Thursday, 21 Mar 2024

Written Answers Nos. 182-201

Official Travel

Ceisteanna (182)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

182. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 105 of 7 February 2024, when a response will issue; the number of times he embarked on visits to foreign countries on behalf of the State since the formation of the Government; the geographical location of each visit; the number of days he spent abroad on such trips; the dates upon which each trip took place; and the associated travel and accommodation costs which were incurred by his Department in relation to each trip, in tabular form. [13390/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Finance

The response to this question is being finalised by my officials at the moment and will be shared with Deputy Toibín shortly.

Financial Services

Ceisteanna (183, 184)

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

183. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance the measures in place to protect customers from the actions of vulture funds, particularly homeowners whose mortgages are with such entities; his views on the need to ensure adequate access for such mortgage holders to greater protections through statutory agencies; if he proposes to implement additional measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13542/24]

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

184. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he proposes to introduce additional measures to assist mortgage holders who are under financial pressures due to increased interest rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13543/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Finance

I propose to take Questions Nos. 183 and 184 together.

There is a robust consumer protection framework in place in relation to mortgages and other credit agreements. This consumer protection framework provides the same protections for all consumers, regardless of the regulated entity with whom they are dealing such as a bank, a retail credit firm or a credit servicing firm. This framework seeks to ensure that all Central Bank regulated entities are transparent and fair in their dealings with borrowers and that borrowers are protected from the beginning to the end of their mortgage life cycle.

The consumer protection framework that is available to relevant borrowers includes these protections and rights under the Central Bank’s Consumer Protection Code 2012 and the Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears 2013. In addition, it includes the right to take an unresolved complaint a consumer may have with a financial provider to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO).

It is the case that queries have recently been raised in relation to the scope of the FSPO's jurisdiction and my Department, in consultation with the FSPO, the Central Bank and the Attorney General’s Office, is currently examining these issues. When the advice on these queries is to hand, I will consider it to see if further legislation is required and possible to enable all mortgage holders to have access to the FSPO.

In relation to the introduction of additional measures to assist mortgage holders, as the Deputy is aware Budget 2024 provided for a temporary one-year mortgage interest tax relief scheme for homeowners with an outstanding mortgage balance on their principal private residence of between €80,000 and €500,000 on 31 December 2022. Qualifying homeowners will be eligible for mortgage interest tax relief in respect of the increased interest paid on that loan between the calendar year 2022 compared to the calendar year 2023 at the standard rate of income tax, capped at €1,250 per property.

Also, following my engagement last Autumn with regulated mortgage entities, the Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI) has implemented a number of further measures to assist their customers, including:

• a second phase of a ‘Dealing With Debt’ campaign to highlight new and existing supports for concerned mortgage customers;

• mortgage servicing firms and MABS to collaborate on an expansion of streamlined customer engagement framework; and

• the provision of initial eligibility criteria by the main lenders to provide clear guidelines for home mortgage customers of credit servicing firms who are seeking to switch their mortgage.

This means that, for the first time there is now an agreed industry wide set of initial eligibility criteria to facilitate people switching their mortgage from a non-bank to a bank. All of the banks and some other lenders have signed on to that set of criteria. Credit servicing firms have also committed to working with these criteria to support customers switching and to ensure they are aware that they may have options to switch their mortgage.

In order to be eligible to switch under these guidelines, customers need to be making full capital and interest repayments on their mortgage. In addition, customers must have no arrears on their home mortgage or any other lending in the past two years. Once customers meet these and other initial criteria, applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis in line with individual lender credit policy. The decision on whether or not to provide credit in any particular case, or the amount of credit to provide, remains a commercial matter for an individual lender.

The Central Bank will also continue to engage with regulated firms to ensure that they have sufficient operational capacity to manage applications by borrowers to switch their mortgage or mortgage provider and that industry participants are extending themselves to support consumers and support switching.

