Written Answers Nos. 97-116
97. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the refurbishments planned to Garda stations in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45588/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) that refurbishments are planned to Garda Stations in Co Kildare as outlined in the table below.
The commencement/completion dates for the works are subject to the final sign off, of operational and design requirements by An Garda Síochána and successful tendering process.
|
Garda Station |
The nature of the planned works |
Year works to be carried out |
|
Naas GS |
Repairs/refurbishment of the box gutter system. |
2025 |
|
Naas GS |
Construction of a new PEMS (Property Evidence & Material Systems) store within the curtilage of Naas GS |
2025/2026 |
|
Newbridge GS |
Cell Upgrade |
2025 |
|
Robertstown GS |
Exterior Painting/Cleaning of the building. |
2025 |
98. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the price paid for the site of the proposed school (details supplied) at Magee Barracks in Kildare town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45589/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Office of Public Works that they were not involved with the purchase of the site at Magee Barracks for the school referred to by the Deputy.
I understand that the purchase of the site was completed by the Department of Education.
99. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the number of EV charging points at each OPW heritage site; and the 2025 budget allocation to increase the number of EV charging points at OPW heritage sites. [45636/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAdditional time is needed to collate the information requested by the Deputy. The Office of Public Works will respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
100. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will update Dáil Éireann on the steps being taken to install interim flood measures at Lough Funshinagh in County Roscommon; the timeline for such works, following planning approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45685/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have met with the families and have seen at first hand the impact flooding at Lough Funshinagh has had on their daily lives and livelihoods.
I together with my Office of Public Works (OPW), officials have been meeting intensively with Roscommon County Council, state bodies and engineering and environmental consultants during summer 2024 to progress the interim plan and works for Lough Funshinagh which included seeking planning consent from An Bord Pleanála for the Curraghboy temporary pipeline and pumping solution ahead of this winter. The necessary work has been completed and Roscommon County Council submitted this planning application to An Bord Pleanála on Friday 20th September.
Roscommon County Council has finalised its initial contract arrangements with a specialist Dutch pumping company for procurement of specialist pipes and pumping equipment, so that if the temporary solution is given consent, temporary pumping could start within weeks of a planning decision.
In addition, the OPW has approved once off funding to Roscommon County Council to replace the existing roadside barriers with more resilient mitigation measures and these works will commence in the coming weeks.
The work to complete the necessary planning consent application for the permanent solution is continuing and will be the subject of a further and separate planning application.
101. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform his plans to ensure a permanent State-owned access to Castletown House; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45695/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt continues to be the strategic objective of the Office of Public Works to reunite all of the lands, where they become available, of the former Castletown estate. The Office of Public Works remains open to negotiations with the landowners to purchase all or that part of the subject lands. In line with a commitment the Minister gave to the Working Group, he met with the owners to discuss this further. Further engagement between the Office of Public Works and the landowner is ongoing.
As part of the policy to seek to reunite the historic Castletown demesne lands with the house and lands in the care of the State, the Office of Public Works has sought on several occasions to purchase the lands in question, including when the lands were offered for sale on the open market in 2022. However, despite the very best efforts of the Office of Public Works, the State was outbid in the open market process and, ultimately, the lands were acquired by a private purchaser.
The Minister has also met with the residents on another access point along with the Chairman of the Office of Public Works to see if that could be a resolution for temporary staff access to maintain Castletown House and grounds. This engagement will continue with these residents on the matter.
While, if agreement can be reached, this would resolve the issue of temporary staff access, the Minister and the Office of Public works continue to engage on finding broader solutions to access to the Castletown estate this matter. The Minister and the Office of Public Works want to find a solution for visitor parking and are continuing to consider and work on all options, including the M4 access. The Office of Public Works are also working on a potential parking solution with the Kildare Innovation Campus. The Office of Public Works hope to begin some topographical work on this site in the next number of weeks to assess the most appropriate way forward for access.
