Written Answers Nos. 81-100
81. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if a dedicated SNA can be assigned to the child of a person (details supplied), given the combination of her autism diagnosis with her intellectual disability diagnosis are giving rise to extremely difficult in-school circumstances; the procedure to apply for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25660/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this Government. It is also a key priority for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided.
The NCSE is responsible for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of Special Needs Assistants (SNAs). SNAs are allocated to schools as a school based resource and schools deploy SNAs in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of their students.
Any school who feels that their allocation is insufficient to meet the needs of its students can apply to the NCSE for a review. Detailed information on the NCSE exceptional review process is published on the NCSE website.
My department will continue to support the NCSE and schools to ensure each child is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.
82. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education the number of formal and informal Council of the European Union meetings that have been held since 27 June 2020 under the remit of his Department; and the number of formal and informal meetings, respectively held virtually and the corresponding number held in person; if he or his predecessor attended each meeting, or a Minister of State or ambassador represented the Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25666/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere have been ten Education Councils, one Informal Ministerial meeting and three informal video Education Ministerial Conferences since 27th June 2020 until present day.
I have attended two Informal video conferences of Education Ministers on the 19th February 2021 and the 16 March 2022. I attended the Education Council meeting of 28th November 2022.
Outlined in tabular format below is the Irish representation of the Education Councils, between 27 June 2020 and today.
|
30 November 2020 – Ireland: Mr Simon Harris, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science |
Informal Video conference of Education Ministers |
|
19 February 2021- Ireland: Ms Norma Foley, Minister for Education |
Informal video conference of Education Ministers |
|
17- 18th May 2021 - Ireland: Ms Maeve Collins, Deputy Permanent Representative |
Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council, 17-18 May 2021 |
|
29-30th November 2021- Ireland: Ms Barbara Cullinane, Deputy Permanent Representative |
Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council, 29-30 November 2021 |
|
16 March 2022 - Ireland: Ms Norma Foley and Minister for Education and Mr Simon Harris, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science |
Informal video conference of education ministers |
|
5 April 2022 - Ireland: Mr Simon Harris, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science |
Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council, 4-5 April 2022 |
|
28 November 2022 – Ireland Ms Norma Foley, Minister for Education |
Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council, 28-29 November 2022 |
|
7 March 2023 - Ireland: Ms Barbara Cullinane, Deputy Permanent Representative |
Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council (Education) |
|
15 -16th May 2023 - Ireland: Mr Thomas Byrne, Minister of State at the Department of Education with special responsibility for Sport and Physical Education |
Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council, 15-16 May 2023 |
|
19 September 2023 - Senior official at the Department of Education |
Informal Ministerial Meeting on Education and Youth, Zaragoza |
|
23 November 2023 - Ireland: Ms Barbara Cullinane, Deputy Permanent Representative |
Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council, 23-24 November 2023 |
|
24 November 2023 - Ireland: Mr Thomas Byrne Minister of State at the Department of Education with special responsibility for Sport and Physical Education |
Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council, 23-24 November 2023 |
|
13 May 2024 - Ireland: Ms Barbara Cullinane, Deputy Permanent Representative |
Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council, 13-14 May 2024 |
|
14 May 2024 - Ireland: Mr Thomas Byrne, Minister of State at the Department of Education with special responsibility for Sport and Physical Education |
Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council, 13-14 May 2024 |
83. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education if her Department and each body and agency under the remit of her Department has achieved the Government-mandated public sector remote working target of 20%; when this was achieved in each instance; the current percentage of staff working remotely; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25684/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe majority of staff in the Department of Education are availing of remote working since 2020. The Department of Education’s Blended Working Policy was introduced at the end of 2023 and allows staff members to make applications to work remotely for up to 3 days per week. We are now accepting applications from staff members to formalise their blended working arrangements and to date, approximately 25% of staff members have made formal applications to avail of blended working and this number continues to rise.
In relation to the aegis bodies, a list of the points of contact within the organisations who would be in a position to supply the information requested, is attached.
84. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education if she will review the decision to withdraw five hours of special education teaching from a school (details supplied); the basis for this withdrawal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25699/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this Government. It is also a key priority for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
The Special Education Teaching (SET) Allocation model seeks to distribute teaching resources in the fairest possible manner, taking into account as much evidence as possible in respect of individual schools and evidence in respect of the best possible use of resources.