Finally, any person who is experiencing difficulty in relation to their mortgage should seek the assistance of the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS). This is a State funded service for people whose home is in mortgage arrears or in mortgage difficulty and it can provide free legal and financial advice where necessary to borrowers.

Question No. 184 answered with Question No. 183.

Tax Code

Ceisteanna (185)

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

185. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that “community gain” allocations under the process for developing renewal energy projects, is subject to income tax; and if he would consider altering its tax status or allowing a tax free amount, in order that it could become of greater value to the communities affected by these essential infrastructures for a net-zero world. [13548/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Finance

I understand that the Deputy is referring to “Near Neighbour Payments” made from Community Benefit Funds established by renewable energy projects supported under the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme, which are to be made on an ex-gratia basis.

Where a payment is made to an individual, in circumstances where renewable energy activities are being undertaken on neighbouring land, I am advised by Revenue that the tax treatment of same will depend on the particular facts and circumstances of the case. Where the payment is in the nature of a once off ex-gratia payment, a charge to income tax will not generally arise. However, the receipt of such a payment may be within the scope of Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT). CAT is a tax charged on a person who receives a gift or an inheritance. The Capital Acquisitions Tax Consolidation Act 2003 provides for a number of reliefs and exemptions from CAT. For example, under the small gifts exemption, a person may receive gifts up to the value of €3,000 from any person in any calendar year without having to pay CAT.

If the amount of the gift (i.e., the payment made under the scheme to an individual) is in excess of €3,000, the recipient’s liability to CAT will depend on the amount received and the applicable CAT Group threshold.

The relationship between the person providing a gift or inheritance and the beneficiary determines the maximum amount, known as the “Group threshold”, below which CAT does not arise. Any prior gift or inheritance received by a beneficiary since 5 December 1991 from within the same Group threshold is aggregated for the purposes of determining whether tax is payable on a benefit. Information on the CAT Group thresholds can be found on the Revenue website at www.revenue.ie/en/gains-gifts-and-inheritance/cat-thresholds-rates-and-aggregation-rules/cat-groups-thresholds.aspx.

In the absence of full information regarding the payments outlined by the Deputy, and knowledge of the facts and circumstances of persons receiving such payments, it is not possible for Revenue to determine the correct tax treatment of these payments. However, persons who are to receive such payments can contact Revenue directly via MyAccount and provide full details should they wish to have certainty in this matter. Revenue has also advised that it be willing engage directly with Department of the Environment, Climate & Communications who administer the scheme.

Tax Data

Ceisteanna (186)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

186. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cost to the Exchequer in 2024 of not proceeding with scheduled increases in excise duty on petrol and diesel on 1 April 2024, 1 August 2024 and 9 October 2024. [13556/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Finance

I am advised by Revenue that the estimated cost to the Exchequer of not proceeding with the scheduled increases in rates on Mineral Oil Tax (MOT) for petrol and auto diesel on 1 April 2024, 1 August 2024, and 9 October 2024, is shown in the following table. The yield will not accrue if these increases do not proceed as scheduled

Fuel Type	MOT €m	VAT €m	Total €m
Petrol
1-Apr-24	22.5	5.2	27.7
1-Aug-24	10.9	2.5	13.4
9-Oct-24	2.4	0.5	2.9
Petrol Total	35.8	8.2	44.0
Diesel
1-Apr-24	59.7	4.4	64.1
1-Aug-24	29.9	2.2	32.1
9-Oct-24	10.7	0.8	11.5
Diesel Total	100.3	7.4	107.7
Overall Total	136.1	15.6	151.7

Public Sector Pensions

Ceisteanna (187)

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

187. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the number of people who now have a public service or State body pension; and his projection for this number for 2030 and for 2040. [13521/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform

I and my Department are responsible for the civil service pension schemes, which cover members of established and unestablished civil service and State industrial schemes.

The authorities responsible for the administration of the large number of pension schemes operating in the various sectors of the public service are, in general, the relevant employers and Ministers in those sectors.

