Written Answers Nos. 130-144
130. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education if she will engage with Bus Éireann regarding school transport for a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41974/24]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2023/24 school year over 163,800 children, including over 136,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 20,200 pupils with special educational needs, and 7,400 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine were 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.
The pupil referred to by the Deputy is eligible under the terms of the scheme. Bus Éireann advised there was a delay in sourcing a driver for this route, however, a driver has now been sourced and they confirm that this service will now commence for the pupil on 16 October 2024.
131. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 164 of 10 October 2024, the number of teachers who have taken part in the DCU course to date and the number that have indicated they will take part in the course next year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42021/24]
View answerThe Graduate Diploma in Social, Personal, and Health Education (SPHE) and Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) is for post-primary teachers, and it is being offered by Dublin City University (DCU). This programme, the first of its kind in Ireland, was introduced to enhance teacher capacity in the important area of SPHE/RSE teaching.
The teaching of SPHE/RSE involves addressing a wide range of topics. The DCU programme ensures an evidence-based approach, grounded in best practices and delivered by a team of highly qualified educators, nationally and internationally recognised researchers, and experts in blended learning. The course equips post-primary teachers with skills to effectively teach SPHE/RSE, while also building leadership and capacity in this critical subject area within the profession.
In 2023, a total of 34 teachers participated in the programme, with 44 teachers taking part in 2024. The application process for 2025 has not yet been completed so it is not yet possible to provide participant numbers.
132. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education the up-to-date position with regard to the DEIS-Plus request from a number of schools in the Dublin region (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42034/24]
View answerThe Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) Programme is a key policy initiative of my department to address concentrated educational disadvantage at school level.
My department now spends over €180 million annually providing additional supports to just under 1,200 schools in the DEIS programme. This includes an additional €32 million allocated following my announcement to extend the programme from September 2022. This means that approximately 240,000 students, or one in four of all students are now supported in the programme.
Within the DEIS programme, 306 primary schools with the highest levels of educational disadvantage are included in DEIS Urban Band 1. In my time as Minister, I have provided three improvements to the staffing allocation for these schools. DEIS Urban Band 1 schools receive access to an enhanced staffing allocation of one teacher for every 17 pupils for junior schools, one teacher for every 19 pupils for combined schools, and one teacher for every 21 pupils for senior schools. This means that children in DEIS Urban Band 1 schools have more contact time with their teachers. DEIS Urban Band 1 schools also have access to the support of home school community liaison coordinators, access to the school completion programme and receive additional funding by way of a DEIS grant. The National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, provides priority access to their services for schools in this DEIS band. School leaders and teachers in these schools also receive priority access to professional learning through Oide, in order to support them to meet the needs of their pupils.
However, I am aware of the proposal referred to by the Deputy and I have met with a selection of the principals of the schools involved. I recognise that more work is required to ensure that all children, regardless of background, have the opportunity to achieve their potential in education.
That is why my department has undertaken a programme of work to explore the allocation of resources to schools to address educational disadvantage. To support this work, my department has invited the OECD Strength Through Diversity: Education for Inclusive Societies Project to review the current policy approach for the allocation of resources to support students at risk of educational disadvantage in Ireland. This review found that while Ireland has a comparatively equitable education system, and the DEIS programme is a key instrument in that, gaps remains in relation to the outcomes for children from areas of high deprivation.
The OECD review was complimented by a programme of work by my department to develop a future policy for resource allocation to address educational disadvantage. This work involved consultations with around 250 principals and teachers of both primary and post-primary schools. This included a number of principals from these most acutely disadvantaged schools and provided rich data for the team to inform this work.
Therefore, please be assured that this work will consider the issues and barriers that are impacting children and young people in schools with the highest concentrations of educational disadvantage. The findings of this report, together with the broad range of consultations and analysis being undertaken by my department are currently being considered to inform future policy in this area.
133. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education the situation regarding phases two and three of the solar for schools programme; the timescale and counties involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42084/24]
View answerThe first phase of the Schools Photovoltaic (PV) Programme launched in November 2023 to over 1600 schools.
It will provide eligible schools with 6 kWp of roof-mounted solar PV, which equates to approximately 16 solar panels.
The scheme will be funded from the Government’s Climate Action Fund, in line with the Government’s recognition that taking action on climate change is central to Ireland’s social and economic development.
The scheme will assist schools in reducing their energy costs and their carbon footprint as part of the response to meeting the 2030 and 2050 Climate Action Plan targets for the schools sector.
The solar PV panels in schools will also be connected to the electricity grid, so that the schools can generate income by powering other homes and businesses with clean energy when schools are closed at weekends and during school holidays.
The Schools Photovoltaic (PV) programme is being rolled out on a phased basis. Schools in the following areas were invited to participate in the first phase: Co. Clare, Co. Donegal, Dublin City Council area, Co. Galway, Co. Kerry, Co. Kilkenny, Co. Leitrim, Co. Limerick, Co. Offaly, Co. Waterford and Co. Wicklow.
