Written Answers Nos. 77-98
77. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Transport the reason for the technical financial analysis in full detail that has delayed a Department review of the Waterford airport business case, with the understanding that private equity commitment is provided for over half the project cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39392/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra78. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Transport with regard to the Waterford airport business case funding request, if he can confirm whether the full costs capital works schedule must be borne by the airport investors to a completed project on which the Government then agrees to refund an agreed grant amount as part of those incurred costs, or whether the process requested envisages grant drawdown as the project schedule rolls out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39393/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 78 together.
I thank the Deputy for his continued interest in this matter. As you are aware my Department has undertaken a detailed appraisal of the development proposal put forward by Waterford Airport. This appraisal has included the assessment of significant additional documentation, including audited financial statements which had been outstanding from the airport, and responses to queries raised by Department officials and addressed by the airport up until 17 July. This level of appraisal is necessary to ensure that due diligence is exercised in accordance with my Department’s “Transport Appraisal Framework” and the Government’s “Infrastructure Guidelines” (Previously known as the Public Spending Code).
The Transport Appraisal Framework requires that in the transport sector, where the proposal has an estimated potential cost of €15m or more, the Sponsoring Agency (in this case Waterford Airport) must produce a Project Outline Document, to be reviewed by the relevant Approving Authority (in this case the Department of Transport). The purpose of the Project Outline Document is to outline the rationale for an intervention and the intended impacts; verify the alignment of the proposal with wider government strategy and policy; and describe the appraisal, governance, and financial approach.
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that my Department has completed its assessment of the detail submitted by Waterford Airport in line with the Project Outline Document requirements. This assessment was submitted to both Minister Ryan and I recently for our consideration.
In relation to the funding mechanism query raised, as the Deputy will be aware in June 2019 the Government decision made at that time was, in principle, to provide Exchequer funding that would be made only on completion of the runway and all associated works. Confirmation by the Irish Aviation Authority to show that any expanded runway was authorised for service was also a necessary condition along with any risks relating to cost escalation to be borne by the non-State investors. These are conditions which were accepted by Waterford Airport at that time.
Such conditions are in line with policy on funding to regional airports, which provide that grant aid may be drawn down towards the cost of approved projects on a recoupment basis only and at a rate provided for within State aid rules.
79. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Transport to provide the names of other projects approved for capital support in excess of €1 million in the last ten years, where the private sector was contributing at a minimum 50% of the funding required; and in such cases if he will outline the exact timeframes by start and end date and the business plan review processes that were required to arrive at a formal Department decision; the number of those funding requests that were denied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39394/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Therefore, matters relating to the day to day operations regarding national roads, including roads involving public-private partnership are within the remit of TII. More specifically, the statutory power to enter into agreements with private investors are vested in TII under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended).
I am informed that TII has entered into fifteen PPP contracts, which includes eight Toll Concession Schemes PPPs, five Design and Build Finance Operate Maintain (DBFORM) PPPs and two Motorway Service Area PPPs.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a detailed reply regarding these projects. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
80. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Finance if correspondence (details supplied) will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39281/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraHomeBond is one of the providers of latent defect insurance, also known as structural defect insurance (SDI). This type of insurance offers a 10-year warranty that covers major structural defects in new buildings after construction. The object of SDI is to provide cover for a stated length of time in respect of the repair of major structural defects in new homes.
Regarding Government intervention, the Minister for Finance cannot direct the pricing or provision of insurance products, as this is a commercial matter which individual companies assess on a case-by-case basis. Insurers take a risk-based approach to the provision and pricing of insurance and the Government cannot intervene in this regard. As this issue primarily relates to construction standards and building materials, it falls under the responsibility of the Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage. Accordingly, any questions regarding building regulations should be directed to that Department.
The Central Bank of Ireland regulates mortgage providers and ensures consumer protection and financial stability. However, decisions regarding the approval or denial of mortgage applications are business decisions made by individual lenders. While the Central Bank sets regulatory guidelines, mortgage providers may, as part of their own policies, require a borrower to secure certain types of insurance, including SDI. This is a commercial choice by the lender, not a legal requirement, and the Minister for Finance has no authority over these decisions.
If a consumer is dissatisfied with how a mortgage provider has handled their application or feels that the lender is not adhering to Central Bank regulations, they can first file a complaint with the lender. If the response is unsatisfactory and the consumer is unable to resolve the complaint with the lender, the complaint can then be referred to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman, which can be contacted at info@fspo.ie or (01) 567 7000 .
81. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Finance the breakdown of the fees received by each external barrister, senior counsel or legal firm engaged by his Department in relation to a tax case (details supplied). [39283/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe costs incurred in the State for the Apple case, to summer 2024, are estimated to be approximately €10.3 million of which approximately €4.2 million relates to the recovery process. These fees have been paid by various State entities over the course of the case. It is not possible to estimate the final costs of the case at this time but a tabulated breakdown of expenditure, within the parameters of GDPR and data protection legislation, will be prepared when the final costs are clear.
82. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 81 of 4 July 2024, if there is to be an update to the disabled drivers and passengers scheme in this budget cycle; failing that, his Department’s recommendations for people currently being disadvantaged by the scheme due to the lack of a blood link; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39439/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy should note that my Department and I share concerns that the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme or DDS is no longer fit-for-purpose and believe it should be replaced with a needs-based, grant-led approach for necessary vehicle adaptations that could serve to improve the functional mobility of the individual.
However, this is very much a matter for Government as whilst my Department has oversight of the DDS, I do not have responsibility for disability policy.
As the Deputy is aware the National Disability & Inclusion Strategy or NDIS Transport Working Group recommended that the DDS be replaced with a modern, fit-for-purpose vehicular adaptation scheme. This is in line with the general view that we need to move away from a medical criteria-based approach to a needs-based approach.
Under the aegis of the Department of Taoiseach officials from relevant Departments and agencies are meeting to discuss the issues arising from the NDIS report including how the DDS can be replaced.
The Department of Finance submitted a note to the group with my predecessor's approval in mid-January 2024. This note outlines a proposal for a replacement scheme for the DDS which would be a needs-based, grant-led approach for necessary vehicle adaptations. Further consideration is being given to this matter through the establishment of sub-group of the Department of Taoiseach working group. This sub-group has held two meetings. At the second meeting of 12th September members discussed the proposed content and format of a summary report to guide Government discussions on a replacement scheme, to be produced in the coming weeks.
In that context, any further changes to the existing DDS would run counter to NDIS proposals to entirely replace the scheme with a modern, fit-for-purpose vehicular adaptation scheme.
83. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will meet with an organisation (details supplied) regarding the issue of enduring cuts to criminal fees, which is impacting on the criminal justice system. [39255/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the outset, I would like to note the important role played by legal practitioners in the administration of criminal justice.
The level of annual expenditure incurred by the Department of Justice on the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme rose by approximately 60% in the period between 2008 and 2023 which demonstrates the significant investment in this area.
As set out in section 10 of the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962, the primary legislation which provides for the operation of the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme, it is the role of the Minister for Justice to prescribe the fee rates paid under the Scheme with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Minister for Justice announced a 10% increase to the fee rates paid to legal practitioners which took effect from 1 January 2024. This was progressed on the understanding that it would facilitate the Department of Justice to undertake a process of implementing reforms that will deliver greater efficiencies, transparency and governance of the Scheme - including the overall fee structure.
As the Deputy will appreciate, this is primarily a policy matter for the Minister for Justice to consider in the first instance and for the Department of Justice to continue to progress.
84. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform when he proposes to begin construction of the new protective structure to accommodate the Turoe Stone at Turoe, Bullaun, Loughrea, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39287/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe detail design for the new enclosure for the Turoe Stone is being finalised at this time, under the direction of the OPW conservation architects. Once tender documents are completed, and pending consents granted, a suitably qualified company will be awarded the tender to build the new enclosure for the Turoe Stone, together with associated landscaping works. It is envisaged that the Turoe Stone will be returned to the site where the new enclosure will be constructed to protect it, subject to permission from the National Museum of Ireland and the DHGLH National Monuments Service.
It is anticipated that the OPW will apply for Ministerial Consent by the end of November 2024 and complete the tender documents by year end. It is hoped that tenders for the project will issue by the end of Quarter 1 2025 and works will commence on site at the end of Quarter 2 2025. Allowing for all statutory and legal obligations to be met, including consents, the project could be completed by end of 2025, weather permitting.
85. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the amount expended by the OPW on external communications advice or training for its senior leadership team in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; the external companies engaged; and the topics or issues that the training or advices related to, in tabular form. [39310/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of Public Works needs more time to collate the information and will respond directly to the Deputy.
86. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to seek an interim report on the Saint Laurence's Gate appraisal being carried out by the OPW; if he will the indicate the findings of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39462/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe St. Laurence’s Gate building is a Barbican, a remnant of a guardhouse forming part of the ancient Drogheda City Walls. It is owned by Louth County Council and is a National Monument, Number 511, in the Guardianship of the Office of Public Works.
