Written Answers Nos. 271-292
271. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education when the BFR for a school (details supplied) will be available, given the long wait for same by the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19286/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is my Department's intention to progress the accommodation brief for the school referred to by the Deputy as quickly as possible.
Key priorities for my Department's work programme include continuing strong delivery to support the operation of the school system with particular regard to planning ahead for the 2023/24 school year and beyond and also with particular regard to supporting special needs provision.
My Department has been working with the school patron to ensure that there is sufficient accommodation in place to meet the interim needs of the school, pending the delivery of the main project.
272. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education if she intends to progress a school (details supplied) for Westport; if these types of school have been established in Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19296/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that in order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises to determine where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
Major new residential developments in a school planning area have the potential to alter demand in that area. In that regard, as part of the demographic exercises, my Department engages with each of the local authorities to obtain the up-to-date information on significant new residential development in each area. This is necessary to ensure that schools infrastructure planning is keeping pace with demographic changes as there is a constantly evolving picture with planned new residential development.
The 2022 demographic exercise indicates that 85% of the 314 school planning areas at primary level show static or decreasing enrolments for the period to 2026 compared with 2021. At post-primary level some 74% of school planning areas are anticipated to have increased enrolments for the period to 2029, with most expected to reach a peak within the next two or three years.
Where data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, depending on the circumstances, be provided through either one, or a combination of, the following:
- Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,
- Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
- Provision of a new school or schools.
There are two post primary schools serving the Westport school planning area, Rice College –Denominational Boys and Sacred Heart School – Denominational Girls.. The most recent demographic enrolment projections indicate that enrolments should peak in 2026 with a slight decline in enrolments thereafter.
A patronage process is run, only after it has been decided, based on demographic analysis, that a new school is required. This patronage process is open to all patron bodies and prospective patrons. The assessment process recognises the desirability of diversity as outlined in Section 10(2)(b) of the Education Act and incorporates analysis of the extent of diversity of existing provision (including Irish-medium) in the area.
The Online Patronage Process System (OPPS) has been developed by my Department to provide objective information to parents and guardians which will allow them to make an informed choice in expressing a preference for their preferred model of patronage for their child’s education.
Parental preferences for each patron, from parents of children who reside in the school planning areas concerned, together with the extent of diversity currently available in these areas, are key to decisions in relation to the outcome of this process. This is also fully consistent with my Department’s obligations under Section 6 (k) of the Act concerning the objective of promoting the language and cultural needs of students having regard to the choices of their parents.
273. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education if she will review proposals to establish a school bus transport service to support parents and pupils of a school (details supplied); if she will outline the guidelines to establish such a service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19302/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year, over 147,900 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for over 4,500 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
Under the terms of the Primary School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest primary school as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
For the 2022/2023 school year Bus Eireann received 12 applications for the school referred to by the Deputy. Four of these applications were from eligible families and the remaining eight families were deemed concessionary applications.
Bus Eireann consider the establishment of a route if at least 10 applications are received from eligible families from a distinct location before the application closing date. For the 2022/23 school year this requirement was not met and therefore, the establishment of a service could not be considered.
Families can apply for online at: buseireann.ie/schooltransport. The closing date for applications in respect of the 2023/2024 school year is 28th April 2023 and Bus Eireann will review applications and plan routes during the summer month for the upcoming school year.
274. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the criteria set for accessing the summer programme 2023 and the home-based programme. [19307/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department announced details of the 2023 Summer Programme on 9 February 2023. All schools have an opportunity to run a programme for those children that need it the most.
The central theme for this year’s programme is, ‘Building Confidence and Connections’. The primary aim of this theme is to help our children and young people to realise their potential, to be resilient in dealing with the normal stresses of their lives, to take care of their physical well-being and to have a sense of purpose, connection and belonging to their school community.
The main priority in 2023 is that those children with the most complex special educational needs, especially in special schools, should have access to a school-based summer programme.
This year’s school based programme is open to pupils enrolled in special schools, special classes, pupils who have complex special educational needs in mainstream classes and those who are most at risk of educational disadvantage.
Schools with special classes running a school based scheme should prioritise students in special classes when assigning places for their programme. All students attending special classes are eligible to participate in their school’s summer programme.
