Written Answers Nos. 341-360
341. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Education if her Department with meet with representatives from the Board of Management of a school (details supplied) as a matter of urgency to progress an application for temporary accommodation which was granted in 2022 and tendered for in March 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25456/24]
View answerI am pleased to advise that approval under the Additional School Accommodation scheme issued to the school in question for the provision 2 X Modular Mainstream Classrooms.
My Department is fully aware of the urgency in respect of this accommodation and will be working with the school to keep it updated on overall project delivery and timelines. The project was being reviewed from both a technical and cost perspective in accordance with the requirements of the Public Spending Code. This review has been completed and the Department will be in contact with the school authority directly.
The School Authority has devolved responsibility for delivery of this project.
342. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education to examine a case (details supplied) and expedite an application with the Teaching Council; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25461/24]
View answerThe Purpose of the Home Tuition Grant Scheme is to provide a compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of reasons, are unable to attend school. The scheme also provides a compensatory educational service for children with special educational needs seeking an educational placement for whom such a placement is not available. Likewise, provision is made for early educational intervention for children aged from 2.5 years to 3 years with autism.
Where parents of children, for whom home tuition has been approved, have sought alternative measures to be put in place for the tuition, my Department has an arrangement with certain private pre-school providers to provide group tuition to children in a class type setting. Each private pre-school provider is selected by the parents.
My Department has no contract with these pre-school providers. The contract is essentially between the parents and the relevant provider. The same conditions, such as the requirement to be actively registered and vetted with the Teaching Council, continue to apply whether parents use the grant to engage tutors to deliver tuition in their home or private providers to deliver tuition in a group setting.
In the case referred to by the Deputy, I can confirm that my officials have already been in liaison with the pre-school concerned in a bid to provide assistance. I am also pleased to confirm that the matter has now been resolved.
343. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education if she will consider making the summer programme compulsory in all special schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25467/24]
View answerDetails of the 2024 Summer Programme were published on the 21st March 2024. Funding of €40m is available and, as in previous years, all of the funding is utilised to meet the needs of our most vulnerable children.
All schools have an opportunity to run a programme over the summer months for those children who need it the most. These children can continue to be supported, nurtured and encouraged to engage in a fun and inclusive educational setting.
The main priority again in 2024 is that those children with the most complex special educational needs, especially in special schools, should have access to a school-based summer programme.
The Summer Programme has never been compulsory in any school. Instead, the Department is reliant on schools and their staff choosing to participate on a voluntary basis. To this end, the Department has engaged with management bodies, schools and parents with a view to encouraging more schools to participate in the 2024 programme.
A key barrier to the participation of schools previously has been the availability of staff, particularly those experienced staff already working in the schools. In 2023, to maximise the number of schools participating in the Summer Programme, funding was targeted and teachers and SNAs working on the school-based scheme were paid a higher personal rate of pay. As a result, the Department has seen a much larger number of schools taking part, particularly in Special Schools, and we expect this to increase even further for 2024.
A new role of Student Teacher Placement in Special Schools has been introduced this year to encourage student teachers to participate in the summer programme. Paid placements can run from the 3rd week in May to the end of the Programme, greatly benefitting schools during this busy period. Special Schools can recruit up to two graduate teachers and final year PME student teachers, bolstering the capacity of schools to deliver the programme.
Schools have also been given the flexibility to engage staff that are not employed in their schools to support their summer programme. A staff portal is now available on www.educationposts.ie for teachers and SNAs to register their interest in working on a school-based programme in a Special School. Student teachers and students in relevant disciplines such as Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Social Care, Nursing and others, including Early Learning and Care Practitioners, will also be able to register their interest in working on this year’s Programme.
A range of other supports and measures have been introduced since last year, particularly to facilitate the running of the programme in special schools, such as a dedicated National Coordinator, key leadership roles for staff, a reduction of the length of the school day and additional grant funding in special schools and faster payment for staff. These measures are aimed at maximising the number of children who can participate in a school-based programme with a specific focus on ensuring children with the most complex needs receive the targeted support.
