Written Answers Nos. 74-86
74. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the totality of the funds requested and drawn down by his Department from EU sources in respect of covid-19 in each of the years 2020 to 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form (details supplied). [30228/24]
View answerNextGenerationEU is the EU’s temporary recovery instrument to support Europe’s economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and build a greener, more digital and more resilient future. The centrepiece of NextGenerationEU is the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) - an instrument that offers grants and loans to support reforms and investments in the EU Member States. RRF funds are being provided to Member States in line with their National Recovery and Resilience plans – the roadmaps to reforms and investments aimed to make EU economies greener, digital and more resilient.
Following adoption of Ireland’s REPowerEU chapter at the June ECOFIN, Ireland’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) is now worth €1.15 billion in grants over the lifetime of the RRF.
The RRF is a performance-based instrument with payment contingent on the satisfactory achievement of milestones and targets. The delivery of the plan is well underway. Ireland’s first payment request for €324m has received a positive assessment from the Commission and drawdown is expected in the coming weeks. This corresponds to 28% of all the funds in the revised Irish plan, with 34% of all the milestones and targets fulfilled.
In response to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Commission also introduced additional flexibilities, delivered through two Coronavirus Response Investment Initiatives (CRII and CRII+), to enable Member States to respond to the crisis using available funding in the 2014-20 programmes, at a co-financing rate of 100%. Ireland took advantage of these flexibilities and reprogrammed funds to the value of €311 million of unclaimed ERDF funding for a new Health Support Scheme used to support the purchase of PPE for the Health Services, which was critical at that time.
|
ERDF Claims |
ERDF Received to Date |
||
|
2020 |
NWRA |
€35,007,906 |
€31,507,115 |
|
SEM |
€77,920,823 |
€70,128,741 |
|
|
2021 |
NWRA |
€68,022,723 |
€60,082,375 |
|
SEM |
€129,888,422 |
€109,895,420 |
|
|
Totals |
€310,839,874 |
*€271,613,651 |
* To note that the Commission retains a portion of claims to enable a balancing exercise at programme closure.
75. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform for an update on the tidal barrier for Cork city, and the funding provided for same, in each of the past five years, in tabular form. [30458/24]
View answerThe Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme - Ireland’s largest study of flood risk, was completed by the Office of Public Works in 2018. This studied the flood risk for two-thirds of the population against their risk of flooding from rivers and the sea. An output of the CFRAM Programme, the Government’s Flood Risk Management Plans provide the evidence for a proactive approach for designing and constructing flood relief schemes for the most at-risk communities. The delivery of these Plans is supported by €1.3 billion through the National Development Plan to 2030. To date, 55 schemes have been completed, which are providing protection to over 13,000 properties and an economic benefit to the State in damages and losses avoided estimated to be in the region of €2 billion.
The Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme (LLFRS) is the largest flood relief scheme in the state. It encompasses an area from Inniscarra Hydroelectric plant to the Port of Cork, some 16 kilometres away. The Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme is expected to provide protection against the 100-year fluvial flooding event from the River Lee and the 200-year tidal flooding event for 2,100 properties, 900 residential and 1,200 commercial, at an estimated cost of over €200 million.
The Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme is the result of over a decade of study utilising cutting edge technology to review the most recent data and science, alongside local community needs, and the current and future climate context which adopts a multifaceted approach and is the only viable solution to Cork’s Flooding problem.
The Scheme has carefully considered climate change using the best available scientific evidence. None of the infrastructure proposed as part of the LLFRS will become redundant and it will always be needed as part of a long term integrated flood defence scheme. The Scheme is a key component of Cork’s long-term climate change adaptation strategy and is flexible to respond to a changing future climate.
As part of the scheme’s design, the tidal barrier option was considered in great depth with a comprehensive pre-feasibility assessment completed which is available on the LLFRS website at www.floodinfo.ie/frs/en/lower-lee/home/. The consideration of worst-case sea-level rise projections suggests that the earliest a tidal barrier might become necessary or viable is the next century.
The design analysis highlights that quayside defences are both necessary and viable now, and in all possible future scenarios, both to address river flooding and to function as part of an integrated and sustainable tidal defence solution.
76. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of vacant WTE staff by job title at the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission as of 3 July 2024; the estimated full year cost of filling each of the vacancies; and the timeframe for which these vacancies will be filled, in tabular form. [30053/24]
View answerThe Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is the statutory body responsible for enforcing consumer protection and competition law in Ireland.