It would be a matter for those sectoral authorities, including relevant Ministers, to supply such information as may be available in respect of the number of people in receipt of a pension from those individual pension schemes.

There were 30,299 civil service pensions in payment in respect of the Superannuation and Retired Allowance (Vote 12), as per the latest audited and published Appropriation Account at year-end 2022.

My officials estimate that the number of civil service pensions will increase by c.2-3% p.a. over the next two decades.

It should be noted that a significant number of reforms have been implemented over time to improve the sustainability of public service pensions, namely:

• Integration of public service occupational pensions with the State Pension Contributory in 1995;

• Increase in the normal retirement age to 65 in 2004;

• Introduction of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme for all new entrant public servants from January 2013;

• Increase in the maximum retirement age to 70 for pre-2004 public servants in 2019; and

The conversion of the Pension Related Deduction (PRD) to a permanent Additional Superannuation Contribution (ASC), increasing employee contributions from €1.0bn to €1.7bn in 2022.

Public Sector Pensions

Ceisteanna (188, 189)

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

188. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the estimated proportion of income which would be necessary to set aside during each working year of a typical public servant in order to create an adequate actuarial fund to pay the prospective public service pension. [13522/24]

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

189. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the size of the fund that would be needed at retirement age to pay a prospective public service pension of €20,000 per year. [13523/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform

I propose to take Questions Nos. 188 and 189 together.

The Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform made a technical submission on the value of public service pensions to the Public Service Pay Commission in 2017. Following analysis of all submissions, the Commission set out findings in relation to the relative value of the various categories of public service pension schemes, as well as their relative value compared to private sector occupational pensions.

The Commission proposed a costing estimated in the range of 23-25% for pre-2013 public service employees with standard accrual terms. This reflects the notional contribution, as a percentage of salary, which would be required to be paid throughout the working life of an average employee in order to generate the pension and gratuity accrued by the member at retirement.

In respect of new entrants to the public service since January 2013, the Commission concluded an estimated costing in the range of 6-7% for post-2013 public service employees (Single Scheme) with standard accrual terms and 7% for post 2013 private sector employees. This implies a differential between the estimated costs for post-2013 public service employees and private sector comparators in the range of -1 to 0%.

Further detail in relation to the Commission’s findings can be found at:

PSPC-report-2017-WEB.pdf (paycommission.gov.ie)

It's important to note that following the publication of the Commission's findings, an Additional Superannuation Contribution (ASC) was brought in for all public servants under the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017. This effectively reduced the notional employer cost of public service service pensions with different ASC rates applying to those in the pre-2013 pension schemes and post-2013 pension scheme (Single Scheme). See rates set out below.

Salary Band	Pre-2013 - Standard accrual Rate	Post-2013 - Single Scheme rate
€0 to €34,500	Exempt	Exempt
Over €34,500 to €60,000	10%	3.33%
Over €60,000	10.5%	3.5%

Public service employees make a significant contribution to the overall cost of benefits with €1.7 billion paid in employee contributions and ASC in 2022. This provides substantial ongoing support towards the cost of public service pensions.

In terms of funding, public service retirement benefits are in the main unfunded or paid out of general taxation as and when the cost arises, i.e. ‘Pay-As-You-Go’. Contributions and ASC paid by employees are treated as appropriations-in-aid. Consequently, the concept of a ring fenced fund does not arise in the context of public service occupational pensions.

Question No. 189 answered with Question No. 188.

Office of Public Works

Ceisteanna (190)

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

190. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the number of OPW WTE staff, by job title, which are based in the Rock of Cashel; and if this number will be further increased during the peak tourism season. [13346/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform

The number of OPW staff currently (21 March 2024) based at the Rock of Cashel are as follows:

Grade	Number of Staff
Guide	16
General Operative	1

The number of Guides based at the Rock of Cashel will increase further during busier Summer months and there will be a further six OPW Guides working there from April/May of this year.

There is a second general operative assigned to the Rock of Cashel by Mallow National Monument division during the busier summer months.