The OPW's position in relation to St Laurence's Gate has been communicated previously. Currently there is no appraisal being carried out by the OPW. As indicated to the Deputy in a previous Parliamentary Reply, Number 1345/23 of 19th January 2023, a substantial and complex project would be required to address the issues identified in an OPW-commissioned structural report which was published in 2017. This report was widely shared with local public representatives at the time.
The OPW understands that Louth Co. Council is currently working on an Urban Realm Improvement Project, which includes the area around the structure, for which they will have to secure Ministerial Consent from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to proceed. The OPW is happy to engage constructively with both the Local Authority and the Department in this regard as it progresses.
As with all National Monuments in State care, the OPW will continue to carry out routine maintenance and conservation of this monument, in line with legislative obligations.
87. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount expended by the IDA and Enterprise Ireland on external communications advice or training for its senior leadership team in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; the external companies engaged; and the topics or issues that the training or advices related to, in tabular form. [39325/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table below outlines the amount spent on external communication training for both IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland’s senior leadership team in 2022, 2023 and 2024 together with the name of the external company and the topics covered.
|
Year |
Fees |
Name of Company Engaged |
Topics Covered |
|
IDA Ireland |
|||
|
2022 |
€450 |
Communications Clinic |
Media Training |
|
2023 |
€2,600 |
Communications Clinic |
To support media engagements and public presentation skills |
|
2023 |
€695 |
Unique Media |
Message formulation |
|
2024 |
€494 |
Finn Partners |
General Media Training |
|
Enterprise Ireland |
|||
|
2022 |
€22,115 |
Drury Communications |
Prep for annual results announcement; Prep for Annual Business Review (ABR) launch; Senior management prep for external stakeholder engagements and presentations. |
|
2023 |
€7,375 |
Drury Communications |
Senior management prep for external stakeholder engagements and presentations. |
|
2024 |
No fees in 2024 |
n/a |
n/a |
88. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the additional quota of 500 visas for home carers that were due to be released on 2 September 2024 will be approved and made available; if he is aware that a number of organisations providing home care have appointments pending the approval of these visas, and that the delay is putting additional pressures on services and leaving vulnerable people without the home care services they require; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39214/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing discussions between my Department and the Department of Health, with consideration of the findings of a recent strategic review of the sector, I approved the extension of the quota of General Employment Permits for the role of Care Worker/Home Carer by 500. The change was effective from Monday 2nd September.
The extension of the quota coincides with the commencement of the Employment Permits Act 2024 which brings some changes to the employment permit system. These include changes to the labour market needs test, changing employer and progression within the role. An information note is available at this link Employment Permits Act 2024 information note - DETE (enterprise.gov.ie) detailing the main changes taking place.
Regarding applications that were received after the expiry of the previous quota, , I have been informed by my officials that, as these applications have been returned and refunded in line with employment permit policy, they must be submitted again in order to be processed.
89. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he met with a person (details supplied) during his recent visit to the west coast of the USA. [39246/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn the 23 September last I led a joint Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland Trade Mission to the US west coast visiting Los Angeles, San Diego, Silicon Valley, San Francisco and Seattle to strengthen and consolidate key strategic partnerships in the region with key IDA client companies and promote world class Irish companies with leading market positions in the US
The Trade Mission took place on the back of record Irish exports of €34.57 billion in 2023. North America now accounts for 19% of all exports by Enterprise Ireland backed companies in 2023. In 2023, IDA Ireland secured a total of 248 investments of which 156 investors came from North American investors accounting for over 13,000 new jobs. Enterprise Ireland client companies are scaling rapidly in the USA, which is now the second largest export country for client exports, with €5.9bn exports in 2023
During the Trade Mission I met with a number of C-suite level executives of a range of EI and IDA Ireland client companies in the Technology, Creative, VFX, High Growth and Life Sciences sectors. I did not meet with the CEO of the company mentioned by the Deputy.
90. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount of the €7.5 million funding the Government gives to the alcohol industry yearly that is ringfenced or dedicated to the promotion of non-alcoholic beverages. [39272/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the Deputy has clarified that she is referring to a grant provided by Enterprise Ireland under the Environmental Aid scheme to an individual company.
My Department, through Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland, provides environmental aid funding to support companies to make the significant investments that are necessary to achieve the industrial decarbonisation targets set out in the Government's Climate Action Plan.
Environmental aid funding assists businesses to reduce carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency, and adopt innovative green technologies that can increase competitiveness in a global market focused on sustainability.