Counties in the first phase were selected to obtain a good geographical spread including a balance of rural, urban, island, Gaeltacht schools in all regions of the country, as well as targeting counties that have not benefitted from other recent Department of Education climate related initiatives.
It is intended that all remaining eligible schools across the country will have the opportunity to apply to the scheme by end 2024.
The phasing of the programme ensures a managed and steady flow of work for solar PV contractors. The data gathered during the first phase will also allow for any improvements in the design of the scheme to be implemented in the next phase.
Since the launch of the first phase of the Schools PV Programme late last year, funding approval has been provided to more than 1,100 schools and we are seeing the impacts today as PV panels are being installed on school roofs around the country.
This has been a really positive response in terms of applications for solar panels from schools. It offers an opportunity for schools to reduce their carbon emissions and to reduce their energy costs.
As well as the obvious financial and climate benefits, it is expected that the visibility of the solar panels on schools will also deliver the added benefit of encouraging discussion and uptake of the technology in the wider community.
134. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education the total cost associated with each Commission of Investigation under the remit of her Department in the past twenty years. [42457/24]
View answerThere are no Commissions of Investigation, established under the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004, under the remit of the Department of Education.
135. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of legal cases taken against her Department in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024; the costs incurred by her Department in relation to such cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41725/24]
View answerMy Department in its current configuration was established in September 2020.
In seeking to provide the Deputy with the information requested, the assumption has been made that the question relates to civil proceedings taken against my Department or one of its offices.
In this regard, a case has been taken against my Department in the Circuit Court in Donegal as a second defendant, which is currently at Discovery stage.
There has been no expenditure by my Department on external legal services to-date.
136. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of data breaches experienced by her Department in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024; if a breakdown will be provided on the nature of the breaches; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41743/24]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my reply to his question (PQ 45345/23, Dáil Number 297), which provides the details requested since the formation of my Department in it's current configuration in September 2020 up to 3 October 2023. The table below provides the additional information being sought since my previous reply in the same format.
I am advised that all of the additional breaches listed were deemed to be of zero or low risk, and were therefore not required to be notified to the affected data subjects or the Data Protection Commission in accordance with the Data Protection Commission Guidance on Breach Notifications, which is available at the link below.
www.dataprotection.ie/sites/default/files/uploads/2019-08/190812%20GDPR%20Breach%20Notification%20Quick%20Guide.pdf
|
Year |
Detail on nature of breaches |
Severity of Breach |
Have individuals been notified? |
Was Breach reported to the Data Protection Commission? |
|
2024 |
A determination of a reasonable accommodation request was accidentally copied in the wrong employee’s name by email. |
Zero risk |
N/A |
N/A |
|
An email was incorrectly sent to a member of the public which contained personal information in relation to a recipient of funding. |
Low risk |
N/A |
N/A |
|
|
An incorrect name was included in the Irish language section on two of the three warrants of appointment for the National Gallery. The incorrect name was one the other selected members. |
Zero risk |
N/A |
N/A |
|
|
A press release was issued to a recipient list (internal, County Councils and Government Departments) via email without using the bcc function. |
Low risk |
N/A |
N/A |
|
|
A laptop, which was fully encrypted, was lost on a flight. It was subsequently recovered unaltered and without being accessed. |
Zero risk |
N/A |
N/A |
|
|
An eProbation suitability sign-off email sent from NSSO was sent in error to the incorrect recipient within the Department from HR. |
Zero risk |
N/A |
N/A |
|
|
2023 |
A payslip of a third party working with my Department was emailed to the Department's HR Unit in error. |
Zero risk |
N/A |
N/A |
|
A laptop, which was fully encrypted, was lost at an airport. It was subsequently recovered unaltered and without being accessed. |
Zero risk |
N/A |
N/A |
|
|
An email issued to incorrect recipient in my Department, containing personal data of a third party. |
Zero risk |
N/A |
N/A |
137. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the total costs associated for her Department in relation to trips abroad taken by Ministers in her Department in each of the past five years and to date in 2024. [41761/24]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below.
Details of my expenses are also published on my Department's website www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/e9c55-ministerial-expenses/#2024
These include travel and subsistence costs in respect of domestic and foreign travel. Personal expenses incurred by accompanying officials are claimed by the individual officers in accordance with applicable Civil Service procedures.
All flights relating to these trips were booked in accordance with Government Guidelines. My Department makes an annual payment to the Climate Action Fund scheme, administered by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications to offset emissions for travel on commercial flights, in accordance with Circular 01/2020 (D/PER).
|
Year |
Total costs for all Ministers associated with trips abroad |
|
2024 to date |
€71,654 |
|
2023 |
€79,945 |
|
2022 |
€114,578 |
|
2021 |
€24,222 |
|
2020 |
Nil |
138. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the amount spent by her Department on public relations in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [41780/24]
View answerThe Communications Unit of my Department, comprising the Press Office and Digital Communications teams, fulfil the public relations remit within the Department. As such, I am advised by my officials that there has been no expenditure on, or external assistance sought with, Departmental or Ministerial public relations since my Department was constituted in its current configuration in September 2020.
139. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the total amount of consultancy fees incurred by her Department in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [41798/24]
View answerMy Department in its current configuration was established in September 2020.
From time to time, my Department commissions experts to provide technical reports or advice on specific issues. While the providers of these services may describe themselves as consultants, their work is not classified as consultancy services and is not funded from my Department's Administrative Budget.
I wish to advise the Deputy that the information sought in respect of my Department is specified in the table below. My Department did not incur any consultancy fees in 2021.
|
Year |
Total Consultancy Fees |
|
2020 |
€117,879 |
|
2022 |
€1,885 |
|
2023 |
€236,898 |
|
2024 |
€686,122 |
140. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the amount spent by her Department on traditional and online advertising in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [41816/24]
View answerPlease see below details in tabular form of advertising expenditure each year since my Department was constituted in its current configuration in September 2020. I am advised that it is not possible to tabulate the expenditure between print media and other media formats, as my Departmental expenditure is on a per-campaign basis, and is allocated via media buying agencies. The figures provided below represent advertising in print and broadcast, local and national media, and online.
Various forms of communication, including advertising, media engagement, and social media postings, have become increasingly important in informing and updating the public of the work of my Department. At all times value for money is a critical consideration
Total advertising budget allocated by the Department in each year since September 2020 to date:
|
Advertising totals inc. VAT |
|
|
September 2020-December 31st 2020 |
€8,298.92 |
|
2021 |
€321,454.21 |
|
2022 |
€325,336.01 |
|
2023 |
€355,167.31 |
|
2024 (to date) |
€462,431.52 |
141. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of legal cases taken against his Department in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024; the costs incurred by his Department in relation to such cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41719/24]
View answerThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
|
Year |
Number of cases |
Cost € |
|
2014 |
20 |
519,556 |
|
2015 |
22 |
71,070 |
|
2016 |
13 |
181,651 |
|
2017 |
19 |
163,111 |
|
2018 |
221 |
204,044 |
|
2019 |
16 |
383,675 |
|
2020 |
47 |
199,047 |
|
2021 |
27 |
142,448 |
|
2022 |
33 |
736,823 |
|
2023 |
42 |
1,461,175 |
|
2024 (to date) |
20 |
109,165 |
142. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of data breaches experienced by his Department in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024; if a breakdown will be provided on the nature of the breaches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41737/24]
View answerThe General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into force on 25 May 2018 and my Department began recording data breaches from that date. The following table outlines the number of data breaches per year.
|
Year |
Total |
|
2018 |
0 |
|
2019 |
12 |
|
2020 |
7 |
|
2021 |
10 |
|
2022 |
19 |
|
2023 |
25 |
|
2024 (to date) |
27 |
The nature of these breaches fall into the following four broad categories and the number of breaches are shown alongside:
• personal data being shared accidentally with unintended recipients (67)
• the loss or theft of laptop, phone or other device (19)
• accidental exposure / potential exposure of personal data to unauthorised persons (13)
• systems being compromised (1)
All breaches are dealt with in line with my Department’s Data Breach Management Policy and the requirements under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The majority of personal data breaches identified by my Department are unlikely to result in any risk to individuals and, in accordance with Articles 33-34 of the GDPR, do not require notification to the Data Protection Commission. There were eight occasions where some level of risk was identified and the Data Protection Commission was notified.
143. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total costs associated for his Department in relation to trips abroad taken by Ministers in his Department in each of the past five years and to date in 2024. [41755/24]
View answerThe details requested are available and regularly updated on my Department's OpenData website and are available to view under the following links.
• 2020: No foreign travel undertaken
• 2021: Ministerial Travel 2021 - Dataset - DHLGH Open Data (housing.gov.ie)
• 2022: Ministerial Travel 2022 - Dataset - DHLGH Open Data (housing.gov.ie)
• 2023: Ministerial Travel 2023 - Dataset - DHLGH Open Data (housing.gov.ie)
• 2024: Ministerial Travel 2024 - Dataset - DHLGH Open Data (housing.gov.ie)
144. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total amount of consultancy fees incurred by his Department in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [41792/24]
View answerThe information requested in respect of my Department is set out in the following table.
|
Year |
Expenditure € |
|
2014 |
1,177,086 |
|
2015 |
1,006,096 |
|
2016 |
495,258 |
|
2017 |
436,199 |
|
2018 |
1,292,080 |
|
2019 |
1,207,282 |
|
2020 |
823,593 |
|
2021 |
1,600,311 |
|
2022 |
1,324,208 |
|
2023 |
1,024,233 |
|
2024 |
710,648 |
