Written Answers Nos. 292-309
292. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the ongoing tensions between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7231/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has experienced periodic conflict over many decades. Recent months have seen an increase in insecurity and violence in eastern DRC, and an escalation of tensions between the DRC and Rwanda. Ireland has expressed concern at the recent escalation and has stressed the importance of regional efforts to address this situation.
Ireland repeatedly highlighted our concern at the situation in eastern DRC during our term on the UN Security Council. We have also joined EU partners in supporting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all countries in the region and condemning any support to local or foreign armed groups. We are working with our EU partners on the development of a new EU strategy for engagement with the wider Great Lakes region that will have a particular focus on the eastern provinces of the DRC.
The EU is actively engaged in the DRC and has encouraged the development of a political resolution to the conflict. Ireland has emphasised the importance of the engagement of national and regional organisations in promoting peace and stability in the region. We welcome the efforts of the East African Community Heads of State Conclave, including the Nairobi peace process, as well as the contribution by Angola and Kenya to advancing a peaceful resolution. Regional cooperation remains essential in the pursuit of peace and security, and Ireland will continue to highlight the importance of the ongoing implementation of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the DRC and the region, and to encourage implementation of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) Roadmap. We welcome the renewed call for a ceasefire, following the summit meeting on 4 February 2023 in Burundi of regional leaders, including those from Rwanda and the DRC.
Following the receipt of military advice, the Minister for Defence took the decision in summer 2022 to withdraw our Defence Forces personnel from the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). Our deployment to MONUSCO was small, comprising three officers, and the civil unrest in Goma raised the risk to their security in a way that was unsustainable.
It is estimated that 27 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance in DRC. There are 5.6 million internally displaced people and more than 1 million refugees from the DRC are in neighbouring countries. Given the instability in the region, the DRC itself hosts more than half a million refugees from neighbouring countries. Ireland provided €4.9 million in humanitarian assistance to the DRC in 2021 and almost €4.5 million in 2022.
293. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he spoke with the United States National Security Adviser during his recent visit to the United States. [7307/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI travelled to Washington DC for a series of high-level meetings and engagements on 8-9 February, including with senior figures in the Biden Administration and the State Department, as well as with members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
I had a positive and productive meeting with National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on 8 February. This was a timely opportunity to discuss developments in Northern Ireland, including the recent appointment of the US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland for Economic Affairs. We also had a broad discussion on shared global challenges, including Russia’s ongoing military aggression in Ukraine.
It was clear that Northern Ireland remains a bipartisan priority across the US system. Both National Security Advisor Sullivan and Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to the Good Friday Agreement ahead of its 25th anniversary in April. The US will continue to play a vital role in supporting peace, stability and prosperity in Northern Ireland.
I will continue to ensure that the Irish perspective is understood by having frequent, high-level contacts with representatives from the United States, as well as through the Embassy of Ireland in Washington DC and across our diplomatic network in the US.
294. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the current situation in Haiti will be discussed at the next EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting. [7308/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile Haiti does not appear as an agenda item on the provisional agenda set for the next meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, the European Union remains actively engaged on the deeply concerning situation in Haiti, notably the disturbing levels of insecurity and violence, the humanitarian needs of the Haitian people, and the human rights situation. Ireland and the EU continue to urge all stakeholders to engage in the political process in the interests of the people of Haiti.
At EU and UN level, Ireland has consistently raised concern at the human rights situation in Haiti, in particular the situation of women and girls; highlighted the need for ongoing humanitarian support; and emphasised the centrality of a negotiated political solution to setting the conditions to address Haiti’s multifaceted crises.
The European Union’s funding allocation for Haiti under its development funding instrument (NDICI-GE) amounts to €120 million for the period 2021-24. This comes in addition to its humanitarian funding to Haiti, which amounted to €19.5 million in 2022; with €470.5 million allocated since 1994. Haiti is the main recipient of EU humanitarian aid in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Bilaterally, in 2021, Ireland provided €1.4m in humanitarian funding for earthquake relief efforts in Haiti. This comes in addition to civil-society funding of €1.5m in 2020 and €1.7m in 2021.
