Written Answers Nos. 340-359
340. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the targeted supports or relief measures that are in place to help coffee shops manage financial challenges amid rising operational costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44947/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am very aware of the difficulties businesses continue to face due to rising costs especially in the hospitality sector.
As part of Budget 2025, I recently announced the Power Up Grant which has a budget of €170 million. The Power Up Grant builds on the success of the Increased Cost of Business Scheme. This grant is specifically for businesses in the hospitality, retail and beauty sectors who received a second payment of the ICOB grant. Up to 39,000 of those businesses are now in line to receive a €4,000 Power Up Grant once they continue to meet the eligibility requirements.
If a coffee shop received a second payment under the ICOB scheme, then that business is in line for a €4,000 Power Up grant. This grant is available from the Local Authorities who are administering the scheme on behalf of my Department. The closing date for registering for the Power Up grant is 8th November so I would urge businesses who received the 2nd ICOB payment to register now in order to get payment before the end of the year.
New businesses in the hospitality, retail and beauty sectors that did not receive the second payment under ICOB may also eligible for Power Up if they were trading in 2023 from a rateable premises but were unable to apply for ICOB as they did not have a 2023 commercial rates bill.
It is worth noting that I have also introduced a range of other supports that are aimed at assisting SMEs.
I introduced changes to the Local Enterprise Office Energy Efficiency Grant to make it more attractive to SMEs. The Energy Efficient Grant supports capital investment by businesses to reduce carbon emissions based on energy efficiency projects. The scheme supports businesses to reduce their carbon emissions and overall energy costs by accelerating the adoption of low carbon technologies or processes identified through a Green for Business, Green Start or SEAI Energy Audit. The grant now offers 75% of project costs, up to a maximum of €10,000. Applications are open since 12 July.
The LEO Digital for Business consultancy assists businesses in understanding digitalisation and its benefits, and developing a digital roadmap for the business, contributing to the overall target of basic digital intensity for small businesses. Digital for business is free with no cost to the applicant.
On 4th 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.
I launched the National Enterprise Hub on 10 July 2024, it is a new all-of-government service, funded through my Department and operated by Enterprise Ireland. It is staffed by expertly trained advisors and is focused on helping businesses access a range of government supports.
There was a number of enterprise tax measures announced in Budget 2025 which will be of relevance to businesses. These include:
• Changes to the CGT Retirement Relief to support intergenerational transfers;
• Raising the VAT registration threshold to €85,000 for goods and €42,500 for services;
• Enhancements to the Small Company Start Up Relief;
• Increasing the Small Benefit Exemption Limit to €1,500, and the number of benefits allowable from 2 to 5 annually;
• A €125 increase in the Earned Income Tax Credit.
341. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of vacant WTE posts, by job title, currently at the Workplace Relations Commission; and the estimated timeframe in which each of those vacancies will be filled, in tabular form. [45017/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is an office of my Department and currently has 25 vacancies, which are set out by job title and the estimated date for the filling of each in the table below.
|
Job Title: |
WTE |
Expected to be filled: |
|
Deputy Director of Conciliation, Advisory & Mediation Services (PO) |
1 |
Sanction is being sought from DPENDR to run an Interdepartmental competition to fill this vacancy. |
|
Regional Manager (Assistant Principal Higher) |
1 |
Please see note below |
|
Inspector Team Manager (HEO) |
2 |
An internal acting-up competition is currently underway to temporarily fill one vacancy, the other is on hold pending the outcome of the upcoming Inspector competition. |
|
Industrial Relations Officer (HEO/AO) |
5 |
A candidate has been selected and a commencement date is being agreed. |
|
Labour Inspector (EO) |
13 |
The recruitment in respect of the Labour Inspector vacancies is being progressed through Publicjobs and it is expected to fill these vacancies from the establishment of a panel. |
|
Clerical Officer |
3 |
Awaiting assignment of Officers from Publicjobs panel. |
My Department primarily relies on publicjobs to fill vacancies and works closely with publicjobs to manage a pipeline of resources.
The Deputy should note that the Department is also finalising plans to recruit a Director of Conciliation, Advisory & Mediation Services (PO Higher). The table above does not illustrate the position in relation to the Director post as the post at this level, has been temporarily filled by way of ‘acting-up’ by a WRC official. This acting up arrangement creates one AP Higher vacancy captured in the table above.
