Written Answers Nos. 185-198
185. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to indicate the number of indigenous jobs created in the manufacturing and services sectors in each of the past five years to date in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30836/24]
View answerMy Department compiles data on the enterprise development agencies (Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta). The breakdown requested is not available economy-wide. Table 1 shows employment in Irish owned enterprise agency client firms in the manufacturing sector. Over the five year period since 2018 total jobs have increased by 20,533 to reach 138,489 jobs in 2023. Data for 2024 is not yet available.
Table 1: Employment in Irish owned enterprise agency firms in manufacturing sector, 2018-2023
|
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2018-2023 |
|
|
Permanent full time jobs |
108,051 |
111,358 |
113,323 |
119,859 |
124,655 |
127,629 |
19,578 |
|
Part time, temporary jobs |
9,905 |
9,958 |
9,153 |
9,144 |
11,735 |
10,860 |
955 |
|
Total Jobs |
117,956 |
121,316 |
122,476 |
129,003 |
136,390 |
138,489 |
20,533 |
Source: DETE Annual Employment Survey
Table 2 shows employment in Irish owned enterprise agency client companies in the services sector. Over the five year period since 2018 total jobs have increased by 17,409 to reach 78,347 in 2023.
Table 2: Employment in Irish owned enterprise agency firms in services sector, 2018-2023
|
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2018-2023 |
|
|
Permanent full time jobs |
51,773 |
55,352 |
55,251 |
59,470 |
65,008 |
66,683 |
14,910 |
|
Part time, temporary jobs |
9,165 |
9,554 |
7,706 |
9,083 |
11,106 |
11,664 |
2,499 |
|
Total Jobs |
60,938 |
64,906 |
62,957 |
68,553 |
76,114 |
78,347 |
17,409 |
Source: DETE Annual Employment Survey
Government policies aimed at creating an attractive environment for both indigenous enterprise and foreign direct investment and enhancing the availability of talent to employers have resulted in record-breaking levels of job creation being achieved in the context of ongoing international economic and geopolitical turbulence, while initiatives such as Pathways to Work are helping to create a more inclusive labour market.
If this momentum is to be maintained, it will be essential that more people – particularly those in cohorts traditionally more distant from the labour market – are given the support they need to enter employment, ensuring in turn that Irish enterprise continues to have access to a pool of high-quality, adaptable and flexible talent.
To meet the demand for skills and to continue increasing participation in employment, there is close collaboration across Government, in particular between the Department of Social Protection, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, its agencies and my own Department, as well as between Government, industry, and the education and training system more broadly, in order to continue building a highly skilled and inclusive workforce.
186. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to indicate the number of indigenous jobs created through foreign direct investment in each of the past five years to date in 2024; the future expectations in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30837/24]
View answerThe total number of additional jobs created by IDA Ireland client companies from 2019 to 2023 inclusive is 46,950, bringing the total number of jobs in IDA client-companies to 300,583 at end 2023. For this year, IDA Ireland figures show that growth remains strong with IDA Ireland supporting a further 131 investments, 74 of which are planned for regional locations, enabling the future delivery of 8,900 jobs to the economy during the first half of 2024.
Regarding future expectations, Ireland continues to be recognised as a highly stable and attractive location for Foreign Direct Investment. However, Government does not take our success to date for granted, and we remain committed to ensuring the right polices are in place to facilitate the development of appropriate skills, infrastructure, and innovation to facilitate strong levels of FDI into the future.
To this end, my Department will continue its work with IDA Ireland to ensure a continuous flow of inward investment into Ireland as IDA Ireland continues to support a strong level of employment across the FDI sector, delivering competitiveness-enhancing, transformative investments concentrating on RD&I, digitalisation, sustainability and talent development to ensure the FDI pipeline remains robust. This work will be reflected in the IDA Ireland's next strategy to cover the period from 2025 onward. In parallel, Government will work to ensure the policies and strategies set out in the White Paper on Enterprise and in NDP investments under Project 2040 are delivered in support of enterprise development, both for Irish-Owned and FDI enterprises alike.