I wish to assure the Deputy that Ireland, alongside our EU partners, will remain committed to supporting Haiti through all available channels, and we will strive to ensure that the needs of the Haitian people remain central to any discussion in relation to Haiti, including at EU level.
295. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for an update on the programme for Government commitment to ensure all enlisted members of the Defence Forces have the same access to healthcare as officers currently do; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6432/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraA Working Group on Medical Care was established in 2021 to bring forward proposals and identify an approach to implementing the Programme for Government commitment to ensure all enlisted members of the Defence Forces have the same access to healthcare as officers currently do. Its work included analysing the range and cost of treatments currently provided to Officers and how best to provide this access to enlisted personnel. The Working Group reported during 2022. This matter is currently being progressed as one of the early actions in the High Level Action Plan of the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces.
296. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number and details of compensation or redress schemes put in place by his Department since 1998, in tabular form; the number of claims made; the total cost of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6457/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table below sets out the details of compensations or redress schemes put in place by my Department since 1998.
|
Scheme |
No. of Claimants |
Total Cost |
|
Loss of Earnings Scheme for Civil Defence Volunteers due to Covid-19 Illness |
1 |
€440 |
The scheme set out above relates to Covid-19 Illness Loss. In March 2020, in line with Government policy arising from the Covid-19 crisis, my Department introduced an illness loss of earnings scheme for Civil Defence volunteers who were activated during the Covid-19 crisis. The scheme is now closed.
By way of completeness I have also set out below other mechanisms which are open to personnel to seek financial compensation or redress for issues arising in the course of their employment
Awards arising from Legal Proceedings
Arising from litigation cases taken against the Minister by current or former members of the Defence Forces, awards of court ordered compensation, by way of payment of damages and/or redress, have arisen during the reference period of this question. However, these payments are ordered by the court following its judgment, or underpinned by such orders following the agreement of settlement terms between the parties to the litigation.
The taking of a civil litigation claim is distinct and separate to any internal compensatory scheme or redress that may have been put in place by my Department.
Any awards arising on foot of litigation are confidential between the parties to the litigation and do not fall within the scope of the question of compensation or redress schemes put in place by my Department. Any compensation or redress arising from litigated matters are court-ordered and relate to the specifics circumstances of the litigation brought or the settlement agreement reached.
Conciliation & Arbitration and Industrial Relations
Agreements made under the Conciliation and Arbitration scheme are industrial relations matters and are not considered to be compensation or redress schemes for the purpose of this question. Similarly, agreements arising from the settlement or adjudication of cases processed through the Workplace Relations Commission are not deemed to be within the scope of the question.
Ombudsman for the Defence Forces
The Ombudsman for the Defence Forces was established under the Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Act 2004 and provides an independent complaints mechanism for members or formers members of the Defence Forces. The Ombudsman does not award financial compensation and so is not included in the table above.
297. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if his attention was drawn to a court case (details supplied); the contention made therein that the Defence Forces have been carrying out duties at Shannon Airport without legal authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6572/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána have primary responsibility for the internal security of the State. Among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces in the White Paper on Defence is the provision of Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP) which, in practice, means to assist An Garda Síochána when requested to do so. On each occasion that the support of the Defence Forces is required, An Garda Síochána issues a form C70 to the Defence Forces to request their assistance.
Defence Forces assistance at Shannon airport, which has been ongoing since 2003, takes place pursuant to lawful military orders, made on foot of a formal request from An Garda Síochána for military assistance in aid to the civil power (ATCP). It is well established in law that the Defence Forces may assist An Garda Síochána in aid to the civil power, when requested. Accordingly, the Defence Forces operation is and always has been lawful.
I am satisfied that there is ongoing and close liaison between both An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces, and between my Department and the Department of Justice and Equality regarding security matters generally, including the Defence Forces ATCP roles.
While I am aware of the court case referred to by the deputy, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further as it is a criminal case and a matter for the Minister for Justice and Equality.
298. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence when he expects the two new C295 maritime patrol aircraft to come into the Air Corps fleet. [6683/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy 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.
In this context, the principal aim over the period of the White Paper is to replace and upgrade, as required, existing capabilities in order to retain a flexible response for a wide range of operational requirements at home and overseas.
Equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are being considered as part of the capability development and Equipment Development Planning (EDP) process. A five year Equipment Development Plan for continued re-equipment was developed on a civil military basis and was published in June 2020. The Equipment Planning process recognises the need to maintain and upgrade military capabilities having regard to emerging priorities, operational requirements and changes in technology. This is an ongoing iterative process.
In relation to air-based capability a contract has been awarded at a cost of €68 million, including VAT, for the provision of a new Fixed Wing Military Transport Aircraft for the Defence Forces. The Airbus C295W aircraft is highly versatile and will provide a dedicated asset to support the Defence Forces military airlift transport requirements and provide a wide contingent capability. The aircraft will enable the Air Corps to provide a wide range of services including logistics support and transport of troops and equipment, medical evacuation and air ambulance, Special Operations Forces operations and a general utility role. Delivery of this aircraft is expected in 2025.
The programme for the supply of two C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft is well underway with delivery of the aircraft expected later this year.
Alongside the four PC-12 aircraft acquired in 2020, some €344 million, including VAT, has been committed to the acquisition of all of these enhanced capabilities.
The Department of Defence has received a capital allocation under the national development plan of €566 million over the 2022 to 2025 timeframe. The Defence annual capital budget for 2023 is €176 million. The recent Budget for 2023 included an increase of €67m over the 2022 budget for Defence. This includes an almost 25% increase in Capital funding and demonstrates the Government’s strong commitment to support the transformation of the Defence Forces into a modern, agile military force, capable of responding to increasingly complex security threats.
This is following Government approval for a move over a six-year period to a level of Defence Forces’ capability equivalent to ‘Level of Ambition 2’ (LOA2), as set out in the capability framework devised by the Commission on Defence Forces, which will entail funding increases to reach a Defence budget of approximately €1.5 billion (at January 2022 prices) by 2028 through the annual Estimates.
This level of capital funding will allow the Defence Organisation to undertake a programme of sustained equipment replacement and infrastructural development across the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service as identified and prioritised in the Defence White Paper and the Report of the Commission, while building on the significant investment programme over recent years.
299. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the total number of paramedics and advanced paramedics in the Defence Forces in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; the annual recruitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6701/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that the numbers of those with paramedic/advanced paramedic qualifications in the Defence Forces during the periods requested is as follows:
|
Qualification |
2020 (at 31 Dec) |
2021 (at 31 Dec) |
2022 (at 31 Dec) |
2023 (at 31 Jan) |
|
Advanced Paramedic (AP) |
16 |
15 |
10 |
19 |
|
Paramedic |
30 |
29 |
21 |
9 |
|
Total |
46 |
44 |
31 |
28 |
I am further advised that the annual recruitment for each qualification during the periods requested (i.e. inclusive of those starting training or achieving qualifications) is as follows:
|
Qualification |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 (to 31 Jan) |
|
Advanced Paramedic (AP) |
8 |
6 |
8 |
2 |
|
Paramedic |
2 |
5 |
7 |
0 |
|
Total |
10 |
11 |
15 |
2 |
It should be noted that there are no specific appointments for these specialties within the Chief of Staff’s Administrative Instruction CS4 establishment, which provides only for 3* Medics. Medic vacancies arising are filled, as appropriate, by individuals possessing the qualifications required to comply, with standards set by the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC).
300. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if funding will be provided for the recruitment of additional full-time civilian consultant psychiatrist for the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6702/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraA civilian consultant psychiatrist has been engaged full-time in the Defence Forces since 2020. There are no plans to recruit any additional psychiatrists at this time.
301. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if funding will be provided in 2023 to replace the Learjet 45 aircraft during 2023. [6986/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Ministerial Air Transport Service (MATS) is delivered primarily by the use of the Learjet 45 aircraft, which came into operation in 2004. Where it is unavailable, the CASA and/or other Air Corps aircraft may be used.
The Learjet is currently approaching its natural end of life. Based on current serviceability issues, discontinuation of manufacturer support and limited part availability for this type of older aircraft, the Air Corps estimate that the aircraft will require replacement by 2024 at the latest.
As such, in line with the Public Spending Code an inter-Departmental high-level group of officials (the MATS Review Group), chaired by my Department, was established in 2021 to examine options for delivery of the Ministerial Air Transport Service. The capability of this service to carry out a broader utility role for the State, in terms of tasks and reach (beyond Europe), was also examined.