The NCSE have confirmed that the SET allocation for the school referred to by the Deputy for the 2024/25 school year is 42.5 hours. This allocation has been in place since the 2022/23 school year and has not been reduced for the coming school year.
My department acknowledges that every school is different, and that schools can experience unique circumstances that may be difficult to reflect in any standardised method of allocating hours. Therefore schools have the ability to apply for a review of their allocation.
This school requested a review from the NCSE in respect of its allocation for 2024/25 school year and the NCSE advised the school, that at present, there remains no change to their allocation. In this notification the NCSE letter informed the school of the NCSE's adviser support service which is available to support schools in their capacity to meet the needs of students with special educational needs.
85. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on an application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25708/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of the Remote Area Boarding Grant scheme is to give students who are disadvantaged because of their remoteness from schools an opportunity to attend school on the same basis as students not so disadvantaged.
The terms of this scheme are set out in Circular 16/2016 which is published on my Department’s website at: gov.ie - gov.ie - Remote Area Boarding Grant scheme (www.gov.ie) .
Under the terms of the scheme, a second-level school is a school which is recognised by the Department for the purpose of providing the prescribed certificate courses, which enters its students for the State examinations and is subject to inspection by the Department.
As per the circular above, the pupil “must be resident 4.8 km or more from a second-level school where suitable free second-level education is available and more than 3.2 km from a pick-up point on a transport service to such a school; and must be unable to obtain a place in a suitable second-level school within 25 km of his/her normal place of residence & should provide written confirmation of same”.
Pupils resident on off shore islands that do not have a school providing suitable free second level education may also qualify for assistance under the scheme.
For pupils requiring an Irish medium education the outlined criteria will be applied to the nearest second level school providing instruction through Irish.
The curriculum choices provided by a school (including the provision or otherwise of transition year) within 25 km of the applicant’s normal place of residence will not be a factor in the determination of eligibility for the award of a grant.
In relation to the family in question, an application was received for the pupil and this was assessed by the Department. Bus Éireann confirmed that the distance from home to the nearest second level school providing instruction through Irish was 20.2km which is under the distance criteria of 25km as outlined above. This distance was disputed by the parent and the Department sought confirmation from Bus Éireann, confirmation was received that the distance is 20.2km and the Department will liaise with the family directly in this regard.
86. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if all is in order with the school transport application of the children of a person (details supplied); when confirmation of a bus ticket will be forthcoming for the next school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25710/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
The closing date for new applications for the 2024/2025 school year was Friday 26th April 2024. The closing date for payment/entering medical details for tickets for the 2024/2025 school year was Friday 7th 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.
In cases where the Department is satisfied that your nearest/next nearest schools are full, eligibility for school transport will be determined based on the distance you reside from your next nearest school having regard to ethos and language.
If families have applied to attend their nearest school in regards to ethos and language and have been advised by the school authorities that it is full, my Department will consider if students can be deemed eligible for transport to the next nearest school.
To establish that the nearest school is full parents must provide:-
• The steps taken to enrol their child in the nearest and next nearest schools
• Evidence that an application for enrolment was made within the deadline dates specified by the school and
• A letter from the School Authorities confirming that the school was full at the time of enrolment.
These families can submit details to the School Transport Section in the Department of Education at school_transport@education.gov.ie .
Bus Eireann have advised that the pupils mentioned by the Deputy reside 5.3 km from home to their nearest school and 8.8 km to the school they are attending. Application and payment was received. Bus Eireann will assess their application over the summer and will be in contact with the parents in due course.
87. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education when the circular on the allocation of special needs assistants for the coming school year will be published in order that each school will know which pupils with special needs they can enrol as they are waiting on the circular for clarification; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25720/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe NCSE has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of Special Needs Assistants (SNAs).
SNAs are not allocated to individual children but to schools as a school based resource. The deployment of SNAs within schools is a matter for the individual Principal/Board of Management of the school. SNAs should be deployed by the school in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of the children enrolled in the school for whom SNA support has been allocated.
It is a matter for schools to allocate support as required, and on the basis of individual need, which allows schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.