As requested, the numbers of jobs in IDA client companies over the last five years is provided in the table below.
|
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
Change 2019-2023 |
|
|
Permanent Full Time Jobs |
232,007 |
242,284 |
259,026 |
281,545 |
282,024 |
50,017 |
|
Part Time, Temporary Jobs |
21,626 |
20,923 |
19,816 |
20,052 |
18,559 |
- 3,067 |
|
Total Jobs |
253,633 |
263,207 |
278,842 |
301,597 |
300,583 |
46,950 |
187. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the degree to which Ireland remains an attractive location for foreign direct investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30839/24]
View answerIreland continues to be a location of choice for new Foreign Direct Investment and long-established FDI companies also choose to reinvest in substantial expansions of their operations in Ireland.
In 2023, 248 investments were won by IDA Ireland, which will enable the creation of 19,000 jobs for the Irish economy. Of these, 132 investments, or 53%, were outside of Dublin, demonstrating IDA Ireland’s commitment to balanced regional development. A third of investments won, 83, were greenfield or first-time investments. Last year also saw the number of persons directly employed by IDA Ireland’s client base, comprised of more than 1,800 companies, reach over 300,000 people for the second year in a row.
Results continue to be strong in the first half of 2024, which saw IDA Ireland support 131 investments, 74 of which are planned for regional locations, enabling the future delivery of 8,900 jobs to the economy. Moreover, as of 2024, Ireland ranks fourth place among 67 economies measured for our global competitiveness in the 2024 IMD World Competitiveness Ranking, marking the second consecutive year Ireland has been placed in the top five.
These results demonstrate not only the resilience of the FDI sector in Ireland, but also the strength of Ireland’s value proposition and attractive business environment, which enables global companies to successfully invest and expand in Ireland. In this regard, my Department works with IDA Ireland to ensure a strong continuing pipeline of inward investment into Ireland with the IDA supporting robust regional investment, and a strong performance across the key transformation areas of research development and innovation, sustainability, digitalisation, and talent development. In this regard, the goals and objectives of IDA Ireland’s strategy ‘Driving Recovery and Sustainable Growth 2021–2024’ are closely aligned to Ireland’s National Climate Action Plan and the White Paper on Enterprise.
Focusing on sustainable growth, IDA Ireland will continue to leverage the green transition as a core component of Ireland's proposition to overseas investors by showcasing Ireland as a climate-friendly and sustainable business environment. In 2023, IDA Ireland approved 25 sustainability projects focused on carbon abatement and building Ireland’s Green Economy with over €1.4 billion committed by IDA client companies on research and innovation projects. Furthermore, client spend of over €77 million was committed to investment in talent development.
The Government's White Paper on Enterprise, which was published in December 2022, emphasises the importance of FDI to the Irish economy and highlights the importance of the green and digital agendas as drivers of future growth and competitiveness. The latest implementation report, for H2 2023, published in May 2024 and available on my Department's website - www.enterprise.gov.ie - provides updates on the initiatives led by IDA Ireland that have been completed, including:
- Embedding carbon abatement into agency operations.
- Driving digital manufacturing objectives through support for industry with the cooperation of the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) and Digital Manufacturing Ireland (DMI) – including the development of a pipeline of digitalisation projects for Ireland’s manufacturing sector - both funded by the IDA.
- 60 FDI sustainability investments so far in the period 2021 to 2024.
Finally, my Department is not complacent about Ireland’s competitive position regarding FDI with policies, strategies and the legislative toolkit constantly kept under review to ensure objectives set out in this critical area of the economy are met. In this regard, the IDA is actively preparing its next strategy to cover the period from 2025.
188. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to indicate the extent to which he continues to monitor the cost base for Irish industry, with particular reference to comparison with other adjoining and EU jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30840/24]
View answerIrish enterprises over the last number of years have faced significant challenges. My Department has been monitoring such developments in the business environment and in particular, developments in business costs. I recognise that firms have faced multiple crises alongside cost increases over the last number of years, including Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russian war in Ukraine and the associated supply chain shock, the energy cost crisis and rising inflation along with wage demands, and rising interest rates.
These international developments led to cost rises for many sectors, however the impact of many of these cost factors has now eased, which is evident in the Eurostat Industrial Producers Price Index. Similar to other European countries, Ireland experienced sharp industrial producer price inflation in 2022 of 8.7%, however this was below the EU average of 26.6%. In 2023, industrial produce prices in Ireland fell 4.1%, compared to a 13% average decline across the EU.