Similarly, four Regional Manager (AP Higher) positions in the WRC are currently filled by way of acting-up and will be filled substantively in due course. An internal competition is currently underway to fill these Regional Manager posts.
This latter acting arrangement has created a further four temporary vacancies at the Industrial Relations Officer level. This acting up arrangement creates four IRO (HEO/AO) vacancies captured in the table above.
There are also an additional 11 approved Labour Inspector posts which are not captured in the table above, but will be filled from the current Inspector competition that is being progressed by Publicjobs.
342. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of vacant WTE posts, by job title, currently at the Labour Court; and the estimated timeframe in which each of those vacancies will be filled, in tabular form. [45018/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Labour Court is an office of my Department and currently has one vacancy, which is set out by job title and the estimated date for the filling of the vacancy in the table below.
|
Job Title |
WTE |
Estimated time to be filled |
|
Executive Officer |
1 |
18/11/2024 |
343. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has spoken formally with the US Trade Representative to date in 2024. [45030/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraSimon Coveney, T.D. in his capacity as Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment met with the US Trade Representative, Ambassador Katherine Tai during the WTO's 13th Ministerial Conference which was held Abu Dhabi in February of this year, where they discussed matters relating to the ongoing work of the WTO and the importance of maintaining a rules-based international order.
Officials from my Department and our staff posted to Ireland's Embassy in Washington, regularly engage with their US counterparts on matters of trans-Atlantic trade and investment.
345. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will amend the power-up grant scheme so that ‘visitor attractions’ and ‘health services’, such as physiotherapists, are also eligible for the funding support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45089/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am very aware of the difficulties businesses continue to face due to rising costs.
The reason for payments in specific sectors is due to the greater impact that increased costs are having on the hospitality and retail and beauty sectors (As noted in the DETE-DSP joint working paper titled “An assessment of the cumulative impact of proposed measures to improve working conditions in Ireland”).
In recognition of the challenges those businesses continue to face, I announced the Power Up Grant as part of Budget 2025, which has a budget of €170 million. The Power Up Grant builds on the success of the Increased Cost of Business Scheme. This grant is for businesses in the hospitality, retail and beauty sectors who received a second payment of the ICOB grant. Up to 39,000 of those businesses are now in line to receive a €4,000 Power Up Grant once they continue to meet the eligibility requirements.
The Power Up grant is for businesses in the hospitality, retail and beauty sectors who received a second payment under ICOB and continue to meet the eligibility requirements. Visitor attractions and health service sector such as physiotherapists may have been eligible for the first ICOB grant if they met the criteria under that scheme. A total of €154 million was paid to over 75,000 businesses under the first payment of that scheme.
I have also introduced a range of other supports that are aimed at assisting SMEs.
I introduced changes to the Local Enterprise Office Energy Efficiency Grant to make it more attractive to SMEs. The Energy Efficient Grant supports capital investment by businesses to reduce carbon emissions based on energy efficiency projects. The scheme supports businesses to reduce their carbon emissions and overall energy costs by accelerating the adoption of low carbon technologies or processes identified through a Green for Business, Green Start or SEAI Energy Audit. The grant now offers 75% of project costs, up to a maximum of €10,000. Applications are open since 12 July.
The LEO Digital for Business consultancy assists businesses in understanding digitalisation and its benefits, and developing a digital roadmap for the business, contributing to the overall target of basic digital intensity for small businesses. Digital for business is free with no cost to the applicant.
The Grow Digital Voucher was launched on 4 September. 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.
I launched the National Enterprise Hub on 10 July 2024, it is a new all-of-government service, funded through my Department and operated by Enterprise Ireland. It is staffed by expertly trained advisors and is focused on helping businesses access a range of government supports.
Further there was a number of enterprise tax measures announced in Budget 2025 which will be of relevance to businesses. These include:
• Changes to the CGT Retirement Relief to support intergenerational transfers;
• Raising the VAT registration threshold to €85,000 for goods and €42,500 for services;
• Enhancements to the Small Company Start Up Relief;
• Increasing the Small Benefit Exemption Limit to €1,500, and the number of benefits allowable from 2 to 5 annually;
• A €125 increase in the Earned Income Tax Credit.
346. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will outline the eligibility of an SME for the Power Up grant of €4,000 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45134/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am very aware of the difficulties businesses continue to face due to rising costs.
As you know, I recently announced the Power Up Grant with a budget of €170 million as part of Budget 2025. The Power Up Grant builds on the success of the Increased Cost of Business Scheme. This grant is for businesses in the hospitality, retail and beauty sectors who received a second payment of the ICOB grant. Up to 39,000 of those businesses are now in line to receive a €4,000 Power Up Grant once they continue to meet the eligibility requirements.
In order to be eligible for the grant a business in the hospitality, retail and beauty sectors must have received the second ICOB grant. A small cohort of new businesses in those sectors that did not receive the second payment under ICOB may also be eligible for Power Up if they were trading in 2023 from a rateable premises but were unable to apply for ICOB as they did not have a 2023 commercial rates bill.
It is worth noting that I have also introduced a range of other supports that are aimed at assisting SMEs.
I introduced changes to the Local Enterprise Office Energy Efficiency Grant to make it more attractive to SMEs. The Energy Efficient Grant supports capital investment by businesses to reduce carbon emissions based on energy efficiency projects. The scheme supports businesses to reduce their carbon emissions and overall energy costs by accelerating the adoption of low carbon technologies or processes identified through a Green for Business, Green Start or SEAI Energy Audit. The grant now offers 75% of project costs, up to a maximum of €10,000. Applications are open since 12 July.
The LEO Digital for Business consultancy assists businesses in understanding digitalisation and its benefits, and developing a digital roadmap for the business, contributing to the overall target of basic digital intensity for small businesses. Digital for business is free with no cost to the applicant.
The Grow Digital Voucher was launched on 4th September. 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.
I launched the National Enterprise Hub on 10 July 2024, it is a new all-of-government service, funded through my Department and operated by Enterprise Ireland. It is staffed by expertly trained advisors and is focused on helping businesses access a range of government supports.
There was a number of enterprise tax measures announced in Budget 2025 which will be of relevance to businesses. These include:
• Changes to the CGT Retirement Relief to support intergenerational transfers;
• Raising the VAT registration threshold to €85,000 for goods and €42,500 for services;
• Enhancements to the Small Company Start Up Relief;
• Increasing the Small Benefit Exemption Limit to €1,500, and the number of benefits allowable from 2 to 5 annually;
• A €125 increase in the Earned Income Tax Credit.
347. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the situation regarding organisations that can be supported by Enterprise Ireland as opposed to the local employment offices, and that have part-time staff who are taken into account, or disregarded, in terms of the ten employees that are required for a business to be dealt with by Enterprise Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45136/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnterprise Ireland (EI) and the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs), aim to ensure that companies of all sizes are provided with a flexible model of service in response to their growth and development needs. EI, as the agency with responsibility to develop Irish industry and enterprise, assists businesses in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors in achieving their ambitions through direct advice and funding in conjunction with the network of 31 LEOs.
The LEOs promote entrepreneurship, foster start-ups and develop existing micro and small enterprises at a local level, delivering advisory and funding assistance and providing referral services for other state supports. Building on this, Enterprise Ireland works collaboratively with the wider enterprise policy ecosystem across government, investors, research and educational institutions, industry associations and the private sector. Working together, they aim to meet the needs of enterprises at all stages of growth and development, from nascent entrepreneurs to large Irish multinationals.
LEOs are the first stop shop for every business in the country and are open and accessible to signpost businesses in the right direction of advisory and financial support. LEOs have a key role in the small business ecosystem in Ireland, offering a wide range of mentoring and training supports, supplemented with consultancy programmes that give vital support to businesses at key stages of their development.
The range of supports and services provided by LEOs has broadened in recent years and the LEO Policy Statement, which I launched earlier this year, cements their role in providing services to a wider range of businesses within our local communities. The LEO mandate was also expanded in 2023, to financially aid export ambitious companies employing more than 10 and up to 50 full time employees. The framework supports the extension of direct financial assistance to small companies in the manufacturing and internationally traded sectors to become export ready. This aligns with the aims of the White Paper on Enterprise to 2030.
