Written Answers Nos. 89-110
89. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has received a progress update on the implementation of the blue green cities' initiative in the southern region; and his views on the matter, particularly in relation to progress in the Cork city area. [53756/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not have any function in relation to the Blue Green City project. The initiative is a matter for the Southern Regional Assembly who is the Irish partner on this InterReg Europe project.
Further information in relation to the initiative is available at: www.southernassembly.ie/eu-projects/blue-green-city.
90. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the process to apply for and avail of Departmental funding for a proposed community housing project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53758/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe main sources of funding provided by my Department to Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) for the provision of social housing, including community housing projects, are made through the Capital Advance Leasing Facility Scheme or the Capital Assistance Scheme. Applications by AHBs for funding under these programmes should, in the first instance, be made through the relevant Local Authority which, if supportive of the project, will forward the funding request to my Department for consideration and approval, if appropriate.
However, I note that neither my Department nor the relevant Local Authority have received any application regarding the proposal in question.
91. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is satisfied that local authority county and city development plans are being prepared or amended to take account of the population increases in the 2022 Census of population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53782/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Planning Framework (NPF) published in 2018 is the overall spatial planning and development strategy for Ireland. The NPF, together with the National Development Plan 2021, combine to form Project Ireland 2040 the overarching policy and planning framework for the social, economic and cultural development of Ireland.
The NPF strategy was incorporated into the associated Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies (RSESs) of the Regional Assemblies in 2019 and 2020. The subsequent review of individual city and county development plans to align with the NPF is ongoing by the local authorities, the majority of which will be adopted by the end of 2023. When completed, it will be the first time that there has been an integrated hierarchy of statutory spatial plans in Ireland.
While it is necessary to be cognisant of the emerging population information from Census 2022, it is also important to examine such information critically and in light of the wider planning policy and housing development framework that is in place.
Planning authorities must determine the required housing supply for their administrative area in their statutory development plan process and ensure it is consistent with wider national and regional housing objectives. This approach is set out in Planning Guidelines issued under S.28 of the Planning & Development Act – the ‘Housing Supply Target Methodology for Development Planning, Guidelines for Planning Authorities’ (December 2020) which specifies the agreed approach for a planning authority to determine a Housing Supply Target (HST) for its 6-year development plan. This methodology utilises the independent research undertaken by the Economic and Social Research Institute into structural housing demand in Ireland to 2040, which further developed their work completed for the NPF.
Accordingly, a planning authority must determine an overall HST for new housing delivery consistent with the prescribed methodology and use this as the basis for the strategic decision-making in their development plan process, including its core strategy, settlement strategy and housing policies.
It is also important to note the role of the Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR) in the overall plan making process. One core function of the OPR is the independent assessment of all local authority and regional assembly statutory plans, including county and city development plans, local area plans (LAPs) and RSESs.
The OPR provides observations during the drafting of statutory plans. In cases where the OPR finds that a local authority's plans are ultimately not consistent with relevant regional or national policies, the OPR can recommend the use of Ministerial powers of direction to bring plans back in line with statutory requirements and best practice.
It is also worth noting that the Planning and Development Act, 2000 includes specific provisions to allow for the regular review and update of the NPF. The Programme for Government commits to review the NPF by 2024. This review will look at NPF implementation to date and be informed by the final results of Census 2022 when available next year. The review will also consider a range of factors that will influence how we manage future growth in a planned, productive and sustainable way. This will include consideration of Ireland’s obligations under the Climate Action Plan and the influence of geopolitical factors on future growth. It is intended to publish a ‘roadmap’ document by the end of 2022 that will address the review process in more detail.
While the wider context and evolution of the NPF and Government Policy has implications for the formulation of such development plans, it is also worth noting that there is a mechanism available to vary a County or City Development Plan during its lifetime. During the lifetime of the development plan, planning authorities may wish to adjust the objectives and policies of the plan in order to take account of different circumstances or issues unforeseen at the time of the original making of the development plan. For these reasons, Section 13 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 provides for the making of a variation to the development plan.
92. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an up-to-date timeline for the establishment of the Electoral Commission, along with expected budget and staffing requirements for 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53813/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Electoral Reform Act 2022 was enacted on 25 July 2022 and provides the legislative underpinnings of the Electoral Commission - titled An Coimisiún Toghcháin.
An Coimisiún will be an independent body of substance. It is taking on a range of existing electoral functions such as the registration of political parties and the work of Referendum Commissions, Constituency Commissions and Local Electoral Area Boundary Committees.
It will also have a range of new functions including a research, advisory and voter education role, the oversight of the Electoral Register (on completion of the modernisation project) and responsibility of the regulation of online paid-for political advertising.
An Coimisiún will also be responsible for the investigation and monitoring of online disinformation, online misinformation and manipulative or inauthentic behaviour online during election campaign periods.
Administrative arrangements for its establishment are currently being put in place by a transition team, and its formal establishment is anticipated by the end of this year or early in 2023.
As announced in the Dáil debate on the budget on 28 September, An Coimisiún Toghcháin has been allocated funding of €5.7m for 2023. The staffing requirements for An Coimisiún for 2023 are currently being finalised as part of the administrative arrangements for its establishment.
93. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the implementation of the provision for a pending electors list for persons aged 16 and 17 years, as set out under the Electoral Reform Act 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53814/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the first phase of commencement of the Electoral Reform Act 2022 (No 30 of 2022), certain provisions were commenced with effect from 13 October 2022. The provisions commenced are listed in S.I. 512 of 2022, and include provision to allow 16 and 17 years old to be included in a pending elector list under Section 95 of the Act. S.I. 512 of 2022 is available at www.irishstatutebook.ie.
The maintenance and management of the Register of Electors is a matter for each local authority, and each local authority is now required to prepare and maintain a pending electors list.
To support implementation of this and related provisions, the systems used by registration authorities have been updated, with a further phase of the project to deliver a national registration system building on voter.ie.
A national media campaign will be rolled out in November to support public awareness and facilitate the work of local authorities in updating the register of electors.
95. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps that he is taking in response to the EPA finding that just 51% of Ireland’s sewage was treated to the European Union standards set to protect our environment, well below the EU average of 90%. [53888/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. Irish Water’s primary function is to provide clean safe drinking water to customers and to treat and return waste water safely to the environment. In turn, the EPA, as environmental regulator, is responsible for monitoring and enforcing compliance with the necessary quality standards for the collection and treatment of waste water discharges.
As part of Budget 2023, I secured funding of over €1.65 billion to support water services and €1.56 billion of this will go to Irish Water. This overall investment will deliver significant improvements in our public water and waste water services. Many serious challenges do remain which will take significant investment and the EPA in its report has identified the priority areas where Irish Water should target their available resources to deliver improvements where they are most needed and will bring the greatest environmental benefits.
The overall investment will deliver significant improvements in our public water and waste water services, support improved water supplies right across Ireland, including rural Ireland, and support a range of programmes delivering improved water quality in our rivers, lakes and marine area. It is key to addressing Ireland's shortcomings in water and waste water infrastructure including compliance with the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
The vast majority (90%) of the total waste water load that is not yet in compliance with the Directive requirements is represented by one treatment area: the Ringsend agglomeration serving Dublin and the surrounding area. Irish Water is currently investing over €500 million in the staged upgrading of Ringsend Wastewater Treatment Plant which will deliver the capacity to treat the wastewater for a population equivalent of 2.4 million while achieving the standards of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive by 2025. Irish Water also has plans in place to address any outstanding issues at the remaining non-compliant plants.
Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 1890 578 578.
96. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the way that a child (details supplied) can obtain an Irish passport. [53623/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has contacted the Deputy directly to follow up on this inquiry.
97. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the systems that are in place in for people with disabilities who find it extremely difficult to get a photograph taken, to meet Department standards when applying for a passport; if there is not a system in place, the reason; if this issue was ever raised at committee level, if not, the reason for same; if this issue was raised, the reason that a system was not implemented to cater for people with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53725/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Passport Online website has been designed to be very accessible. In cases where passport applicants have a medical condition or disability that means that the standard passport photo guidelines cannot be met, the Passport Online service offers a medical indicator option when submitting a digital passport photo.
When applying online, passport applicants can tick the medical indicator box on the passport photo page. This allows the photo to pass through the system as part of the application process. The passport photo submitted will then be reviewed by a member of the Passport Service staff and the applicant will be contacted directly if anything further is required.
98. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will ensure that the passport application for a child (details supplied) will be processed urgently by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53807/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, this application is within the current turnaround time of 8 weeks for paper applications and has not yet reached its issue-by date.
99. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if there are any plans in place to speed-up the processing time of the foreign birth register at present (details supplied). [53812/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish Citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship.
Demand for this service increased significantly as a result of the Brexit vote in the UK. In 2015, prior to Brexit, a total of 6,000 entries were made to the register. In 2019, a peak number of 19,000 entries were made to the Foreign Births Register. Demand for this service from applicants in England, Scotland and Wales continues to be strong with over 8,000 applications received to date this year.
The service was also impacted by necessary Covid-19 restrictions in 2020 and 2021 and the unprecedented demand for passports seen to date in 2022.
The current waiting time for FBR applications is approximately 2 years from receipt of supporting documentation. My Department has put in place a number of measures that will address the volume of FBR applications currently on hand with a view to significantly reducing the processing time for these citizenship applications by the end of this year.
The Passport Service has been scaling up resources to deal with anticipated demand for passports and FBRs since June of last year. Staffing numbers in the Passport Service have doubled since June 2021. My Department ran several competitions in 2021/22 to address staffing needs in the Passport Service. New office space on the Balbriggan campus is now open and provides over 200 additional workstations to accommodate the increase in staff numbers.
The unprecedented level of staff currently working in the Passport Service will be maintained in the months ahead, allowing for the reassignment of additional staff to the processing of FBR applications.
100. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide details of his engagements with the British government concerning the status of Rockall and its implications for Irish fishers since taking office. [53884/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI continue to work closely with my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, to address the issues related to Rockall, reflecting the long-standing fisheries tradition in the area.
I have outlined Ireland’s position on Rockall and considered possible ways forward in contacts with the UK and Scottish Governments over the course of the past year or so.
I last discussed the issue with my Scottish counterpart, Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, Angus Robertson in early September. We agreed to continue to prioritise this matter and to continue to work together to seek to resolve outstanding issues. Our respective officials are in active ongoing contact.
Through these engagements, the Government is seeking to address the issues involved, reflecting long-standing fisheries patterns in the area.
The Government's position in relation to territorial claims on Rockall is consistent with long-standing Irish Government policy.
101. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 121 of 19 October 2022, if she will request her Department to contact the consultants (details supplied) who are acting on this school's behalf given that members of the Board of Management of the school cannot advance the additional school accommodation application at this time due to the fact that the consultants are still waiting for a response from her Department regarding the proposed template for stage 1 reports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53617/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school to which the Deputy refers was granted funding under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme 2021 to provide one mainstream classroom with en-suite toilets, one assisted user WC and one SET Room.
This project has been devolved for delivery to the school authority and is currently at the Design stage. It is now a matter for the Board of Management to advance this project in that context. Department officials met with the appointed consultant for this project in July 2022. When the consultant has finalised the relevant stage report in respect of this project, it should be submitted to the Department via the school, as is the normal process for all projects under the ASA Scheme.
In order to assist this particular consultant through the Stage 1 process, the Department will be issuing some commentary in terms of the best way to complete a Stage 1 Report. It is envisaged that this guidance will issue to the consultant in the coming days.
102. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 123 of 19 October 2022, if her Department will allow cover for teacher absences through the use of substitutes given that the school in question does not have supervision hours; the way in which the primary school can obtain permission from her Department to cover such absences through the substitute teachers scheme when supervision hours are not available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53622/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s Circular Letter 0032/2007 for primary teachers and Circular Letter 0054/2019 for primary and post primary teachers, details the agreed terms and conditions for the main leave types currently available, including the provision for substitute cover.
Regarding ‘Illness in Family’ Leave and ‘Force Majeure’ Leave, the employer may appoint a substitute teacher paid by my Department, in line with Circular Letter 0032/2007, except for the first day of these absences.
In a primary school with two or less mainstream teachers, the employer may appoint a substitute paid by my Department for the first day of a teacher’s absence on ‘Illness in Family Leave or ‘Force Majeure’ Leave.
In any primary school, where two or more teachers are absent on the first day of ‘Illness in Family Leave or ‘Force Majeure’ Leave, on the same day, the employer may appoint a substitute paid by my Department for the second teacher and subsequent teachers.
103. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education the reason for the ongoing delay in the provision of promised therapists to a school (details supplied); and when they will finally be in place. [53625/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:
The provision of health-related therapy services for children with disabilities is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the question should therefore be directed to that body or to the Department of Health.
104. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education if a matter in relation to additional accommodation at a school (details supplied) will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53673/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to advise the Deputy that my Department approved capital funding in 2022 for the provision of permanent additional accommodation at the school in question. This project will provide for 1 additional mainstream classroom, 2 special education needs classrooms and ancillary accommodation. The project is devolved to the school authority for delivery.
The purpose of my Department’s Additional School Accommodation (or ASA) scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom accommodation and accommodation for pupils with special education needs is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.
At primary level, this situation generally arises to cater for a school’s accommodation requirements where an additional teaching post has been sanctioned by Teacher Allocation Section, or the requirement for a new class for pupils with special education needs has been identified by the NCSE, and all available alternative accommodation within the school is already being used for classroom purposes.
The main focus of resources over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics particularly at post-primary level and for special education needs provision in order to ensure every pupil has a school place each September. However, under Project Ireland 2040, there will be an increasing focus on the upgrade and refurbishment of the existing school stock. This will include a PE Hall build and modernisation programme to ensure that students in all post-primary schools have access to appropriate facilities to support PE provision. The ancillary accommodation needs of primary schools, such as General Purpose rooms will also be considered.
105. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the lack of available substitute primary school teachers in County Wicklow; the initiatives that she is supporting to reduce the impact on schools and to increase the number of teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53691/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department runs a comprehensive programme of work to support the supply of teachers at primary level.
Newly qualified teachers (NQTs) represent a new source of supply in 2022/23. In excess of 1,870 primary NQTs have had their registrations finalised by the Teaching Council to date in 2022 with further applications being processed.
Significant additional posts have been allocated to the primary substitute teacher supply panels in areas where significant challenges in sourcing substitution continue, bringing the total to 610 posts on 151 panels, covering approximately 2,800 schools, including 7 panels based in County Wicklow.
The supply panels work alongside the existing methods of sourcing substitute teachers and schools can also make local arrangements to have their own regular substitutes to call on if needed.
Sub Seeker, a central portal for short-term substitute vacancies, was jointly developed by IPPN / NAPD in accordance with my Department's Teacher Supply Action Plan and launched in December 2019. The portal matches available primary and post-primary teachers with short-term substitute vacancies. Almost 11,800 teachers have registered with Sub Seeker to date.
On a temporary basis for the 2022/23 school year, job sharing teachers may be employed to work in a substitute capacity during the period they are rostered off, in their own or in other schools
The limits on substitute work applying to teachers on career break have also been temporarily suspended for the 2022/23 school year.
The Teaching Council made regulations allowing for the registration of 3rd and 4th year undergraduate student teachers under a new registration route, Route 5 (Student Teachers). Approximately 1,250 student teachers applied for registration under the first cycle of Route 5 registrations. The second cycle of Route 5 registrations commenced in early October. Once registered with the Teaching Council, student teachers can be employed by a school to cover substitutable vacancies.