The Irish labour market continues to perform strongly. Ireland has had an unemployment rate of under 5% since January 2022 and in terms of labour productivity, Ireland is a strong performer internationally, consistently ranking among the top economies across the EU27 and OECD. Indeed, our strong employment rate points to an economy which is operating at capacity, with the demand for labour exceeding its supply. This in itself has contributed to cost increases.
Developments in input prices, including wage developments, ultimately feed into consumer price inflation. While inflation has eased considerably in recent months (projected to be 2.1% for 2024), we are still operating from a high price level. A recent Eurostat survey found that Ireland has the second highest level of consumer prices in the EU, with prices here 42% above the EU average. Ireland’s high price position reflects its relatively high-income position, but other factors also determine its position including economic growth contributing to (excess) demand factors in a constrained market, deliberate policy decisions (such as taxes on alcoholic beverages), and transport costs associated with our geographic location.
Input cost levels, particularly energy costs and those influenced by energy costs, remain high and have an impact on industry. I will continue to monitor cost developments and their bearing on Ireland’s competitiveness.
Each year, the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council (NCPC) prepares and submits to the Taoiseach and the Government, through my Department, an annual report – Ireland’s Competitiveness Challenge - outlining the challenges to Ireland’s competitiveness and productivity over the medium term and the policy responses required to meet them. The 2024 Challenge report is being finalised for publication, and I look forward to reviewing it and considering its recommendations to Government in relation to Ireland’s competitiveness.
190. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to indicate the extent to which other European locations have been noted as serious competitors for foreign direct investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30842/24]
View answerMy Department collaborates closely with IDA Ireland to ensure a strong continuing pipeline of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into Ireland. To that end, Ireland’s proposition for FDI investment remains strong, as demonstrated by IDA’s results for the first half of 2024 where the IDA supported 131 investments, 74 of which are planned for regional locations, enabling the future delivery of 8,900 jobs to the economy against an increasingly challenging global operating environment.
Ireland continues to be seen as a location of choice for new investors and long-established companies who choose to reinvest in substantial expansions of their operations here.
Government is well aware of, and the IDA has noted publicly, that the marked increase in policy interventions in support of geopolitical and strategic industry-related objectives has heightened the competition for FDI across key growth sectors. Other jurisdictions are bolstering their offerings as they seek to emulate Ireland’s model of success. Nevertheless, despite a challenging external environment, IDA posted a strong performance in 2023, winning 248 investments, with an associated gross job creation potential of almost 19,000 and the performance in the first half of 2024 supports our belief that Ireland continues to be recognised as a highly stable and attractive location for global investment.
The number of projects secured in 2023 and so far in 2024 included a record number of transformation investments in Research, Development and Innovation (RD&I), talent development, digitalisation, and sustainability. Direct employment in IDA Ireland client companies stood at 300,583 people nationally in 2023, with a record high regional employment figure of 163,471.
Ireland offers a competitive, consistent, and transparent corporate tax regime, good access and connectivity and an excellent return on investment, and is an attractive environment where people want to live and work.
FDI plays an important role in Ireland’s continued economic success – sectors dominated by IDA client companies account for an estimated 70% of corporation tax receipts as well as a significant contribution to income tax receipts. Ireland has developed a reputation for excellence in sectors like Pharma, Med Tech, ICT and Financial Services with many of the top global companies in these fields located and operating very successfully here, many with considerable longevity.
Government continues to review overall enterprise policy, which has been very successful to date, and the IDA will continue to constantly self-evaluate to make sure Ireland remains competitive and an attractive place in which to invest and create jobs. The IDA is currently preparing its next strategy with its current four-year strategy concluding at end-2024.
Government remains committed to ensuring the right polices are in place to facilitate the development of appropriate skills, infrastructure, and innovation to facilitate strong levels of FDI into the future. Ireland continues to be recognised as a highly stable and attractive location for global investment. Our country has a reputation for being agile, with an economy underpinned by a dynamic ecosystem of global companies, indigenous enterprise and academia working in collaboration.
As we face a challenging and competitive global environment, Ireland will continue to strengthen its attractiveness for FDI and is delivering on key FDI strategies under the White Paper for Enterprise and through investments in our supporting infrastructure through the NDP and Project Ireland 2040 and our Offshore Wind Industrial Strategy to name just three key policies.
191. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais cé na critéir a úsáidtear sa Roinn le bheith cáilithe mar chainteoir líofa Gaeilge/Gaeltachta le haghaidh ceann de na áiteanna a choinnítear sna coláisti oiliúna a bhfuil cúrsaí bunmhúinteoireachta tri Ghaeilge acu; an bhfuil i gceist é sin a leasú; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [30741/24]
View answerIs meicníocht é Bealach Iontrála na Gaeltachta trínar féidir suas le 10% de na háiteanna i gcláir fochéime an Oideachais Thosaigh Múinteoirí (ITE) in Institiúidí Ardoideachais (HEInna) arna maoiniú ag an stát a choinneáil siar d’iarrthóirí ón nGaeltacht, i.e. iarrthóirí atá ina gcónaí sa Ghaeltacht ainmnithe oifigiúil agus a bhfuil an Ghaeilge ina gnáth-theanga bhaile dóibh.
Is é príomhchuspóir an Bhealaigh Iontrála mic léinn a mhealladh chun dul le múinteoireacht bhunscoile a thagann ón nGaeltacht agus a labhraíonn an Ghaeilge mar theanga dhúchais.
Seo a leanas na riachtanais beartais a bhí ann:
- Mic léinn a mhealladh chun dul le ITE bunscoile a bhfuil an Ghaeilge mar theanga dhúchais acu
- Deimhin a dhéanamh de go mbeidh múinteoirí bunscoile ar fáil ó cheantair na Gaeltachta ar dócha go bhfillfidh siad ansin chun múineadh
- Mic léinn a mhealladh chun dul le gairm na múinteoireachta a bhfuil Gaeilge ardchaighdeáin acu.
Tar éis comhairliúchán a dhéanamh, rinneadh na critéir a leanas a fhaomhadh agus a fhógairt in 2020 agus cuireadh i bhfeidhm iad ó Mheán Fómhair 2022 de réir Chiorclán 34/2021 ón Roinn Oideachais.
- ní mór don mhac léinn bheith ina c(h)ónaí i Limistéar Pleanála Teanga na Gaeltachta
- ní mór don mhac léinn leibhéal H3 ar a laghad a bhaint amach i nGaeilge na hArdteistiméireachta
- ní mór d’iarratasóirí na riachtanais eile uile a chomhlíonadh freisin maidir le hiontráil sa B.Oid sa Mhúinteoireacht Bhunscoile mar is gnáth mar aon le riachtanais sainiúla ar bith maidir le máithreánú don HEI ar a bhfuil iarratas á chur isteach acu.
Rinneadh foráil i gCiorclán 34/2021 go ndéanfaí téarmaí Bhealach Iontrála na Gaeltachta de réir mar atá siad leagtha amach a choimeád faoi athbhreithniú i gcomhthéacs fhorbairt bheartas na Roinne Oideachais i dtaca leis an nGaeilge agus le hoideachas trí mheán na Gaeilge.
Maidir leis sin, bhí cruinniú de na páirtithe leasmhara uile ar siúl an 28ú Meitheamh 2024 d’fhonn nuashonrú a fháil faoi eispéireas na n-athruithe ar na critéir a cuireadh i bhfeidhm ó Mheán Fómhair 2022 agus chun plé a dhéanamh ar athruithe breise ar chritéir bhealach iontrála na Gaeltachta a d’fhéadfadh a bheith ag teastáil.
Chomhaontaigh na rannpháirtithe uile nach raibh athruithe ar bith ar chritéir reatha Bhealach Iontrála na Gaeltachta ag teastáil faoi láthair.
Ach leanfar le téarmaí Bhealach Iontrála na Gaeltachta a choimeád faoi athbhreithniú, áfach, i gcomhthéacs fhorbairt bheartas na Roinne Oideachais i dtaca leis an nGaeilge agus le hoideachas trí mheán na Gaeilge.
192. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education to confirm when the free schoolbooks scheme for up to Junior Certificate years will become operational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30875/24]
View answerIn March I announced details of the new Junior Cycle free Schoolbooks Scheme, which provides, at a minimum, free schoolbooks and core classroom resources to Junior Cycle students enrolled in post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme. More than 213,000 students enrolled in approximately 670 post-primary schools and over 65 special schools, who have students participating in Junior Cycle programmes, will benefit from this new measure which will become operational in schools from the start of the coming school year, September 2024.
This scheme ensures that parents and guardians will not be asked to buy or rent any schoolbooks or core classroom resources for students in Junior Cycle programmes. Post-primary schools and special schools have autonomy to choose books that meet their curricular requirements.
Detailed guidance on the implementation of the scheme for the 2024/25 school year was published on 5 March to allow schools sufficient time to implement the scheme in advance of the start of the school year, September 2024. Funding issued directly to schools on 19 March and was paid based on the number of students enrolled in the school on 30 September 2023. Details of the scheme, including the per capita rate of €309 per student, are provided in the scheme guidance available at www.gov.ie/schoolbookschemes.
In recognition of the work required by schools to implement the scheme, my Department also provided an Administrative Support Grant to schools which allows them to employ a person/s to assist with the administration of the scheme. Full details of the Administrative Support Grant are also set out in the scheme guidance for the 2024/25 school year and funding for this grant was paid to schools in May.
193. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Education if she plans to address the chronic under resourcing of special education needs supports and provisions for the upcoming school year (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30518/24]
View answerMy Department will spend almost €2.8 billion on special education in 2024, which is 26% of the total annual budget for education. This is an increase of almost €1 Billion, or 47%, since 2020. This includes €13 million for the expansion of services within the NCSE. This has facilitated the recruitment of 160 extra staff, (a workforce increase of 50%) and provided for a transformational change in the structure and organisation of the NCSE.
In 2024, the number of special education teaching and SNA posts in our schools will increase by 744 and 1,216 respectively to deliver up to 2,700 new places for children with special educational needs. From 2024, we will have over 41,500 qualified and committed people in our schools who are focused wholly and exclusively on supporting these children. Almost 1,300 new special classes have been sanctioned over the last four years and for the coming school year, there will be over 3,000 special classes operating in primary and post-primary schools. Seven new special schools have been established in recent years, and another four special schools will open in Meath, Kildare, Wexford, and Limerick for the coming school year.
There will more special education teachers in our schools in September 2024 than ever before – an increase of 1,000 from 2020/21 school year. This is in addition to a significant reduction in class sizes at primary level over three budgets to where our pupil teacher ratio at primary level is now 23:1. This means, more than ever, children with SEN in our mainstream schools are best supported to meet their needs.
Within SET allocations complex needs are now measured in two ways. Firstly, students who are performing at the lower levels in standardised tests, which indicate the greatest level of need for additional teaching support and secondly, the pupils with more complex needs and who have been exempted are given the highest weight. It is very important to clarify that the inputs to the model do not prescribe which children should receive support through the additional teaching resources, schools must adhere to the guidance on the use of SET hours and support all children with additional teaching needs.
The budget allocation for the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) in 2024 is €32.3m. A further €5m has also been allocated for the Counselling in Primary Schools Pilot. The number of educational psychologists currently employed in NEPS stands at 228 whole time equivalents across eight regions. This is the highest number employed in NEPS since it was established.
Where schools do not have an assigned psychologist due to a vacancy, a psychologist from the local NEPS team undertakes the role of advisory psychologist to respond to queries that the school may have. Such schools continue to have access to critical incident response, advisory support, and support and development training delivered by their local NEPS team. Individual assessments for students in these schools are available where there is need, via the Scheme for the Commissioning of Psychological Assessments (SCPA).
Budget 2024 reflects my department’s commitment to ongoing investment in teacher supply through various measures including the introduction of a Professional Master of Education incentive scheme for newly qualified teachers graduating in 2024. Eligible teachers can receive an incentive payment of up to €2,000, to be paid in 2025. The provision of an additional 1,000 posts of responsibility in the school system for the 2024/25 school year, recognises the vital role of school leaders in enhancing educational outcomes by fostering a positive school environment, while empowering educators and learners within their communities.
My department is committed to providing funding to recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education scheme by way of per capita grants. As part of the capitation package in Budget 2024, I have secured €21 million as a permanent increase in capitation funding to assist schools now and longer term with increased day-to-day running costs. This will support a permanent restoration of funding for all primary and post-primary schools from September 2024. This will bring the basic rate of capitation grant to the pre-2011 level of €200 per student in primary schools and €345 per student in post primary schools. Enhanced rates will also be paid in respect of pupils with Special Educational Needs and Traveller pupils. This represents an increase of circa 9.2% of current standard and the relevant enhanced capitation rates.
In addition to these grants, €20 million in funding was issued in October 2023, to support all recognised primary and post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme. This funding was the first tranche of an overall additional €60 million funding announced as part of Budget 2024 measures designed to assist schools with increased day-to-day running costs such as heating and electricity. A further €40 million in funding was delivered in early 2024.