During the course of 2022 the MATS Review Group produced both an agreed Strategic Assessment Report and a Preliminary Business Case, the latter of which contained a detailed financial appraisal and economic assessment conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). These reports were supplemented by the inclusion of additional market research, on suitable options for the acquisition of a second-hand aircraft, with the assistance of an independent aviation consultant.
I have reviewed the various strands of work conducted to date and have approved the recommendation made by my officials .
Ultimately the State needs a replacement aircraft that provides a broad utility role, including strategic reach in crisis situations and medical evacuation, as well as Ministerial Air Transport.
A project team is currently being established with a view to undertaking a procurement competition for a replacement capability for the Learjet 45 aircraft. The procurement will consider both new and second-hand replacement capability. The outcome of any procurement competition will be subject to further deliberation and consideration in line with the Public Spending Code. As with all major equipment platforms the project team will need to plan out the procurement and at this early stage it is not possible to estimate a timeframe for delivery of a replacement aircraft or to determine whether funding will be required or incurred in 2023.
The Defence capital budget for 2023 is €176 million. This includes an almost 25% increase in Capital funding and demonstrates the Government’s strong commitment to support the transformation of the Defence Forces into a modern, agile military force, capable of responding to increasingly complex security threats.
302. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of complaints of sexual assaults, sexual harassment or rape made against serving members of the Defence Forces per rank, by other members, in 2021 and 2022, in tabular form. [7092/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs requested by the Deputy, the Military Authorities have advised of the number of sexual assault, sexual harassment and rape complaints that have been made against serving members of the Defence Forces, by other members, in 2021 and 2022, as detailed in the following table.
|
Year |
Complaints of Sexual Assault |
Complaints of Sexual Harassment |
Complaints of Rape |
Rank of Accused* |
|
2021 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
Enlisted |
|
2022 |
4 |
4 |
0 |
Enlisted |
*Please note that the Rank information has not been included, as in some cases this could lead to the identification of an individual or individuals, and could constitute a breach of privacy.
303. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of bullying complaints that have been made against serving members of the Defence Forces, per rank, by other members in 2021 and 2022, in tabular form. [7093/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been advised by the Military Authorities that the Defence Forces Grievance Management Office were made aware of six bullying complaints against serving members, by other members in 2021 and five bullying complaints in 2022, as detailed in the following table;
|
Year |
Number of Complaints |
Nature of Complaint |
Rank of Accused* |
|
2021 |
2 |
Bullying |
Enlisted |
|
2021 |
4 |
Bullying |
Officer |
|
Total |
6 |
||
|
2022 |
1 |
Bullying |
Enlisted |
|
2022 |
4 |
Bullying |
Officer |
|
Total |
5 |
*Please note that the Rank information has not been included, as in some cases this could lead to the identification of an individual or individuals, and could constitute a breach of privacy.
304. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the total number of complaints made against serving members of the Defence Forces, per rank, by other members in 2021 and 2022, in tabular form. [7094/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAny complaint or allegation of unacceptable behaviour in the Defence Forces is subject to administrative investigative procedures. Unacceptable behaviour as outlined in Defence Forces Administrative Instruction A7 and includes, but is not limited to, allegations of sexual harassment, harassment, discrimination and/or bullying.
Administrative Instruction A7 Chapter 1 is the Defence Forces policy which deals with the conduct of Interpersonal Relationships within the military work environment and the procedures for making informal and formal complaints on alleged cases of unacceptable behaviour. I am advised by the military authorities that these complaints can be dealt with at different levels, either by way of an informal approach or formal process. Specially trained Designated Contact Persons (DCPs) are available to assist complainants. The formal procedure requires that a complaint is made in writing.
Administrative Instruction A7 Chapter 2 details the formal Redress of Wrongs process available to members of the Defence Forces.
The Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces has, since 2015 on direction of former Minister with responsibility for Defence, provided a report on the number of complaints of unacceptable behaviour made under Defence Forces Administrative Instruction A7 Chapter 1 to the Office of the Minister for Defence. These quarterly reports detail ongoing investigations into reported cases of alleged unacceptable behaviour in the Defence Forces.