The various measures to support teacher supply are underpinned by the Teaching Transforms campaign, which promotes the teaching profession and encourages students to follow a career in teaching. The campaign uses digital, radio and video media, and is supported by a dedicated webpage, www.gov.ie/teachingtransforms .
My Department will continue, with the cooperation of the education partners, to develop and implement measures to address challenges faced by schools and to support the supply of teachers.
106. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education if final approval for a project (details supplied) will be granted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53694/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that the school referred to has been approved for a project under my Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme. The project will provide the following accommodation at the school: 1 x Mainstream classroom including en-suite toilet and & 2 x SET rooms. This project has been devolved for delivery to the school authority.
I wish to advise the Deputy that details of the project referred to are currently being reviewed by professional and technical officials in my Department. An update will be issued by my Department to the school Board of Management shortly.
107. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if she will seek best advice on whether any additional funding strands can be accessed in order to assist a local school (details supplied) in respect of developing its outdoor area for children with special educational needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53695/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has approved capital funding for the school in question under the Additional Schools Accommodation Scheme. The project has been devolved to the school authority for delivery and will include 8 mainstream classrooms, 2 SET rooms and 5 Special Educational Needs classrooms. The provision of sensory gardens and a 250m² secure soft play area form part of the accommodation brief for the Special Educational Need Bases.
108. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the number of professionals (details supplied) who were based within a special school setting in each of the five years prior to the introduction of children’s disability network teams; the number of these professionals who were based within a special school setting in the first quarter of 2021; the number these professionals who are currently recruited and based within a special school setting in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53724/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is not held by the Department of Education. The availability and provision of health-related therapy services for children with disabilities, including speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy, are provided by the Health Service Executive (HSE). Matters in relation to the provision of health-related services should therefore be directed to that body or to the Department of Health.
Matters in relation to the HSE’s Children's Disability Network Teams should also be directed to the HSE or to the Department of Health.
109. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education the reason that teachers (details supplied) have not received payment from her Department for the teaching work they have completed since August 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53728/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to outline to the Deputy the details of the procedures to process applications for all teacher appointments at the start of each new school year and the commitment of staff of my Department to efficiently process these applications.
Early in the New Year, each school is advised by my Department of their teaching allocations for the forthcoming school year. It is the responsibility of the school Management Authority to ensure that all teaching posts will be filled. Vacancies may arise in schools as a result of additional teaching posts, retirements, teachers moving to another school, career breaks, job sharing arrangements, etc. Once a school has selected a successful candidate for a vacancy, they must provide the teacher’s details to my Department in order to be set up on payroll. These details are provided in an appointment form and include details of the teachers’ appointment, type of contract, Teaching Council registration details, bank details, etc. My Department gives an annual commitment to Schools, teachers, Unions and Education Partners that all correctly completed appointment forms received in Payroll Division in early July will be paid on the first pay date in September. For the 2022/2023 school year this date was 8th July 2022 for Primary teachers.
Appointment forms received after the July dates are processed in date order of receipt and many are processed in time for salary payment on the first pay date of September, or as early as possible thereafter. There are many instances where a school forwards an appointment form after the school year has begun. Our records show that the six appointments form were submitted by the school to my Department on 6th October 2022. Salary and arrears of pay will be paid to the six teachers on 27th October 2022. A seventh appointment form was received on 18th October 2022 and salary and arrears of pay will be paid to the teacher on 11th November 2022.
110. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education when a refund will issue to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53760/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 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 €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.
As the Deputy is aware, initiatives were announced earlier this year to assist families with back to school costs.
In recognition that this is an expensive time of year for families, measures worth over €17m were put in place to ensure free school transport for families availing of the school transport scheme in the 2022/2023 school year.
Bus Éireann are/have processed a full refund to families who have already made payments for the new school year.
Bus Éireann has confirmed that a refund to the family referred to by the Deputy was processed in August 2022.