Children entering primary school in September 2023 and who meet the above criteria are also eligible for the programme.
Subsequent places can then be given to pupils with complex special educational needs in mainstream classes with the remaining places on the programme being offered to those at most risk of educational disadvantage.
The terms and conditions for the 2023 Summer Programme are being implemented following a comprehensive review and engagement with education partners and stakeholders since last summer, including the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Autism.
The Department has engaged with management bodies, schools and parents with a view to encouraging more schools to participate in the 2023 programme. This year, the Primary School Scheme combines the Inclusion Programme and Special Class elements from last year into one cohesive scheme for mainstream primary school bring a more targeted approach for children with special educational needs.
This year also introduces a new adjustment to the scheme for special schools. This programme has been designed and developed to ensure supports and funding are targeted to enhance the availability of a school-based programme for pupils in special schools.
In addition, there are two in-school schemes at mainstream primary level and one at post primary:-
- The Primary School Scheme for pupils in all primary mainstream schools.
- The DEIS expanded literacy and numeracy summer camp/campaí samhraidh for pupils in DEIS primary schools.
- The Post-Primary Scheme for students with complex special educational needs and those at risk of educational disadvantage.
Helpline support has been made available to schools since the launch of the programme. The online registration portals for Primary, Post-Primary and Special Schools were opened on 01 March 2023. Participating schools can request additional resources from the Department to run their programme.
This year’s Home-based programme will be available for students with complex special educational needs where their school is not running a Summer Programme or a place on a school-based programme is unavailable.
Details of this year’s Home-based programme will be published shortly along with full details of eligibility criteria. Full information, when available, will issue to schools directly and published on www.gov.ie/summerprogramme.
275. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 776 of 21 March 2023, the details of her Department's engagement with stakeholders in relation to the Education (Student and Parent Charter) Bill 2019 which is currently awaiting an order for Committee Stage; the expected timeline for the Bill to progress to Committee Stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19358/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Education (Student and Parent Charter) Bill has passed all stages of Seanad Éireann, and passed Second Stage in Dáil Éireann on 8th July 2021.
Officials in my Department are continuing to engage with stakeholders including the National Parents Council and the Office of the Ombudsman for Children on matters pertaining to the Bill in advance of the Bill progressing to Committee Stage in Dáil Éireann.
I recently launched Cineáltas: Action Plan on Bullying Implementation Plan 2023-2027. The implementation plan includes a reference to my Department’s commitment to continue to engage with stakeholders regarding the Charter Bill with a view to progressing the legislation.
276. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education what analysis her Department has carried out in relation to the efficacy of circular 0032/2017 in relation to reducing the cost of school uniforms; for details of any monitoring carried out by her Department in relation to the implementation of the circular; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19359/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra277. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education her plans in relation to schools that do not allow generic options for uniforms; for details of any engagement her Department has had in 2022 and to-date in 2023 with schools that do not allow generic options for uniforms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19360/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 276 and 277 together.
As Minister for Education, I am acutely aware of the costs faced by families upon the return of their children to school.
Ultimately, decisions on school uniforms is a matter for individual schools and Boards of Management.
Taking the above into account, my Department’s Circular 0032/2017, was issued to the Boards of Management of all recognised primary and post-primary schools and to the Chief Executives of the Education and Training Boards. This Circular sets out the principles of cost-effective practice to be adopted by schools to reduce the cost of returning to school.
Under these measures, schools should select school uniform items which are generic and can be purchased from an array of retailers. Only "iron on" or "sew on" crests should be used.
Schools should also consult with parents as to their views on how to reduce costs.
Under the Education Act 1998, the Board of Management of a school is the body charged with the direct governance of a school. The Board of Management is accountable to the Patron of the school. Whereas the Department of Education provides funding and policy direction for schools, the Department does not have the power to instruct schools to follow a particular course of direction with regard to individual complaint cases. The Department's role is to clarify for parents and students how their grievances and complaints against schools can be progressed.
