Conor D McGuinness
Question:264. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the number of IDA jobs in each county in each of the past 20 years in tabular form. [33366/25]
View answerIndustrial Development
Questions (264)
Written answers
Regional development is a key element of Government's enterprise policy and is a key focus of the work of my Department and its agencies. In that regard, regional development is a strategic imperative for the IDA and IDA is committed to the pursuit of balanced, compact regional development and is targeting 550 of a total target of 1,000 investments to regional locations under its new strategy, Adapt Intelligently: A Strategy for Sustainable Growth and Innovation 2025-29.
The IDA delivered strong regional performance in 2024. There were 137 investments outside of Dublin, representing 59% of total investments. The total number of regional jobs now stands at 165,484. The Mid-West Region saw the strongest level of growth, up 3.1%. There was growth in the Border Region (up 2.2%) Southeast Region (up 2.3%) Dublin Region (up 0.07%) and the West Region up (0.15%). Elsewhere, the Southwest Region was down by 0.2% whilst the Mideast and the Midlands regions declined by 3.3% and 0.45% respectively.
The table attached provides the number of IDA jobs in each country in each of the past 20 years.
Industrial Development
Questions (265)
Conor D McGuinness
Question:265. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the number of WTE positions within the IDA assigned to each county in the State in each of the past 20 years, including job titles and grades, in tabular form. [33367/25]
View answerWritten answers
It has not been possible to compile the requested information in the time available.
The information requested is currently being collated by my Department and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy as soon as it is finalised.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Orders.
Letter attached
Company Law
Questions (266)
James Geoghegan
Question:266. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to clarify the circumstances in which the Companies Registration Office accept e-signatures for company filings; if it does not accept e-signatures, to outline the reasoning for same; if it does not accept e-signatures, to outline any plans it has for e-signatures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33424/25]
View answerWritten answers
I am informed that a large number of the Companies Registration Office (CRO) forms may be authenticated using ROS (Revenue Online Signature) without the need for a wet signature. This includes the most common activities such as the filing of annual returns and the changing of directors and their details. Information on ROS is available on the CRO’s website cro.ie/annual-return/revenue-online-service-ros-faqs/. The Registrar periodically reviews and updates the forms that may be submitted electronically on the Companies Online Registration Environment (CORE) and takes into consideration the remaining CRO forms which require a wet signature.
Trade Data
Questions (267)
Rose Conway-Walsh
Question:267. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the value of imports of all goods and services to Ireland from Israel in the past year; the value of all goods and services from illegal Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory included in the above figure; the value of goods and services exported from Ireland to Israel in the same year; if the IDA employs, or has under contract, an agent in Israel to increase investment in Ireland by Israeli enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33481/25]
View answerWritten answers
According to the Eurostat’s country classification, Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territory are separate countries and classified as such in Ireland’s Central Statistics Office (CSO) data.
The value of Goods and Services imports from and exports to Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territory in 2023 and 2024 is shown in the tables under.
The IDA had contracted a consultant in Israel whose contract concluded in early 2023 and was not subsequently renewed and there are no plans to do so at this time.
|
- |
Goods Imports |
|
|
Israel |
Occupied Palestinian Territory |
|
|
€m |
€m |
|
|
2023 |
3,610 |
0.09 |
|
2024 |
3,831 |
0.21 |
|
- |
Services Imports |
|
|
Israel |
Occupied Palestinian Territory |
|
|
€m |
€m |
|
|
2023 |
3,115 |
0 |
|
2024 |
Not yet available |
Not yet available |
|
- |
Goods Exports |
|
|
Israel |
Occupied Palestinian Territory |
|
|
€m |
€m |
|
|
2023 |
512 |
2.2 |
|
2024 |
1,474 |
0.3 |
|
- |
Services Exports |
|
|
Israel |
Occupied Palestinian Territory |
|
|
€m |
€m |
|
|
2023 |
6,047 |
0 |
|
2024 |
Not yet available |
Not yet available |
Departmental Staff
Questions (268)
Emer Currie
Question:268. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the number of people working full-time and part-time in his Department and bodies under the aegis of the Department in roles that are fully on-site, hybrid, or fully remote from 2022 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33500/25]
View answerWritten answers
My Department published its first Blended Working policy in June 2022.
Under this policy, staff who are eligible for blended working are required to attend the office for two days per week or more, depending on business needs.
That policy was revised and re-communicated to all staff in June 2023, retaining the existing blended working patterns.
A second review of the policy is currently underway, in consultation with staff. This review is expected to be completed by end September.
In addition below is the number of people working full-time and part-time in the Department in roles that are fully on-site, hybrid, or full remote from 2022 in date:
|
Year |
No. of staff approved to work 0 days remotely (full time) |
No. of staff approved to work 0 days remotely (part time) |
No. of staff approved to work fully remotely (full time) |
No. of staff approved to work fully remotely (part time) |
No. of staff approved for hybrid work (full time) |
No. of staff approved for hybrid work (part time) |
|
2025 |
121 |
24 |
1 |
0 |
726 |
87 |
|
2024 |
111 |
23 |
1 |
0 |
670 |
67 |
|
2023 |
104 |
25 |
1 |
0 |
649 |
63 |
|
2022 |
93 |
27 |
1 |
0 |
552 |
53 |
Please note that the above figures are taken from a report downloaded from the Document Management System (DMS), and are based on staff who have applied for blended working through the NSSO HR self-service portal.
These figures do not include any staff who did not apply for blended working via NSSO HR self-service portal.
We are still gathering data from the Agencies, as such part of this question will be deferred and the data will be supplied to the deputy within 10 working days.
Tourism Industry
Questions (269)
Michael Murphy
Question:269. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment on plans to develop long-term, sustainable, well-paid careers in the tourism industry. [33544/25]
View answerWritten answers
My Department and the National Tourism Development Authority, Fáilte Ireland, continue to support the tourism industry to build the talent and skills it needs to remain profitable, competitive and resilient.
A key priority, in this regard, is to support tourism businesses to adopt quality employment practices, to ensure that the sector is recognised as a desirable and rewarding career choice, and that individuals working in it can continue to develop their own expertise, knowledge and skills, to build a long-term and successful career.
Fáilte Ireland plays a pivotal role in supporting tourism jobs across the country through a multifaceted approach that includes training, funding, regional development, and inclusive employment initiatives.
Fáilte Ireland’s Tourism Careers team supports and promotes employment and career progression in the industry, by continuously developing and broadening the 'Employer Excellence' programme; the online learning management system 'LearniFI'; the tourismcareers.ie website; and the Transition Year Work Placement programme, that connects students with industry placements. The Employer Excellence programme, for instance, is now open to all tourism businesses with five or more employees, and the LearniFI platform has facilitated the upskilling of approximately 6,500 employees in key areas critical for business success.
Fáilte Ireland promotes inclusivity in the tourism workforce, by supporting businesses in enhancing accessibility and inclusive recruitment practices. The agency collaborates with organizations to provide training and resources, ensuring that individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those with disabilities, have work opportunities in the tourism sector.
Work, led by my department, is also continuing with industry and across Government to ensure a coordinated approach to addressing labour and skills shortages. This includes engagement by my officials, with the Department of Social Protection, to target jobseekers locally and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science that plays a key role in supporting tourism careers, through various initiatives aimed at education, skills development, and industry collaboration.
My department also collaborates with various industry bodies, including the Irish Hotels Federation, and Education and Training Boards, to address labour supply and skills requirements in the tourism sector. I have met with both the Irish Hotels Federation and the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation and had meaningful and positive engagement on all matters, including employment in the tourism and hospitality sector.
Through this comprehensive strategy, my Department and agencies are supporting the growth of tourism and ensuring the creation and sustainability of employment opportunities within the sector.
Tourism Industry
Questions (270)
Michael Murphy
Question:270. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to provide an update on plans to support and expand the food and beverage tourism offerings, showcasing the best of local produce. [33545/25]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government provides that the Government will support and expand our food and beverage tourism offerings, showcasing the best of local produce.
Fáilte Ireland continues to focus on the development and enhancement of the food and beverage experience for the wider domestic and international visitor audience, and it will continue to be a key component of Fáilte Ireland’s Destination and Experience Development Plans (DEDP). Fáilte Ireland will also continue to work with Irish based inbound agents to make them familiar with food and beverage experiences emerging from the DEDP programme.
Fáilte Ireland’s key activities deliver a robust programme of development for food & beverage businesses in tourism, some examples of these include the DEDP for Cork City, Harbour, and East Cork which was launched by Failte Ireland in November 2024 and seeks to highlight Cork as a world-class gastronomy destination. The plan aims to build on Cork’s rich culinary heritage and vibrant food scene to attract both domestic and international visitors. The Ancient DEDP has identified Irish Food Stories – 5,000 years of Food as one of its catalyst projects. The Ancient DEDP comprises counties Meath and Louth and each Local Authority collaborates closely with the Irish Ancient East brand team to develop all aspects of the food story. These are some examples of food and beverage initiatives taking place right across the country.
In relation to longer term policy, the Tourism Policy Framework 2025 – 2030 was published by the previous Government last November. I have asked my officials to consider how commitments in the Programme for Government align with the Policy Framework and to prioritise the finalisation of a new Tourism Policy which reflects the Programme and other Government priorities. This new Policy Statement will also consider how food and beverage can play an enhanced role in Ireland’s overall tourism offering.
Special Educational Needs
Questions (271)
Conor D McGuinness
Question:271. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Youth , given that the 1,600 additional SNA staff promised in Budget 2025, bringing the number of SNAs from 22,000 to 23,600, will now amount to approximately 500 fewer than expected, she will provide a breakdown, by county, of the 1,600 extra SNAs that had been promised for each county for September 2025, and the number of SNAs that will be allocated in each county for September 2025, in tabular form. [33225/25]
View answerWritten answers
This government is fully committed to supporting children with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective. The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs.
The number of special needs assistants (SNA) continues to increase, in 2019 there were 15,950 SNA posts allocated to schools nationwide. This figure has been built on year on year by successive budgets as outlined in the table below.
|
Budget |
2025 |
2024 |
2023 |
2022 |
2021 |
2020 |
|
Allocation |
1,600 |
1,216 |
1,194 |
1,165 |
990 |
1,064 |
|
Rolling Figure |
23,179 |
21,579 |
20,363 |
19,169 |
18,004 |
17,014 |
Budget 2025 provided for 1,600 SNAs, the largest number ever allocated in a single year, meaning the total number of SNAs available in our schools in September will be 23,179. This is more than double the number of SNAs that were in our schools 10 years ago.
As the Deputy knows, it is the role of the NCSE to manage the allocations of SNAs across the country and to ensure that all of the additional SNAs provided for by this government are allocated to schools to support those children with the highest level of need so they get the highest level of support.
The NCSE also now has a full complement of staffing so has the resources and supports to ensure they can do their work effectively and in a timely manner. The NCSE advised all schools on the week of 6 June of their SNA allocation for the upcoming school year.
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.
Special Educational Needs
Questions (272, 273)
Liam Quaide
Question:272. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Education and Youth if the National Council for Special Education accept clinical diagnosing of autism in assessment reports completed by educational psychologists. [33409/25]
View answerLiam Quaide
Question:273. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Education and Youth if the National Council for Special Education accept clinical diagnosing of autism in assessment reports completed by clinical psychologists. [33410/25]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 272 and 273 together.
My Department has recently issued a new circular letter to schools in relation to the approach and measures being undertaken to support the forward planning of special classes and special school places for the 2026/2027 school year.
The circular letter and NCSE guidelines clearly set out the eligibility criteria for access to a special class or special school. For example the eligibility criteria for admission to an autism special class for the 2026/2027 school year is:
Children and young people are eligible for enrolment in a special class for autism when the following is provided in support of such an application:
Professional report(s) outlining:
• Diagnosis of autism (e.g. Autism: DSM IV/V or ICD 10/11 (psychologist, psychiatrist, multi-disciplinary report)
AND
• A demonstration of the understanding of complexity of the child’s overall level of need/s evidenced in the professional reports
AND
• Given the severity or complexity of the child’s support needs, a clear professional recommendation as to what educational placement type would be most appropriate to best meet the child’s needs, along with the rationale for same
AND
• A letter from the NCSE confirming that the child is known to them and that the child has the required diagnosis and recommendation for a special class for autism.
Professional reports and confirmation of a diagnosis are not required to access special education teacher and Special Needs Assistant supports in mainstream.
Question No. 273 answered with Question No. 272.