The company's broader investment will assist in expanding production of 0.0% alcoholic drinks as part of a broader strategy to promote responsible drinking and cater to the growing demand for non-alcoholic options. These efforts reflect a commitment to innovation and sustainability by the company, while meeting the evolving preferences of consumers towards more responsible drinking.
91. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education her plans to introduce extra time in second-level examinations for students with dyslexia, dyscalculia and other learning difficulties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39208/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the state examinations.
In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
92. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if she will expressly accept and approve the appeal made to her Department by a school (details supplied) in respect of a refused emergency works grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39222/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school to which the Deputy refers submitted an application for funding under the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) for roof works.
The original application was refused as the works did not fit the criteria of the Emergency Works Scheme but was advised better suited to the Summer Work Scheme.
The application in question is currently being reviewed by the Department of Education’s EWS team under the appeals process.
Once this review process is complete the EWS team will engage further with the school as appropriate.
The EWS team is aware of the urgent nature of the works required and will keep the school informed throughout the process.
93. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education to address the shortage of school buses for a school (details supplied), which means that after four weeks of school term, some students are still without transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39227/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2023/24 school year over 163,800 children, including over 136,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 20,200 pupils with special educational needs, and 7,400 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02m.
The National Council for Special Education acts in an advisory role to the Department of Education on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs. Under the terms of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, the Department will consider the report of the Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO). School transport is provided to children with special educational needs who are attending the nearest school to their place of residence that is or can be resourced to meet their educational needs, as identified by the SENO.
Bus Éireann has reported that unfortunately, for a small number of families assigned to Special Educational Needs transport services, difficulties have arisen in some localities with a small number of contracted services. These services were secured for the 2024/2025 school year and due to reported driver/contractor unavailability at short notice, services could not commence as expected.
Bus Eireann has advised that there are two routes assigned to the school referred to by the Deputy that are not operating at present due to lack of contractor/driver availability.
Bus Éireann School Transport team is working intensively to ensure that transport arrangements are put in place as soon as possible. A Special Transport Interim Grant has been offered to families of children with special educational needs who, following the application process, are eligible under the terms of the school transport scheme and were awaiting a School Transport service to be put in place.
The interim grant is offered from the date of application to assist with the cost of private transport arrangements the family had put in place until a transport service is ready to commence. Further information on the Special Transport Interim Grant can be found at: gov.ie/schooltransport.
Work is continuing in order to resolve this matter and Bus Éireann are committed to providing transport as quickly as is possible.
Bus Éireann has put in place a dedicated customer care call centre to assist families specifically with School Transport queries during the busy summer period. Families that have queries can contact the call centre on: LoCall 0818 919 910. Operating hours are usually 09.00 – 17.00 Monday to Friday.
Families can also contact Bus Éireann by submitting a query via the following link Customer Care - Bus Éireann - School Transport .
94. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education the status of an additional accommodation project for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39228/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school to which the Deputy refers was approved to enter the department’s pipeline for a project under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme. The project will provide five mainstream classrooms, one SET room and a two classroom Special Education Needs (SEN) base. The project was devolved to the school authority for delivery.
My department received a stage 1 report in Q2 2024. This is currently being reviewed from both a technical and cost perspective in accordance with the requirements of the Public Spending Code. All projects, including this one, will undergo the necessary due diligence outlined in the public Infrastructure Guidelines. Managing timing, scope, and cost is crucial to staying within budgetary limits for the overall program.
Once this review is complete my department will be in touch with the school authority on how best to progress this important project.
95. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education if consideration will be given to the provision of additional time in second-level examinations for students with dyslexia, dyscalculia, and other learning difficulties, in view that the lack of extra time is a disadvantage and barrier for these students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39230/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the state examinations.
In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
96. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education when a response will issue to a communication from a school (details supplied) in County Donegal relating to a grant aid for major capital works and a Department of Education inspector visit; when the inspector will visit the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39234/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy, that approval was provided under my Department's Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme in 2022 for modular accommodation to provide one mainstream classroom and two special education tuition rooms. In early 2023, the brief for the school was reviewed and a further special education needs classroom was added to the scope. This accommodation has since been delivered.
Modular accommodation being provided to schools today is high quality, robust and durable. All new buildings, including modular buildings, are required to meet the Near Zero Energy Building, or NZEB, standard, which ensures high levels of energy efficiency, thermal performance and sustainability.
The school in question also accepted a traditional build project under the ASA scheme for two mainstream classrooms and two special education teaching rooms. The school authorities progressed this project to Stage 3, tender stage. However, the school has now made the decision not to proceed with this project.