More than 1,700 individual expressions of interest have been received from schools seeking to run this year’s Summer Programme – representing the highest-ever uptake of the Summer Programme. Over 1,400 schools participated in the programme in 2023.
Of the schools registered for the 2024 Summer Programme to date, there are:
• 1,475 primary schools – up 19 per cent on 2023
• 205 post-primary schools – up 28 per cent on 2023
• 72 special schools – up 22 per cent on 2023 and 85 per cent on 2022.
It is further anticipated that the increase in the number of children taking part in these schools will be even higher. Final counts will not be known until all Summer Programmes payment claims have been processed.
The increase in registrations continues the positive upward trend in participation seen in the summer programmes over the last number of years. Over 50,000 children took part in the summer programme last year, compared to 13,000 in 2019.
Where a school is not running a Summer Programme or a place on a school-based programme is unavailable, the Home-based programme is also available for pupils with complex special educational needs.
A Department helpline is available for schools and parents at 090 648 4292 to address any specific queries regarding this year’s Summer Programme. Queries concerning the school-based scheme can be directed to the schoolsummerprogramme@education.gov.ie. Queries concerning the Home-based scheme can be directed to the homebasedsummerprogram@education.gov.ie .
344. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a schedule of all contracts they have and/or had with a company in the past 25 years to date (details supplied); the agreed contract cost; the ultimate contract cost including extras, design changes, conciliation, claims etc; project name/title; and the name of the body responsible for the delivery of projects where responsibility has been devolved. [25471/24]
View answerSince 2020, my department has invested in the region of €4.8 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 800 school building projects and with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes 30 new school buildings. These 300 projects currently at construction involve a total State investment of over €1.2bn. I also recently announced that close to 90 projects, including 28 new school buildings, would be authorised to proceed from tender stage to construction over the course of 2024 and early 2025. In total, around €800 million will be invested in these projects under the department’s Large Scale Capital Programme and Additional Accommodation Scheme for essential classroom accommodation. Between projects currently under construction and projects moving to construction in this latest phase, investments by the Department of Education are adding over 550,000 square metres of new and modernised capacity to our school estate. This is a record level of investment in school buildings. It will expand the number of school places, significantly increase provision for special education and upgrade and modernise our school infrastructure. The impact of this will be felt in communities right around the country.
While it is not feasible to check the position on all school building projects delivered over the last 25 years, they are by their nature generally procured on a standalone basis and undertaken by small to medium-sized contractors with many of the projects costing less than €1m each. As a Tier 1 contractor, the company referenced by the Deputy, would not therefore typically be expected to be involved in these standalone projects which are primarily delivered on a devolved basis by individual school authorities. Nonetheless, Tier 1 contractors, including the company referenced, do engage in the schools sector when projects are bundled as part of a procurement strategy.
Following a public procurement process undertaken in 2020, the company referenced by the Deputy was included on the Department’s Design & Build framework as part of a joint venture comprising two contractors. Contracts awarded to companies on this framework are in accordance with the Government’s standard Design and Build form of contract. In 2021, four school building projects were awarded to this joint venture, with the company referenced responsible for delivering three of these projects which are listed in the table below:
|
Project Name/School Name |
Agreed Contract excl. VAT |
|
Gaelscoil Chnoc Liamhna RN:20043G |
€10.31m |
|
Ballinteer Educate Together NS RN:20400E |
€16.63m |
|
Douglas Rochestown Educate Together NS RN:20413N |
€17.06m |
Further contracts will be awarded to any of the companies on this Design and Build framework in accordance with public procurement criteria. In this regard, the next cohort of projects being delivered under this framework involve 10 new schools split across two bundles for which the procurement process is near completion.