The CCPC remit continues to expand with recent legislation agreed at EU level designed to further strengthen protections for consumers and fairness in the operation of online markets. This includes the Digital Services Act (DSA), the Digital Markets Act (DMA), as well as the CCPC being designated as the competent authority for the Data Governance Act (DGA) and designated as the market surveillance of certain products and checking the compliance of services under the European Accessibility Act (EAA). There has been significant additional competition and consumer enforcement powers given to the CCPC by way of legislation such as the Competition Amendment Act which represents the biggest overhaul of competition law in Ireland for a generation. This enhances the ability of the CCPC to tackle cartels, bid rigging in public procurement, anti-competitive practices, and anti-competitive mergers. The Consumer Rights Act 2022 represents the most significant reform of consumer protection law in Ireland in the last 40 years. It updates and strengthens existing Irish consumer law relation to the sale of goods and supply of services, unfair contract terms and consumer information and cancellation rights.
The CCPC’s funding has increased in recent years in light of these additional functions. The CCPC has been allocated €25.7million for 2024.
As of 3 July 2024, the CCPC had 48 vacancies. The CCPC has informed my officials that it is making significant recruitment efforts, for example 26 of these vacancies are currently in the recruitment process. Please see below for further details of the vacancies in the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission:
|
Role Title |
Division |
Grade |
Timeframe for filling vacancy |
Full Year Cost (including PRSI + Pension) |
|
|
1 |
Head of Unit |
Cartels |
AP |
Q4 2024 |
€94,003 |
|
2 |
Senior Investigator |
Cartels |
HEO |
Q4 2024 |
€67,895 |
|
3 |
Head of Unit - Investigations & Enforcement |
Cartels |
AP |
Q4 2024 |
€94,003 |
|
4 |
Assistant Principal - Head of Unit |
Cartels |
AP |
Q4 2024 |
€94,003 |
|
5 |
Higher Executive Officer |
Cartels |
HEO |
Q4 2024 |
€67,895 |
|
6 |
Consumer Enforcement Executive |
Consumer Enforcement Division |
EO |
Q3 2024 |
€43,271 |
|
7 |
Consumer Enforcement Executive |
Consumer Enforcement Division |
EO |
Q3 2024 |
€43,271 |
|
8 |
Consumer Enforcement Executive |
Consumer Enforcement Division |
EO |
Q3 2024 |
€43,271 |
|
9 |
Consumer Enforcement Executive |
Consumer Enforcement Division |
EO |
Q3 2024 |
€43,271 |
|
10 |
Consumer Enforcement Executive |
Consumer Enforcement Division |
EO |
Q3 2024 |
€43,271 |
|
11 |
Consumer Enforcement Executive |
Consumer Enforcement Division |
EO |
Q3 2024 |
€43,271 |
|
12 |
Head of Unit |
Competition Enforcement and Mergers |
AP |
Q1 2025 |
€94,003 |
|
13 |
Deputy Director |
Competition Enforcement and Mergers |
AP1 |
Q1 2025 |
€103,184 |
|
14 |
Senior Analyst/Investigator |
Competition Enforcement and Mergers |
HEO |
Q3 2024 |
€67,895 |
|
15 |
Senior Analyst/Investigator |
Competition Enforcement and Mergers |
HEO |
Q3 2024 |
€67,895 |
|
16 |
Senior Analyst |
Competition Enforcement and Mergers |
HEO |
Q3 2024 |
€67,895 |
|
17 |
Senior Analyst Investigator |
Competition Enforcement and Mergers |
HEO |
Q3 2024 |
€67,895 |
|
18 |
Senior Analyst |
Competition Enforcement and Mergers |
HEO |
Q3 2024 |
€67,895 |
|
19 |
Head of Website and Digital Content |
Communications |
AP |
Q4 2024 |
€94,003 |
|
20 |
Assistant Principal – Head of Financial Education |
Communications |
AP |
Q4 2024 |
€94,003 |
|
21 |
Financial Literacy Strategy Lead |
Communications |
AP |
Q4 2024 |
€94,003 |
|
22 |
Deputy Director |
Communications |
AP1 |
Q1 2025 |