Circular 0049/2024 was published on the Departments website on 29th May and it confirmed for schools their SNA allocation for 2024/25. The circular is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/circular/2d295-special-needs-assistant-allocation-202425/
This Circular outlines that in relation to the allocation of SNA support for students in mainstream classes for 2024/25 the following arrangements will apply:
a) The SNA allocations for mainstream classes in schools on 31st May 2024 will be the initial allocation for the 2024/2025 school year.
b) Where a school identifies a significant increase in care needs, additional resources can be provided to support the school, following a request for review by the school with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
c) A process for schools where they consider their SNA allocation to be in excess of the required care needs will be administered through the NCSE. Schools should contact their local NCSE special educational needs organiser (SENO) to commence this process.
Following the publication of the circular the NCSE undertook to inform each school individually of their SNA allocation for the 2024/25 school year.
When this process is complete the NCSE will update their website with the list of SNA allocations for the 2024/25 school year.
88. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Education the position regarding two external works scheme applications for a school (details supplied); if every effort can be made to ensure that decisions are returned on both applications at the earliest possible opportunity to ensure that the approved ASD class can be facilitated following completion of necessary health and safety works and to ensure that efforts can commence on reconfiguring a space into a sensory room for the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25722/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school to which the deputy refers has submitted 2 applications for funding under the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS). The first application, funding for outdoor play areas, has been approved and a tender report has recently been received. This report is currently being reviewed by the technical area of the EWS and an update will issue to she school once this has been completed.
In respect of the second application, funding for roof repairs, a revised scope of works and associated itemised cost breakdown (ICB) were requested. These documents have since been received and are also under review by the technical area.
My department is aware of the urgent nature of the works required and the school will be kept informed on the progress of both applications at each stage in the process.
89. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a breakdown, in relation to the summer programme, of the number of children in each of the primary inclusion scheme, post-primary inclusion scheme and special school scheme respectively in 2023 and expected in 2024, in tabular form. [25726/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra90. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of increasing the rate of payment for the primary inclusion scheme and the post-primary inclusion scheme from €30 to €45 per week. [25727/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra91. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of children who availed of the home-based summer programme in 2023 and expected to avail of it in 2024; and the number of children who were eligible for the programme in each of these years. [25728/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 89, 90 and 91 together.
Details of the 2024 Summer Programme were published on the 21st of March 2024. Funding of €40m is available and, as in previous years, all of the funding is utilised to meet the needs of our most vulnerable children.
All schools have an opportunity to run a programme over the summer months for those children who need it the most so that 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 Online Registration portal for all schools closed on the 17th of May 2024. More than 1,700 individual expressions of interest in running a Summer Programme were received from schools. Early indications do suggest that more children will be participating in the school-based schemes than in previous years. However, as there is likely to be some crossover of schools running one or more schemes (e.g., DEIS Primary schools), final counts will not be known until all Summer Programmes in schools have been concluded.
Based on 2023 participation rates in the Summer Programme, it is envisaged that the estimated cost of increasing the rate of capitation from €30 to €45 would amount to €540,345 per week. This includes the Primary School Scheme which can be ran for 2 to 4 weeks, the Post-Primary School Scheme which must be ran for 2 weeks and the DEIS Literacy & Numeracy Summer Camps which can be ran for 1 to 2 weeks. The capitation rate of €60 remains unchanged for Special Schools and reflects the unique circumstances of running a programme in those settings.
The Home-based programme is available for pupils with complex special educational needs in circumstances where their school is not running a Summer Programme or a place on a school-based programme is unavailable. In 2023, 12,722 children participated in the Home-based programme. It is anticipated that a similar number of children will participate again in 2024. Again, final counts will not be known until all Summer Programmes payment claims have been processed.
The following is a breakdown of the participation rates in the 2023 Summer Programme and the number of schools who have registered to run the programme in 2024:
|
Summer Programme - Scheme |
2023 Schools |
2023 Children |
2024 School Registrations |
2024 Children Registrations |
|
Primary School Scheme |
886 |
17,695 |
1,135 |
N/A |
|
Post Primary School Scheme |
160 |
3,830 |
205 |
N/A |
|
Special School Scheme |
59 |
2,437 |
72 |
N/A |
|
DEIS L&N Summer Camp |
336 |
14,498 |
340 |
N/A |
|
Total |
1,441 |
38,460 |
1,752 |
N/A |
92. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if an application has been made by a school (details supplied) for redevelopment of its school hall; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25729/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school to which the Deputy refers was recently granted approval to initiate works for reconfiguration of the existing school building to create two Special Education Needs Classrooms, universal access wc and soft play area together with the reconfiguration of the GP hall to create two Mainstream classrooms and one Special Education Tuition room under my Department's SEN Reconfiguration/Modular Accommodation Programme.