Historically, the Department has also used the Public-Private-Partnership model (PPP) to deliver bundles of school building projects. To date, the Department has entered into six separate contracts to design, build, finance, maintain, and operate bundles of schools under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. PPPs are structured arrangements between public sector bodies and private sector investors to provide infrastructure projects that would typically be delivered through traditional procurement methods, with all related construction expenditure paid upfront. The Department finances these costs through monthly unitary charges over 25 years, commencing upon the completion of construction.
Two PPP contracts were awarded to the company referenced by the Deputy: The 1st contract awarded was for the Schools Bundle 3 (SB3) PPP project, consisting of 8 schools in November 2012. The value of this contact was €416.9m payable over a 25 year period. The second contract awarded was for Schools Bundle 4 (SB4) PPP project, consisting of 4 schools, in December 2014. The value of this contact was €214m payable over a 25 year period.
The PPP Schools Bundle 3 contract relates to the following schools:
• Athlone Community College
• Ard Scoil na Mara, Tramore
• Ballinamore Community School
• Colaiste Ailigh, Letterkenny
• Creagh College, Gorey
• Merlin College, Galway
• Merlin Woods, Galway
• Scoil na Trionoide Naofa, Doon
The PPP Schools Bundle 4 contract relates to the following schools:
• St Mary’s Dundalk
• Skibbereen Community School
• St. Joseph’s Tulla
• Comeragh College, Carrick-on-Suir
345. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education why there has been a delay of over 3 years for the delivery of the approved extension to a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25486/24]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of an application for capital funding, under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme since 2021, from the school in question.
Since 2020, my department has invested in the region of €4.8 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 800 school building projects and with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes 30 new school buildings. These 300 projects currently at construction involve a total State investment of over €1.2bn.
I also recently announced that close to 90 projects, including 28 new school buildings, would be authorised to proceed from tender stage to construction over the course of 2024 and early 2025. In total, around €800 million will be invested in these projects under the department’s Large Scale Capital Programme and Additional Accommodation Scheme for essential classroom accommodation.
Between projects currently under construction and projects moving to construction in this latest phase, investments by the Department of Education are adding over 550,000 square metres of new and modernised capacity to our school estate.
This is a record level of investment in school buildings. It will expand the number of school places, significantly increase provision for special education and upgrade and modernise our school infrastructure. The impact of this will be felt in communities right around the country.
The key drivers of capital investment in the school’s sector include:
• demographic growth, particularly at post primary level
• increased demand for special educational needs provision
• alignment of school place provision with new housing development
• climate action objectives including deep energy retrofit.
From 2020 and up to 30 April 2024, my department has invested €227.65 million in the schools in County Limerick to provide additional mainstream and special education classrooms, at both primary and post primary level.
My Department is working closely on the proposed project for the school as there is significant technical challenges with the school’s site and my Department is working with relevant stakeholders to identify a feasible solution to meet the school’s accommodation needs.
My Department will be in further contact with the school authorities in due course.
346. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Education for a detailed update and timeline for the provision of additional accommodation for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25503/24]
View answer347. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Education if she will direct her Department to expedite an application for additional accommodation for a school which is required urgently (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25505/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 346 and 347 together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of an application for additional school accommodation (ASA) from the school authority in question. The school’s application for capital funding was assessed and the Department made a decision to broaden the scope of the project taking in to consideration the future needs of the school and the school planning area more generally. The school agreed a proposed brief of:
1x Special Education Classroom
1x Mainstream Classroom
1x Special Education tuition room
The consideration of the accommodation requirements for the school in question forms part of the Planning and Building Unit’s overall assessment of its work programme and priorities in the context of available capital funding.
The provision of required school places, including for children with special educational needs, is a priority for my Department. My officials are working to ensure that there is sufficient provision to meet the school place needs in the school in question and the wider area for 2024/25 and future years.
The project is currently with our Professional & Technical department, who are preparing the project for the next phase. I can assure the Deputy officials in my Department are working to progress the project to the next phase as soon as possible.
348. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education if school transport to siblings (details supplied) could be extended; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25549/24]
View answerThe 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 traveling 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.
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.
Bus Éireann is responsible for the planning and timetabling of school transport routes. Bus Éireann endeavours, within available resources, to ensure that each eligible child has a reasonable level of school transport service in the context of the Scheme nationally.
Where practicable, and subject to considerations of cost and logistics, routes are planned to avoid an eligible child having to travel more than 2.4 kms to or from a pick-up/set down point. Routes are planned on the basis of the locations of children who are eligible for school transport only.
Parents/guardians are responsible for ensuring that children are brought safely to and collected safely from Bus Éireann designated pick up and set down points. Home pick-up is not a feature of the School Transport Scheme.
Bus Eireann have advised that the family to whom the Deputy refers to, are eligible for school transport.
The family reside 10.4kms from home to school and 1.3kms from home to the pick-up point. They are currently availing of transport within the guidelines of the School Transport Scheme.
349. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais céard é líon na scoileanna atá ag teagasc trí Ghaeilge sa Ghaeltacht; ainm gach scoile acu agus líon na múinteoirí i ngach scoil; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [25582/24]
View answer350. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais céard é líon na scoileanna atá ag teagasc trí Ghaeilge taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht, ainm gach scoile acu agus líon na múinteoirí i ngach scoil; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [25583/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 349 and 350 together.
Faigh iniata na sonraí iarrtha, a chuimsíonn gach scoil lán-Ghaeilge agus cibé an bhfuil siad lonnaithe sa Ghaeltacht nó lasmuigh de.
Baineann na sonraí a chuirtear ar fáil leis an mbliain acadúil 2022-2023, an bhliain is déanaí a bhfuil sonraí rollaithe deiridh againn dó. Cuireadh na sonraí i dtoll a chéile ó na liostaí ábhartha bunscoile agus iar-bhunscoile atá le fáil ag an nasc thíos. Táimid ag súil le sonraí deiridh don bhliain acadúil 2023-2024 a fhoilsiú go luath.
www.gov.ie/ga/bailiuchan/63363b-data-on-individual-schools/?
351. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education her plans, if any, to amend the legislation under which the Teaching Council operates to ensure that they accept and process applications for registration of teachers who were awarded their teaching qualification outside of the state, throughout the year, the reason for the very limited opportunity each year to register; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25607/24]
View answerUnder the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015 the Teaching Council is the body with the statutory authority and responsibility for the regulation of the teaching profession in Ireland including the registration of teachers in the State.
The Teaching Council is the professional standards body for the teaching profession, which promotes and regulates professional standards in teaching. The Council registers teachers under the Teaching Council Act and there are five routes of registration.
The mechanism referenced in the query refers to an amendment made to the Teaching Council's registration regulations which was initially introduced as a short term, temporary measure to ease teacher supply issues during the pandemic. It enabled teachers who had not completed induction in the country in which they qualified, but who met particular criteria, to obtain registration in Ireland. This in turn gave them an opportunity to complete induction here. The Teaching Council Act allows for registration as a fully-registered, overseas-qualified teacher, covered under EU mutual recognition of professional qualifications legislation, which in most jurisdictions includes induction in the country in which they obtained their qualification in order to be fully registered. So the existing legal framework for regulation established through the Teaching Council Act provides for those fully-registered overseas qualified teachers. An amendment to the regulations is needed to facilitate overseas qualified teachers to complete induction in Ireland, and it should be noted that this goes beyond what is provided for through the relevant EU Directive, as well as also introduces an additional cohort to the domestically qualified of newly qualified teachers who must be supported through the induction process in Ireland.
The mechanism was introduced again via an amendment to the registration regulations in the context of ongoing teacher supply challenges, with that amendment closing for applications on 1 February 2024. A further Statutory Instrument would be required to establish this Regulation for a longer period, which under the Teaching Council Act is a matter for the Council.