LEOs work with Enterprise Ireland to ensure that businesses of all sizes are assisted on their development journey from start-up to scaling. They are aligned with the EI Strategy supporting entrepreneurs and businesses thus ensuring a pathway of progression from LEO to EI client status.
348. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will address a query in respect of grant support for certain businesses (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45151/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs you know, I recently announced the Power Up Grant with a budget of €170 million as part of Budget 2025. The Power Up Grant builds on the success of the Increased Cost of Business Scheme. This grant is for businesses in the hospitality, retail and beauty sectors. The ICOB registration process was a self-declaration process whereby a business supplied information in order to register for the ICOB scheme. In order to be eligible for the grant, a business in the hospitality, retail and beauty sectors must have received the second ICOB grant.
If a business did not receive a second ICOB grant payment then they are not eligible to receive the power up grant.
The ICOB scheme is now closed and it is not possible to reopen that scheme to reclassify a business.
349. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Education to outline the efforts made to provide additional schools places for children with ADHD and ASD in Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44437/24]
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 me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, 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 has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs nationwide.
Almost 1,700 classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE in the last 5 years and 11 new special schools have also been established and many more expanded. For this school year alone over 400 new special classes have been sanctioned bringing the total number of special classes nationwide to 3,337.
70 of these classes are in County Waterford, 12 are new for the 2024/25 school year, 7 at primary level and 5 at post-primary level. The vast majority of these are autism classes and have a teacher/student ratio of 1:6.
Budget 2025 provides funding for another 400 special classes and 300 special school places nationwide and it is estimated that a similar level of provision will be needed each year for the next 3 years.
The NCSE have recruited additional special education needs organisers (SENOs), advisors and team managers. A total of 120 SENOs now operate nationwide, three of these are operating solely in County Waterford. SENOs play an important role in ensuring there is adequate special educational provision within local areas and are currently visiting schools nationwide to conduct planning meetings. These visits will be key in terms of forward planning for the 2025/26 school year.
Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes. Local SENOs are available to assist and advise parents on their options and the supports available.
350. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Education if she will consider establishing an independent Gaelcholáiste in Ennis, County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44989/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 2011, arrangements have been in place for the establishment of new schools involving the forecasting of demand for school places based on demographic exercises carried out by my Department.
New schools are only established in areas of demographic growth, as the resources available for school infrastructure have to be prioritised to ensure that every child has a school place.
Most new post-primary schools must have a student enrolment capacity of 600 to 1,000 students. A lower threshold of 400 students may apply to Gaelcholáistí, having regard to the alternative of establishing an Irish-medium unit, or Aonad, in an English-medium school.
With respect to establishing an independent Gaelcholáiste in Ennis, Co. Clare, there is sufficient existing and oncoming post primary school capacity to meet the forecast school place needs in the area, including the recently completed expansion of Ennis Community College, and the planned expansion of Rice College to cater for a total of 1,000 students. There is also currently Irish-medium post primary provision in Ennis at Gaelcholáiste an Chláir (which is an Irish-medium Aonad within Ennis Community College).
This will continue to be kept under review, however there is no expected requirement for the establishment of a new school to meet demographic requirements in the town and its immediate vicinity.
351. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education the annual funding allocations in 2024 and 2025 for the small school's initiative; and the number of schools invested in each year. [43901/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of the small schools’ project is to inform the development of a policy of supports for small schools through working with education partners to trial innovative approaches to support and sustain small schools in a number of clusters.
There are 24 schools in the project in six clusters, two in Galway, and one each in Donegal, Kerry, Wicklow and Waterford, consisting of between three and five schools per cluster. The clusters are supported by part-time local coordinators sponsored by the education partners, working with a national project coordinator under the guidance of a steering group.
New ideas are being trialed to determine whether they might help to make small schools more sustainable. The schools participating across the six clusters in this project have developed good working relationships and have already provided valuable insights and ideas into supports that can be developed and replicated across small schools.
Some of the initiatives in the project don’t create additional costs. Funding in the form of an Innovation Fund (€150,000) is in place for the project’s lifetime and schools will not be asked to make a financial contribution to take part. For the duration of the project all existing mainstream staffing levels will be maintained.