I can confirm to the Deputy that the Department is in receipt of a letter dated the 28th February 2024 from the Board of Management of the school in question in relation to the acquisition of a greenfield site by the school. Furthermore, the school recently submitted a "First Level Education", or FLE, application for a new school building.
The Department is required to manage the overall school building programme so that we target and prioritise areas that are under greatest pressure for additional school places. This reflects the Department’s fundamental objective of ensuring the availability of a school place for every child.
The main focus of the Department’s capital funding over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of critical additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics and children with special education needs. The overall position with regard to potential modernisation and replacement of existing school infrastructure will be kept under review.
Since 2020, the department has invested over €5 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 950 school building projects and with construction currently underway at approximately 350 other projects, which includes 37 new school buildings. These 350 projects currently at construction involve a total State investment of over €1.5bn.
The Department announced earlier in the year that close to 90 projects, including 28 new school buildings, would be authorised to proceed from tender stage to construction over the course of 2024 and early 2025. In total, around €800 million will be invested in these projects under the department’s Large Scale Capital Programme and Additional Accommodation Scheme for essential classroom accommodation.
Between projects currently under construction and projects moving to construction in this latest phase, investments by the Department of Education are adding over 550,000 square metres of new and modernised capacity to our school estate.
This is a record level of investment in school buildings. It will expand the number of school places, significantly increase provision for special education and upgrade and modernise our school infrastructure. The impact of this will be felt in communities right around the country.
The Department’s approach is to maximise the usage of existing capacity in the school estate and, in tandem with this, to manage the progression of the existing pipeline of projects within available budgets and in line with the Government’s Infrastructure Guidelines.
There are no current plans for a school inspector to visit the school in question. However, my officials will be in further contact with the school in due course in relation to their FLE application
97. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update in respect of the provision of permanent school buildings for a school in Kildare north (details supplied). [39236/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra110. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will set out the items that are outstanding in order to progress a school building project to the next stage (details supplied). [39383/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 110 together.
Since 2020, the Department of Education has invested around €5 billion in schools throughout the country. Around 950 school building projects have been completed and 350 other projects are under construction, which includes 37 new school buildings. These 350 project currently at construction involves a total state investment of over €1.5 billion.
The Department announced earlier in the year that close to 90 projects, including 28 new school buildings, would be authorised to proceed from tender stage to construction over the course of 2024 and early 2025. In total around €800 million will be invested in these projects under the department’s Large Scale Capital Programme and Additional Accommodation Scheme for essential classroom accommodation.
This is a record level of investment in school buildings. It will expand the number of school places, significantly increase provision for special education and upgrade and modernise our school infrastructure. The impact of this will be felt in communities right around the country.
The project referred to be the Deputy will deliver a new 8 classroom primary school and accommodation, including 2 classrooms for children with special educational needs.
The project currently has planning permission and is, along with a number of other projects, being brought to the level of employer-led design with a Design Team assigned to do so under the supervision of the Department’s project manager.
The process of appointing the Design Team from the Department’s Frameworks of Consultants was completed in September 2023 and the project is currently close to completion of Stage 2(b) of the architectural design process. Stage 2(b) involves detailed design and the preparation of tender documentation.
The next stage, subject to relevant Stage 2(b) approvals, will be Stage 3 tender stage. It is anticipated that this project will go to tender in Q4 2024.
Projects are subject to relevant due diligence at each stage in the process, within the context of overall programme and budgetary parameters.
I wish to assure the Deputy that the project for the school referred to by the Deputy is a significant priority.
My Department will continue to keep the school and Patron body updated as the project progresses.
98. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if a parent’s request (details supplied) for appropriate school transport services can be reviewed to ensure that their son can access the specialist class in an appropriate timescale; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39253/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country. This includes 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.
The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02m.
Over 141,000 mainstream tickets have issued for the 2024/2025 school year, which is already 4% more than the total tickets issued for the full 2023/2024 school year.
The National Council for Special Education acts in an advisory role to the Department of Education on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs. Under the terms of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, the Department will consider the report of the Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO). School transport is provided to children with special educational needs who are attending the nearest school to their place of residence that is or can be resourced to meet their educational needs, as identified by the SENO.
Bus Éireann have advised that the pupil referred to by the Deputy resides 72.0 km from home to school and there is one other pupil allocated to this service.
I am pleased to advise that a new service has been sanctioned for all pupils to avail of this service. Once the new service is put in place, the travel time for the pupil referred to by the Deputy will reduce by approximately 50 minutes/1 hour per day on the existing service.
Bus Éireann will contact the family directly as soon as the service is due to commence.