Through engagement with the Council on this matter, I can advise that the Council is considering any further amendment to provide for the completion of induction in Ireland for overseas qualified teachers in the context of its legislative framework, including relevant EU legislation.
Any updates in this regard will be published on the Teaching Council website www.teachingcouncil.ie .
352. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education what avenues are available for a pupil diagnosed with dyspraxia and dyslexia (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25638/24]
View answerIt is my department’s policy, in accordance with the principles of inclusive education, that students with additional learning needs are supported in mainstream classes along with their peers, with additional supports provided as necessary.
My department provides for a range of placement options and supports for schools, which have enrolled students with special educational needs in order to ensure that wherever a child is enrolled, they will have access to an appropriate education.
My department has invested considerably in ensuring that all recognised mainstream schools have been allocated additional special education teaching resources to support them in providing optimal learning experiences for children with special educational needs, including students with a specific learning disability such as dyslexia.
Provision for students is governed by the continuum of support and a range of guidance documents, resources and training opportunities is available to schools to inform their approaches in meeting the needs of students with special educational needs. The most significant of these resources are the 14,500 special education teachers who are employed in schools to provide additional support for children with special educational needs, including dyslexia.
The allocation of special education teachers allows schools to provide additional teaching support for all students who require such support and for schools to deploy resources based on each student’s individual learning need.
Where children’s needs are more complex, some may avail of a special class placement. There are nearly 3,000 special classes across primary and post-primary schools which provide for a broad range of needs including a small number (14) for children with dyslexia, of which eight are in County Dublin.
Enrolments to schools are a matter for each board of management and parents apply directly to schools.
The NCSE, through its network of local special educational needs organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports as required. The NCSE is aware of emerging need from year to year and where additional provision is required to support schools to meet the needs of children with special educational needs, it is planned and established to meet that need.
In addition, there are specialist educational supports provided by the National Educational Psychological Services (NEPS) and the NCSE to help schools provide an appropriate education for students with special educational needs.
Funding is also made available to schools for the purchase of specialised equipment such as computers and/or software to assist children with special educational needs, including children with a specific learning disability such as dyslexia. This is provided where relevant professionals recommend the equipment as being essential for the provision of education. Schools can apply to the NCSE, through their local SENO for such support.
It is important to note that all classroom teachers at primary level and subject teachers at post-primary level have responsibility for the progress of their students. Where necessary, additional support is provided by special education teachers. The majority of students with significant literacy difficulties currently receive additional teaching support from a special education teacher in a mainstream class. This is provided on the basis of the individual student’s learning need, identified in schools, as opposed to being based on a requirement for a child to have a diagnosis, or an assessment, of a particular disability.
These supports are intended to provide students with the highest standard of education in mainstream classes, special classes and special schools.
My department and the NCSE are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.
353. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide details of any anti-racism or unconscious bias training and presentations made available to staff in her Department during the period 2021 to date; the content of such training and presentations; the provider of any such training and presentations and the costs incurred for each event; if attendance at such training and presentations is mandatory or voluntary for staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24679/24]
View answerI am advised that the details of any anti-racism or unconscious bias training and presentations made available to staff in my Department during the period 2021 to date are detailed in the table below.
The table contains the information requested in relation to the year any such training and presentations was delivered, the content of such training and presentations, and if attendance at such training and presentations was mandatory or voluntary for staff. The details of individual service providers and cost is commercially sensitive.