The Office of Public Works are in ongoing intensive engagement with the Office of the Attorney General, in order to have the most comprehensive and up-to-date legal advices available to it on access routes to the estate and rights of way. This is a priority for the Minister and the Office of Public Works.
I am keenly aware that all stakeholders want to see Castletown House and estate, and the Office of Public Works team, welcoming both visitors and the local community to enjoy all that Castletown has to offer. I and senior management in the Office of Public Works are committed to working with all stakeholders to find a resolution here.
102. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to what extent householders and farmers, twenty families in total, in the Lough Funshinagh, who are seriously disadvantaged by local flooding and road closures, can be compensated given their inability to carry out their normal daily functions (details supplied); whether some means can be found to ensure that such objections can be dealt with before more hardship occurs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46026/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have met with the families and have seen at first hand the impact flooding at Lough Funshinagh has had on their daily lives and livelihoods.
In my capacity as Minister of State for the Office of Public Works, I, together with my Office of Public Works (OPW), officials have been meeting intensively with Roscommon County Council, state bodies and engineering and environmental consultants during summer 2024 to progress the interim plan and works for Lough Funshinagh which included seeking planning consent from An Bord Pleanála for the Curraghboy temporary pipeline and pumping solution ahead of this winter. The necessary work has been completed and Roscommon County Council submitted this planning application to An Bord Pleanála on Friday 20th September.
Roscommon County Council has finalised its initial contract arrangements with a specialist Dutch pumping company for procurement of specialist pipes and pumping equipment, so that if the temporary solution is given consent, temporary pumping could start within weeks of a planning decision.
In addition, the OPW has approved once off funding to Roscommon County Council to replace the existing roadside barriers with more resilient mitigation measures and these works will commence in the coming weeks.
The work to complete the necessary planning consent application for the permanent solution is continuing and will be the subject of a further and separate planning application.
I am aware that Roscommon County Council is engaging with multiple agencies in its response to the ongoing flood event at Lough Funshinagh and any compensation for impacted families, including from road closures, would not be a matter for the Office of Public Works and would fall to the responsibility of the appropriate Department and Minister to consider having regard to the nature of the compensation being sought.
103. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the current position regarding the Mountmellick flood relief scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46064/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility for leading and co-ordinating the implementation of Ireland’s national flood policy, which includes the development of a planned programme of feasible works for flood relief schemes.
In 2018, to facilitate the development of a programme of works, the OPW completed a strategic study - the National Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. The CFRAM programme resulted in the publication of 29 Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs), which identified and described the flood risk in various river basins (including the Barrow River Basin and the town of Mountmellick) and potentially viable flood relief works.
To facilitate the progression of potentially viable flood relief works in Mountmellick, Laois County Council (LCC) agreed, with the support of the OPW, to lead the further detailed assessment of the flood risk, design options and environmental assessments to support a planning application for a viable scheme. Additionally, LCC engaged the services of an engineering consultant to facilitate the progression of the Mountmellick Flood Relief Scheme.
The Mountmellick Flood Relief Scheme is currently approaching the end of Stage One (Scheme Development and Preliminary Design) with the selection of a preferred option identified, which involves flood defences such as embankments, walls, culvert upgrades and a bridge replacement over the Owenass River that will provide protection to 129 properties against flooding. The preferred option was selected based on a range of criteria including economic, environmental and ecological impact, climate change adaptability and consideration of the feedback which arose during the public and stakeholder consultation process.
The scheme’s Option Report and Environmental Impact Assessment Report along with the other planning documents are now substantially complete. An additional report to analyse local residents concerns is also nearing completion. Subject to the completion of the relevant documentation, it is currently envisaged that an application for planning consent for the Mountmellick Flood Relief Scheme will be submitted to An Bord Pleanála under Part 10 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended prior to the end of Q4 2024. Subject to planning consent, and following a period for detailed design, construction is to begin in 2026, while targeting an ambitious 2027, substantial completion is likely no earlier than 2028, subject to seasonal work restrictions.
104. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of farm safety inspections that have taken place in each county in each of the past three years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45546/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFarming continues to be one of the most dangerous sectors in which to work. The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) continues rolling out its Farm Safety Action Plan 2021- 2024 which aims to reduce the level of fatalities, serious injuries and ill health in the agriculture sector.
The Plan focuses on high-risk activities particularly around the use of tractors and other farm vehicles, livestock handling and working at height. It also aims to improve farmer skill levels around risk identification and management. The Plan was developed in partnership with the HSA’s Farm Safety Partnership Advisory Committee (FSPAC) which includes stakeholders from the farming sector.
FSPAC is an advisory committee to the Board of the Health and Safety Authority (HSA). The Farm Safety Partnership Advisory Committee was established to involve industry stakeholders in improving occupational safety and health in agriculture.
Please note in this table, correct as of 31 October 2024, 2021 figures reflect a reduced level of activity due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Agriculture inspections by the HSA:
|
Count of Work Order ID |
Year |
|
|
|
|
|
County |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
Grand Total |
|
Cork |
5 |
167 |
290 |
170 |
632 |
|
Tipperary |
21 |
19 |
163 |
161 |
364 |
|
Cavan |
10 |
131 |
115 |
87 |
343 |
|
Limerick |
|
2 |
65 |
163 |
230 |
|
Kerry |
1 |
1 |
103 |
103 |
208 |
|
Offaly |
7 |
119 |
62 |
19 |
207 |
|
Galway |
16 |
43 |
47 |
84 |
190 |
|
Leitrim |
5 |
38 |
60 |
38 |
141 |
|
Monaghan |
12 |
54 |
49 |
22 |
137 |
|
Roscommon |
26 |
36 |
12 |
53 |
127 |
|
Meath |
38 |
42 |
29 |
14 |
123 |
|
Kilkenny |
16 |
11 |
66 |
28 |
121 |
|
Laois |
15 |
59 |
28 |
16 |
118 |
|
Mayo |
19 |
25 |
|
73 |
117 |
|
Westmeath |
11 |
34 |
41 |
11 |
97 |
|
Sligo |
8 |
23 |
26 |
40 |
97 |
|
Wexford |
25 |
41 |
10 |
19 |
95 |
|
Kildare |
|
43 |
18 |
16 |
77 |
|
Donegal |
7 |
7 |
34 |
27 |
75 |
|
Longford |
21 |
31 |
18 |
2 |
72 |
|
Carlow |
6 |
13 |
43 |
3 |
65 |
|
Wicklow |
29 |
8 |
12 |
4 |
53 |
|
Clare |
4 |
25 |
19 |
4 |
52 |
|
Louth |
6 |
20 |
12 |
5 |
43 |
|
Dublin |
1 |
17 |
7 |
1 |
26 |
|
Waterford |
3 |
13 |
8 |
1 |
25 |
|
NULL |
|
|
|
7 |
7 |
|
Grand Total |
312 |
1022 |
1337 |
1171 |
3842 |
105. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the criteria for the Power Up Grant; and his views on the exclusion of certain rateable businesses, selling services to the public such as undertakers or gyms from the scheme. [45535/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am very aware of the difficulties businesses continue to face due to rising costs and that is why the Government announced the Power Up Grant in Budget 2025. The Power Up Grant has a budget of €170 million and builds on the success of the Increased Cost of Business Scheme. The grant is for businesses in the hospitality, retail and beauty sectors who received a second payment under the Increased Cost of Business Scheme.
If a business in the hospitality, retail and beauty sectors did not receive a second ICOB grant payment then they are not eligible to receive the power up grant. A small cohort of businesses in the hospitality, retail and beauty sectors that did not receive the second payment under ICOB may now 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.
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”.
A total of €154 million was paid to over 75,000 businesses under the first payment of that scheme. Undertakers and Gyms were eligible for the first ICOB grant if they met the criteria under that scheme, including that they were trading from a rateable premises and they had a rates bill of under €30,000. Undertakers and Gyms were not eligible for the second ICOB payment and are therefore not eligible for Power Up.
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.
106. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if an application for the power up grant can be accepted from a person (details supplied).; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45603/24]
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 Power Up grant criteria are aligned with the ICOB grant.
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.
107. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the estimated cost if the budget for the Green for Micro Programme were doubled. [45655/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraGreen for Business (formerly Green for Micro), forms part of a range of Local Enterprise Office (LEO) supports designed to help small businesses enhance their productivity and improve their competitiveness. These supports focus on the key areas of Green, Lean, and Digital, helping businesses to save time, money, and energy.
Green for Business is a free programme which helps small businesses, with up to and including 50 employees, to become more sustainable by providing two days of mentoring with a consultant. The consultant provides the small business with a Green for Business Report and recommendations, based on their findings. The objective of this programme is to help businesses in preparing for the low carbon, more resource efficient economy of the future, and to help them to take the first step towards becoming more sustainable. The Green for Business programme is also the first step requirement for any business applying for the Energy Efficiency Grant (EEG).
The EEG provides grant assistance of up to €10,000 and supports capital investment by 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 consultancy.
Under Budget 2024, an allocation of €1.3m was provided for the Green for Business programme across the 31 LEOs. Doubling this would require a budget allocation of €2.6m.
108. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on his engagements regarding the Mercosur Trade Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45802/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to supporting free, fair and open trade. Our EU membership makes us part of the growing network of EU Free Trade Agreements, supporting more opportunity for exports and investment, helping support jobs and growth at home, and supporting better environmental and human rights standards around the world.
The EU-Mercosur Agreement is designed to cement the close political and economic relations between the EU and Mercosur countries and represents a commitment to rules-based international trade. Since formal negotiations of the agreement concluded in 2019, the global trade policy landscape has changed considerably. The rise in trade nationalism, the economic impacts of COVID-19, the war in Ukraine and the accompanying impacts on global supply chains have demonstrated the importance of diversifying our import and export markets by securing robust and comprehensive trade deals with global partners. The EU-Mercosur Agreement, if ratified, will support that objective.
Ireland and other EU Member States have raised concerns regarding the strength of the trade and sustainability commitments in the Agreement. As a response to those concerns, the European Commission commenced a process with the Mercosur side on a draft interpretative legal instrument addressing sustainability commitments. This interpretative text will have the same legal status as the existing text within the Agreement itself.
Commission negotiators continue to engage with their Mercosur counterparts on the text of the new instrument and to resolve the remaining differences between the sides. These negotiations are currently ongoing.
I wish to assure the Deputy that my officials and I continue to closely monitor developments regarding the instrument and discuss it at EU level at both the Foreign Affairs Council (Trade) with other EU Ministers, as well at meetings of officials in the Trade Policy Committee. My Department is also in regular contact with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Department of Foreign Affairs on this matter. It is in our collective interests that commitments relating to the environment, biodiversity and sustainability remain central to the overall trade agreement reached with Mercosur.
109. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has concerns with regard to a monopoly forming if only one company is getting the opportunity to provide a service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45817/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra110. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures that can be introduced to ensure a fair and competitive marketplace in the supply of a service (details supplied) and ask that a National Framework be established to oversee open and fair competition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45819/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 109 and 110 together.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is the statutory body responsible for promoting compliance with, and enforcing, competition law in Ireland. The CCPC is independent in the performance of its statutory functions. Investigations and enforcement matters are part of the day-to-day operational work of the CCPC and I as Minister have no direct function in these matters.
The CCPC has in the past received complaints raising concerns that graduation photography services and the supply of graduation gowns were allegedly being dominated by preferred suppliers. Although the CCPC did not find evidence of a breach of competition law on the part of any allegedly preferred suppliers, steps were taken by the CCPC to engage the colleges to ensure that the processes for procuring these services are competitive and transparent.
In 2017, the CCPC engaged with the main third-level colleges (National University of Ireland, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin City University, and the University of Limerick) regarding measures to ensure that suppliers of graduation gowns and graduation photography services compete effectively in this market.
After its assessment the CCPC took remedial action and the universities involved undertook a series of voluntary commitments in 2017 to address the issues identified.
The commitments required universities to:
• Reduce the length of supply contracts to no more than two years, with a potential one-year extension.
• Allow for the decoupling of photography and gown supply contracts.
• State clearly on the university’s website that students may source services from other suppliers.
• These voluntary commitments are intended to facilitate competition and ensure increased transparency in the supply of graduation gowns and graduation photography services.
In 2019, the CCPC carried out a compliance review and was satisfied that the commitments were being upheld. In 2022, the CCPC carried out another review and once again were satisfied by the compliance demonstrated by universities.
Following further complaints received regarding graduation photography and the supply of gowns, the CCPC also proactively engaged in 2023 with other recently established technological universities and, during the year, obtained similar voluntary commitments from them all, specifically Technological University Dublin, Technological University of the Shannon, South East Technological University and Munster Technological University.
These commitments notwithstanding, any person may submit a complaint to the CCPC by emailing information directly to complaints@ccpc.ie or by calling +353 1 402 5500 where there are concerns of anti-competitive conduct. The CCPC will consider any such complaints and any relevant competition concerns on a case-by-case basis.
111. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if IDA Ireland still plans to provide a new advance manufacturing facility at Kerry Technology Park, as distinct from the development (details supplied) which was not part of the IDA capital plans; if not, what has changed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45992/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder its current strategy, ‘Driving Recovery and Sustainable Growth 2021–2024’, IDA is committed to progressing the delivery of 19 Advance Building Solutions across six regions in 15 locations. Eight buildings are now complete, a further 4 buildings are on site with the remainder in the planning, procurement or site selection stages.
As the Deputy is aware, Kerry Technology Park already is home to internationally recognised companies such as JRI America and Astellas, who, in September 2023, announced its intention to build a €330 million state-of-the-art facility in the park. In the context of this significant development at the Kerry site, IDA has now identified a suitable site within the Kerry Technology Park to accommodate an Advance Building Solution. I am advised that the IDA is working through a design process to secure planning permission at this location and is working to progress the project as expeditiously as possible. A planning application is due to be lodged in the coming months and the planning permit will have the potential to support not only future foreign direct investment but also indigenous industry across a number of sectors. In addition, the IDA has made considerable property investments in Kerry under its current strategy, including the acquisition of over 16 hectares of lands at Kerry Technology Park.
IDA Ireland continues to maintain a focus on its property portfolio in regional locations to support its project pipeline, including in Kerry, and will continue to position Kerry for virtual and in-person site visits to prospective companies in 2024 and beyond.
112. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment whether an engineering qualification entitles a person (details supplied) to obtain employment in this jurisdiction in an engineering capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46023/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraShould a non-EEA national wish to take up employment in the State in an eligible role, they would require either a valid employment permit or an immigration permission from the Minister for Justice allowing them to reside and work in the State without the requirement for an employment permit.
A number of engineering occupations are eligible for an employment permit subject to a range of criteria as prescribed under the employment permits legislation. Such criteria include the requirement for an offer of employment from an employer in the State, minimum remuneration to be offered and the qualifications of the non-EEA applicant.
In order to be considered eligible for the grant of an employment permit in a regulated or protected profession, the non-EEA national must provide a copy of their registration with, or recognition of their qualifications by the appropriate regulatory body in the State with responsibility for the regulation of professionals working in the State in that role. Therefore, it would not be possible to grant an employment permit to a non-EEA national wishing to take up employment in an engineering role unless they are registered with or have their qualifications recognised by the Institute of Engineers Ireland.
