Paul Donnelly
Ceist:252. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the estimated cost in Budget 2025 if the budget for the "Go Global 4 Growth Training Programme" was doubled. [36678/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraBusiness Supports
Ceisteanna (252)
Freagraí scríofa
Enterprise Ireland's Go Global for Growth programme is aimed at companies that are looking to adapt and evolve their businesses to prepare for global growth. It provides training to senior leadership teams to enable them to work collaboratively on the creation of international growth action plans for their companies.
The cost of doubling annual expenditure on Go Global for Growth training programme would be approximately €500,000.
The Go Global for Growth programme will, however, conclude this year. It will be replaced by an updated and enhanced training programme, also to be delivered by Enterprise Ireland.
Business Supports
Ceisteanna (253)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:253. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the estimated cost of increasing funding for the digital start initiative to deliver funding to the value of five days of consultancy for firms instead of four days. [36827/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government has brought forward a substantial range of measures to reduce costs and enhance support for small businesses. This includes changes to the Local Enterprise Office digitalisation schemes.
Digital Start was first introduced in 2022 and is now called Digital for Business. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the eligibility criteria for the Digital for Business consultancy scheme has been widened to make businesses with up to 50 employees eligible for the scheme, regardless of sector. Digital for Business is designed to help businesses prepare and implement a plan for the adoption of digital tools and techniques across the business. It provides strategic intervention for businesses to work with third party consultants for up to 3 days to:
• assist them in identifying where they are on their digital business journey,
• develop a digital adaptation plan based on their identified need,
• implement their digital adaptation plan
On 4th of September the Grow Digital Voucher was launched. Under this new offer, the funding available has been increased to up to €5,000 and the eligibility criteria expanded to cover a wider range of digital interventions available to a broader range of businesses compared to the Trading Online Voucher.
Based on a Digital for Business Project report completed within the previous two years, the Grow Digital Voucher can be used to boost efficiency, by streamlining operations and enhancing productivity using digital tools. It can help a business to reach more customers through online sales and marketing and will help businesses to stay competitive by bridging the digital gap allowing them to stay competitive in today’s marketplace.
The 2024 Digital for Business budget is €1,165,500. Increasing Digital for Business to 5 days would increase the budget to an estimated €1,466,817.
Departmental Contracts
Ceisteanna (254)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:254. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department has used an agency (details supplied) to carry out any works on behalf of his Department in 2023 and to date in 2024; if so, the nature of works carried out; and the amount his Department paid this company for the works. [36828/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department has not availed of the services of this agency in 2023 or to date in 2024.
Business Supports
Ceisteanna (255)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:255. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the estimated full-year cost if the budget for the digital start initiative increased by 50%. [36829/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government has brought forward a substantial range of measures to reduce costs and enhance supports for small businesses. This includes changes to the Local Enterprise Office digitalisation schemes that were contained in the SME Package that was announced in May of this year.
Digital Start was first introduced in 2022 and is now called Digital for Business. As part of the SME Package, Digital for Business has been extended to all businesses with up to 50 employees across all sectors. Digital for Business provides a business with an expert digital consultant, for up to 3 days, who will assist them in analysing the existing digital systems in the business.
Digital for Business can identify potential gaps in meeting business needs and provide guidance on the implementation of new or enhanced digital solutions to improve business operations.
The recommendations from this consultancy can also form the basis of a follow-up Grow Digital Voucher to help implement digital interventions recommended.
The 2024 Digital for Business budget is €1,165,500. Increasing the 2024 budget by 50% is estimated to cost €1,748,250 for a full year.
Work Permits
Ceisteanna (256)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:256. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the current number of work permits allocated for motor/auto mechanics; the number therein of the car mechanic quota and of the HGV/bus mechanic quota that have been issued; if he has any plans to review those quotas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36898/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Following the recent Review of the Employment Permits Occupation Lists. a number of new quotas were introduced to provide General Employment Permit (GEP) access for certain previously ineligible occupations. The roles of motor/auto mechanics, car mechanics, and HGV/Bus mechanics were among the roles made available for permit under quota.