On 30 April 2024, I was delighted to announce a further two-year extension (phase two) of the small schools’ action research project to support small schools in rural Ireland.
352. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education the status of a permanent site for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43906/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing an extensive site identification and assessment exercise, a number of potential site options have been shortlisted for further consideration. This includes more detailed technical and economic appraisals of these potential site options.
The Department is working towards securing the most suitable site for this school while ensuring value for money for the exchequer is achieved.
The site acquisition process is complex and subject to completion of successful negotiation and conveyancing processes. While it is not possible to give a definitive timeframe for the completion of the acquisition at this stage, department officials will endeavour to bring the process to a conclusion as soon as possible.
353. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if there are any plans to extend the parental leave scheme to allow it to be taken in blocks of one day a week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43917/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of Parental Leave is to allow a teacher a period of unpaid leave to care for their child.
In line with the provisions of the Parental Leave Act (as amended), a teacher may avail of Parental Leave in blocks of at least one week up to a maximum of 26 weeks. Each period of Parental Leave must be a minimum duration of 7 consecutive days including weekends, school closures and days on which a teacher is not timetabled for attendance occurring within that period.
In certain circumstances a teacher may avail of Parental Leave in the form of individual days where a child has particular medical problems that require the attendance of a parent with the child at hospital, clinic or therapeutic appointment on a regular basis. In such circumstances, certification from the hospital or clinic in respect of the absence must be submitted to the employer and retained on the teacher's personnel file.
The Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC) forms part of the Scheme of Conciliation and Arbitration for Teachers, the purpose of which is to provide a forum for claims and proposals relating to the salary, and other terms & conditions of service for teachers.
The Council is comprised of representatives from the Teacher Unions, the School Management Bodies, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, and the Department of Education. The TCC is independently chaired by an official of the Workplace Relations Commission.
The terms and conditions of teachers employed in State funded teaching posts are formulated at TCC. The current entitlement for Parental Leave for teachers, as detailed in the Department's Circular Letter 0054/2019, exists by virtue of a collective agreement at TCC. Additional amendments to these entitlements must be made by agreement between the education partners by means of the existing processes in place. It is not currently planned to make any additional amendments to the terms of the Parental Leave Scheme for teachers as set out in Circular 0054/2019 and Information Note TC/IN 0010/2023.
354. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Education for an update on an application by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43919/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under my Department’s Design and Build Programme and will provide a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school and accommodation, including 4 classrooms, for children with special educational needs on a site at Kishogue Cross, Griffeen Avenue, Lucan, Co Dublin.
The Invitation to Tender issued in April 2023, as part of a bundle of projects for 10 schools issued to my Department's Framework of Design and Build Contractors. The Letter of Intent (LOI) issued to the preferred tenderer in April 2024. Following the issuing of the LOI, my Department’s Project Manager has been liaising with the preferred tenderer regarding the Bond, Insurances, and confirmations of all legal arrangements that are required under the Contract, including a post-tender clarification meeting. Once all the necessary documentation and clarifications have been received, my Department will be in a position to issue the Letter of Acceptance (LOA). It is expected the LOA will issue in the coming weeks, which will allow the contractor to mobilise on site. In tandem with progressing the contract legal arrangements with the preferred tenderer, my Department’s Project Manager has also been progressing separate enabling works on site in relation to the diversion of an overhead ESB line.
The Department will update the school and its patron body once the LOA has issued and will continue to liaise with school and its patron body in relation to interim accommodation needs pending delivery of the school's permanent accommodation.
355. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education the number of primary and second level special classes at present in the Dublin 9 and Dublin 11 areas with a full list of these classes. [43932/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra356. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education the number of primary and second level special classes there were in Dublin 9 and Dublin 11 in the years 2021, 2022 and 2023. [43933/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra357. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education to provide a list of new special classes sanctioned and yet to be delivered in the Dublin 9 and Dublin 11 areas. [43934/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 355 to 357, inclusive, together.
Enabling 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.