When there are conservation works taking place on site there would be additional OPW craft workers and general operatives on site with numbers varying depending on the project.

Capital Expenditure Programme

Ceisteanna (191)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Ceist:

191. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 182 to 184 of 17 October 2023, to provide further details on the non-core capital expenditure above the additional capital from windfall receipts outlined in the summer economic statement; if is all Exchequer expenditure; the Department allocated the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13426/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform

As the Deputy has noted, the Summer Economic Statement, published in July 2023 provided that an additional €2.25 billion from windfall corporation tax receipts would be made available over the period 2024 to 2026 to boost delivery of critical capital infrastructure projects and make a contribution to the existing Climate Action Fund. This will continue to provide the additional schools, hospital and transport projects that are making a real difference to people’s lives while ensuring that due consideration is given to future environmental challenges that we will need to meet head on.

In this regard, additional capital expenditure of €250 million is being made available for 2024 from windfall corporation tax receipts with a further €2 billion being made available across 2025 (€750 million) and 2026 (€1.25 billion). The overall existing NDP allocations for 2024-26 are set out in the National Development Plan 2021-30 published in 2021.

In order to finalise the disbursement of the €2.25 billion windfall receipts out to 2026 I have held a series of bilaterals with my Ministerial colleagues as well as extensive engagement at official level. Sectoral capital allocations for each Department out to 2026 are therefore still under negotiation. Discussions are focusing on reaching agreement with each of the sectors to allow key priority projects and programmes to be commenced and completed within the 2024 to 2026 period. Once agreement is reached revised sectoral capital allocations out to 2026 for each Department will be published.

Core and non-core capital spending as set out in the Summer Economic Statement is all Exchequer expenditure.

Capital Expenditure Programme

Ceisteanna (192)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Ceist:

192. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the non-Exchequer State expenditure on capital since 2021; projections into the future, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13427/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform

As Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform I am responsible for the management of gross voted expenditure and the annual estimates process, general sanctioning powers in relation to expenditure and policy matters relating to the appraisal, review and evaluation of expenditure. I am not responsible for the management of non-Exchequer expenditure.

However, the National Development Plan 2021-30 (page 43) sets out non-Exchequer capital funding of €2.9m per annum by State-backed enterprises and bodies over the 10 year period out to 2030. This total investment of €29 billion is about 20 per cent of the total funding of €165 billion set out in the NDP .

Employment Rights

Ceisteanna (193)

Seán Canney

Ceist:

193. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment what supports are in place for employees who are owed wages and holiday pay from an employer who has closed down its business and is no longer contactable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13466/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Ireland has a robust suite of employment rights legislation in place to protect and support workers.

Statutory and contractual employment terms apply in relation to the payment of wages. Failure to pay all or part of the wages due to an employee is considered an unlawful deduction and a complaint can be made under the Payment of Wages Act, 1991.

The Payment of Wages Act 1991 establishes a range of rights for all employees in relation to payment of wages. The Act regulates how wages and salaries are paid and what deductions may be made from same. Under this Act, an employer is not permitted to make deductions from an employee's wages unless the deduction is authorised under the contract of employment, required by statute, or is made with the prior written consent of the employee.

If an employee believes that their employer has made an unlawful deduction from their pay, then they may refer a complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).

It is unclear from the question whether the company is insolvent or has gone into liquidation but either way, the employees are entitled to pursue a claim for non-payment of wages either from the employer or the liquidator as the case may be.

In situations where an employer is legally insolvent and the company is being wound up, such as entering liquidation or receivership, the State provides a safety net by way of the Insolvency Payments Scheme, which protects certain outstanding pay-related entitlements due to employees in the event of their employer’s insolvency. The liquidator or receiver can submit claims to the scheme on behalf of employees in respect of various outstanding debts, including arrears of wages, holiday pay and statutory minimum notice.

The scheme is administered by the Department of Social Protection and payments are made from the Social Insurance Fund. The arrears of wages, holiday pay and minimum notice payable under the scheme are subject to a ceiling of €600 per week and are limited to 8 weeks.