The Employment Permits Section of the Department informs me that up to the 16th of September 2024, 205 permits for Car Mechanics have issued, out of a quota of 206. Of the 200 permits made available for HGV/Bus Mechanic, 112 have issued.
Regarding your query on whether there are any plans to review these quotas. I am informed that extensions to employment permit quotas may be considered as appropriate where the sector has provided an evidenced-based submission that demonstrates a continuing need for access to employment permits for these roles. This should be supported by the department with lead responsibility for the sector, which in this case is the Department of Transport.
I welcome any such submission from the sector and affirm that officials from my department will engage constructively with the submission, and the Department of Transport, if a submission is made.
Employment Rights
Ceisteanna (257)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:257. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to report on the drafting of legislation to remove the blanket exclusion of members of the Defence Forces from the protections of the Working Time Directive; the timeframe in which he intends to publish the Heads of Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36915/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 (OWTA), which transposes the EU Working Time Directive into Irish Law, sets out minimum rest and maximum working time for employees as well as holidays and other miscellaneous issues. The Defence Forces are currently excluded from the provisions of the OWTA in its entirety. My Department’s objective is to develop the appropriate legislative mechanism to bring the Defence Forces within the scope of the OWTA as soon as possible.
Officials in my Department have been actively engaged with their counterparts in the Department of Defence who have policy responsibility in this area, to ensure that the Defence Forces can continue to fulfil their essential state functions once they are under the ambit of the OWTA. Department officials are also engaging with the Office of the Attorney General on this matter.
It should be noted that the drafting of legislation, especially on such an important area, can be complex and it is therefore it is difficult to give a definitive timeline for publication. However, I would like to assure the Deputy that this is a priority for my Department and work is underway to draft the legislation as efficiently as possible.
Export Controls
Ceisteanna (258)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:258. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the circumstances under which he would not grant an export licence in relation to a commercial dual-use item with military applications on the basis of the state in which an end user or consignee is based; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36922/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Dual-use items are products and components, including software and technology, that can be used for both civil and military applications. The bulk of Dual-use exports from Ireland are mainstream business ICT products, mainly software, that are categorised as Dual-use items as a consequence of fact that they incorporate strong encryption for ICT security purposes.
My Department is the National Competent Authority with responsibility for Export Controls, including Controls on defence-related exports and exports of Dual-Use goods. Controls on the export of Dual-use items are administered by my Department, in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/821 of the European Parliament and of the Council setting up a Union regime for the control of exports, brokering, technical assistance, transit and transfer of dual-use items. The EU dual-use regulation has direct effect across the EU. The recently commenced Control of Exports Act 2023, streamlines and strengthens the existing Irish export control framework, replacing the Control of Exports Act 2008 and provides for effective, proportionate and dissuasive penalties for infringements of the regulation’s provisions
Each export authorisation application is carefully considered by my officials in accordance with criteria set out within the relevant dual-use and military EU and National Regulations and with Ireland’s international obligations and responsibilities as members of non-proliferation regimes and export control arrangements.
On receipt of an application for an export authorisation, my officials carry out a considered assessment which includes a series of checks to ensure, as far as possible, that the item to be exported will be used by the stated end-user for the stated end-use in the country indicated and will not be used for illicit purposes. As part of the application, the exporter must provide an end-user certificate, which is a declaration from the end-user that the goods will be used for the intended purpose.
My officials seek the views of the Department of Foreign Affairs in respect of all applications for export licences. Both my own Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs review all dual-use export licence applications against the eight assessment criteria set out in Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP.
My Department will deny a licence application if there are any concerns that the goods being exported will be used for a military end-use or if the exporter does not provide sufficient information on the intended end-use for my officials to make an informed decision.
Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan
Ceisteanna (259)
Jim O'Callaghan
Ceist:259. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the timeframe for implementing Powering Prosperity – Ireland’s Offshore Wind Industrial Strategy; the estimated cost of its implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36956/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In publishing Powering Prosperity – Ireland’s Offshore Wind Industrial Strategy in March 2024, and now implementing that Strategy, my Department is playing a key role in the cross-Government Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce and its objective to mobilise the Irish economy towards realising the associated economic and societal opportunities.
All 40 actions contained in this first iteration of Powering Prosperity are scheduled to be completed in 2024 and 2025. Those actions are already being implemented with a view to creating tangible impact by 2030. A progress report will be published in the second half of 2025 with interim updates on some key actions available on my Department’s website.
For example, we will continue build on international strategic partnerships with other countries to establish meaningful cooperation in supply chain development and knowledge transfer in the offshore wind industry.
Establishment of an annual joint event with Scotland on offshore renewable energy is one such action in Powering Prosperity, completed in June 2024, with participation from Irish and Scottish Ministers and senior officials. The second edition of the event is due to be hosted by the Scottish Government in 2025.
Through Powering Prosperity, will also continue to enable companies in Ireland to play a major role in the development of Irish projects, as well as supporting companies in Ireland to increase their activities in overseas markets. To that end, Enterprise Ireland is working on an ongoing, one-to-one basis with its client companies in the offshore wind sector, and developing a significant scaling initiative for ambitious companies.
Enterprise Ireland is also finalising transformational leaderships programmes which will be promoted to clients in the offshore wind sector from Q4 2024 onwards. Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland are continuously collaborating to ensure that the capabilities and willingness to collaborate of domestic supply chain companies are highlighted to multinationals in the renewable energy and related sectors which visit to Ireland on inward buyer missions.
These ongoing programmes and initiatives cover various supply chain-focussed actions in Powering Prosperity.
Implementation of Powering Prosperity’s other actions is ongoing, and further measures will be developed over time, from 2026 onwards, aimed at achieving the overarching objective of maximising the economic development potential of ORE, including establishing new industrial demand for green energy, and ensuring we grasp the opportunity presented by offshore wind to enhance balanced regional economic development.
Regarding the cost of implementation, certain actions are being implemented using the existing resources of my Department and its enterprise agencies. Other actions fall under the remit of the named action owners in the Strategy – mainly other Government Departments and agencies. Over the course of the Strategy to 2030, implementation of the required actions may give rise to Exchequer costs. Any likely funding requirements will be discussed and elaborated with the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform and requested as part of the annual estimates process. It is anticipated that any funding requests can be considered by the Departments/agencies to which ownership of the various actions is assigned as part of their normal annual budgetary process with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery, and Reform.
Business Supports
Ceisteanna (260)
Jim O'Callaghan
Ceist:260. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the cumulative value of the supports his Department has provided for business to tackle increased energy costs since 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36957/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department developed the Ukraine Enterprise Crisis Scheme (UECS) which provided funding to assist viable but vulnerable companies of all sizes in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors impacted by energy price rises and other direct consequences of the war in Ukraine. Since 2022 the Department has made payments of €9,473,881 to 40 businesses.
The Energy Efficient Grant (EEG) offered by the Local Enterprise Offices supports capital investment by businesses to reduce carbon emissions based on energy efficiency projects. In 2023, 35 EEG grants were approved to a value of €137,423 and 544 Green for Business consultancies were approved, valued at €1.14m. So far this year 83 EEG grants applications have been received to the end of August this year, with 62 approved to a value of € 338,599. The LEOs have also received 571 Green for Business applications, with 556 having been approved, valued at €1.185m.
As part of the recent SME Package, the maximum amount available under the Energy Efficiency Grant Scheme has been increased. Any business with up to 50 employees, who has completed one of the named prerequisite consultancy or audit programmes is eligible for the EEG. The grant now offers 75% of project costs, up to a maximum of €10,000. Applications are open since 12th July.
On foot of consultations with industry representative bodies and other stakeholders my Department developed the Business Users Support Scheme for Kerosene (BUSSK) in 2023. 464 businesses were successful with their application and €611,725.19 was paid out to businesses.