A school may have a formal complaints process, in which case this should be followed in pursuing any complaint. Where a person is of the view that a school's Board of Management has failed to investigate or adequately investigate your complaint, it is open to them to raise the matter directly with the Chairperson of the Board of Management by correspondence marked “Private and Confidential”. Further information is available on the gov.ie website: www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/complaints-about-schools/
The Education (Student and Parent Charter) Bill is currently before Dáil Éireann. When enacted, it will improve how schools engage with students and their parents by requiring each school to consult with students and their parents on individual school plans, policies and activities, including school costs. This will help ensure that the various views of students and parents will be heard and responded to by schools.
278. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education if a school is held responsible for the delay in circumstances (details supplied) in the same manner as parents are held responsible when they do not meet the specified timeframes regarding appeals of this nature; and if she will provide advice in relation to further options for parents in this situation. [19398/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 29 of the Education Act 1998 as inserted by section 7 of the Education (Admissions to School) Act 2018 provides for a paper based appeal to be considered by an independent appeals committee appointed by the Minister for Education, in circumstances where a parent has been refused enrolment due to oversubscription.
Section 29 B (1) of the Act provides for procedures to be drawn up for taking such appeals and these procedures outline the form and manner in which an appeal shall be brought, including the period during which an appeal shall be brought.
These procedures were drawn up following consultation with the education partners and are available on gov.ie website at the following link
gov.ie - Appeals in relation to refusal to admit a student due to a school being oversubscribed (www.gov.ie)
Section 29 F(1) (c) of the Act states that an appeal committee shall refuse to hear or determine an appeal that has not been made within the period specified in procedures under section 29B.
Section 3.3 (b) of these procedures makes it clear that an appeal must be made no later than 63 calendar days from the date of the decision to refuse admission, even if a school Board has failed to comply with section 2.3 of the procedures by not notifying the applicant of the outcome of their request for review within the permitted timeframe.
The section does not impose a penalty on the school for failing to comply however the appeals committee can take this failure of the school to comply with section 2.3 into their consideration when making their determination.
Where the appeal is not lodged within the 63 calendar days from the date of decision of the School authority to refuse admission there is no provision for an appeal committee to consider an appeal that is received outside the timelines indicated in the procedures.
The Educational Welfare Services within Tusla Education Support Services (TESS) is the legal body which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school placement for their child. Where such difficulties exist the contact details for TESS are available at the following link www.tusla.ie/tess/get-in-touch/ or by email at tessinfo@tusla.ie
In addition should the student in question have special Educational Needs the Special Educational Needs Organiser [ SENO ] an employee of the National Council for Special Education is available to offer support and advice to the parent to source a suitable school placement.
The link to the NCSE website to identity the local SENO for an area in which the parent resides is : ncse.ie/special-educational-needs-organiser-seno
279. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education the teaching measures that will be put in place for a student (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19509/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:
Enabling children with special educational needs (SEN) to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this government.
It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
For 2023, the spend by my department on special education will be substantially increased by over 10% on last year, meaning that for 2023 my department will spend over €2.6 billion providing supports to children and young people with special educational needs and their schools.
This level of educational funding and support is unprecedented and represents in excess of 27% of the department’s total allocation for 2023.
This includes funding to support children with SEN in mainstream classes; funding for new special classes and new special school places; additional special educational teachers and special needs assistants.
The NCSE has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with SEN nationwide.
My department is engaging intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places for the next school year 2023/2024. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class and special school places, consideration of improved data sharing arrangements, consideration of school accommodation capacity and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level.
If the recent growth in the need for special classes continues, it is expected that a similar level of new special classes will be needed at primary level over the next three years as have been provided over the last three years. At post-primary level however, it is expected that we will need to double the number of new special classes being provided over the next three years as compared to the last three years.
As both Minister Foley and I announced recently on 12 April, 2 new special schools are being established for the 2023/2024 school year - one in Carrigtwohill, east Cork and one in the Dublin 7 area - with additional capacity being provided in 11 other special schools.
For the 2023/2024 school year the NCSE have sanctioned 218 new special classes nationwide at primary and post-primary level for the coming school year 2023/2024. Of these new classes, 11 are in Co. Donegal, with 7 at primary level and 4 at post-primary level. These new classes will bring the total number of special classes in Co. Donegal to 108, 64 at primary and 44 at post-primary. Additional special classes will be sanctioned in the coming weeks.
Information on the list of schools with special classes, the types and locations of these classes are available on the NCSE website at www.ncse.ie.