This programme involves the use of Project Management supports which is designed to enable the accommodation to be provided as quickly as possible and help ease the administrative workload for school authorities in relation to the management and delivery of projects. The use of the Department’s Term Maintenance Framework also reduces the lead in periods for procurement of contractors . The Project Management team assigned to this project will be in contact with the School Authority shortly.
93. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education if she will look at a case (details supplied) whereby a teacher cannot register for route 1 primary teaching due to a delay in receiving their QTS, despite having worked at primary level since January 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25764/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015 the Teaching Council is the body with the statutory authority and responsibility for the regulation of the teaching profession in Ireland including the registration of teachers in the state.
The Teaching Council is the professional standards body for the teaching profession, which promotes and regulates professional standards in teaching. The Council registers teachers under the Teaching Council Act and there are five routes of registration.
It should be noted that the Department does not have a role in the registration of individual teachers as under statute this is a matter for the Teaching Council. The Teaching Council has confirmed that the individual referred to by the Deputy submitted an application and accompanying documentation on 1 February 2024 under the Teaching Council Registration Amendment Regulations 2023, which provided for overseas qualified teachers to undertake the required period of induction in Ireland as a temporary teacher supply measure. However, the Council cannot progress the application as evidence of the completion of a Primary Initial Teacher Education Qualification and evidence of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) have not been submitted. The institution referred to by the Deputy was not referenced by the candidate in the application.
The applicant has been informed that the Teaching Council cannot progress the application and the applicant has further been advised the statutory provision made under which the application was submitted has now closed (the amendment end-dated the measure at end of February 2024). As the required information was not provided to progress the application in advance of the statutory end date for that pathway to application, all applications for registration under Route 1 are now made via the standard pathway.
The requirement to provide all of the requisite documentation is applied equally and transparently to all applicants for registration, with full advice provided on the Teaching Council website regarding the requirements. The applicant is advised to continue to engage with the Council as the independent statutory regulator best placed to provide any relevant further information.
94. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on a future Teaching Council CAR system; if the scheme will be re-opened to allow teachers to complete their induction here in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25765/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015 the Teaching Council is the body with the statutory authority and responsibility for the regulation of the teaching profession in Ireland including the registration of teachers in the State.
The Teaching Council is the professional standards body for the teaching profession, which promotes and regulates professional standards in teaching. The Council registers teachers under the Teaching Council Act and there are five routes of registration.
The amendment to the Teaching Council Registration Regulations enabling overseas qualified teachers to complete the required induction period in Ireland, was introduced as a temporary measure, initially during the pandemic, and reintroduced in 2023 to ease teacher supply issues. It enabled teachers who had not completed induction in the country in which they qualified, but who met particular criteria, to obtain registration in Ireland. This in turn gave them an opportunity to complete induction here. This is not the usual practice, as a fully-registered, overseas-qualified teacher, covered under EU mutual recognition of professional qualifications legislation, will in most jurisdictions have to complete induction in the country in which they obtained their qualification in order to be fully registered. The amendment regulation closed for applications on 1 February 2024, that date being defined in legislation.
A further Statutory Instrument would be required to establish this Regulation for a longer period, which under the Teaching Council Act is a matter for the Council.
Through engagement with the Council on this matter, I can advise that the Council is considering any further amendment to provide for the completion of induction in Ireland for overseas qualified teachers in the context of its legislative framework, including relevant EU legislation.
Any updates in this regard will be published on the Teaching Council website.
95. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of formal and informal Council of the European Union meetings that have been held since 27 June 2020 under the remit of her Department; and the number of formal and informal meetings, respectively held virtually and the corresponding number held in person; if she or his predecessor attended each meeting, or a Minister of State or ambassador represented the Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25679/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department in its current configuration was established in September 2020. The details sought by the Deputy in respect of both formal and informal Council of the European Union meetings are set out in the tables below.
