Written Answers Nos. 212-214
212. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education the reason that the ICT grant has been stopped; the measures being put in place to support schools that have planned expenditure in place or require reimbursement for outstanding expenditure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29023/23]
View answerUnder the Digital Strategy for Schools 2015 to 2020 overall investment of €210m issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in annual grant funding. This funding was to support schools to invest in appropriate digital infrastructure to embed the use of digital technology in teaching, learning and assessment.
The new Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 was published last year and is underpinned by an investment of €200m to support schools over the period committed to under Ireland’s National Development Plan (NDP). The first tranche of €50m issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in respect of the 2021 to 2022 school year. Funding of €50m secured as part of Ireland's National Recovery and Resilience Plan under the NextGenerationEU Recovery and Resilience Facility issued to all recognised schools in the free education scheme to support learners at risk of educational disadvantage through the digital divide, also issued in late 2021.
It is hoped to issue the next tranche of funding in the 2023-2024 school year. As with all such funding, the issuing of the grant 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.
It is anticipated that the funding committed to under the NDP will be available to support the implementation of the Digital Strategy to Schools in future years.
As with funding under the previous strategy, the funding under the Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 issues directly to schools as they are best placed to identify the requirements of their own learner cohort and to meet those requirements in the most appropriate way in accordance with their digital learning plan.
213. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if a suitable school place to facilitate 5th and 6th year second level education can be arranged for a student (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29056/23]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:
The Educational Welfare Service (EWS) is part of Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) and operates under the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000, a piece of legislation that emphasises the promotion of school attendance, participation and retention. The EWS deal with children and families who have difficulties in relation to school attendance, participation, retention. This is a statutory service and its primary role is to ensure that every child either attends school regularly or otherwise receives a certain minimum education; to ensure and secure every child’s entitlement to education.
TESS offers advice and assistance to parents seeking school placements for their children. However, if there is oversubscription for schools in a particular geographical area it may be necessary to make applications to schools in a neighbouring town/village. Contact details for TESS can be found at the following link: Get in touchTusla - Child and Family Agency
An Educational Welfare Officer (EWO) may have knowledge of schools that may have capacity and will advise parents to make an application to that school. Parental choice has to be taken into account when seeking a school place for a child but a place in a school of first choice is not always possible. An EWO can designate a school place for a student if it can be proven that the school has capacity and have refused to admit the child in accordance with their admissions policy.
If, having made applications to the schools in the area, the child remains without a school placement, the parents may be eligible to apply for home tuition as an interim measure. The EWO will advise the parent in relation to the application process. The application for Home Tuition is made by the parent.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs nationwide.
Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes. The local special educational needs organisers (SENOs) remain available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available at: www.ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list.
Information on the list of schools with special classes, the types and locations of these classes is published on the NCSE website: www.ncse.ie.
The NCSE is committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements will be available for children for the coming school year 2023/24.
I want to reassure you also that my department will continue to support the NCSE and schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children are successful in accessing an education.
214. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide an update on the provision of a night-time economy manager in Drogheda to help develop a night-time economy strategy; when the role is expected to be filled; the grade of the role; the time period of the contract; if other relevant information will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28895/23]
View answerLast year, in direct response to Action 19 in the Report of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce, I announced the locations of the 9 towns and cities which will take part in the new Night-Time Advisor pilot initiative. The selected pilots are Dublin City, Cork City, Limerick City, Galway City, Kilkenny, Drogheda, Sligo, Buncrana and Longford Town.
My Department has been liaising with the County and City Management Association (CCMA), who have been leading on this process, in relation to the recruitment of the 9 Night-Time Economy Advisors. I have approved funding for a two-year full-time post in each of the selected towns and cities and the posts will be advertised at Local Authority Grade VII scale. A number of Local Authorities have already started their recruitment campaigns by way of open competition, including Louth County Council. The closing date for applications for the Night-Time Advisor in Drogheda was 25th May.
Once appointed, the new Night-Time Economy Advisors will help to drive and support a more sustainable Night-Time Economy in their specific areas. They will work with businesses, communities, venues, residents and artists to create a more vibrant night-life for all and bring vitality back to our city and town centres in a safe and sustainable way. The new Advisor will be tasked with establishing a new Night-Time Economy Committee which will be diverse, inclusive and dynamic. The Advisor will have to ensure that all existing local structures are assessed to ensure synergies are developed where possible and that duplication of effort is avoided.
A key element of this initiative will also include an extensive consultation process led by the Advisor, which will lead to the development of a cohesive action plan setting out a range of interventions to support the co-ordinated development of the area’s Night-Time Economy. The Advisor will also identify potential funding streams to support the NTE in the chosen cities/towns.
I would like to thank the CCMA for their role in leading this process. I look forward to the establishment and work of the Night-Time Advisors and getting them in place as soon as possible.