My department is committed, in conjunction with the NCSE, to continue to work with parents, schools, patrons and all stakeholders to ensure that there are sufficient appropriate places for students with additional needs and to support all students to achieve their potential.
As your query refers to an individual placement case, I will arrange to have it referred to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
280. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Education the number of individuals currently residing in direct provision centres that are enrolled in primary and post-primary education respectively. [19556/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Ireland, all migrant children, including children of international protection applicants, refugees, migrant workers and unaccompanied minors, can access pre-school, first and second-level education in a manner similar to Irish nationals, until they have reached the age of 18 years.
Tusla Education Support service has a dedicated team working in collaboration with the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS), to assist in management and co-ordinating of school placements, working in collaboration with the Regional Education and Language Teams (REALT) teams.
In line with the provisions of the EU Directive, every effort is made to accommodate children in school as soon as possible and within the three-month period. School enrolment databases do not record whether a child or their parent has sought asylum.
281. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the current status of an approved extension for a school (details supplied) to which a design team was appointed in January 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19572/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware this project has been devolved for delivery to Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board (WWETB).
I can confirm that the Stage 1 report was approved by the Department to progress to Stage 2a in January 2023.
The next steps for the ETB's Design Team will be to progress through Stage 2a (Developed Design) and obtain the statutory planning approvals. When these are in place, the project can proceed to tender and construction. It is not possible at this stage to provide a timeline for the completion of the project. It is a matter for the ETB, as the client for the project, to ensure that this is completed as quickly as possible.
282. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education her views on an issue raised in correspondence (details supplied); if she can ask the State Examinations Commission to respond to the issue raised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19601/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the state examinations.
In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
283. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Education if phase 1 build approved for school (details supplied) will integrate a new staff canteen, as has been proposed by school management and put forward to her Department, as part of the modular building; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19609/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to advise the Deputy that approval has issued in January 2023 for the provision of 1 x 50m2 Staffroom modular unit at the school referred.
The Department are awaiting the return of the required paperwork in order to progress this project. The School Authority has overall responsibility for delivery of the project.
284. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will confirm that her attention has been drawn to a request to meet a person (details supplied); and if she will acquiesce to that. [19615/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister has offered to personally engage with the person concerned. The Minister is committed to providing supports to survivors of residential institutions. There has been ongoing engagement from Senior Officials in the Department with the named individual and this will continue. Furthermore, in the context of advancing proposals for the future supports for survivors of residential institutions, there will be engagement between the Department and Minister with the Consultation Forum of which the person concerned is a member.
285. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the up-to-date position regarding the development of the Wild Atlantic walkway; if the possibility of linking the Kerry Way and Dingle Way via Castlemaine harbour has been examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18916/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy and implementation of that policy is a matter for the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, as well as certain other bodies. With specific regard to the development of tourism product offerings such as the Wild Atlantic Walkway, these are operational matters for Fáilte Ireland in line with its tourism development functions. I have referred this question to them for direct response to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
286. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the up-to-date position regarding the development of the coastal route from Carlingford to Cobh as a tourist experience; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18917/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy and implementation of that policy is a matter for the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, as well as certain other bodies. With specific regard to the development of tourism product offerings such as the proposed coastal route development, these are operational matters for Fáilte Ireland in line with its tourism development functions. I have referred this question to them for direct response to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
287. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the next round of the sports capital and equipment programme will open to new applicants; if the review of the previous round has been presented to her; if a budget for the next round has been agreed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18919/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. Over 13,000 projects have now benefited from sports capital funding since 1998, bringing the total allocations in that time to over €1.15 billion. The Programme for Government commits to continuing the SCEP and to prioritising investment in disadvantaged areas.
The final grants under the latest round were announced were announced on Tuesday 31 May last year and the total allocation of €166.6 million for the 2020 round represents the highest level of allocation ever made under the SCEP. The priority in the short term is to advance the successful applications to "formal approval" and grant drawdown stage and my Department continues to support and guide grantees from past rounds as they manage their grants.