My Department is currently developing legislation to expand access to the Insolvency Payments Scheme to also, in certain circumstances, include former employees of an employer who has ceased trading but has not formally wound up their company.

Finally, employees may also have an entitlement to statutory redundancy depending on their length of service with the employer. It is the employer’s responsibility in the first instance to pay statutory redundancy to eligible workers. If employers are genuinely unable to pay redundancy due to financial difficulties or insolvency, the State may make the statutory redundancy payments on the employer’s behalf from the Social Insurance Fund through the Redundancy Payments Scheme. The scheme is also administered by the Department of Social Protection.

Work Permits

Ceisteanna (194)

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

194. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the proposals, if any, there are to improve the visa criteria for the farming and agri-food sector, in view of the shortage of workers in some areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13489/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

While immigration and visa policy falls under the remit of the Department of Justice, my Department has responsibility for economic migration policy and the employment permits regime. Non-EEA nationals seeking permission to arrive in the State must interact with the Department of Justice for entry and residence permission, and, depending on their nationality, visa requirements.

The 2023 Review of the Employment Permit Occupations Lists delivered comprehensive changes to the employment permits system. A roadmap for increasing salary thresholds for employment permits was also introduced in January following the report on the Minimum Annual Remuneration (MAR) thresholds.

In recognition of the recruitment challenges facing the agri-food and horticultural sectors, certain occupations previously eligible for General Employment Permits (GEP) under quota have had their quotas extended, as follows:

• 1,000 GEPs for meat processing operatives

• 350 GEPs for butcher/boners

• 350 GEPs for dairy farm assistants

• 1,000 GEPs for horticultural workers

A summary of the changes is available in a Report on the Department’s website.

The passage of the Employment Permits Bill through the Houses of the Oireachtas continues. A key feature of the bill which is of particular relevance to the horticulture sector is the proposed introduction of the Seasonal Employment Permit (SEP). The planned timeline is for the Seasonal Employment Permit to be introduced on a pilot basis in the summer of 2025 with a limited number of pre-registered Approved Seasonal Employers, to provide a defined number of SEPs in the horticulture sector. Ireland has long been an outlier in not providing a seasonal permit.

Enterprise Support Services

Ceisteanna (195)

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

195. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when additional financial provision will be introduced to assist local authorities, particularly those councils with a small rates base, to develop enterprise centres, as such workspaces are of extreme importance in enabling the establishment and growth of small businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13490/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Achieving balanced regional enterprise development, as reflected in the White Paper on Enterprise, remains a priority for this Government.

I am very aware of the contribution made by enterprise hubs and remote working spaces across the country; these facilities provide services to support entrepreneurs, start-ups, SMEs and they also allow people to live and work in their local communities. Government has invested significantly in the development of such facilities.

The Department of Rural and Community Development has invested over €150 million in development of remote working facilities through programmes such as Connected Hubs, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. Successful projects are developed in collaboration with local authorities and communities, with many vacant and derelict buildings converted into remote working hubs.

My Department and the Department of Rural and Community Development are working together to develop the first National Hub Strategy, in consultation with hub managers, communities, local authorities and other stakeholders; both Departments continue to engage with the County and City Management Association (CCMA) and the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) on the strategy, which is expected to be brought to Government this year.

Government has provided substantial funding to support enterprise centres and hubs across all regions of the country. This includes over €126 million in funding under my Department’s Regional Enterprise Development Fund and Border Enterprise Development Fund, which have provided both capital expenditure and programmatic supports for enterprise centres. Enterprise centres provide important infrastructure for entrepreneurs and SMEs and are an essential part of the enterprise ecosystem across the country.

The local authorities have supported many of those projects as project partners or through contributing to the match funding requirement. I expect that the local authorities will continue to support projects under my Department’s €145 million Smart Regions Enterprise Innovation Scheme, co-funded under the European Regional Development Fund. The Scheme, which is currently open for applications on Enterprise Ireland’s website, includes a stream supporting physical infrastructure including development of new enterprise hubs and expansion of existing facilities, up to €10 million per project.