The following table details the number of complaints made under Administrative Instruction A7, Chapter 1. Data for complaints managed under the informal process is not captured and is therefore not included.
|
Administrative Instruction A7 Chapter 1 |
|||
|
Year |
Enlisted |
Officer |
Sub-Total |
|
2021 |
3 |
2 |
5 |
|
2022 |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
Total |
7 |
2 |
9 |
*Please note that the Rank information requested has not been included, as in some cases this could lead to the identification of an individual or individuals, and could constitute a breach of privacy.
As prescribed in Defence Forces Administrative Instruction A7 Chapter 2, the Defence Forces are required to notify the Minister for Defence and the Ombudsman of any complaint made under Chapter 2 of this Instruction. The table below is a breakdown of the number of Notification of Complaints under Chapter 2. It is important to note each notification of complaint may contain a number of separate complaints.
|
Administrative Instruction A7 Chapter 2 |
|||
|
Year |
Enlisted |
Officer |
Sub-Total |
|
2021 |
79 |
32 |
111 |
|
2022 |
48 |
5 |
53 |
|
Total |
127 |
37 |
164 |
*Please note that the Rank information requested has not been included, as in some cases this could lead to the identification of an individual or individuals, and could constitute a breach of privacy.
It is important also to note that no direct correlation can be made between the Chapter 1 figures, and the Chapter 2 figures as these are separate processes and can relate to different types of unacceptable behaviour, not all of which relate to sexual misconduct, harassment or discrimination. Similarly, the matters complained of under a Chapter 1 complaint may also give rise to a Chapter 2 complaint and, therefore, there may be duplication across some of the cases in both given figures.
I am further advised that in the event that a complaint of a potentially criminal nature is reported, the standard procedure is that the matter is investigated immediately by the Military Police. Where allegations of criminal incidents of a sexual nature among serving members are brought to the attention of the Military Police, they are passed to An Garda Síochána for their consideration and investigation, who have the lawful authority, skills and resources to investigate such matters. In the period in question a total of 7 complaints (3 in 2021 and 4 in 2022) relating to sexual assault or rape were reported to the Military Police.
The figures contained in both tables above relate to complaints made within the administrative processes set out in Administrative Instruction A7 Chapter 1 and 2. Accordingly, the figures mentioned here in relation to sexual assault and rape are not included as they would not be dealt with in these administrative processes, as it appropriate.
305. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6499/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra310. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6500/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra312. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education if financial assistance will be provided to a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6540/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 305, 310 and 312 together.
Meeting the educational needs of children and young people from Ukraine is a priority for the Government, and my Department is determined to support the efforts of school communities across the country, who have shown huge commitment and generosity. I announced the establishment of Regional Education and Language Teams (REALTs) to support the needs of Ukrainian children arriving in Ireland. These Education and Language Teams are hosted by the 16 regional education and training boards (ETBs) and are staffed by existing regionally-based education support personnel working closely together to ensure good coordination and alignment of supports for Ukrainian children.
My Department provides specific English Language support to schools with pupils newly arrived into the country that have English as an additional language. Further language support may also be provided, through the staffing appeals process, to schools that have a high concentration of pupils enrolled who have received less than 3 years EAL support and currently have less than B1 (level 3) proficiency in English. Staffing arrangements for the 2023/24 school year, including information on EAL supports available to schools, have been published on the Department website.
ICT grant funding can be used by schools to support the needs of Ukrainian children arriving in Ireland through access to digital technology infrastructure. This can include loaning devices to Ukrainian children enrolled in the school if needed, as well as providing appropriate software, app and tools to support their learning.
All schools are provided with special education resources based on their enrolments but the unprecedented and immediate and ongoing increases in school enrolments following the commencement of the war in Ukraine required a specific response. It must be understood that the increased in some school enrolments were in excess of 100% and this is the reason for the implementation of these temporary emergency measures.
An allocation of additional temporary SET hours and SNA posts are made automatically to schools based on a sliding scale of enrolments. The school referred to by the Deputies has received its allocation of SET hours and SNA posts in line with the relevant scales.
My Department has also been engaging with the school to which the Deputies refer to ensure that adequate accommodation will be in place.