|
Training |
Year |
Content |
Mandatory? |
|
Interview Board Training |
2021 - 2022- 2023 |
Unconscious Bias was covered as part of this training |
No |
|
Safe to Create Programme |
N/A - eLearning module |
Addressing Unconscious Bias was part of this training |
No |
|
Equality and Human Rights: Understanding Your Role |
2022 - 2023 - 2024 |
Raising Self Awareness, including Unconscious Bias, was part of this training |
No |
|
Introduction to Quality Customer Service |
2022 - 2023 - 2024 |
Managing Unconscious Bias was part of this training |
No |
|
Collaborative Working and Team Building |
2022 - 2023 -2024 |
Unconscious Bias was part of this training |
No |
|
Professional Telephone Skills |
2021 - 2022 - 2023 - 2024 |
Unconscious Bias was part of this training |
No |
|
Advanced Telephone Skills |
2021 - 2022 - 2023 -2024 |
Unconscious Bias was part of this training |
No |
|
Managing for an Inclusive Workforce |
2022 - 2023 - 2024 |
Overcoming barriers to inclusion within and across teams (fear, bias, micro-behaviour, knowledge gaps, inertia & time) and Unconscious Bias was part of this training |
No |
354. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department will be prioritising the progression of any specific pieces of legislation prior to the Dáil summer recess; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24710/24]
View answerMy Department is currently prioritising the progression of two pieces of legislation, which are as follows:
Registration of Short-Term Tourist Letting Bill
The proposed Registration of Short Term Tourist Letting Bill will provide the statutory basis for the establishment of a register for Short Term Tourist Lets in Ireland, as required under the Housing for All strategy, and for the implementation of the new EU Short Term Rental (STR) Regulation which was adopted by the EU on 11 April 2024.
The General Scheme for the Registration of Short-Term Tourist Letting Bill approved by Government on 7 December 2022 has been revised to ensure full alignment with the STR Regulation as adopted on 11 April 2024.
I will be in a position to bring the revised General Scheme to Government shortly for approval.
An Bille um Údarás na Gaeltachta (Leasú) agus Forálacha Ilghnéitheacha
The revised Heads of the Bill were published on my Department's website on 16 April 2024.
My Department continues to work with colleagues in the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel in terms of drafting An Bille um Údarás na Gaeltachta (Leasú) agus Forálacha Ilghnéitheacha 2024 with a view to publishing the Bill before the Dáil summer recess.
355. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the supports in place for artists reliant on universal basic income after 2025; her views on initial data gathered by way of the six-monthly surveys; how that data is being deployed by her Department; her views on the extension of the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24719/24]
View answerThe Basic Income for the Arts pilot is a unique opportunity to gather data on the Arts sector that we did not have before. The research programme is an important part of the pilot and will inform Government policy in the future on support for Irish artists and creative arts workers. In researching impacts on recipients and on the ecology of the arts, this pilot scheme has the potential to change the landscape of the Arts sector within Ireland and how it’s funded. It will help us to make further progress towards a more evidence-based approach to funding for the Arts. Data published through the reports is of use to the Department, the Arts Council, local authorities and arts organisations. The research crucially shows the reality for artists and I have consistently emphasised the importance of the research as part of the pilot as it demonstrates the practical impacts the basic income has for those in receipt.
The primary objective of the data collection is to capture a wide range of information related to the artists' demographics, income sources, spending habits, financial well-being, work and job quality, perceptions of the arts sector, time use, health and well-being, and experiences of discrimination.
A year on, the BIA payment is having a consistent, positive impact across almost all indicators; affecting practice development, sectoral retention, well-being, and deprivation. Artists in receipt of the support are typically able to devote more time to their art, have a boost to their wellbeing through greater life satisfaction and reduced anxiety, and are protected from the precariousness of incomes in the sector to a greater degree than those who are not receiving the support.
When I became Minister, I was determined to focus on supporting professional arts practice and demonstrating to artists that they are valued, that their work is appreciated and that the contribution they make to enhancing all of our lives is understood.