Local authorities have been integral in the development of hubs. While they are independent, Government will continue to work collaboratively with the local authorities to deliver innovative projects including enterprise centres and remote working hubs.

Departmental Schemes

Ceisteanna (196)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

196. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 33 of 8 September 2022, the progress that has been made on the review of the eligibility for the insolvency payment scheme to date; the anticipated timeframe in finding a solution to this long-running saga (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13498/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Since the last update provided on 28 November 2023, work has progressed significantly on drafting the General Scheme of a Bill to amend the Protection of Employees (Employers' Insolvency) Act 1984. The primary purpose of that Bill will be to allow employees of companies that cease trading without engaging in any formal wind-up process to access the Insolvency Payments Scheme.

The drafting of the General Scheme is now at an advanced stage. My Department is still on track in its aim to bring the General Scheme to Government for approval in the first half of this year.

School Transport

Ceisteanna (197, 198, 199)

Sorca Clarke

Ceist:

197. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on incorporating electric vehicles and other low-emission vehicles into the school transport fleet in accordance with the Phase 2, p11, Climate Action Plan 2021 of the review of the school transport scheme; to provide projected timelines and targets for the expansion of low-emission vehicles within the fleet, in tabular form; the total cost of the incorporating EVs and low-emissions vehicles; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13294/24]

Sorca Clarke

Ceist:

198. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education to provide a breakdown of the total current cost to meet Climate Action Plan 2021 and National Mobility Policy, as outlined in Phase 2 of the school transport scheme, in each of the school years 2024/2025 to 2029/2030, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13295/24]

Sorca Clarke

Ceist:

199. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education to provide a summary of projects or initiatives planned collaborations between the school transport scheme and the Connecting Ireland bus programme; to provide a summary of projects or initiatives planned with timelines and expected outcomes; to provide a breakdown of these collaborations in each of the school years 2024/2205 to 2029/2030, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13296/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

I propose to take Questions Nos. 197 to 199, inclusive together.

The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 161,600 children, including over 135,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 19,800 pupils with special educational needs, and 6,800 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.

The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02m.

There has been an overall increase in both applications and tickets issued for the 2023/2024 school year in comparison to the 2022/2023 school year

The School Transport Scheme is an important service for families and children. The purpose of the 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. Under the current scheme, children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

A minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the establishment or retention of school transport services, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits.

All school transport services are reviewed over the summer months. Arising from this review, routes may be altered, extended or withdrawn depending on the number and location of eligible children who will be availing of school transport for the following school year.

Children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application process on time are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation. In addition, temporary alleviation measures have been continued for the 2023/2024 school year, and mean that transport is provided where there is capacity to do so, for post-primary concessionary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school and are attending their second nearest school and who applied and paid on time.

Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who completed the application process on time, are considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.

A review of the School Transport Scheme has been completed. This review was conducted with a view to examining the current scheme, its broader effectiveness, and sustainability and to ensure it services students and their families adequately.

The School Transport Scheme 2030 report has now been published, which marks the largest review of the School Transport Scheme since it was established in 1967. The Government is committed to working to achieve the report’s recommendation of expanding access to the scheme so that an additional 100,000 pupils can be carried by 2030. Throughout the review, the value of the School Transport Scheme to both families and in supporting wider Government policies has been very apparent. In summary, school transport not only plays an important part in supporting children's access to education, but it also aligns to wider Government objectives.

Overall, the recommended changes to the future operation of the Scheme concern:

• expansion of the current eligibility criteria,

• addressing current operational challenges

• charges and grants and

• over time, moving towards better integration with public transport to ensure optimum value for money to the Exchequer

With regard to the specific issues raised by the Deputy, firstly with regard to the cost of incorporating electric vehicles and other low emission vehicles into the school transport fleet, moves to lower emission fleet will be implemented in line with the Government’s targets as set out in the Climate Action Plan. The cost of moving to lower emission fleet will be subject to prevailing market conditions at the time. It is worth bearing in mind that circa 94% of the total school transport fleet is operated by private contractors under contract to Bus Éireann.

