

Ceisteanna (814)

Cathal Crowe

Ceist:

814. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if her Department will consider changing the rules surrounding the issuing of school bus contracts to persons over 70 years of age in view of the recent change to the medical requirements for driving licences from 70 to 75 years of age. [21069/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. 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.

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.

While over 90% of services are contracted locally, Bus Éireann apply stringent assessments of each individual driver on 7,000 school routes.  This includes vetting and background checks.

It is Bus Éireann company policy that normal retirement age for all Bus Éireann staff is currently 66 years.  However Bus Éireann part-time School Bus Drivers and drivers nominated by private operators who operate service as part of the School Transport Scheme may continue to perform in the role provided they hold the requisite licence and satisfy an annual medical examination until they retire at age 70.  This policy and criteria is applied to all drivers who provide school transport services on behalf of Bus Éireann equally. 

Teacher Training

Ceisteanna (815)

Michael Lowry

Ceist:

815. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if dyslexia and literacy assessment training will become mandatory for persons studying a professional master of education, primary teaching; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19242/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

Céim – Standards for Initial Teacher Education (ITE)  was published by the Teaching Council in November 2020.  Céim sets out the requirements that all ITE programmes in Ireland must meet in order to gain accreditation from the Teaching Council.  It is also a benchmark for anybody seeking to register as a teacher in Ireland.  The review by the Teaching Council of 68 existing programmes in 14 providers in accordance with the Céim standards commenced in November 2021 and will continue into 2023.

As part of the review, the previous sixteen mandatory elements for all programmes of ITE have been updated and amalgamated into seven core elements, one of which is: Inclusive Education.

Inclusive Education is described as ‘any aspect of teachers’ learning aimed at improving their capacity to address and respond to the diversity of learners’ needs; to enable their participation in learning; and remove barriers to education through the accommodation and provision of appropriate structures and arrangements to enable each learner to achieve the maximum benefit from his /her attendance at school’. Furthermore, the standards reference that ‘the Teaching Council’s view of a truly inclusive approach to professional practice recognises that teachers encounter a diverse range of needs in the course of their teaching, regardless of setting. This will include additional learning needs (e.g. autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia) and learning needs associated with diverse linguistic, socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic (including Traveller community, Roma) backgrounds.’

State Examinations

Ceisteanna (816)

James Lawless

Ceist:

816. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Education if she will examine the decision regarding an application for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19248/22]

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 question to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you. 

Special Educational Needs

Ceisteanna (817)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

817. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education if she will address a matter regarding the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19253/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Education

Special schools funded by my Department are classified as primary national schools and are intended, in accordance with the provisions of Rule 64(1) of the Rules for National Schools, to cater for children and young persons with special educational needs from the age of 4 years until the end of the school year in which they reach their 18th year.

Special schools may however seek approval from my Department for an exemption from Rule 64(1) in respect of students over the age of 18 who are pursuing courses leading to accreditation on the National Qualifications Framework (e.g. Junior Certificate/LCA/FETAC 3).

A request for an exemption from Rule 64(1) can only be made by a school where:

1. The student is pursuing a course leading to accreditation on the National Qualifications Framework (e.g. Junior Certificate/Leaving Certificate Applied/FETAC 3) 

2. The student requires one additional year in order to complete their course

3. Retaining the student in the school for another school year will not prevent a younger pupil being enrolled there

4. Plans are in place to transition the student to a post-school setting at the end of the 2022/2023 school year

Special schools are invited each year to make applications for exemptions from Rule 64(1) in respect of pupils who meet the above criteria. 

Where the criteria are met, my Department will approve the exemptions.  

School Accommodation

Ceisteanna (818)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

818. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education if modular-built classrooms can be funded under capital funding. [19266/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

The provision of modular accommodation is funded through my Departments capital allocation. This Accommodation has the potential to reduce, replace or add to the scope of projects which have been identified as necessary for schools with immediate and future accommodation needs. 