In terms of future resourcing of special educational needs supports, for 2025, total government expenditure will increase by €6.9 billion or 6.9 per cent. This will result in total available current resources of €90.9 billion. Any possible further increases will be part of Budget 2025 negotiations. While not wishing to pre-empt the outcomes of any future Budget negotiations or fiscal parameters agreed by Government, the Department of Education will continue to seek and prioritise the additional funding required to meet the ongoing costs of running schools as part of the annual Estimates process.
194. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Education when the construction for the new classroom will commence for a school (details supplied). [30881/24]
View answerThe school referred to by the Deputy was approved to enter the department’s pipeline of school buildings for a project to provide a Special Education Needs classroom. The project was devolved for delivery to the school authority. My department received a tender report from the school authority which was subjected to the required due diligence as specified in the Public Infrastructure Guidelines in common with all such capital projects. The outcome of this review has been communicated to the school authority directly. The project will now progress to the appointment of a contractor for commencement of works on site.
For transparency, the status of all projects is regularly updated and can be found on a county-by-county basis at www.gov.ie. This information reflects the progress of projects through various stages, including capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender, and construction.
Since 2020, my department has invested in the region of €4.9 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 900 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 announced earlier in the year 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.
195. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education if a school transport route (details supplied) can be reinstated in light of the number of students affected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30546/24]
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.
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.
The closing date for new applications for the 2024/2025 school year was Friday, 26 April 2024. The closing date for payment/entering medical details for tickets for the 2024/2025 school year was Friday, 7 June 2024.
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 will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who completed the application process on time, will be considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places, in these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.
Bus Eireann has advised that the pupils referred to by the Deputy are eligible to the school they are attending and have applied and paid/input medical card details on time for the school year.
Bus Éireann are currently assessing all applications and planning for routes and services for the 2024/25 school year following the closing date for payments. Once routes have been finalised, Bus Éireann will assign tickets for each vehicle. Tickets will begin to issue in mid-July and will continue to issue throughout July and August.
196. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if there are plans to reduce the length of Professional Master of Education programmes. [27059/24]
View answerThe Professional Master of Education (PME) is a two-year, full-time Level 9 postgraduate professional teacher education programme designed to qualify graduates as primary and post-primary teachers.Changes to the duration and content of initial teacher education programmes were made in response to recommendations in the National Strategy to Improve Literacy and Numeracy among children and Young People 2011-2020 and were incorporated into the Teaching Council’s accreditation standards. What had been the ‘H-Dip’ of 18 months at primary and 1 year at post-primary became the two-year Professional Master of Education for both. The standards were arrived at following extensive research and consultation with regard to the programme that would be required in order to develop the skills, knowledge, understanding, and professional values expected of newly qualified teachers.
The reforms were focused on improving the quality of teaching and learning in schools, which is central to the educational outcomes of children. The extended duration allowed for substantial periods of school placement and a number of mandatory elements in all programmes including literacy and numeracy and ICT in teaching and learning. These standards were recently updated by the Teaching Council in Céim (2020) which reaffirms that post-graduate ITE programmes shall be a minimum of two years’ duration.
The extensive nature of curriculum and assessment reforms over the past decade, the more complex legislative and regulatory context within which teachers and schools operate, expanded pedagogical approaches and a focus on learner-centred processes have resulted in evolving demands on teachers to reach and demonstrate high professional standards. The requirements for ITE are a significant factor in the high quality of our teaching profession in Ireland, which is recognised at home and abroad.
It is acknowledged that there are challenges around the availability of teachers at present. While there are currently no plans to reduce the current duration of the postgraduate ITE programmes to one year, the Department’s ongoing approach is to continue to develop further innovative measures to improve the availability of teachers.
New funding of €4 million is to be provided to introduce a professional master in education (PME) incentive scheme to support teacher supply measures and to reflect the costs incurred in undertaking the PME.
Newly qualified teachers who possess a PME may be eligible for an incentive payment of up to €2,000. The single incentive payment will first become available to eligible primary and post primary teachers after completion of the 2024/25 school year.
This funding recognises the costs that PME students bear in order to complete their initial teacher education.
An official circular with details of the measures will issue in due course.
197. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if there will be an evaluation of the special needs teaching component of the primary school teaching qualification, as many teachers in special education settings have little training in the area. [27057/24]
View answerUnder Section 38 of the Teaching Council Act, all initial teacher education programmes must be accredited by the Teaching Council for registration purposes. The Council reviewed its policy on standards for programmes of initial teacher education and published updated standards in Céim Standards for Initial Teacher Education in October 2020.
Céim includes seven Core Elements which shall underpin all aspects of programmes of ITE. One of these is inclusive education, which is defined as follows:
The term inclusive education refers to any aspect of teachers’ learning aimed at improving their capacity to address and respond to the diversity of learners’ needs; to enable their participation in learning; and remove barriers to education through the accommodation and provision of appropriate structures and arrangements to enable each learner to achieve the maximum benefit from his/her attendance at school.
The Council’s view of a truly inclusive approach to professional practice recognises that teachers encounter a diverse range of needs in the course of their teaching, regardless of setting. This will include additional learning needs (e.g. autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia) and learning needs associated with diverse linguistic, socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic (including Traveller community, Roma) backgrounds.
By delineating these as Core Elements, the Council has taken a high-level approach to ensuring that they inform every aspect of programme design. All new and existing ITE programmes have been realigned with Céim for first year student teachers as of September 2022. 52 ITE programmes across 14 HEI (higher education institution) providers have recently completed the accreditation process under the new standards through the Teaching Council.
My Department published a Policy Statement for Initial Teacher Education in March 2023 which looks to build on progress made over the past decade and sets out our commitment to ensuring that student teachers at primary and post-primary level have the skills to support all of our children and young people as learners in the years ahead. It has a phased implementation plan which includes actions to progress its vision. There are a number of actions which focus on inclusive education, one of these is to explore how the core element of inclusive education in Céim is helping to prepare student teachers to teach students of all abilities and in all settings (including special-education settings), through their initial teacher education. The Teaching Council will provide a report on standards, quality and good practice in initial teacher education, based on findings from the cycle of accreditation of all initial teacher education programmes, with particular emphasis on the core element of inclusive education, in Summer 2024.
Teachers undertake professional learning in a range of pedagogical, curricular and educational areas. Teacher Professional Learning (TPL) provided for teachers supports the inclusion of students with Special Education Needs (SEN) in mainstream classrooms.
On an annual basis, the Department of Education provides funding for two distinct categories of postgraduate programmes for Special Education Teachers:
- Postgraduate Diploma Programme of Teacher Professional Learning for Special Education Teachers.
- Graduate Certificate in Autism Education for teachers working with Autistic Pupils in Special Schools, Special Classes or as Special Education Teachers in mainstream Primary and Post-Primary Schools.
The aim is to provide substantial theoretical and practical continuing professional development for teachers working with students with special educational needs, contributing to the school’s overall capacity to meet the needs of pupils with special education needs. Through its everyday work, the NCSE aligns its teacher professional learning (TPL) with the Teaching Council’s national framework for teacher professional learning. One of the main aims of the NCSE is to support teachers and schools in a way that builds capacity, supports the inclusion of all children, including students with special educational needs, at a whole school level. NCSE employs a number of specialist roles to support schools and build teacher capacity in areas of concern. These roles include autism advisors and behaviour advisors, who are assigned across regional support teams to provide advice, support and resources to schools. The NCSE offers bespoke in-school support for either whole school staff, small groups, or individual teachers. The support can be tailored to specific TPL needs within a school, such as, in the areas of differentiation, planning, autism and behaviour.
The Department is committed to the training and support of teachers and school leaders to provide quality, inclusive teaching. The department will continue to work with partners in education to provide a comprehensive range of in-service TPL opportunities that allows those working at all levels of education, to access supports which will benefit all learners.
198. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education if he has given consideration to facilitating preschools to take part in the July provision service, especially in areas where demand for places exceeds supply; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26061/24]
View answerDetails of the 2024 Summer Programme (formerly July Provision) were published on 21 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 primary, post primary and special 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 is reliant on schools and their staff choosing to participate on a voluntary basis. 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 as appropriate in the child’s home.
The Department will also approve a group arrangement between parents/legal guardians and private providers, such as preschools, 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 the terms and conditions applicable to private group providers can be found on the Home-based Summer Programme webpage at www.gov.ie/summerprogramme. 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 Home-based scheme can also be directed to the homebasedsummerprogram@education.gov.ie.