€103,184 |
|
23 |
Executive Officer |
Communications |
EO |
Q4 2024 |
€43,271 |
|
24 |
Financial Education Manager |
Communications |
HEO |
Q1 2025 |
€67,895 |
|
25 |
Communications manager |
Communications |
HEO |
Q1 2025 |
€67,895 |
|
26 |
Digital Services Act |
Consumer Protection |
HEO |
Q4 2024 |
€67,895 |
|
27 |
Digital Services Act |
Consumer Protection |
HEO |
Q4 2024 |
€67,895 |
|
28 |
Digital Services Act |
Consumer Protection |
HEO |
Q4 2024 |
€67,895 |
|
29 |
Consumer Protection Manager |
Consumer Protection |
HEO |
Q4 2024 |
€67,895 |
|
30 |
Head of Digital Solutions (ICT) |
Corporate Services |
AP |
Q3 2024 |
€94,003 |
|
31 |
Executive Officer ICT |
Corporate Services |
EO |
Q3 2024 |
€43,271 |
|
32 |
Executive Officer |
Data Regulation |
EO |
Q2 2025 |
€43,271 |
|
33 |
Higher Executive Officer |
Data Regulation |
HEO |
Q2 2025 |
€67,895 |
|
34 |
Principal Officer |
Data Regulation |
PO |
Q1 2025 |
€122,324 |
|
35 |
Director - ECC- IE |
European Consumer Centre |
PO |
Q4 2024 |
€122,324 |
|
36 |
Head of Unit |
Forensic Technology and Data Analytics |
AP |
Q1 2025 |
€94,003 |
|
37 |
Head of Unit |
Forensic Technology and Data Analytics |
AP |
Q1 2025 |
€94,003 |
|
38 |
L+D Executive |
Human Resources |
EO |
Q3 2024 |
€43,271 |
|
39 |
Senior Legal Advisor - Competition |
Legal Services |
AP |
Q3 2024 |
€94,003 |
|
40 |
Deputy Head Legal - Competition and Mergers |
Legal Services |
AP1 |
Q4 2024 |
€103,184 |
|
41 |
Deputy Director |
Legal Services |
AP1 |
Q4 2024 |
€103,184 |
|
42 |
Legal Advisor - Consumer & Product Safety |
Legal Services |
HEO |
Q1 2025 |
€67,895 |
|
43 |
Assistant Principal |
Policy Research & International |
AP |
Q3 2024 |
€94,003 |
|
44 |
Deputy Director |
Policy Research & International |
AP1 |
Q1 2025 |
€103,184 |
|
45 |
Higher Executive Officer |
Policy Research & International |
HEO |
Q3 2024 |
€67,895 |
|
46 |
Higher Executive Officer |
Policy Research & International |
HEO |
Q3 2024 |
€67,895 |
|
47 |
Product Safety Officer |
Product Safety |
EO |
Q1 2025 |
€43,271 |
|
48 |
Product Safety Officer |
Product Safety |
EO |
Q1 2025 |
€43,271 |
77. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if there is any grant to assist businesses in the hospitality sector to upgrade their sewage treatment facilities. [30116/24]
View answerMy Department does not provide grants to assist businesses in any sector to upgrade their sewage treatment facilities.
The full range of Government supports for businesses in all sectors are available through the new online National Enterprise Hub for SMEs to access information on the wide range of Government business supports. I am launching the Hub today along with Minister Burke. It can be accessed at www.neh.gov.ie and signposts to over 180 different Government services or supports ranging from EI and LEOs to the SEAI and Board Bia.
78. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he can provide Ireland’s submission on the EU Directive to empower for the green transition, and the timeline and next steps as the Directive is transposed into Irish law over the next two years. [30118/24]
View answerOn 30 March 2022, the EU Commission submitted a proposal for a Directive on empowering consumers for the green transition through better protection against unfair commercial practices and better information. This proposal was one of a package of initiatives set out in the New Consumer Agenda and the Circular Economy Action Plan and follows up on the European Green Deal. It aims to enhance consumer rights by amending two Directives that protect the interest of consumers, namely:
- The Unfair Commercial Practices Directive 2005/29/EC; and
- The Consumer Rights Directive 2011/83/EU.