Accordingly, in line with that commitment to supporting artists, in the last four years:
• funding for the Culture programme in my department has grown by over 90%
• funding for the Arts Council has grown by 68%
• funding for Screen Ireland has grown by 88%
• funding for Culture Ireland has grown 65%
• funding of €105 million is in place for the Basic Income for the Arts Research Programme
• funding for National Cultural Institutions has increased by over 50%
• we are supporting the provision of new artist workspaces in Dublin City and elsewhere
356. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media what grant funding, if any, is available for the purpose of renovating a garage beside a dwelling housing into one for commercial use (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24780/24]
View answerMy 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.
The matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred this question to that agency for direct response to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
357. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén uair a dhéanfar faomhadh ar phlean teanga an Chlocháin, baile seirbhíse Gaeltachta; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [24980/24]
View answerChuir Foras na Gaeilge dréacht plean teanga do Bhaile Seirbhíse na Gaeltachta An Chlochán faoi bhráid na Roinne ag deireadh 2023. Tar éis don Roinn an plean teanga a mheas bhí gá dul ar ais chuig an bhForas chun soiléiriú a fáil i leith roinnt gnéithe. Is mian liom a dheimhniú go bhfuil leagan leasaithe den phlean teanga faighte ag an Roinn le déanaí agus go bhfuiltear a mheas faoi láthair.
Maidir leis an bpróiseas pleanála teanga mar a bhaineann sé leis na Bailte Seirbhíse Gaeltachta agus Líonraí Gaeilge, go dáta, tá pleananna teanga curtha faoi bhráid mo Roinne agus ceadaithe i leith ocht mBaile Seirbhíse Gaeltachta den sé cinn déag uile atá aitheanta. Anuas air sin, tá trí Líonra Gaeilge reachtúil aitheanta go nuige seo faoin bpróiseas sa deisceart chomh maith le dhá cheann neamhreachtúil aitheanta ag Foras na Gaeilge sa tuaisceart.
358. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the amount allocated under the last round of the sports capital grant that has yet to be claimed; the amount that has been drawn down vis-à-vis the amount allocated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25051/24]
View answerA total of €166.6 million was provisionally allocated under the 2020 round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme. €16.6 million was provisionally allocated in equipment-only grants in August 2021 and €150 million in capital grants was provisionally allocated in February and May 2022.
The progress on drawdown to date is set out below.
SCEP 2020 – Drawdown Status as at 31 May 2024
|
- |
Allocation |
Drawn Down |
Payment in Process |
Remaining |
|
Equipment |
€17.7m |
€12.5m |
€0.1m |
€5.1m |
|
Capital |
€149m |
€74.3m |
€3.6m |
€71.1m |
|
Total: |
€166.6m |
€86.7m |
€3.7m |
€76.2m |
359. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide an update on a case (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25198/24]
View answerThe 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. The 2023 round of the SCEP has seen a record number of applications received, including the application referred to, by the Deputy.
On 9 May 2024, Minister Martin and I announced over €26 million in equipment-only grants under the latest round of the SCEP. The grants have been provisionally allocated to organisations across the country and to over fifty sports and activities. Further allocations, including those for capital works and capital works with an equipment component, will be announced by Autumn.
On 29 May 2024, Minister Martin and I announced that at least €250 million in funding will be available under the latest round of the SCEP. This record level of funding should mean a positive outcome for all valid applications.
360. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide an update on the application for funding of a group under the cultural capital grant scheme (details supplied). [25203/24]
View answerAt present, my Department does not have an application for funding from the group referred to by the Deputy.
The group previously applied for funding and was successful under Stream D of my Department's Cultural Capital Scheme. The grant was drawn down in full, by the group in April 2021. Stream D was set up specifically to assist arts and culture organisations to reopen safely after COVID-19 and help prevent its spread.
At present, my Department has a capital scheme open for applications called Stream E of the Cultural Capital Scheme. Grants of up to €50,000 are available to not-for-profit arts and culture organisations for capital projects that reduce their carbon footprint or provide additional capacity for artistic production. Full details for Stream E can be obtained at the following link: gov - Creative Arts: Grants and Funding (www.gov.ie)