This year my Department development the Increased Cost of Business (ICOB) Scheme which opened for registrations on 14th March this year. To date over 81,000 businesses have benefited from the scheme with a total to date of €231 million paid to businesses.
The Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS) operated from December 2022 to December 2023. This was a scheme developed by the Department of Finance and administered by the Revenue Commissioners to assist businesses with increasing energy costs. This Department funded the scheme. 25,132 businesses received a TBESS payment to the total value of €155 million.
Enterprise Ireland also provides a range of supports to assist companies to implement sustainable business practices, improve efficiency and reduce energy costs. These include schemes such as:
- Green Start, which is targeted at businesses seeking to introduce environmental best practice systems to achieve cost and resource reductions;
- Green Plus, designed to support larger scale sustainability projects within companies;
- Energy and Environmental Aid funding that is made available to businesses that are seeking to accelerate the adoption of low carbon, efficient and sustainable production practices;
The National Enterprise Hub online portal, which I launched on 10th July, provides all business owners with a centralised signposting service of over 180 Government supports. The Hub has a team of expertly trained advisors who can help to diagnose the needs of a business and direct you to the appropriate available supports or indeed put you in direct contact with the relevant agency.
School Transport
Ceisteanna (261)
James O'Connor
Ceist:261. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Education if a solution can be found to assist a child with additional needs (details supplied) to continue to access his chosen school via private transport, which was previously funded by Tusla; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36002/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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.
Over 140,000 mainstream tickets have issued for the 2024/2025 school year, which is already 3% more than the total tickets issued for the full 2023/2024 school year.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
Under the terms of the School Transport Schemes, children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school. At post primary level, they are eligible where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre. Distance is determined by the Department/Bus Éireann and rules have regard to ethos and language.
Under the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, children are eligible for transport where they are attending the nearest recognised school that is or can be resourced to meet their special educational needs.The National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) acts in an advisory role to my Department on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs. A pupil with special educational needs is eligible for school transport if s/he is attending the nearest recognised: mainstream school, special class / special school or a unit, that is or can be resourced, to meet the child's special educational needs under Department of Education and Skills criteria.
Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENO).
Officials in my department are aware of this pupil's case and are continuing to liaise with the NCSE regarding same.
Special Educational Needs
Ceisteanna (262)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:262. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education if assistance with an application will be provided to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36015/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Details of the 2024 Summer Programme were published on the 21st March 2024. Funding of €40m is available and, as in previous years, all of the funding is utilised to meet the needs of our most vulnerable children.
All schools have an opportunity to run a programme over the summer months for those children who need it the most. These children can continue to be supported, nurtured and encouraged to engage in a fun and inclusive educational setting.
The main priority again in 2024 is that those children with the most complex special educational needs, especially in special schools, should have access to a school-based summer programme.
Where a school is not running a Summer Programme or a place on a school-based programme is unavailable, the Home-based programme is available for pupils with complex special educational needs.
Decisions regarding which children should participate in the school-based provision or the home-based provision is a matter for the school, having due regard to the eligibility criteria and the resources applied for. It should be noted that schools have considerable flexibility in terms of staffing, such as recruiting staff who are not teachers or SNAs, to assist them in supporting the children in their school.
In relation to the child referred to by the Deputy, the school in this instance had not registered the child for the Home Based Summer Programme within the time-frame specified. My Department's Officials
have liaised with the school concerned and the relevant information was issued to the parent on 11th September so that the application is accepted and payment claim will be processed.
School Equipment
Ceisteanna (263)
Seán Haughey
Ceist:263. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education if funding will be made available to post-primary schools for the purchase of electronic pouch-type systems having regard to the proposed smart phone ban in these schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36016/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy is aware, I recently issued a letter, instructing schools to implement a ban on the use of mobile phones during the school day, both in primary and post-primary schools.