The Purpose of the proposal is to empower consumers and providing them with cost-saving opportunities is a key building block of the sustainable product policy framework. This is to be achieved through the improved participation of consumers in the circular economy, in particular by providing better information to consumers on the durability and reparability of certain products. It will also require stepping up the protection of consumers against unfair commercial practices that prevent sustainable purchases, such as:
· Greenwashing (i.e. misleading environmental claims);
· Early obsolescence (i.e. premature failures of goods); and
· The use of unreliable and non-transparent sustainability labels and information tools.
The commission conducted an Impact Assessment Report which was published on 30th March 2022 as regards empowering consumers for the green transition through better protection against unfair practices and better information.
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment ran a public consultation in early 2023 and received three responses from the Institute of Public Auctioneers and Valuers; ComReg; and Chambers Ireland. The feedback was supportive of the aim to enhance the public’s ability to assess the environmental claims associated with potential purchases.
Directive (EU) 2024/825 as regards empowering consumers for the green transition through better protection against unfair practices and through better information was published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) on 6th March 2024 and the transposition date is 27th March 2026.
The Department is preparing for the transposition of the Directive.
79. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the totality of the funds requested and drawn down by his Department from EU sources in respect of covid-19 in each of the years 2020 to 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form (details supplied). [30220/24]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the response to the scale of the challenge posed by the advent of Covid -19 involved the whole of Government Departments, including my own Department who rolled out a panoply of targeted supports to assist businesses impacted by the affects of the pandemic.
These supports included discrete schemes such as the Restart and the Restart Plus Grants, the Sustaining Enterprise Fund, the Covid Life Products Scheme, the Covid Credit Guarantee Scheme etc. In addition, the Department refashioned a number of existing enterprise supports, including access to finance measures such as the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland administered Working Capital and Future Growth Loan Schemes, the Microfinance Ireland Covid Loans, Trading on Line Vouchers etc to assist business to deal with the impacts of Covid.
In the main the funding for these once off Covid measures were provided to my Department’s Vote through the relevant Revised Estimates processes as voted on by the Dáil rather than from EU sources.
Insofar as EU sources are concerned, the NextGenerationEU package as adopted by the EU Council in July 2020, was essentially Europe’s shared response to the severe health and economic crisis caused by COVID-19. Ireland’s element of this response was articulated through its National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP). The Plan identified a set of 16 investments and 9 reform commitments which were focused on delivering sustainable, equitable, green and digital recovery.
My Department was assigned responsibility for managing two of these investments, namely the Acceleration of the Decarbonisation of the Enterprise Sector and Driving the Digital Transformation of Enterprise in Ireland, and funding of €140 million was allocated in the NRRP to deliver on these investments over the lifetime of the Plan. As at the end of 2023, a total of €12.4 million was drawn down to support particular projects approved in respect of the aforementioned investments. Further projects to deliver on these investments continue to be assessed and are expected to be approved within the lifetime of the NRRP.
80. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the key measures and initiatives taken in relation to boosting exports in indigenous Irish businesses since July 2020; his assessment of the impact of these measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30297/24]
View answerMy Department’s White Paper on Enterprise to 2030 sets out an ambitious vision for Ireland’s enterprise policy, seeking to secure a sustainable, innovative and high-productivity economy, with rewarding jobs and livelihoods in the period ahead.
Ireland’s position as a small economy means that it is essential for our economic resilience that Irish enterprises realise opportunities in global markets. As an agency of my Department, Enterprise Ireland (EI) is responsible for helping prospective and emerging exporters to build company scale and expand their reach.
In line with the White Paper, EI's Strategy 2022-2024 sets out a number of initiatives to create resilient, internationally focused Irish enterprises, and ambitious targets are set for export growth and market diversification of the EI client base. This includes growing the total value of exports reported by EI client companies on an annual basis and driving diversification with 70% of their exports going to destinations outside of the UK market. Companies supported by EI exported goods and services worth €34.6 billion in 2023, the highest level on record. The impact of this activity by EI client companies can be seen in the €39.3 billion spent in the Irish economy in 2023 which includes approximately €11.7 billion spent on payroll. The very positive results are a testament to the resilience and vision in the Irish enterprise sector and the Government’s policy to assist Irish business in that vision.
The White Paper sets a target of 2,000 new exporters by 2030. To help achieve this, work is underway to build a new exporter accelerator in Enterprise Ireland which will focus on building ambition, capability and market entry for potential first-time exporters. The new accelerator will work closely with the Local Enterprise Offices and will enable further progress with regard to the expansion of the LEO framework to extend direct financial assistance to small companies employing more than 10 and less than 50 employees in the manufacturing and internationally traded sectors with export potential.