Over 400 new special classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE for the 2024/05 school year. This brings to 3,337 the number of special classes nationwide. The vast majority of these are autism classes and have a teacher/student ratio of 1:6. 42 of these classes are in the Dublin 9 and Dublin 11 areas, 33 at primary and 9 at post-primary level. This is an increase of 200% compared to 2019 when there were 14 autism classes in operation in the area, 12 at primary and 2 at post primary level. 7 of these are new for the 2024/25 school year.
The link below provides a list of special classes in operation for the 2024/25 school year while the table below outlines the number of classes in each of the areas for each of the years requested.
|
Area |
School Type |
2021/22 |
2022/23 |
2023/24 |
2024/25 |
|
Dublin 9 |
Primary |
10 |
13 |
13 |
14 |
|
Dublin 9 |
Post Primary |
3 |
4 |
4 |
6 |
|
Dublin 11 |
Primary |
7 |
10 |
16 |
19 |
|
Dublin 11 |
Post Primary |
2 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
|
TOTALS |
22 |
29 |
35 |
42 |
Budget 2025 provides funding for another 400 special classes and 300 special school places nationwide and it is estimated that a similar level of provision will be needed each year for the next 3 years.
The NCSE have recruited additional special education needs organisers (SENOs), advisors and team managers. The total number of SENOs has increased from 65 to 120. There are now 28 SENOs operating in County Dublin. SENOs play an important role in ensuring there is adequate special educational provision within local areas and are currently visiting schools nationwide to conduct planning meetings.
These visits will be key in terms of forward planning for the 2025/26 school year and will involve schools who had previously indicated a willingness to open special classes. While the preference will be to open new classes in medium and larger schools that have available accommodation, additional accommodation will be provided where necessary to meet identified need.
Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes. Local SENOs are available to assist and advise parents on their options and the supports available.
358. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if an application for a grant for assistive technology can be urgently reviewed in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43947/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Assistive Technology Scheme, as set out in my Department’s Circular 0010/2013, funding is provided to schools towards the cost of computers and specialist equipment, which are required for educational purposes.
All equipment provided under this scheme supports children with more complex disabilities who, in order to access the school curriculum, require essential specialist equipment. It must be clear that the existing I.T. equipment in the school is insufficient to meet the child's needs. Where necessary, schools may also purchase new or additional equipment or software for students from normal school resources or funds.
An application for assistive technology was submitted and based on the professional information provided to the SENO and in line with criteria set out in Circular 10/2013, the SENO was not in a position to recommend an assistive technology grant for the school concerned on behalf of the student. A subsequent appeal was submitted to the department and this was also unsuccessful as the application does not satisfy the department's criteria for Assistive Technology.
It is open to parents to contact SENOs directly to discuss their child’s special educational needs, using the contact details available at: ncse.ie/seno-contact-information
359. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education the measures being taken to provide temporary accommodation in the short term, and a permanent structure in the longer term, for a school (details supplied) whose numbers are increasingly, resulting in an urgent need for extra space to address the school’s accommodation crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43948/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the Deputy that this school recently submitted an application under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme for an additional mainstream classroom, a principal’s office, a secretary’s office and a GP room.
The purpose of the ASA scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream and special education classroom accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year and where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation or at other schools in the area.
In general, demographics have been falling at primary level and are due to continue to decrease. Therefore, the Department considers it prudent to maximise the use of existing spare accommodation capacity at primary level in the first instance, before considering any applications for further accommodation needs. This is in line with public spending requirements.
The Department’s Planning and Building Unit is therefore carefully analysing the medium to longer-term requirements for additional accommodation taking account of enrolment projections and the need to make optimum use of existing capacity in schools in the area.
Furthermore, provision of a principal’s office, a secretary’s office or GP room does not fall under the remit of the current Additional Schools' Accommodation Scheme.
The main focus of resources over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics particularly at post-primary level and for special education needs provision. The Deputy will appreciate that the immediate priority of my Department is providing new and replacement school places each year, to ensure that every child has a school place.
However, the second half of the National Development Plan period will see an increasing focus on the upgrade and refurbishment of the existing school stock. This will include a PE Hall build and modernisation programme to ensure that students in all post-primary schools have access to appropriate facilities to support PE provision. The ancillary accommodation needs of primary schools, such as General Purpose rooms will also be considered.
This application is currently under consideration. When a final decision has been reached it will be communicated by the Department to the school authorities directly.