Queries regarding the recognition of international qualifications or registration requirements should be addressed directly to the appropriate regulatory authority in the State for the role in question.
In line with the EU policy of Union preference, Ireland’s general policy is to promote the sourcing of labour from within Ireland and the EEA. Where this is not possible, the employment permits system facilitates recruitment of non-EEA nationals who possess the requisite in-demand skills or appropriate qualifications required to undertake the role in the State.
Employment permit policy is part of the response to addressing skills deficits which exist and are likely to continue into the medium term, but it is not intended over the longer term to act as a substitute for meeting the challenge of upskilling the State’s resident workforce, with an emphasis on the process of lifelong learning, and on maximising the potential of EEA nationals to fill our skills deficits.
113. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education if she will meet with the committee of a school (details supplied) who are deeply concerned about the potential sale of Department of Education land to a private developer; the plans her Department have for providing a secondary school in Newcastle; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45498/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that the Department of Education is in discussions with a developer on a potential disposal of the lands to the rear of the St. Finian's National School for the development of a public park and housing. I want to assure the Newcastle Secondary School Committee that some lands will be retained for the benefit of St. Finian's National School.
The sustainable development plan of a settlement area and the planned use of the available development land is set out in County and Local Area Development Plans.
The land to the south St. Finian's National School is zoned to provide for new residential communities in the South Dublin County Development Plan 2022-2028. There is also a Specific Local Objective (SLO) on these lands to identify and set aside land for a Public Park.
The site in the Minister's ownership, adjacent to St. Finian’s National School, extends to 2.1 Hectares (5.2 acres).
My department has published guidelines to assist in the identification and the assessment for suitability of new sites for schools where the procurement of a new site is required. The relevant guidelines are TGD-025 for primary school site identification and TGD-027 for post primary site identification. All technical guidelines are available on the gov.ie website at www.gov.ie/en/publication/7e515-technical-guidance-documents/ .
The recommended site area, outlined in these guidelines, for a 750 pupil post primary school is 3.81 Hectares and 4.57 Hectares for a 1,000 pupil post primary school.
There are no plans to develop a post primary school on this site.
The future demand for school places in an area is directly linked to the number of existing and planned residential units. This department works closely with Local Authorities to ensure sufficient lands are zoned for educational use to meet the projected demand. To that end, a specific objective to provide school facilities has been provided on lands within the Newcastle development area in the South Dublin County Development Plan 2022-2028. These lands are adjacent to a large public park and public play facilities.
Any agreement to transfer lands for the development of housing and public park will include providing access to these specific lands for the development of the required school facilities.
The current negotiations include the transfer of land in the Newcastle area to the department for educational use. The purpose of these negotiations is to facilitate the development of Newcastle in a sustainable manner in keeping with the existing County & Local Development Plans.
In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, the department divides the country into 314 school planning areas (SPA) and uses a geographical information system, using data from a range of sources, including CSO census data, child benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
Major new residential developments have the potential to alter the demand for school places at a local level. In that regard, as part of the demographic demand analysis, the department monitors planning and construction activity in the residential sector. This involves the analysis of data sources from local authorities and the CSO along with the engagement with local authorities and the construction sector. In this way, up-to-date information on significant new residential developments is obtained and factored into the demographic analysis exercise. This is necessary to ensure that schools infrastructure planning is keeping pace with demographic changes, at a local level, where there is a constantly evolving picture with planned new residential development.
Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the circumstances of each case and may be provided through:
• Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,
• Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
• Provision of a new school or schools.
If additional accommodation is required, the aim to try and facilitate this, as much as possible, by way of expansion of existing schools rather than establishing new schools. The expansion of existing schools is consistent with wider Government objectives under Project Ireland 2040 for an increased emphasis on compact growth. In respect of post primary schools, new post primary schools must have a student enrolment capacity of 600-1,000 students and must be co-educational. A lower threshold of 400 students may apply to gaelcholáistí, having regard to the alternative of establishing an Irish-medium unit (aonad) in an English-medium school.
New schools are only established in areas of demographic growth as the resources available for school infrastructure must be prioritised to meet the needs of areas of significant population increase to ensure that every child has a school place.
There is currently less than 500 post primary school pupils living in the Newcastle urban area. These pupils attend school in Rathcoole, Lucan & City West, where school capacity has been provided to accommodate them.
For school planning purposes Newcastle is located in the Newcastle_Rathcoole school planning area. Based on a zero-migration scenario the demand for post primary school places in the SPA is projected to peak in 2028 and reduce thereafter.
The impact of new residential developments is under review with South Dublin County Council.
There are two post-primary projects in the school building programme in the school planning area, providing additional capacity. These will, when completed, cater for demand for school places in the area:
The school building project for Colaiste Pobail Fola is being delivered under the department’s Design and Build Programme as a campus project and will deliver a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school and accommodation, including 4 classrooms, for children with special educational needs and a new 16 classroom primary school and accommodation, including 2 classrooms, for children with special educational needs on the ETB-owned site at Fortunestown Lane. Letter of Acceptance (LOA) issued to the successful contractor on 28th of June 2024, which allowed the contractor to mobilise to site. The works on site are progressing and the project is being delivered on a phased basis.
The project for Holy Family CS is at Architectural Planning Stage 4 – Construction. Works commenced on site in August 2024 with an estimated contract duration of 36 months.
The department will continue to liaise with local authorities in respect of their county development plan and any associated local area plans with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements across school planning areas.
114. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if she will indicate the reason the examination of some new planning conditions imposed on the development of a school (details supplied) has taken such a long time; whether the issue causing delay is one of cost, technical feasibility, or of detail specification; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45513/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe large scale capital project at the school for the provision of a new 600 pupil school and ancillary accommodation is at Architectural Planning Stage 3 – Tender Action and Award.
A new grant of planning was received in December 2023, with a number of conditions attached. The Design Team are examining the implications of these conditions along with reviewing technical design information in relation to statutory and current technical design guidance. When this review is complete, the Design team will be in a position to update my Department with a timeline for progression.
The large scale capital project remains a priority for delivery and my department officials will be in contact with the school authority when the Design Team complete their review.
115. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 311 of 15 October 2024, if a contractor will be found to operate this school bus service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45515/24]
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.
As previously advised, this pupil is eligible under the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs. My Department has given approval to Bus Éireann to establish a new service.
Bus Éireann have tendered this service in line with procurement guidelines and are in the process of sourcing a new contractor to operate this service. Once a contractor has been sourced, the service will commence. Bus Éireann will liaise with families directly with regard to this matter at that stage.
Both the Department and Bus Éireann are very conscious of the challenges faced by parents awaiting transport for students with special educational needs. As advised previously, families of children who are eligible for these services may therefore apply for the interim Special Transport Grant. This is generally paid retrospectively to families once the School Transport service is in place. However, the Department will process grant claims received to cover the period September to October inclusive, on receipt of a completed Statement of Attendance Form. The completed form can be sent by email or post to the addresses listed on the form.
116. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45519/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe project for the school referred to by the Deputy will provide a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school building and accommodation, including 4 classrooms, for children with special educational needs on the permanent site for the school. The project will be delivered under my Department's Design and Build Programme.
The decision to grant planning permission for the permanent school was received from An Bord Pleanála on 25th October 2023.
Tender documentation is currently being prepared by my Department's project managers. It is intended that this project will be included in the next bundle of Design & Build projects to proceed to tender.
Projects are subject to relevant due diligence by my Department at each stage in the process, within the context of overall programme and budgetary parameters.
My Department will continue to keep the patron body and the school updated as the project progresses.