Enterprise Ireland helps Irish businesses to become global leaders in their field, by supporting them to explore international exporting opportunities to drive global growth. My Department, through EI, has a range of supports to help companies develop market entry plans, fund market research and upskill leadership teams. Businesses working with EI benefit from international trade missions, trade event programmes, and buyer visits, which are instrumental when growing and scaling internationally.
Based in 39 offices across 30 countries, Enterprise Ireland Market Advisors have the local knowledge and connections to guide companies in growing their export sales. Market Advisors are a vital source of market intelligence that can be accessed when planning a go-to-market strategy. They offer practical on-the-ground help and can provide connections to potential customers, partners, and important local stakeholders.
EI’s Market Research Centre (MRC) supports businesses with extensive market data, in-depth market analysis and tailored insights, so they can take a strategic approach to decisions and gain a competitive edge. The MRC has the largest repository of specialist, online business databases in Ireland, providing access to the most authoritative market research resources.
EI also offer a range of market access grants to assist companies that are starting out on their export journey. These include the Digital Marketing Capability grant, the Evolve strategic planning grant, the Market Discovery Fund, and the Strategic Marketing Review.
Looking ahead, I am very conscious of the current and emerging uncertainties for business in global markets. My Department is working with EI to help their clients anticipate and transform their business models to address areas such as sustainability, digitalisation, financing and skills.
81. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the key measures and initiatives taken in relation to the improving of employment rights since July 2020; his assessment of the impact of these measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30298/24]
View answerThe Government is committed to supporting workers and has a very strong record on strengthening and introducing new workers’ rights.
The European Union Transparent and Predictable Working Conditions Regulations came into effect in Ireland in December 2022. These regulations have ensured that employees are given more detailed information about the important aspects of their jobs. They also limit probationary periods at the start of a job and strengthen employees' rights to seek additional work. Employees now also have the right to mandatory job-related training at no cost, removing barriers to skill development.
December 2022 saw the introduction of The Payment of Wages (Tips and Gratuities) Act, which obliges employers to distribute tips fairly and display prominently their policy on the distribution of tips. This Act assists in providing a more secure financial foundation for workers in the hospitality and service industry. December 2023 saw the introduction of new fines to protect workers tips.
In January 2023, we introduced Statutory Sick Pay entitlement for all workers, providing a crucial safety net to protect workers who become ill. It again underscores our commitment to the welfare and well-being of our workforce. From 1 January 2024 the number of Statutory Sick Leave days increased from 3 to 5.
In February 2023, we introduced a new permanent public holiday established in celebration of St. Brigid’s day. The new public holiday brings the number of public holidays in Ireland to 10.
In April 2023, the Government enacted the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act. This provides employees the right to request a remote working arrangement from their employer, recognising the changing dynamics of the modern workplace. This right has been in operation since the 6th of March this year, alongside a Code of Practice for remote and flexible working arrangements.
The Employment (Collective Redundancies and Miscellaneous Provisions) and Companies (Amendment) Act 2024 was enacted on the 9th of May 2024 and provides for the establishment of the Employment Law Review Group (ELRG). It is intended to advertise a public call for expressions of interest for membership of the ELRG. This will be open to all interested parties with qualifications and/or professional experience in employment law and/or redundancy law.
The Act also makes targeted improvements to collective redundancy rules by amending the Protection of Employment Act 1977. These changes include increasing liquidators’ notification and consultation obligations where the collective redundancies are due to the employer’s insolvency, providing for additional redress for employees from the WRC where breaches occur and enabling employers to submit collective redundancy notifications electronically.
In March 2024 the Government approved the drafting of the General Scheme for the Employment (Restriction of Certain Mandatory Retirement Ages) Bill .This will deliver a statutory provision which will allow, but in no way compel, an employee to stay in employment until the State Pension Age.
The Government has also announced the introduction of a National Living Wage for employees which will be in place by 2026.
These measures represent this Governments commitment to a fairer and more transparent workplace.
82. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment about the uses of the trading online voucher scheme; and if this scheme can be used to avail of artificial intelligence products and research; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30504/24]
View answerIn May of this year, the Government agreed a range of measures with the aim of reducing costs for small and medium sized businesses. As part of this package and aligned with changes outlined in the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Policy Statement, changes to the LEO digitalisation schemes for small businesses were included.