National Educational Psychological Service
Questions (274)
Mark Wall
Question:274. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Education and Youth when a child (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive a NEPS assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33230/25]
View answerWritten answers
The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides psychological support to all primary, post-primary, and special schools.
NEPS provides access for all schools to:
• Psychological support in the event of a Critical Incident.
• A casework service for individual students where there is a need for intensive consultation and assessment via a NEPS psychologist or through the Scheme for the Commissioning of Psychological Assessments (SCPA).
• A school staff Support and Development Service, to build school capability to provide a comprehensive continuum of support in schools.
• Ongoing access to advice and support for schools.
NEPS psychologists work with schools using a problem-solving model to help schools identify need and implement interventions to support those needs. As part of this model, NEPS encourages schools to use a continuum-based assessment and intervention process whereby each school takes responsibility for initial assessment, educational planning and intervention support for children and young people with wellbeing, learning and/or social-emotional needs. This model means that children and young people do not need to have a psychological assessment or a diagnosis of a disability in order to access additional support in school.
All referrals to NEPS are through the school. Where a parent/guardian has a concern about their child's progress they should engage with the school and where it is agreed that NEPS involvement is considered necessary, the school may contact the assigned NEPS psychologist or the local NEPS office.
Teaching Qualifications
Questions (275)
Conor Sheehan
Question:275. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will consider applying the refund of fees for PME graduates retrospectively in order that students who graduated prior to 2024 are also eligible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33239/25]
View answerWritten answers
This Government is fully committed to ensuring that every child has a positive school experience, with access to qualified and engaged teachers who are dedicated to supporting their learning.
A number of measures to support primary and post-primary schools to recruit teachers have been introduced including a €2,000 bursary-style fee refund for teachers graduating with a Professional Master of Education (PME) in 2024.
The objective of the Professional Master of Education (PME) fee refund scheme is twofold, to encourage newly qualified teachers (NQT), who completed a PME in 2024 to take up teaching roles in return for a minimum level of service, and secondly to recognise some of the costs incurred in undertaking a PME.
Circular Number 0069/2024 (assets.gov.ie/static/documents/984e067b-00692024-.pdf) refers to the Professional Master of Education (PME) Fee Refund Scheme and sets out the scheme's criteria. Applicants who complete a PME programme in 2024, are registered with the Teaching Council under Route 1 or Route 2 and who provide a minimum period of service in the 2024/25 school year will receive a payment of €2,000, subject to statutory deductions. This is a novel initiative, and the impact of this measure on the ability of schools to fully use all their allocated posts must be considered before the scope or eligibility of the scheme is extended.
An online application portal for this scheme opened at the end of January this year. The deadline for receipt of applications under this scheme is 31 July 2025.
My Department frequently consults and engages closely with stakeholders on issues such as teacher supply through industrial relations forums, sectoral meetings, and direct discussions with teacher unions.
In addition to recently announced measures including to help teachers gain permanent roles more quickly, I will continue to consider further measures to strengthen the teaching workforce and ensure that schools have the support needed to provide an excellent education for every student.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (276)
Naoise Ó Cearúil
Question:276. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide an update on when the contract will be awarded for the construction of a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33254/25]
View answerWritten answers
The project referred to by the Deputy will deliver a new 8 classroom primary school and accommodation, including 2 classrooms for children with special educational needs.
The tender has been received and is currently under analysis and review by the Design Team. Upon completion of that review, a tender assessment report will be prepared by the Design Team for my Department’s consideration.
Projects are subject to relevant due diligence at each stage in the process, within the context of overall programme and budgetary parameters. It is anticipated that the letter of acceptance (LOA) will issue during Q4 2025, which will allow the contractor to mobilise on site.
I wish to assure that the project for the school referred to by the Deputy is a significant priority for my Department.
My Department will continue to keep the school and Patron body updated as the project progresses.
School Staff
Questions (277)
Erin McGreehan
Question:277. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide an update on the processes in place to ensure that teachers returning to work following periods of medical leave are reinstated on the payroll in a timely manner (details supplied); the reasons for any delays in salary payments; and the measures being taken to address such issues.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33258/25]
View answerWritten answers
The payroll section of my Department provides a payroll service to Primary, Post Primary, Voluntary and Community Schools. The school as the employer is responsible for the timely entry of information relating to their staff to ensure that any salary adjustments are made correctly and on-time.