Modular Accommodation are for long-term use pending delivery of a permanent accommodation solution and have the capacity to be moved to another location following delivery of the permanent buildings. This approach provides benefits in terms of delivery timelines and minimises the impact of the project on the operation of the school.  From a climate perspective, modular accommodation has the added benefit of utilising decarbonised heating sources which should also help with the school’s energy costs.

State Examinations

Ceisteanna (819)

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

Ceist:

819. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Education the steps that have been made to accommodate resit of exams for students who have epileptic seizures on the day of a leaving certificate examination; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19267/22]

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 question to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you. 

Special Educational Needs

Ceisteanna (820)

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

Ceist:

820. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Education when she will bring forward the memorandum to advance the School Inclusion Model to Cabinet; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19268/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Education

The School Inclusion Model (SIM) is based on policy advice from the National Council for Special Education based on the principle of providing the right support at the right time delivered by a range of personnel with relevant qualifications and skill-sets.  Its purpose is to help students achieve better outcomes. Independent evaluation is a central part of the project and the outcome will inform future policy on extending the SIM.  The project includes a number of elements:

- Provision of in-school therapies (speech and language, occupational)

- Allocation of SNAs on a frontloaded basis

- Additional professional supports for the school including psychology, behavioural and professional development

- Training of SNAs

In February 2019, the Government approved the trialing of the Model for the 2019/20 school year. Initially designed as a one year pilot involving up to 75 participating schools in the CHO 7 region, it was interrupted by Covid-19 with the closure of schools and the diversion of HSE therapists from the project to Covid related work. It was then extended to the 2020/21 school year which was also interrupted by Covid.  

Progress has been made on aspects of the Model but much remains to be done in terms of in-school implementation and evaluation.  

The Pilot has recommenced in November 2021 in CHO7 and planning for an expansion is underway at present.

My Department is consulting with relevant Departments including Taoiseach, Heath and Children and a Memorandum is expected to be brought to Government shortly.

Oideachas trí Ghaeilge

Ceisteanna (821)

Gary Gannon

Ceist:

821. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Gary Gannon den Aire Oideachais cé na pleananna atá aici Gaelcholáiste dara leibhéal a sholáthar i gceantar (sonraí tugtha) i gContae Bhaile Átha Cliath; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [19280/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

Mar chuid den Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge, 2010-2030, tá mo Roinn tiomanta do dheiseanna a chur ar fáil chun cur le hoideachas trí mheán na Gaeilge lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht i gcomhthéacs na bhfógraí ó mhí Aibreáin 2018 maidir le 47 scoil nua a bhunú ó 2019, a tharraingíonn aird ar leith ar bhunú Gaelscoileanna, Gaelcholáistí, agus Aonaid Lán-Ghaeilge mar chuid den phróiseas pátrúnachta do scoileanna nua.

Bunaíonn an Roinn scoileanna nua bunaithe ar an éileamh déimeagrafach aitheanta i gceantar, agus i ndiaidh chumas na scoileanna atá ann cheana glacadh leis an éileamh a cheaptar a bheidh ann d’áiteanna scoile a mheas.

D’fhonn pleanáil a dhéanamh maidir le soláthar scoileanna  agus anailís a dhéanamh ar na sonraí déimeagrafacha ábhartha, déanann mo Roinn an tír a roinnt i 314 limistéar pleanála scoile agus baineann sí úsáid as Córas Faisnéise Geografaí, ag baint úsáid as sonraí as réimse foinsí, lena n-áirítear Sochar Linbh agus sonraí rollaithe scoile, chun na háiteanna ina mbeidh brú d’áiteanna scoile ar fud na tíre agus na háiteanna ina bhfuil gá le cóiríocht scoile ar leibhéal bunscoile agus iar-bhunscoile a aithint.