This policy approach is based on the growing concerns expressed about the impact of the use of mobile phones during the school day, including the potential for distraction during class time, the risk of accessing inappropriate content and cyberbullying, and the potential for decreased social interaction with peers.
It is recognised that many schools already have well-developed and managed policies in place in this area currently and this initiative will build on that foundation. I commend schools for the time and attention given to this in recent years. In some schools, there will be no material change, whereas for other schools this ban provides a supportive framework to enable them to implement specific and consistent policies.
This initiative also builds on the guidelines “Keeping Childhood Smartphone Free” announced last year, containing practical advice and suggestions to support parents and Parent Associations wishing to develop voluntary codes regarding smartphone use among primary school children and can be accessed online here: www.gov.ie/en/publication/ece25-keeping-childhood-smartphone-free/ .
In implementing the ban on the use of personal mobile phones during the school day, schools are advised to consult with members of the school community including parents. This should include consideration as to the practicalities of enforcing the ban, including the specific mechanisms to do so,. however it should be noted that there are schools using a variety of approaches currently, not limited to the approach suggested. The Department cannot endorse particular solutions, and schools are best placed to determine how best to support the ban for their own circumstance and community.
The Digital Strategy for Schools 2027, which builds on the progress made under the previous Digital Strategy, is underpinned by an investment of some €200m included in the National Development Plan 2021-2030 providing continuity of funding following the €210m that issued to schools to support the previous strategy. ICT Grants of €100m have issued to schools under this commitment. This funding issued directly to schools as schools are best placed to identify the requirements of their own student cohort and to meet those requirements in the most appropriate way.
School Textbooks
Ceisteanna (264)
Seán Haughey
Ceist:264. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of the additional time and resources school managements in post-primary schools must give during the school holidays for the roll-out of free schoolbooks to junior cycle students; if further assistance can be given to these schools for this purpose; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36017/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As you are aware in early March, I announced details of a new scheme which provides free schoolbooks to Junior Cycle students in post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme. To support its implementation my Department published guidance for schools on the new Junior Cycle Schoolbooks Scheme.
More than 213,000 students enrolled in approximately 670 post-primary schools and over 65 special schools, will benefit from the new scheme. The investment of €68 million in 2024 significantly increases the funding that is currently provided for schoolbooks and introduces a free schoolbooks scheme to Junior Cycle years in all post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme.
I appreciate that the free Junior Cycle Schoolbooks Scheme has placed an additional administrative burden on post-primary schools and I would like to acknowledge the hard work that has been done by schools on the scheme to date. That is why, similar to the primary scheme, an Administration Support Grant was put in place to assist post-primary schools with the administrative work involved in implementing this scheme.
Schools may use this grant to employ a person to work for a specified number of days to carry out administrative work on the scheme. Ten, thirteen or sixteen days have been allocated to each post-primary school, based on the size of the school’s Junior Cycle enrolment numbers. Details of the Administration Support Grant are also outlined in detail in the scheme guidance.
My Department has currently began an in-depth review of the first year of the Junior Cycle Schoolbooks Scheme in conjunction with the Department of Expenditure NDP Delivery and Reform. As part of the on-going evaluation of the scheme, all schools will be asked to provide data on their expenditure in order to inform the guidance, implementation, costs and efficiency of the scheme for future years. This review will also look at a variety of key areas including the issue of administration support in schools and will give schools with the opportunity to provide feedback on the scheme.
School Transport
Ceisteanna (265)
Marian Harkin
Ceist:265. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Education if she can identify each school that provides school transport through Bus Éireann, and the stops each of these travels through on their routes, in tabular form. [36039/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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.
Over 140000 mainstream tickets have issued for the 2024/2025 school year, which is already 3% more than the total tickets issued for the full 2023/2024 school year
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.
All school transport services are reviewed over the summer months, based on the applications received for the new school year. 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.
In the 2023/2024 school year the scheme was operated with over 7,400 vehicles on over 9,900 routes. Routes are subject to change in line with profile of pupils presenting for transport annually. Therefore, It is not possible to provide details of all stops along these routes.