School employers are regularly reminded of the need to enter and approve leave absences in a timely fashion to avoid any late adjustments to salary. The individual in question will be returned to payroll on full salary provided that the school doesn't submit further information which require payroll adjustments.
Special Educational Needs
Questions (278)
Erin McGreehan
Question:278. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if funding is available to schools where existing rooms have been repurposed as ASD classes; and if such spaces can be replaced or restored through available supports. [33260/25]
View answerWritten answers
My department works very closely with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) with respect to the planning for special classes at primary and post primary schools, as well as special school provision. Where there are accommodation requirements, these can be met by reconfiguration of any available accommodation, the delivery of new projects, or projects already in train, or, where, necessary, accelerated delivery via the Department’s Modular Accommodation Framework. My department is working with the NCSE regarding special class requirements throughout the country, and will continue to work to deliver any additional accommodation requirements to meet those needs.
In general, demographics have been falling at primary level and are due to continue to decrease. Therefore my department considers it prudent to maximise the use of existing spare accommodation capacity at primary level in the first instance, before considering any applications for further accommodation needs. In relation to the provision of primary special classes, the shared preference of both the Department and the NCSE is to use and reconfigure existing school accommodation to provide special classes.
When the NCSE sanction a special class in a school (primary or post-primary), school authorities can apply to my department for capital funding to re-configure an existing space within the school building to accommodate the class. Funding can be sourced through my department’s SEN Re-purposing Scheme or for larger scale works through the Additional School’s Accommodation Scheme (ASA).
My department is progressing urgent building projects that involve the re-purposing of existing space in schools for special class purposes. These projects will ensure that existing school capacity is optimised and that teaching spaces are adaptable and flexible to facilitate a student-centred approach to learning. Potential re-purposing options will be school and site specific, presenting different opportunities and challenges. To support the delivery of these classes in good time for the 2025/26 school year a new streamlined approach to funding is available to re-purpose accommodation for SEN.
A SEN Start Up grant of €30,000 for each new SEN classroom sanctioned and opened for the 2025/26 school year has been paid to schools directly following receipt of NCSE notification of sanctioned classes. Additional funding for small scale re-purposing works up to a maximum of €70,000 per class is also available to schools on an application basis. This grant funding will provide good flexibility to schools to facilitate the opening of a new special class.
Generally schools are encouraged to re-purpose spare accommodation to facilitate a special class and therefore there should not be displacement of accommodation. In cases however where accommodation is displaced the overall accommodation available to the school will be considered in terms of funding.
School Transport
Questions (279)
Erin McGreehan
Question:279. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of school transport applications submitted in County Louth from 2019 to 2025, along with the number of applications approved during the same period. [33263/25]
View answerWritten answers
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. The data requested by the Deputy is not readily available in the manner requested. However, Bus Éireann are collating the data and officials from the School Transport Section of my Department will forward this data directly to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
Residential Institutions
Questions (280, 281)
Michael Cahill
Question:280. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will expedite the issuing of the HAA cards, as it offers far more supports and benefits to survivors of industrial schools than the ‘enhanced’ medical card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33278/25]
View answerMichael Cahill
Question:281. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth to expedite the issuing of the Health Amendment Act cards, as it offers far more supports and benefits to survivors of industrial schools than the ‘enhanced’ medical card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33279/25]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 280 and 281 together.
I propose to take PQs 280 and 281 together.
The Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Bill 2024, which is currently progressing through the legislative process, enables the provision of ongoing health and education supports to survivors of abuse in residential institutions.
The package of health supports and services which is provided for in this Bill will ensure survivors who are resident in the State will have access to a range of health supports through the HSE, including GP services, home nursing and home helps, chiropody and podiatry, and physiotherapy.
This approach is consistent with the approach taken in respect of the Magdalen Laundry Restorative Justice Ex Gratia Scheme and the Mother and Baby Institutions Payments Scheme.
This entitlement will be for life and will not be subject to means-tests or periodic reviews.
The “HAA card” was provided for under the Health (Amendment) Act 1996 to meet the needs of those who had contracted Hepatitis C through the administration within the State of contaminated blood and blood products.
A similar approach has been taken in the Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Bill 2024 as was taken in the Magdalen and Mother and Baby Homes schemes.
Question No. 281 answered with Question No. 280.