Firstly, the Trading Online Voucher scheme will be doubled to €5,000 to support businesses on their digitalisation journey and will be made available to businesses with up to 50 employees in all sectors. This will also contribute to the target in the National Digital Strategy of achieving 90% of SMEs having basic digital intensity 2030.
Secondly, the eligibility criteria for Digital for Business consultancy scheme will be widened to make businesses with up to 50 employees eligible for the scheme, regardless of sector. The consultancy will be a prerequisite to be eligible for capital expenditure through the Trading Online Voucher scheme.
The Trading Online Voucher scheme has also been further enhanced by modernising the eligible expenditure. It will be renamed the Grow Digital Voucher to reflect the needs of a modern business in a digital environment. This updated eligible expenditure includes a wide range elements including e-commerce software, e-invoicing software, cyber security software, as well as analytics software including Artificial Intelligence systems.
The changes to this scheme are currently being finalised, and I would urge any businesses interested in availing of this enhanced voucher to embark on their digital journey by applying for a Digital for Business consultancy scheme, through their Local Enterprise Office, to identify how digitalisation can best benefit their business.
83. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education the funding available for summer camps for children with complex needs or autism. [30153/24]
View answerDetails of the 2024 Summer Programme were published on the 21 of 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, including children with autism, should have access to a school-based summer programme. Depending on the school type, the school-based programme can run for 2 to 5 weeks during the summer months.
Where a school is not running a Summer Programme or a place on a school-based programme is unavailable, the Home-based programme remains available for pupils with complex special educational needs. Under the Home-based Summer programme, grant funding is made available so that parents/legal guardians can engage the services of a teacher or a SNA to provide tuition or care support on a 1:1 basis in the child’s home for 10 hours per week, up to a maximum of 4 weeks.
The Department will also approve a group arrangement between parents/legal guardians and private providers, such as pre-schools, subject to full compliance with the published terms and conditions for group arrangements and prior approval having been granted by the Department. The group provider must be sourced and procured by the parents/legal guardians.
Further information on this year’s Summer Programme can be found at www.gov.ie/summerprogramme. A Department helpline is also available for schools and parents at 090 648 4292 to address any specific queries regarding the Summer Programme. Alternatively, queries concerning the school-based scheme can be directed to schoolsummerprogramme@education.gov.ie or, for the home-based scheme, can be directed to the homebasedsummerprogram@education.gov.ie.
84. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education if school transport will be provided in September for a person (details supplied). [30014/24]
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 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.
The National Council for Special Education acts in an advisory role to the Department of Education on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs. Under the terms of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, the Department will consider the report of the Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO). School transport is provided to children with special educational needs who are attending the nearest school to their place of residence that is or can be resourced to meet their educational needs, as identified by the SENO.
A service was sanctioned for the child referred to by the Deputy for the 2023/24 school year. Unfortunately there was a delay in the commencement of the service due to difficulties sourcing a contractor. However Bus Éireann advise that the service is ready to commence for the beginning of the 2024/25 school year and the local office will liaise with the family regarding the arrangements. Both the Department and Bus Éireann are very conscious of the challenges faced by parents awaiting transport for students with special educational needs. Families of children who are eligible for these services may therefore avail of the interim Special Transport Grant. Information about the grant has been communicated to the family by the School Transport Section in the Department.
85. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education if there is financial support available for international protection applicants related to the purchase of school iPads; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30072/24]
View answerI am keenly aware of the challenges faced by educators and parents in relation to costs of digital technology, including tablets, and my Department continues to work to help support schools and families meet these costs. In 2017 a circular letter issued to schools with measures to be adopted to reduce the cost of school uniforms and other costs including such ICT devices. assets.gov.ie/12695/2045e7ccec684f72b55d93930e45372c.pdf
This circular also instructed schools to consult with parents and their school community on the issue of ensuring costs are reasonable for parents, and how to avoid costs acting as a barrier. This circular specified that wherever possible, generic rather than branded items should be specified (e.g. uniform, clothing, IT tablets, sports equipment etc.).
It is the responsibility of each individual school to select the resources, if any, that it will use to support its implementation of the curriculum. The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) and my Department do not endorse or recommend particular materials. This includes text books, e-Books etc.