School Staff
Ceisteanna (266)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:266. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education the reason a teacher (details supplied) with 20 contract of indefinite duration hours and five substitute hours, has not been paid during the summer for the past two years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36042/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I wish to inform the Deputy that this teacher was employed in a substitute/part-time capacity for the school year 2023/2024. Department of Education Circular 61/2010 specifies the situations where payment is made for the summer months. The teacher has no entitlement to summer payment in 2024.
The teacher has commenced a CID post for the school year 2024/2025 and she will be paid from Sept 2024 to the end of August 2025 which includes payment over all school closure periods.
School Accommodation
Ceisteanna (267)
Michael Ring
Ceist:267. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education when an emergency works application will be approved for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36045/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The school to which the Deputy refers submitted an application for funding under the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) for roof works in August 2024. The application in question is currently being reviewed by the technical area within the EWS and once an update is available the school will be contacted in that regard.
The EWS team is aware of the urgent nature of the works required and will keep the school informed throughout the process.
Schools Building Projects
Ceisteanna (268)
Seán Fleming
Ceist:268. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education the up-to-date position in relation to the building of a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36046/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The school to which the Deputy refers was approved to enter the department’s pipeline for a project under my Department's Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme. The project will provide a two classroom Special Educational Needs (SEN) base and a General Purpose room. The project was devolved for delivery to the school authority.
My department has received a Stage 1 report from the school authority. Members of our Technical team have reviewed the report and requested a further submission from the design team. We are currently awaiting this further submission.
My department will continue to work closely with the school authority and its Design Team in progressing this much needed project.
School Transport
Ceisteanna (269)
Michael Ring
Ceist:269. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education when school transport will be available for two students (details supplied), given that their tickets have already been paid for; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36048/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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.
Over 140,000 mainstream tickets have issued for the 2024/2025 school year, which is already 3% more than the total tickets issued for the full 2023/2024 school year.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
Under the terms of the School Transport Schemes, children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school. At post primary level, they are eligible where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre. Distance is determined by the Department/Bus Éireann and rules have regard to ethos and language.
Parents of children wishing to avail of school transport services are required to apply on-line to Bus Éireann’s website at buseireann.ie/schooltransport
The closing date for new applications for the school year 2024/25 was 26 April 2024 and the closing date for payment was 7 June 2024.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application process on time (apply on time and pay on time) are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation and where there is capacity to do so.
Bus Eireann has advised, the the pupils to whom the Deputy refers, are eligible for school transport but submitted late applications for the 2024/25 school year on 14th August 2024 which is considered to be a late application. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the local Bus Eireann office have reviewed these applications and tickets will issue shortly as there are seats available on a service that can accommodate these pupils.
School Transport
Ceisteanna (270)
David Cullinane
Ceist:270. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education if she will review the school transport arrangements for Ardmore to Dungarvan, County Waterford to ensure a safe and accessible service to Dungarvan for residents of Ardmore and district, and which addresses safety and access concerns with the current arrangements at Kiely’s Cross; when she will remove the closest school criterion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36051/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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.
Over 140,000 mainstream tickets have issued for the 2024/2025 school year, which is already 3% more than the total tickets issued for the full 2023/2024 school year.
Under the terms of the School Transport Schemes, children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school. At post primary level, they are eligible where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre. Distance is determined by the Department/Bus Éireann and rules have regard to ethos and language.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application process on time (apply on time and pay on time) are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation and where there is capacity to do so.
Children who are not eligible but who apply for school transport are 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 Éireann further advise that all eligible and concessionary children in the area who applied on time and paid on time have been accommodated on existing services.
Bus Éireann is responsible for the planning and timetabling of school transport routes on behalf of the Department. Safety of children travelling on the school transport services is of paramount importance to the Department and to Bus Éireann. Due to an increase in volume of activity at the pick up point in question Bus Éireann has advised that is currently is being reviewed. Any change in transport arrangements will be advised directly to families.