With regard to the timing of the next round, following completion of the appeal process, my Department commenced a full review of all aspects of the 2020 round of the SCEP. A draft of the Review has been provided to me and I hope to publish the finalised Review shortly. Any recommendations arising from the Review will be reflected in the next round. My officials are engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to the launch of the next cycle of the SCEP. Once this engagement is concluded, I will announce the exact dates from which new applications will be accepted. In relation to the funding available to allocate, I will continue to engage with my colleague, Minister Paschal Donohoe to maximise the total funding envelope available for the Programme in the years ahead. Clearly the level of demand will be a key determinant but every effort will be made to fund as many worthwhile projects as possible while providing a sufficient level of grant to ensure the projects are viable .
288. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the next round of the large scale-sporting infrastructure fund will open to new applicants; if a budget for the next round has been agreed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18920/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Sports Policy was published in 2018 and provided for the establishment of a Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The first call for proposals under the LSSIF closed in 2019 with applications confined to local authorities and National Governing Bodies (NGBs) of Sport. All applications were assessed in accordance with the published Evaluation Procedures and Guidelines and the first allocations were announced in January 2020. Thus far, approximately €86.4 million has been awarded to 33 different proposals.
It should be noted that the first LSSIF allocations were announced just prior to the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic. The pandemic obviously gave rise to significant financial challenges for all grantees with many of them having to reprioritise their own expenditure plans due to reductions in their income streams. In more recent times, the high level of construction inflation has also presented considerable challenges for grantees. In view of these issues, it was considered timely to review progress on all projects allocated grants and meetings with all grantees have taken place. It is encouraging that, based on these discussions with grantees, 22 of the 33 projects should be in a position to draw down funding this year. Accordingly, I expect to see significant progress on many of the LSSIF projects in the short term. As part of the Review, my Department is also considering the timing of any new call for proposals. The review work is at an advanced stage and is expected to be finalised shortly.
289. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has received the 2021 annual report from the National Gallery of Ireland; and if so, when same will be published online. [18952/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that my Department has received the Annual Report and Financial Statements for 2021 from the National Gallery of Ireland, which were recently certified by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General. The report will now be brought to Cabinet for noting at the earliest opportunity and will be subsequently laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.
Once laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas, the annual report will be published online.
290. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if all scholarships under the DEIS Gaeltachta have been allocated for 2023; and if she will provide a breakdown of all scholarships allocations by school and county, in tabular form. [19427/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe DEIS Gaeltachta initiative, which in essence is a social inclusion measure that aligns with the Department's strategic objectives in relation to the Irish language, was first introduced in 2019 to support post-primary students in DEIS students in attending recognised Irish summer colleges.
The programme has been further developed in recent times with the funding allocation for the scheme rising from €50,000 to €400,000 per annum for the period of 2022 – 2024. The measure currently provides scholarships to around 420 students annually.
The initiative is administered by Galway Roscommon Education and Training Board (GRETB) on behalf of the Department. The value of the scholarships are calculated as follows: 3-week course – up to a maximum of €850; 2-week course – 85%/€722 of the value of the scholarship or the listed price of the chosen course, whichever is the lower.
GRETB is currently processing applications in relation to 2023. Given the nature of the measure, figures regarding the breakdown of scholarship allocations for the current year will not be available until the autumn when summer courses have concluded.
Further information regarding the scheme and how it operates is available at gretb.ie/are-you-a-student-in-a-deis-post-primary-school/.
291. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide information in respect of the broadcasting levy (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19490/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder section 21 of the Broadcasting and Other Media Regulation Acts 2009 & 2022, the determination of the rate and structure of any future levy or levies, and the making of any levy orders, is a matter for Coimisiún na Meán as the independent regulator.
On foot of my commitment in the Dáil Report Stage of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022, on 5 December 2022 I wrote to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI), which has now been dissolved and subsumed into Coimisiún na Meán, to ask them to undertake an analysis of the financial health of the commercial radio sector and to submit a report to me. One of the purposes of the report is to inform deliberations by Coimisiún na Meán on the structure of the future levy or levies on regulated services, in particular commercial radio broadcasters.
I expect to receive this report shortly. I further expect that it will help inform the approach of Coimisiún na Meán as regards the future design of a levy on broadcasting services.
292. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number and total value of contracts her Department has had over the past 12 months with KPMG; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20042/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has not entered into any contracts with KPMG over the past twelve months.