Since June 2020, and over the past three Budgets, I have secured funding to support measures aimed at supporting schools and parents to reduce costs. One of the most important policies in this regard has been the establishment of Ireland’s first national primary school book scheme, which will provide free schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks, in primary schools and special schools. More than 558,000 pupils enrolled in approximately 3,230 primary schools, including over 130 special schools, will benefit from this measure.
This free schoolbooks scheme will eliminate the cost to all families for schoolbooks at primary school, including workbooks and copybooks.
In addition, my Department currently provides a book grant of over €10.2 million to all recognised post primary schools within the Free Education Scheme in order to provide assistance for books, including book rental schemes (which can include ebooks), and all schools are encouraged to operate book rental schemes to help alleviate costs to parents.
Decisions regarding the use and deployment of digital technology in schools is a matter for the Board of Management of each school in the context of their digital learning planning. Schools are advised to consult with members of the school community including parents when planning for the introduction of digital technologies including devices with cost and other implications been fully considered by the Boards of Management before a decision is made.
Schools, in conjunction with parents, are responsible for decisions on the use of digital technology, including tablet devices, laptops, and learning platforms, and how best to manage their integration into classroom practice reflective of their own context and requirements.
Oide- Technology in Education (formally the PDST-TIE) offers advice and supports to schools on digital learning. Advice sheets are available on digital technology in education, including on the adoption of laptops and tablets in schools.
The Digital Strategy for Schools 2027, which builds on the progress made under the previous Digital Strategy, will be underpinned by an investment of some €200m included in the National Development Plan 2021-2030 providing continuity of funding following the €210m that issued to schools to support the previous strategy. €100m of that funding has issued, of which €50m recently issued to school. This funding issued directly to schools as schools are best placed to identify the requirements of their own student cohort and to meet those requirements in the most appropriate way. This can include the purchase of ICT devices such as tablets, hybrid devices, or laptops.
In addition, the Department as part of Ireland’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) under Next Generation EU funding facility, issued a once-off grant of €50 million in December 2021 to recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education scheme in order to support those learners at risk of educational disadvantage through the digital divide,
This funding issued directly to schools as they were best placed to determine the needs of their own students and have autonomy to do so, within the criteria applying to this funding. This can include establishing schemes to loan devices to students, and this also applies to Digital Strategy Grant funding.
86. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 205 of 2 July 2024, to provide a detailed breakdown of the specific measures being taken to expand capacity in a number of special schools across Dublin; which schools; how capacity is being expanded; the timeframe for delivery on each of these specific measures; the reason for the decision making process which was used to select these measures and the associated schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30073/24]
View answerEnabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided.
Responsibility for ensuring the provision of special school places lies with the NCSE and I am determined to ensure that all children who require a special school placement can access this as quickly as possible. Ahead of the new school-year, I am meeting with the NCSE on a weekly basis to discuss progress being made and work plans to ensure that every child has a school place for the coming term.
My department works closely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places. In the Budget last year, funding was secured for up to 400 new special classes in mainstream schools, and an additional 300 special school places for the 2024/25 school year. This will deliver 2,700 new places for children.
Since 2020, the government has invested in the region of €4.8 billion of capital funding in schools throughout the country. In April, Minister Foley announced that 90 school building projects would move from tender to construction during 2024 and early 2025.
These projects include 138 classrooms for children with special educational needs and new buildings for two special schools which moved to construction earlier this year. During 2022 and 2023 alone, the school building programme provided accommodation for 80 additional or modernised classrooms in special schools and 459 classrooms for special classes in mainstream schools.
At a local level, I would like to assure the Deputy that there is ongoing engagement between the NCSE and individual special schools in relation to expanding capacity to meet increasing demand. Special schools in Dublin which are expanding for the coming school-year include Libermann, Stewarts and St. Michael’s House special schools.
The Department of Education and the NCSE are working to increase special school capacity for the 2025/2026 school year and beyond. Where additional special school places are needed, the preference is generally to expand capacity in existing schools. However, consideration is being given to whether further new special schools, in addition to the 11 recently established or those currently being established, are required in certain locations. As part of this work, the NCSE is examining known demand in areas, the distances children are travelling to special schools and capacity in an area to expand special schools which already exist. This work is ongoing and is expected to be substantially completed in late autumn. A number of regions are under consideration for special school provision.
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.