My Department provides a wide range of supports to all schools to support the inclusion of all students and address barriers to students achieving their potential. Supplementing these universal supports, the DEIS programme provides a targeted and equitable way to address concentrated educational disadvantage at school level that promotes equity across the primary and post-primary sector.
In March last year I was glad to be able to announce a major expansion of the DEIS programme. For the first time since 2017, the programme was significantly expanded to include an additional 322 schools. This means that the DEIS programme now supports over 240,000 students in over 1,200 schools addressing educational disadvantage.
Schools were identified for inclusion in the programme through the refined DEIS identification model, which is an objective, statistics-based model. Schools were not required to apply for inclusion in the DEIS programme and the model has been applied fairly and equally to all schools.
The DEIS identification process is based on the principle of concentrated disadvantage and the proportion of students from disadvantaged backgrounds within a school. The DEIS identification model aimed to identify those schools with the highest levels of concentrated disadvantage or the highest proportion of students from disadvantaged backgrounds within a school using the school's enrolment data and national census data as represented by the Pobal HP Deprivation index which is publicly available. A detailed paper on the refined DEIS identification model is available at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/a3c9e-extension-of-deis-to-further-schools/#how-schools-were-selected-for-inclusion-in-deis
The extension of the DEIS programme to new schools is just one component of work in my vision for an inclusive education system which supports all learners to achieve their potential. While the DEIS programme supports those schools with the highest levels of concentrated educational disadvantage, I also recognise that there are students at risk of educational disadvantage in all schools. Since June 2020, and over the past three budgets, I have secured funding to provide measures to support children in this regard. As part of Budget 2023, I announced over €50 million to provide free books to primary school pupils within the free education scheme from next September. I have also further improved the staffing schedule for all primary schools to 23:1, the lowest it has ever been.
The next component of work will consider all schools, within and outside the DEIS programme and explore the overall allocation of resources to schools to tackle educational disadvantage. Part of this programme of work will involve consultation with relevant stakeholders over the coming months.
Following the National Census 2022 held on the 3rd April last, it is envisaged that an updated HP Deprivation Index will be generated by Pobal and will be available in Q3 of 2023. My Department will engage with Pobal in relation to this process. The updated HP Deprivation Index, when available, will be considered by my Department to help inform future resource allocation to tackle educational disadvantage.
In relation to funding for schools, my Department provides funding to all recognised schools in the Free Education Scheme by way of per capita grants. The two main grants are the Capitation grant to cater for day to day running costs including heating, lighting, water charges etc. and the Ancillary grant to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff. These grants may be regarded as a common grant from which the Board of Management can allocate according to its own priorities.
All recognised Primary and Post-Primary schools in the Free Education scheme benefited from a once-off cost of living measure to support increased school running costs. This additional capitation funding in 2022 represented an increase of circa 40% of current standard and enhanced capitation rates. The additional grant was paid in December at the rate of €75 per pupil at Primary level and €113 at Post-Primary level. Enhanced rates were also be paid in respect of pupils with special educational needs. Schools can use this to cover additional energy costs and other increased day to day operating costs. In the context of the current cost of living crisis the Department would expect this very significant additional funding being made available to schools will be sufficient to meet increased running costs.
306. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education if consideration will be given to delivering a PE build and modernisation programme in order that more schools have indoor facilities for PE and local communities have access and extra amenities available to them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6434/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that investment and expenditure on PE Halls is an element of the overall School Building Programme. The provision of GP rooms and PE Halls, at primary and post primary level respectively, and outdoor hard play areas, form part of the accommodation brief for all new school buildings. This is also the case where a major building or refurbishment project is being delivered for an existing school.
As the Deputy is aware, almost 95% of the post primary schools that made 2020 Annual Schools Returns have indicated to the Department that they either have a PE Hall, access to a nearby PE Hall, or a project in train that will deliver a new PE Hall. Practically all schools have outdoor play areas and many schools use adjacent local facilities, including community halls, public parks, playing fields and swimming pools.
The main focus of my Department’s 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 provision to meet the needs of children with special educational needs. My Department has successfully supported and facilitated the enrolment of over 14,000 children from Ukraine in our primary and post primary schools.
Under Project Ireland 2040 the education sector will receive a total of approximately €4.4 billion capital investment over the period 2021-2025. There will be a rolling 5 year funding envelope which will be updated annually for the period 2026 to 2030 within the Government’s overall NDP funding envelope of €136 billion in exchequer capital (€165 billion total capital including non-Exchequer) that will facilitate building a modern and sustainable school infrastructure.
This significant investment allows us to move forward with certainty on our ambitious plans and deliver high quality building projects, with a real focus on sustainability, for school communities across Ireland. The strengthened focus on refurbishment of existing school stock will have different strands and will include a PE build and modernisation programme which will enable students in post-primary schools to have access to appropriate facilities to support PE provision, particularly also in the context of the roll-out of PE as a leaving-certificate subject. Enhanced and modernised PE facilities will also provide important amenities for local communities.
My Department will continue to work to ensure that capital investment in our schools is targeted in the most efficient and effective way to support schools in meeting the education needs of their students and communities.
Details of large-scale projects being delivered under the school building programme may be viewed on my Department's website, at www.gov.ie, and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.
307. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education to develop a new modern languages in primary school initiative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6435/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the “Say Yes to Languages” initiative has been a great success with almost 430 primary schools participating in the module in the 2021/22 school year and almost 720 schools participating in the 2022/2023 school year. The module allows schools to choose their language based on their own school demographic, with this year’s programme offering 15 languages, including Irish Sign Language (ISL). The initiate is fully funded by my Department and is managed by Post Primary Languages Ireland (PPLI) on behalf of the Department. PPLI provide resources, CPD and support to the participating schools and teachers.
The findings from this project will help inform the introduction of foreign languages at primary level under the new primary curriculum. The Primary Curriculum Framework is due to be published in a number of weeks and will set out the vision, principles and components of the redeveloped primary school curriculum. The framework links with learning experiences provided through the themes of Aistear: the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework and connects with the subjects, key skills and statements of learning in the Framework for Junior Cycle. The Framework reflects a shared understanding of, and trust in, the many positive features of education in our primary and special schools, while also providing for the enhancement of learning, teaching and assessment. As developments progress, new curriculum specifications will be developed for the curriculum areas and their associated subjects, including modern foreign languages, and these will be available for the 2025/2026 school year.
308. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education the number and details of compensation or redress schemes put in place by her Department since 1998, in tabular form; the number of claims made; the total cost of the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6458/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials in my Department are currently working to collate the information requested and will send it to the Deputy directly.
309. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education the reason there are irregularities in pay scales (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6489/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile the Department of Education retains regulatory responsibility for the ETB sector, including further education services, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science now has policy responsibility for the further education sector. A union representing Youthreach Coordinators and Youthreach Resource Persons has submitted a claim in respect of both grades. Officials from both departments have engaged with the union on the matter under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission.
Youthreach is a further education and training programme for early school leavers which aims to provide young people with the knowledge, skills and confidence to participate fully in society and progress to further education, training and employment. It provides a range of supports for learners, including work placement, career guidance, personal counselling as well as informal support from staff. It requires staff who are flexible, multi-disciplined and experienced. The length of the programme is longer than the school year, but this is to ensure the continuity in the lives of the young person and provide that ongoing support needed over a longer period.
While relevant qualifications are desirable, no qualifications are specified for staff working in the programme. This is intended to give Education and Training Boards (ETBs) maximum flexibility to recruit staff with the combination of personal qualities and professional skills most likely to meet the often complex needs of participating learners. The roles of the Youthreach Coordinator and Youthreach Resource Person were designed very much with the programmes structure in mind. Template contracts of employment for these roles, as set out in Circular 12/03, were negotiated and agreed by all stakeholders.
The staff in Youthreach include Youthreach Coordinators, Youthreach Resource Persons and teachers. Youthreach Coordinators and Resource Persons have their own terms and conditions and are a separate grade to teachers. Accordingly, they do not require to be registered with the Teaching Council nor does Section 30 of the Teaching Council Act, 2001 apply to Youthreach Centres as they do not fall within the definition of a recognised school.
Teachers are also employed in Youthreach but teacher input is supplementary as required, rather than the core means of delivering the programme. There are ten Youthreach pillars with only one specifically related to teaching. It is a matter for each ETB to decide on the staff required for the programme being delivered in their Youthreach centres.