Formal
|
Date |
Meeting Title |
In-person / Virtual |
Represented by |
|
17-18 May 2021 |
Education, Youth Culture and Sport (EYCS) Council |
In-person |
Deputy Permanent Representative of Ireland to the European Union |
|
29-30 November 2021 |
EYCS Council |
In-person |
Deputy Permanent Representative of Ireland to the European Union |
|
4-5 April 2022 |
EYCS Council |
In-person |
Catherine Martin, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media; and Jack Chambers, Minister of State with special responsibility for Sport and the Gaeltacht |
|
28-29 November 2022 |
EYCS Council |
In-person |
Catherine Martin, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media |
|
15-16 May 2023 |
EYCS Council |
In-person |
Thomas Byrne, Minister of State with special responsibility for Sport and Physical Education |
|
23-24 November 2023 |
EYCS Council |
In-person |
Thomas Byrne, Minister of State with special responsibility for Sport and Physical Education; and
Deputy Permanent Representative of Ireland to the European Union |
|
13-14 May 2024 |
EYCS Council |
In-person |
Thomas Byrne, Minister of State with special responsibility for the Gaeltacht, Sport and Physical Education |
Informal
|
Date |
Meeting Title |
In-person / Virtual |
Represented by |
|
28 September 2020 |
Informal Meeting of EU Tourism Ministers |
Virtual |
Catherine Martin, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media |
|
1 December 2020 |
Video Conference of Culture and Audiovisual Ministers |
Virtual |
Catherine Martin, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media |
|
1 December 2020 |
Video Conference of Ministers for Sport |
Virtual |
Jack Chambers, Minister of State with responsibility for Sport and the Gaeltacht |
|
15 January 2021 |
Round Table of Ministers for Sport |
Virtual |
Jack Chambers, Minister of State with responsibility for Sport and the Gaeltacht |
|
1 March 2021 |
Informal Meeting of EU Tourism Ministers |
Virtual |
Catherine Martin, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media |
|
16 November 2021 |
Informal Meeting of EU Tourism Ministers |
Virtual |
Catherine Martin, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media |
|
7-8 March 2022 |
Informal Meeting of Culture Ministers (Angers, France) |
In-person |
Principal Officer (Culture Ireland) from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media; and Culture Attaché |
|
17-18 March 2022 |
Informal Meeting of EU Tourism Ministers |
In-person |
Permanent Representative of Ireland to the European Union |
|
15-16 November 2022 |
Informal Meeting of Directors-General responsible for Tourism |
In-person |
Assistant Secretary General (Tourism) from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media |
|
25-26 September 2023 |
Informal Meeting of Culture Ministers (Caceres, Spain) |
In-person |
Principal Officer (Cultural Policy) from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media |
|
31 October 2023 |
Informal Meeting of EU Tourism Ministers |
In-person |
Assistant Principal Officer (Tourism Policy) from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media |
|
19-20 February 2024 |
Informal Meeting of EU Tourism Ministers |
In-person |
Principal Officer (Tourism Policy) from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media |
|
13 May 2024 |
Informal Meeting of Culture Ministers |
In-person |
Principal Officer (Cultural Policy), Assistant Principal Officer (International Cultural Policy) from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media; and
Culture Attaché |
96. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department and each body and agency under the remit of her Department has achieved the Government-mandated public sector remote working target of 20%; when this was achieved in each instance; the current percentage of staff working remotely; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25697/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has committed, in the Programme for Government, to mandating public sector employees to move to 20% home and remote working. In my Department 97% of staff are eligible to avail of remote working.
In October 2022, in conjunction with the Blended Working Policy Framework for Civil Service Organisations, my Department published it’s formal Blended Working Policy, which allows eligible staff to apply for remote working.
I am advised that my Department has achieved this 20% target. I am further advised that currently 81% of total staff in my Department avail of blended working.
With regard to bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information sought by the Deputy is an operational matter for those bodies and not something for which I have direct day-to-day responsibility.
97. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage where an end-of-terrace property is derelict but the water mains pipework on the derelict site is damaged and affecting the water supply for a row of terrace properties, what the appropriate avenue is for maintenance to be carried out, given Uisce Éireann has no jurisdiction over pipework on private property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25625/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere may be avenues available to Uisce Éireann to intervene such as back yard service replacement, first fix free, or potentially through legislative or way leave authority. However, it needs to be established if this matter falls to Uisce Éireann to regularise in the first instance. In this regard, Uisce Éireann has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 0818 578 578.
Under Section 7 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013, I have no function regarding Uisce Éireann specific operations. Uisce Éireann has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels.
98. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of formal and informal Council of the European Union meetings that have been held since 27 June 2020 under the remit of his Department; and the number of formal and informal meetings, respectively held virtually and the corresponding number held in person; if he or his predecessor attended each meeting, or a Minister of State or ambassador represented the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25673/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnvironment policy issues are dealt with at EU level under the Environment Council. The Government is generally represented at Environment Council by the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, or a delegated representative.
Matters in relation to the environment that fall within the policy remit of my Department, inter alia biodiversity or water quality, generally arise at Environment Council. My Department therefore liaises with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, as required, to provide briefing for agenda items under my Department's remit.
In the period 27 June 2020 to date, 14 formal Environment Council meetings (all in-person), and 8 informal Environment Council meetings (5 in-person, 3 virtual), have taken place. Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Malcolm Noonan accompanied Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan to two, in person, formal Environment Council meetings over this period, as follows:
Formal Environment Council Meeting, 06 October 2021, Luxembourg
Formal Environment Council Meeting, 20 June 2023, Luxembourg
Details of Environment Council meetings are available on the Council website at the following link
Environment Council configuration (ENVI) - Consilium (europa.eu)
In recognition of the common challenges faced across all Member States in the delivery of sustainable and affordable housing, in addition to the formal Council of the European Union meetings above, I attended a number of high level informal EU Ministerial meetings on housing policy matters under the auspices of various EU Council presidencies, all of which were in-person. Details of these meetings are set out below:
Informal Meeting of Housing Ministers, 8 March 2022, Nice, France
Ministerial conference on combatting homelessness in the EU, 28 February 2022, Paris, France
EU Ministerial meeting on the fight against homelessness, 8 February 2024, Brussels, Belgium.
Informal Meeting of Housing Ministers, 5 March 2024, Liége, Belgium.
Unfortunately, I was unable to attend a meeting of EU Housing Ministers in Gijón, Spain on 14 November 2023 and the Assistant Secretary of my Department with responsibility for Housing Policy attended in my place.
99. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department and each body and agency under the remit of his Department has achieved the Government-mandated public sector remote working target of 20%; when this was achieved in each instance; the current percentage of staff working remotely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25691/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department formally launched its Blended Working policy in July 2022, which was developed in line with the central policy framework for Blended Working in the Civil Service. Under the Blended Working policy, staff of my Department with suitable roles, performance and remote workstations may apply for a blended working arrangement. 92% of all staff eligible to apply for Blended Working have entered into blended working arrangements since 2022.
The blended working model used in my Department specifies 3 days per week working in the office and 2 days per week working from home, with a flexible option of 2 days per week in the office and 3 days per week working from home. This flexibility is at the discretion of the Head of Business Unit and takes account of business needs to ensure service delivery and support organisational cohesion. The Blended Working Framework does not allow for fully remote work; consequently 5 days per week working from home arrangements are not available in my Department.
My Department does not maintain the requested information in respect of the State bodies under its aegis. Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email addresses in this regard are set out in the table below:
|
An Bord Pleanála |
oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie |
|
An Fóram Uisce |
info@nationalwaterforum.ie |
|
Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority |
oireachtasqueries@ahbregulator.ie |
|
Docklands Oversight and Consultative Forum |
infodocklands@dublincity.ie |
|
Ervia |
oireachtas@ervia.ie |
|
Gas Networks Ireland |
oireachtas@ervia.ie |
|
Heritage Council |
oireachtas@heritagecouncil.ie |
|
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
publicreps@housingagency.ie |
|
Housing Finance Agency |
oireachtas.enquiries@hfa.ie |
|
Land Development Agency |
oireachtas@lda.ie |
|
Local Government Management Agency |
corporate@lgma.ie |
|
Maritime Area Regulatory Authority |
oireachtas@mara.gov.ie |
|
National Oversight and Audit Commission |
info@noac.ie |
|
National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee |
ntacc@housing.gov.ie |
|
Office of the Planning Regulator |
oireachtas@opr.ie |
|
Pyrite Resolution Board |
oireachtasinfo@pyriteboard.ie |
|
Residential Tenancies Board |
OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie |
|
Tailte Éireann |
oireachtas@tailte.ie |
|
Uisce Éireann |
oireachtasmembers@water.ie |
|
Waterways Ireland |
ceoffice@waterwaysireland.org |
100. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of cross-border or shared island initiatives currently being progressed by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25723/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders
