Written Answers Nos. 115-139
115. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Education if a school (details supplied) will have their numbers of SNAs cut by more than half; how this decision was arrived at; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17959/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis government is fully committed to supporting children with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective. The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs.
As your question relates to supports for a specific school, my department will ask the NCSE to provide a direct reply.
By the end of the year there will be over 20,800 special educational teachers and 23,400 SNAs in our mainstream classes, special classes and special schools. This will mean we will have over 44,200 teachers and SNAs working in our education system committed to supporting and nurturing children with special educational needs, enabling them to achieve their best outcomes and reach their full potential.
Allocations of special education teaching posts for the next school year have recently been provided to schools, this schools allocation for the 2025/26 school year remains the same as for the 2024/25 school year, there has been no reduction. SNA allocations will be confirmed by the NCSE to schools in the coming weeks. The NCSE also publish SET and SNA allocations on their website.
SNAs are allocated to schools as a school-based resource. Principals/board of managements deploy SNAs within schools to meet the care support requirements of the children enrolled whom SNA support has been allocated. This provides schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.
If a school feels like it has insufficient SNA support to meet the needs of its students an application can be submitted to the NCSE requesting a review of its allocation. Detailed information on the NCSE's SNA review process is published on the NCSE's website. Each case is individually assessed and is based on the student profile of each school.
The NCSE continue to prioritise the full allocation of the additional 1,600 SNA posts provided in Budget 2025 to schools to ensure that those children with the highest level of need get the highest level of support.
My department and the NCSE are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.
116. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education if she plans to ensure that school secretaries employed by boards of management receive equivalent pensions, leave entitlements and the equivalent benefits and conditions enjoyed by her Department or ETB-employed school secretaries/administrators; her views on whether this is an inequity and anomaly that is required to be addressed in the interests of fairness; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17963/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Education has been providing a payroll service for former grant funded school secretaries with effect from 1st September 2023. The provision of this payroll service is part of a package agreed with Fórsa, the trade union representing school secretaries, following a series of engagements at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) in 2022. The agreement provided for secretaries, who signed up for the package, to be moved to a pay scale aligned with that of Grade III/CO and for some enhanced terms and conditions including improved leave entitlements and maternity provisions. This was implemented under Circular 0036/2022. The agreement however did not grant public servant status to school secretaries and therefore this cohort do not have access to the Single Public Service Pension Scheme.
The school remains the employer of school secretaries and it is their obligation to provide access to a PRSA scheme for employees. For secretaries who are paid through the Department-administered payroll, a facility is now being offered to join a PRSA scheme administered by Cornmarket with contributions being deducted at source. Secretaries who wish to avail of this option can contact Cornmarket directly – the participation of individuals in any scheme is a matter between the individual and the service provider.
Any changes to the terms and conditions agreed for these secretaries under Circular 0036/2022 can occur only under industrial relations processes and any such proposals would need to be considered in detail by this Department and the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, as the granting or otherwise of public servant status is not within the scope of this Department.
117. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Education if the ICT grant will be paid to schools this year; if so, when it will be paid; and when schools, both primary and second level, will be notified. [17964/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 was published in 2022 and is underpinned by funding of €200m over the course of the strategy to support its implementation, which was committed to under Ireland’s National Development Plan (NDP). The funding allocation model provided for in the National Development Plan commits to funding to issue over the period of the NDP, applied by the Department for the Digital Strategy duration (to 2027 for the current strategy). As this is capital funding, grant issue in each year is subject to the availability of Exchequer funding and the wider capital needs of the Department including the building programme to ensure the supply of school accommodation.
To date, €310 million has issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in ICT grant funding, under the Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020 and the current Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027. This funding has enabled schools to invest in appropriate digital infrastructure to enable the embedding of the use of digital technology in teaching, learning and assessment.
The most recent tranche of funding of €50 million issued to all recognised primary, special schools and post-primary schools in April 2024. This funding issued directly to schools, as they are best placed to determine the needs of their own students and have autonomy to do so, within the criteria applying to this funding.
As part of the review of the National Development Plan and through ongoing engagement between officials in the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, my Department aims to provide better clarity and certainty for schools on the timelines for payment of the ICT grant funding.
118. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Education the reason the Bus Éireann school bus route supplying a school (details supplied) which has been in place for a long period of time, has recently been changed without any notice to parents along this route; if the service will be reinstated as soon as possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17967/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year, over 172,500 children, are transported daily in approximately 7,900 vehicles across 10,300 routes daily to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country. These daily trips cover over 100 million kilometres. This figure includes over 143,800 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 21,700 pupils with special educational needs, and 6,800 pupils who have arrived in Ireland from Ukraine.
The scheme is made up of three separate schemes, the school transport scheme for primary, post primary and for children with special educational needs. Transport is also provided for children who have arrived in Ireland from Ukraine and those residing in IPAS/EROC centres.
The total expenditure on the scheme in 2024 was €512m.
Bus Éireann has advised that contractors for the routes in question were operating incorrect drop off locations in the afternoon only which resulted in pupils being dropped directly to their homes. This had a knock on effect as both routes are part of a double trip and were arriving late to the post primary schools in the afternoon.
Once this matter was identified, Bus Éireann instructed the contractors in question to operate the correct routes in the afternoon which has now resulted in some families no longer receiving a drop off to their home address and instead are dropped off at their designated drop off point.
Under the terms of the School Transport Schemes, children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Routes are planned so that, as far as possible, no eligible child will have more than 3.2 kilometres to travel to a pick-up point. Children are generally expected to make their own way, or to be brought to convenient pick-up points along the main route.
119. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the implementation of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 (ISL) within her Department and its associated public bodies, including details of any ISL strategies that have been developed; and if no ISL strategy has been developed to date, the details of plans her Department has to address this gap in the near future. [17971/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:
Supporting the provision of appropriate education for children with additional needs is a key priority for the Department of Education. There is a longstanding existing provision in place to support children in mainstream settings where Irish Sign Language (ISL) is their primary language. The department sanctions an additional special needs assistant to schools, above their existing allocation, where a school is required to employ an individual with ISL proficiency to provide support. These dedicated special needs assistants will support the students in accessing the curriculum and the wider school community.
Building on this support, in March 2022 the details of a new scheme for the provision of Irish Sign Language (ISL) in-school support for students who are Deaf and whose primary means of communication is ISL was announced. The establishment of the new scheme follows the commencement of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 on 23 December 2020. Section 5 of the Act outlines a number of requirements in relation to education including the establishment of this scheme.
Under the scheme, a package of dedicated specialist ISL supports, ISL Specialist Classroom Supports (SCS) and ISL Advisors, are allocated to relevant schools, so these students have a more inclusive school experience.
The scheme is being implemented on a phased basis to allow for examination of the learning from its initial phase and to implement improvements, if required, to subsequent phases. The focus of the first phase was on ensuring that the available skilled resources are identified and applied where they are needed the most.
A working group comprising the NCSE, NEPS,the Inspectorate and the Special Education Unit of the Department is currently undertaking the review of the first phase of the scheme in line with Circulars 069/2022 and 070/2022. The review of the Phase 1 is at an advanced stage, and it is anticipated the associated report will be available in Q2 of 2025.
The outcome of this review will facilitate discussions regarding the on-going development of the scheme, including future recruitment and resourcing.
My Department has in place an ISL Home Tuition scheme which support families of students who rely on ISL as required by Section 5(a) of the Act. The total cost of this ISL tuition scheme is in the region of €300,000 annually, with more than 200 children and their families being supported under the scheme with the assistance of approximately 80 tutors.
Currently, there are four modules on Irish Sign Language (ISL) available as part of the Leaving Certificate Applied Programme. This course introduces students to ISL and aims to develop their expressive and receptive communication skills. The course also develops awareness and appreciation of the Irish deaf community and its culture.
The Department wishes to build on this provision and ensure that ISL is provided for throughout the curriculum at Primary and Post-Primary level. Action 5.3.9 ‘Develop a curriculum at primary and post-primary level for Irish Sign Language to support the learning of ISL and learning in other areas for ISL users’ is included in the Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy Strategy published in May 2024.
Since publication of the strategy, the Minister wrote to the National Council for Curriculum Assessment (NCCA) requesting them to begin work on the development of a curriculum in ISL. This direction reflects the Minister’s commitment to ensuring that there is a standard ISL pathway for learners, both as a first language and as an additional language, and a possibility of a qualification in ISL for students which can be used to access third level education.
The NCCA has undertaken research to gain insight into curricula for sign language across a range of education systems internationally. This includes initial research to identify jurisdictions that offer sign language as a (mainstream) curricular language, and at what phases of education (early childhood, primary, and/or lower and upper secondary) sign language is offered.
As is the case with other curricula, curriculum development will involve scoping the work, establishing a development group, widespread consultation with stakeholders and especially with ISL users. The development of a curriculum will always take a number of years, and it is expected that will be the case here for both the ISL curriculum and the examinations as it will be a signed language curriculum across both primary and post-primary, which will require a unique approach. The NCCA has recruited some staff with ISL expertise and initial work is underway.
The Department is keen to accommodate students who use ISL as a first language as best it can. Leaving Certificate (Established) students who use ISL as their first language have been offered the opportunity by the State Examinations Commission and the Department to undertake the ISL modules from the Leaving Certificate Applied and obtain an integrated set of Leaving Certificate results which will reflect their achievement in ISL alongside their Leaving Certificate results.
The information in respect of aegis bodies, within the scope of the Deputy’s question, is not held by my Department. Contact details for these bodies are set out in the attached document should the Deputy wish to contact them directly with this query.
120. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education when an individual (details supplied) will be provided with a school placement relevant to their specified educational needs, given the impact attending mainstream school is having on their mental health; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17999/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnabling children with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
As your query refers to an individual placement, I will arrange to have it referred to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
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.
Through the accelerated provision of additional special class and special school places over recent years, there are now just over 28,000 students enrolled in special classes and special schools. 2,700 new places are being created and these together with the over 1,200 existing places available for enrolment will mean there is close to 4,000 places available for the coming school year. This significant level of provision means that the department and NCSE have created sufficient capacity for the children whose parents and schools have identified as requiring a place.
Of the 400 new special classes places provided for in Budget 2025, the NCSE has advised that 375 of these classes have already been sanctioned for the 2025/26 school year. Of these 77 are in County Dublin, 59 at primary and18 at post primary level.
This will add to the 602 special classes currently in operation in the county. There are also 40 special schools in Dublin with approximately 2,600 students enrolled. Two of the five new special schools for the 2025/26 school year will open in Lucan and Belmayne also. These schools will open for enrolment shortly.
In County Dublin and indeed nationwide, the NCSE continue to engage intensely with schools and school patron bodies to confirm further classes. As the NCSE progress the sanctioning of the remaining special classes they will inform parents.
My department has requested the NCSE to work closely with schools and families to ensure that these children access places as quickly as possible. My department has also written to all schools opening new special classes asking them to commence their admission processes as quickly as possible.
My department and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements remain available for children with special educational needs.
121. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education the reason a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary was only granted 1.5 SNA positions given the significant needs of the school which is classified as a DEIS Urban 1 school; if she will review this matter and ensure that additional SNAs will be granted to the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18014/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis government is fully committed to supporting children with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective. The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs.
As your question relates to supports for a specific school, my department will ask the NCSE to provide a direct reply.
By the end of the year there will be over 20,800 special educational teachers and 23,400 special needs assistants (SNAs) in our mainstream classes, special classes and special schools. This will mean we will have over 44,000 teachers and SNAs working in our education system committed to supporting and nurturing children with special educational needs, enabling them to achieve their best outcomes and reach their full potential.
Allocations of special education teaching posts for the next school year have recently been provided to schools and SNA allocations will be confirmed by the NCSE to schools in the coming weeks. The NCSE also publish SET and SNA allocations on their website.
SNAs are allocated to schools as a school-based resource. Principals/board of managements deploy SNAs within schools to meet the care support requirements of the children enrolled whom SNA support has been allocated. This provides schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.
If a school feels like it has insufficient SNA support to meet the needs of its students an application can be submitted to the NCSE requesting a review of its allocation. Detailed information on the NCSE's SNA review process is published on the NCSE's website. Each case is individually assessed and is based on the student profile of each school.
We have been steadily building on the number of SNAs in our education system. At the end of the 2024 school year there was over 22,000 SNAs in schools. Budget 2025 provides for an additional 1,600 SNA posts nationwide. This is the highest ever annual increase.
The NCSE continue to prioritise the full allocation of the additional 1,600 SNAs to schools, including to support up to 400 new special classes and 300 new special school places for this September to ensure that those children with the highest level of need get the highest level of support.
My department and the NCSE are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.
122. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the number of primary schools and post primary schools that are billed by Uisce Éireann; and that share of the total number of primary schools and post primary schools. [18029/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchools, as independent entities are managed by the Board of Management. The Department does not have information of schools billed by Uisce Éireann.
My Department is committed to providing funding to recognised primary and post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme by way of per capita grants. The two main grants are the Capitation grant to cater for day-to-day running costs such as heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance and general up-keep, and the Ancillary grant to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff. Schools have the flexibility to use capitation funding provided for general running costs and ancillary funding provided for caretaking and secretarial services as a common grant from which the Board of Management can allocate according to its own priorities, except for the employment of relevant secretaries as per Circular 0036/2022.
The current standard rate of Capitation grant is €200 per pupil in primary schools and €345 per student in post-primary schools.
Primary schools with fewer than 60 pupils are paid the Capitation and the Ancillary grants on the basis of having 60 pupils. At post-primary level, schools with fewer than 200 students receive ancillary-related grants on the basis of having 200 students.
As part of the capitation package in Budget 2025 I am pleased to have secured over €30 million as a permanent increase in capitation funding to assist schools now and longer term with increased day-to-day running costs. This represents an increase of circa 12% on current standard rates and enhanced rates. This increase is on top of the circa 9.2% increase from last year’s budget. This will bring the standard rate of Capitation grant to the level of €224 per pupil in primary schools and €386 per student in post-primary schools from September 2025. Enhanced rates will also be paid in respect of pupils with special educational needs and Traveller pupils. Schools should also ensure that they are availing of the available OGP procurement frameworks and getting best value for money for all school expenditure.
The Financial Support Services Unit (FSSU), funded by my Department, is an important source of advice and support to schools on financial matters, including budgeting and cashflow management. Contact details for FSSU can be found on www.fssu.ie.
123. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Education if all primary and post primary schools can access public liability insurance from one insurance company only, nominated by her Department, or whether schools are free to seek out their insurance cover from any company. [18030/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that schools are not restricted to one particular insurance company with regards to public liability insurance. Schools must work with their school management and school Patron to ensure there is suitable insurance cover in place.
124. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an updated timeline for the progression of the permanent school building project for a school (details supplied), given that planning permission was regranted in December 2023 and the design team is currently finalising tender documents; when the project is expected to proceed to tender and construction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18078/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe large scale capital project for the school referred to by the Deputy is the provision of a new 600 pupil school building including all associated ancillary accommodation.
The project was originally authorised to proceed to tender, upon completion of the prequalification shortlisting process in September 2022.
Planning Permission was due to expire in December 2022 and it was anticipated that an application to extend the duration could be submitted. However, due to changes in the Planning and Development Act 2000, there was no longer provision to apply for an extension of planning permission and a new planning application would be required. The new application was submitted in March 2023 with additional supporting documentation requested by Dublin City Council, which was over and above what had been supplied with the original application.
A new grant of planning was received in December 2023, with a number of conditions attached. Decarbonisation measures were included in a revised project scope in line with Climate Action objectives, and the design team are finalising the tender documents in line with revised Technical guidance documentation from my Department.
Department staff remain in close contact with the Design Team and the patron throughout the process. The large scale capital project remains a priority for delivery and my department officials will be in contact with the school authority as soon as the Design Team complete their review.
125. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education given the concerns raised by parents about the issue of grade inflation, particularly regarding its impact on the Class of 2025, the steps she is taking to ensure that these students are not unfairly disadvantaged in their pursuit of university places. [18080/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra126. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education considering that the adjustments made in response to the pandemic may create challenges for current Leaving Certificate candidates competing against students from previous years, if she will consider measures such as aligning the grading of non-2025 applicants with the adjustments made for this year's candidates for the CAO application process. [18081/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra127. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education the assurances she will provide to ensure a fair and balanced assessment system that accurately reflects the hard work of the class of 2025. [18082/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 125, 126 and 127 together.
Following the implementation of calculated grades in 2020 and the dual approach of examinations and accredited grades in 2021, two types of intervention have been implemented in recent years: adjustments to examination and assessments arrangements, and a post-marking adjustment to outcomes. This post-marking adjustment has ensured that results in the aggregate have remained the same on average since 2021.
As is widely recognised, it is appropriate to return over time to normal arrangements for Leaving Certificate outcomes and on 17 April 2024, it was announced by the then-Minister that the return to normal Leaving Certificate outcomes would begin in 2025.
It was announced that this would be done gradually in line with the commitment that there would be no “cliff edge” in overall results.
I am very conscious of the stress of the exam period on students and do not want to add to this stress. While grade inflation must be reduced, it must be done in a way that’s as fair as possible.
The then-Minister announced a gradual reduction in line with the commitment that there would be no “cliff edge” in overall results. The aim is to minimise, in so far as possible, the impact on students. The State Examinations Commission (SEC) will again apply a post-marking adjustment after all marking is complete, which, this year, will bring results in the aggregate to a point broadly midway between the 2020 and 2021 levels. Results in the aggregate in 2025 are expected to be above 2019 levels by at least 5.5 percentage points on average.
In addition, the examinations and assessment adjustments that have applied in recent years continue to apply for students in 2025. These assist students by leaving intact the familiar overall structure of the examinations, while incorporating additional choice for students in the examinations. In some cases, the adjustment measures provide more time for tuition by, for example, reducing preparatory work for practical examinations.
Access to higher education is a matter for the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS). This Department is working closely with DFHERIS, which has emphasised it is strongly committed to supporting students as evidenced in the creation of additional places in a number of high-demand courses over the past number of years. These additional places have been created in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and therapy disciplines among others. Further additionality is in place for 2025, including a new programme in dentistry.
This Department has been advised that the proportion of higher education entrants who completed their Leaving Certificate the previous year is typically around 13% and that there are no indications at this time that the proportion of students applying with pre-2025 Leaving Certificate results varies significantly this year compared to previous years.
128. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education if she will review the policy on incremental credit for post-primary teachers with overseas experience in private schools, given that such experience is recognised for primary teachers but not at post-primary level (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18087/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe criteria for the award of incremental credit are set out in the Department of Education’s Circulars 10/2001 for Primary teachers, and 29/2007 and 29/2010 for Post-Primary teachers. The criteria for the award of incremental credit to recognised teachers was agreed under the auspices of the Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC).
These circulars provide for the award of incremental credit in respect of overseas teaching service, both within and outside the EU. Where a school satisfies the criteria set out in the circulars to have service at that school recognised for incremental credit, an award of incremental credit can be made.
Criteria such as whether the school is subject to state funding, which can be of particular relevance when examining claims relating to private teaching schools, and the length of time the school has been in existence, must be satisfied in order for service at that school to be recognised for incremental credit.
Where schools do not satisfy the required criteria, then service at that school cannot be considered towards incremental credit. Teachers must be on the Department of Education’s teacher payroll or teaching in an Education and Training Board school before an application can be processed.
With regard to the teacher to whom you refer, if their application related to service that did not meet the criteria in the circular, then the decision would be a refusal.
The criteria for the award of incremental credit for teachers are subject to review by way of an incremental credit committee, which is a sub-committee of the Teachers Conciliation Council, and which meets on an ongoing basis.
Through the Teachers Conciliation Council, the teacher unions have lodged a claim concerning the recognition of private post primary teaching service outside the EU towards the award of incremental credit.
The estimated additional cost of the award of incremental credit to teachers returning to Ireland with this service each year is €1.3m.
The department examined this as part of the 2025 budgetary process. However, it was not possible to secure funding to progress this request through the 2025 budgetary process.
The department is continuing to examine ways in which the matter may be progressed in the future.
129. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if he will introduce a new policy on the regulation of a company (details supplied) and other online platforms to reduce the number of homes currently available for short-term let and not available for long-term letting as a way of improving supply of rental properties to those that need them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17870/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe General Scheme of the Registration of Short Term Tourist Letting Bill was approved by Government and published in December 2022. This Bill provided for the establishment of regulatory controls, including a register for all Short Term Letting (STL) properties.
Following a legally required notification of the General Scheme to the European Commission under the Technical Regulations Information System (TRIS) EU Directive 2015/1535 (that requires EU Member States to notify the Commission of any draft technical regulations concerning products and information society services before they are adopted in national law), a standstill period was imposed by the Commission, until December 2023, as work was underway to agree the EU Short Term Rental Regulation to enable a unified approach to regulation across the EU.
The EU Short Term Rental (STR) Regulation was adopted on 14 April 2024 and is applicable from 20 May 2026. The General Scheme approved in December 2022 has been revised to give effect to the provisions of the STR Regulation. The revised and retitled Short Term Letting and Tourism Bill General Scheme requires Government approval to proceed with drafting of the Bill and to conclude the TRIS process.
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has committed to developing Planning Guidelines for the short-term letting sector to supplement the introduction of the STLT Bill. This guidance is intended to provide clarity and certainty on the planning permission requirements in respect of short-term letting properties in order that property owners will have a greater understanding of the planning requirements well in advance of the final enactment of the STLT Bill.
130. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an bhféadfaidh sé soiléiriú a thabhairt maidir leis an moill atá curtha ag a Roinn ar fhoilsiú na tuairisce is déanaí maidir le ról Údarás na Gaeltachta i soláthar tithíochta sa Ghaeltacht agus maidir leis na féidearthachtaí a bhaineann leis sin. [17877/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra131. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cad iad na céimeanna atá glactha ag an Roinn le dhá bhliain anuas chun cumhachtaí breise a bhronnadh ar Údarás na Gaeltachta chun roinnt freagrachtaí maidir le soláthar suíomhanna do thithíocht shóisialta agus inacmhainne a chur ar fáil le linn na géarchéime tithíochta atá sa tír. [17878/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra132. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cad iad na comhráite a bhí ann idir é féin agus an tAire Tithíochta maidir le ceist an tsoláthair tithíochta sa Ghaeltacht agus leis an ról a bheidh ag an Údarás sa cheist seo amach anseo. [17879/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra133. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cad iad na comhráite a bhí ann idir é féin agus Údarás na Gaeltachta maidir le ceist an tsoláthair tithíochta sa Ghaeltacht agus leis an ról a bheidh ag an Údarás sa cheist seo amach anseo. [17880/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 130, 131, 132 and 133 together.
Tuigim gur cheadaigh bord Údarás na Gaeltachta €250,000 in airgead caipitil ag cruinniú mhí na Nollag 2023 ar obair chomhairleoireachta agus ar thaighde i leith thithíocht a fhorbairt i gceantair Gaeltachta. Tuigtear dom go bhfuil cúrsaí pleanála mar mhír sheasta ar chlár oibre gach cruinniú de chuid bhord Údarás na Gaeltachta ó mhí na Nollag 2023.
Tá sé tugtha le fios ag Údarás na Gaeltachta gur cead i bprionsabal atá tugtha ag an mbord agus tá súil ag Údarás na Gaeltachta múnla tithíochta inacmhainne do cheantair Gaeltachta ar fud na tíre a fhorbairt mar thoradh ar an obair seo i gcomhpháirt le geallshealbhóirí leasmhara.
Tá an Bille um Údarás na Gaeltachta (Leasú), 2024 ag Céim an Choiste sa Dáil faoi láthair. Leanfar leis an mBille seo a chur ar aghaidh trí Thithe an Oireachtais i mbliana. Soláthraíonn an Bille an chumhacht don Údarás tailte atá ina sheilbh a chur ar fáil do Chomhlacht Ceadaithe Tithíochta - nó AHB i mBéarla - nó chuig údarás áitiúil chun tacú le tithíocht a sholáthar sa Ghaeltacht.
Ag an am céanna, tá Údarás na Gaeltachta ag obair le páirtithe leasmhara chomh maith chun dul i ngleic leis na dúshláin éagsúla maidir le soláthar agus cur ar fáil tithíochta i gceantair Ghaeltachta.
Tá comhráití ar bun leis na húdaráis áitiúla chomh maith le geallshealbhóirí ábhartha eile, an Roinn Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spórt agus Meán agus an an Roinn Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta ina measc i dtaobh feidhmiú beartas tithíochta Údarás na Gaeltachta. Tá trí shuíomh roghnaithe ag an Údarás i gCo. Dhún na nGall, Co. Phort Láirge agus Co. na Gaillimhe a bhféadfaí forbairt a dhéanamh orthu chuige seo.
Mar a bhaineann le stádas na suíomhanna sin tuigtear dom go bhfuil réamhobair déanta ar na suíomhanna ar fad a léiríonn go bhfuil féidearthachtaí forbartha iontu ar fad.
Roghnaíodh na suíomhanna atá i gceist mar thoradh ar athbhreithniú a rinneadh Údarás na Gaeltachta ar phunann maoine na h-eagraíochta. Tá, mar chéad chéim, teacht ar sheirbhísí infreastructúir ag na suíomhanna atá i gceist agus tá na suíomhanna lonnaithe in aice le seirbhísí pobail. Tá beartas tithíochta an Údaráis ag teacht le Straitéis Ghaeltacht Ghlas na h-eagraíochta chomh maith.
Tá tugtha le fios dom ag an Údarás go bhfuil an eagraíocht ag obair le páirtithe leasmhara ar roinnt gnéithe éagsúla chun aghaidh a thabhairt ar dhúshláin éagsúla maidir le soláthar agus infhaighteacht tithíochta i gceantair Ghaeltachta.
Tá Údarás na Gaeltachta ag súil le sonraí breise a fhógairt in am trátha faoi bhearta sa ghearrthéarma, sa mheántéarma agus san fhadtéarma i gcomhar le húdaráis áitiúla, le gníomhaireachtaí eile agus le ranna Rialtais.
Mar fhocal scoir, ba cheart dom aird an Teachta a tharraingt ar ghealltanas sa Chlár don Rialtas go bhfoilseofar Treoirlínte Pleanála Gaeltachta. Tá obair shuntasach déanta cheana féin ag an Roinn Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta i gcomhairle leis an Roinn, chun na treoirlínte seo a fhorbairt.
Tógfar ar an obair seo sna míonna amach romhainn d’fhonn na treoirlínte a fhoilsiú chomh luath agus is féidir. Ceann de phríomhaidhmeanna an ghrúpa idir-Rannach seo ná a chinntiú go ndéanfar nósanna imeachta agus córais a chur in áit chun cur chuige éifeachtach agus caighdeánach a éascú maidir le bainistiú ceisteanna pleanála i gceantair Ghaeltachta.
Is iad na bearta thuasluaite an bealach is fearr dul i ngleic leis an easnamh sa soláthar tithíochta do chainteoirí Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht.
134. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the 1921 Census of Ireland will be released to the public in order to assist the many thousands of people involved in family history research. [17881/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe first 20th century census in Ireland was taken in 1901, and then 1911. There was no census taken in 1921 because of the War of Independence. The first census taken in the newly established Free State/Saorstát Éireann was in 1926, with a census taken on the night of 18 April 1926.
The Census 1926 returns, along with all censuses less than 100 years old, remain under the legal control of the CSO. After 100 years, the census returns must be released for public inspection, in accordance with the Statistics Act, 1993. The National Archives is preparing the 1926 Census for public release in April 2026. I have allocated funding for the significant volume of work required to prepare the 1926 Census for online publication, involving cataloguing, conservation, digitisation and transcription of the data in the individual 1926 Census forms. The published census data will be linked to the digital images of the individual returns in which the data was recorded.
I know that the release of the 1926 census is eagerly anticipated and will be of great benefit to anyone carrying out research on their Irish ancestry and family history. These historic records will be freely available, easily accessible and a rich source of information to all members of the public and broader diaspora.
135. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if he will consider the inclusion of a club (details supplied) on the list for the large scale sport infrastructure fund; if the club is included on the reserve list; the other grants or schemes that would be available to the club to renovate and modernise an old Catholic church which it has recently purchased for use as a clubhouse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17652/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department operates two capital funding programmes for sport, namely the Community Sports Facilities Fund (formerly the Sports Capital and Equipment Fund) and the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF).
Over a quarter of a billion euro was allocated to 3,048 community sports clubs and facilities in 2024 from the 2023 round of the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF), representing the largest-ever investment in sports facilities in communities across Ireland. Raheny Shamrock Athletic Club previously received funding under CSFF in 2018 and again in 2020.
In 2024, the second round of LSSIF received an unprecedented demand for funding, amounting to an ask of €665 million from 96 applications including an application on behalf of the club in question. On 4 November 2024, grants totalling €173 million were awarded to 35 projects. As a result of this significant demand, a range of valid applications did not receive an LSSIF allocation at the initial allocation stage.
A reserve list is currently being prepared by the Department should any additional funds become available. All remaining valid applications will be placed on the reserve list, which is due to be published in the coming period.
136. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the plans for the basic income for artists; the amount of funding that was allocated for the scheme in the years 2023, 2024 and 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17657/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government commits to assessing the Basic Income for the Arts pilot research scheme to maximise its impact. The Basic Income for the Arts pilot research scheme will conclude in August 2025 and the data from the pilot will feed into Government consideration of the next steps. Recipients have been receiving payment and responding to surveys under the scheme since August 2022.
In Budget 2025, Government made an allocation of €35 million for the Basic Income for the Arts in 2025. It is important to note that the pilot is a research programme and that no decision has been taken as to the continuation of BIA, and that the research evaluating the impact of the pilot scheme is ongoing.
The cost of Basic Income for the Arts (BIA) pilot scheme is €35m for a full calendar year for 2,000 artists to participate, with each recipient receiving €325 a week for the duration of the scheme. €35m was allocated in each of the years 2023, 2024 and 2025.