With regard to the estimated cost to Climate Action targets and other Government policies as considered in the review, an element of the costs to meet these is included in the total estimated cost to operate the scheme in future years. The estimated cost to operate the scheme out to 2030 is set out in the table below.

-							Projected Annual Costs to the Exchequer for the School Transport Scheme with phases implementation of the Review.
Year	2024	2025	2026	2027	2028	2029	2030
Total Estimated Funding requirements with Review and Other Costs	€444,335,466	€457,610,215	€548,909,860	€579,551,337	€630,314,373	€657,275,500	€672,018,183

It must be noted that there are certain assumptions and projections used in compiling these costs.

Finally with regard collaborations between my Department and Connecting Ireland, a phased implementation of the review’s recommendations will commence in September 2024. This will include a shared effort between my Department and the Department of Transport to pilot and introduce greater integration of the roll out of transport networks with school transport routes, with a view to expanding provision of transport and reducing the reliance over time on individual car trips for school journeys. This plan will be reviewed at the end of 2024 at which point further decisions will be made about future integration potential, including any further pilot projects.

It is intended subject to resources to commence implementing the revised eligibility criteria in the 2025/2026 school year.

Question No. 198 answered with Question No. 197.

Question No. 199 answered with Question No. 197.

Schools Building Projects

Ceisteanna (200)

Darren O'Rourke

Ceist:

200. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education further to Topical Issue debate on 20 February 2024, when construction will commence on a new school building at a school in County Meath (details supplied); when the school will be notified with an update; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13350/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

The project brief for the large scale capital project, involves the construction of a new 16 classroom school, a GP Hall and classrooms for children with special educational needs.

My Department’s planning and building unit is currently assessing its work programme and priorities for 2024 in the context of overall requirements. The large scale capital project at Lismullen NS remains a priority for delivery, in line with the accommodation issues present at the school.

The project is at an advanced stage of Architectural Planning Stage 3 – Tender Action and Award. The next steps for the project will be the issuing of a Letter Of Intent, completion of the tender process and progression to Stage 4 – Construction.

I want to reassure the Lismullen school community that the school building project will be progressed and delivered. My Department will update the school authorities when there is a further update on the progression of the major project.

School Enrolments

Ceisteanna (201)

Marian Harkin

Ceist:

201. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Education given the shortage of school places for first years in Athenry, County Galway, what are her Departments plans to provide for additional places for first years in Athenry so that no incoming first year is without a school place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13367/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

I can assure the Deputy that the provision of school places to meet the needs of children and young people at primary and post primary level, including children and young people with special educational needs is an absolute priority for the Department.

My Department is aware of pressures for school places for the 2024/25 school year in Athenry.

As part of planning for September 2024, data on applications for admission has been received by the Department from post-primary schools across areas of enrolment pressure, including Athenry, and updated data on offers and acceptances continues to be received as admissions processes transact.

The sharing of this data has been very effective in the identification of school place requirements across the areas. In the majority of areas through the work of schools, patrons, management bodies and the Department, there are sufficient school places available to meet the needs of children in the area. However, there is an identified requirement for additional first year places in the Athenry School Planning Area and the Department has been liaising with schools and patrons in this respect, with a view to advancing a solution as soon as possible.

While some applicants may not yet have received an offer of a school place for 2024/25, families can be assured that all children who require a school place will be provided with one. The Department is continuing to work with schools and patrons to ensure that there are sufficient school places available, and to put any required solutions in place.

My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in the area. In relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998.

Parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available a selection process may be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.

I can assure the Deputy that the Department will continue to work with schools and patrons to ensure that there is appropriate provision for all students in the Athenry School Planning Area for the 2024/25 school year and into the future.