D’fhéadfadh forbraíochtaí cónaithe móra nua i limistéar pleanála scoile an t-éileamh atá sa cheantar sin a athrú. Maidir leis sin, mar chuid de na bearta déimeagrafacha, déanann an Roinn teagmháil leis na húdaráis áitiúla ar fad chun faisnéis cothrom le dáta a fháil ar fhorbairt chónaithe shuntasach nua i ngach ceantar. 

Ina theannta sin, téann an Roinn i gcomhairle le forais phátrúnachta scoile d’fhonn ceantair ina bhfuil brú ar rolluithe a aithint.

Nuair a léiríonn sonraí déimeagrafacha go bhfuil soláthar breise ag teastáil, bíonn soláthar breise dá leithéid a sheachadadh ag brath ar chúinsí ar leith gach cáis agus d’fhéadfaí é a chur ar fáil trí:

- Acmhainn nach bhfuil in úsáid laistigh de scoil nó de scoileanna a úsáid,

- Cuir le hacmhainn scoile nó scoileanna,

- Scoil nó scoileanna nua a sholáthar.

Reáchtáiltear próiseas pátrúnachta nuair atá cinneadh déanta, bunaithe ar anailís dhéimeagrafach, go bhfuil gá le scoil nua. Tá an próiseas pátrúnachta oscailte do gach foras pátrúnachta agus do phátrúin ionchasacha. Rinneadh an Córas um Phróiseas Pátrúnachta ar Líne (CPPL) a fhorbairt chun eolas oibiachtúil a chur ar fáil do thuismitheoirí a chuirfidh ar a gcumas rogha eolach a dhéanamh maidir leis an tsamhail phátrúnachta is fearr leo chomh maith le teanga theagaisc, i.e. Gaeilge nó Béarla, scoileanna nua. Tá roghanna tuismitheoirí, chomh maith le ceisteanna eile amhail an méid éagsúlachta sa soláthar i gceantar (lena n-áirítear soláthar trí mheán na Gaeilge) lárnach sa phróiseas cinnteoireachta agus cé acu a mbeadh scoil ag leibhéal iar-bhunscoile i bhfoirm Gaelcholáiste ag feidhmiú trí mheán na Gaeilge nó más trí mheán an Bhéarla a bheidh sí ag feidhmiú, an mbeadh aonad trí mheán na Gaeilge nó “Aonad” san áireamh ann.

Ní mór don chuid is mó d’iar-bhunscoileanna nua a bheith ábalta 600 – 1,000 scoláire a rollú.  D’fhéadfadh tairseach níos ísle 400 scoláire a bheith i gceist le Gaelcholáistí, ag féachaint don rogha eile Aonad a bhunú laistigh de scoil.

Maidir leis an gceantar a ndearna an Teachta tagairt dó, bunaíodh Gaelcholáiste nua - Gaelcholáiste Ghlór na Mara - i gceantar Bhaile Brigín sa bhliain 2014 chun acmhainn bhreise a chur ar fáil chun freastal ar cheantar Bhaile Átha Cliath Thuaidh agus ar an éileamh ar oideachas trí mheán na Gaeilge ag an dara leibhéal. Chomh maith leis sin, tá tionscadal tógála ar bun chun áiteanna breise a chur ar fáil i nGaelscholáiste Reachrainn i nDomhnach Míde. Táthar ag súil go mbeidh áiteanna scoile leordhóthanacha sna scoileanna sin chun freastal ar leibhéal an éilimh sa cheantar faoi láthair agus déanfar athbhreithniú rialta ar chúrsaí.

School Accommodation

Ceisteanna (822)

Alan Dillon

Ceist:

822. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education if she will provide details under the additional accommodation scheme for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19288/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

The school to which the Deputy refers was approved funding under the Additional Accommodation Scheme to enable it to build 2 SET Rooms. 

A Stage 2B submission was received in my Department in October 2021. A query was issued to the school requesting compliance with DAC and Building Control Regulations. No response or updated Stage 2B report has been submitted since. The responsibility lies with the school authority to progress the project in this regard.