While the research phase of the pilot scheme is still ongoing, it is clear from evidence collected to date under the scheme that it is having a positive impact on participants. The latest data is available through published reports on the Basic Income for the Arts website on Gov.ie.
This data shows that the BIA payment is having a consistent, positive impact across almost all indicators - affecting practice development, sectoral retention, well-being, and deprivation. Artists in receipt of the support are typically able to devote more time to their art, experience a boost to their wellbeing through greater life satisfaction and reduced anxiety, and are protected from the precariousness of incomes in the sector to a greater degree than those who are not receiving the support.
137. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the grant allocated to a club (details supplied) will be received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17659/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn foot of a record level of funding and of grantees under the most recent 2023 round of the Community Sport Facilities Fund, the Sports Capital Division of my Department is dealing with a significant volume of applications for formal approval and payments. This is impacting on the turnaround of such applications and all such applications are being methodically processed.
138. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if he has had or if he will have consultations with local authorities about the development of a national strategy for the provision of public swimming pools; his views on whether the sharing of designs and the possibility of joint tendering could lead to the more economic provision of public swimming facilities as well as ensuring that people living at any location across the country are within reasonable proximity to a public swimming pool; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17790/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s first National Swimming Strategy was published in August 2024 and it sets out a vision to provide everyone in our country with an opportunity to swim. The Working Group tasked with developing the Strategy consisted of representatives from my Department, Swim Ireland, Sport Ireland, Active Disability Ireland, Ireland Active and the local authorities.
The resultant Strategy includes an Action Plan containing over 50 actions across five thematic strands, focusing on providing improved facilities, increasing access for people with disabilities, improving the culture of inclusion, better coaching supports, increasing safety awareness and providing a pathway that allows for the nurturing and development of potential high performers.
The public consultation that informed the development of the National Swimming Strategy suggested that existing swimming pool stock is insufficient and, as a result, a key focus of the Strategy is on providing improved facilities. There is a specific action in the strategy to complete an in-depth analysis of swimming pool provision within Ireland with particular reference to identifying gaps in provision. Swim Ireland, the National Governing Body for swimming, is currently undertaking an analysis of the type and nature of swimming pool ownership in the country and will publish a report in this regard in the coming period. This report will be central to the future development of swimming pool facilities.
In support of the Strategy, additional funding of €500,000 was provided to Swim Ireland in 2024 for the deployment of swimming activators to work within local authority areas, focusing on increasing participation amongst under-represented groups and improving coaching supports and facilities. This additional funding will also be provided in 2025 and 2026 – totalling €1.5 million over three years.
Responsibility for the delivery of the Strategy’s Action Plan will be shared across Government Departments, State Agencies and other key stakeholders, including local authorities. In the coming period, Sport Ireland will establish an oversight group of key stakeholders to give leadership, policy direction, prioritisation and mobilisation of resources to support, monitor and measure the Strategy’s implementation.
Capital support for new swimming pools, and the refurbishment of existing pools, continues to be provided by my Department through the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund, which to date has allocated €28.9 million to 9 swimming pool projects.
139. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if he will consider the establishment of a US president's trail in Ireland to highlight and promote the historical connections between the United States and Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17806/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra140. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if he will engage with Tourism Ireland officials, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade officials, US Embassy officials and other stakeholders (details supplied) to discuss the possible establishment of a US president's trail in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17807/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra141. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if he will engage with tourism bodies, both in Ireland and Northern Ireland, regarding the potential benefits of a US president's trail in Ireland; and if he will provide details of any possible discussions or proposals. [17809/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 139, 140 and 141 together.
The Programme for Government outlines the Government’s commitment to the sustainable growth and long-term development of Ireland’s tourism sector.
Through continued support for the national tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, the Government aims to enhance Ireland’s reputation as a high-quality and accessible destination for both domestic and international visitors, while further integrating tourism offerings on an all-island basis.
The commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence is also something I am considering in the context of the Department's commemoration programme.
In 2024 the North South Ministerial Council established the All-Island Strategic Tourism Group (AISTG). This group is co-chaired by senior officials from the Department and Northern Ireland’s Department for the Economy and includes the Chief Executives of the three tourism agencies - Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland.
The remit of the group includes identifying key areas for North/South coordination and cooperation and providing a strategic, policy-aligned approach to the development and delivery of all-island tourism initiatives.
I will ask my officials to raise the proposal for further consideration by this group in the first instance. It would be a matter for Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland, who have primary responsibility for product development on-the-ground, to lead on the development of such a tourism initiative.
