Written Answers Nos. 168-187
168. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the caravan purchase loan scheme will be operational; what the maximum funding will be; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6165/23]
View answerThe Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 provides that the role of my Department is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist housing authorities in providing accommodation for Travellers, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.
The Act provides that housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes (TAPs) in their areas.
The nationwide pilot Caravan Loan Scheme concluded at the end of 2022 and my Department is reviewing the operation of the pilot scheme with input from local authorities and other stakeholders. A report will be prepared and options for an enduring scheme will be considered at the conclusion of this process.
169. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the percentage of social media videos posted on his Department's social media accounts or the social media accounts of public bodies and agencies that operate under the remit of his Department, that included closed captioning or subtitling and Irish sign language translations between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022, inclusive. [5570/23]
View answerMy Department complies with the European Union (Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications of Public Sector Bodies) Regulations 2020 and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1. The Department endeavours to ensure that its video content is accessible to as many people as possible, and we are committed to providing Departmental videos with closed captioning and/or subtitling where practical. The percentage of videos that adhered to the requirement for CC/subtitling on the Department of Foreign Affairs social media channels can be found below:
|
Platform |
CC/Subtitles |
|
|
82% |
|
|
84% |
|
|
97% |
|
YouTube |
69% |
No videos utilised Irish sign language translations.
170. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he intends to use the European Peace Facility Fund to purchase non-lethal weaponry and other equipment to intercept lethal force weapons such as those used in the recent Russian attack on residential buildings in Dnipro, Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5223/23]
View answerRussia's targeted and indiscriminate attacks on residential neighbourhoods and civilian infrastructure are designed to terrorise the people of Ukraine. I condemn these attacks in the strongest terms.
While Ireland is militarily neutral, the Government has been clear that Ireland is not politically neutral in terms of our response to Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war against Ukraine. Together with other EU partners, we remain strongly committed to supporting Ukraine in defence of its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, in the face of ongoing Russian aggression.
At EU level, and in this context, we have joined other Member States in agreeing approximately €3.5 billion in military support under the European Peace Facility (EPF) to Ukraine.
In line with the Programme for Government, Ireland’s support for Ukraine under the EPF is directly towards non-lethal assistance. In this regard, our commitment now stands at approximately €77 million and helps to supply items such as medical equipment, food, personal protective equipment and fuel.
In addition, Ireland has previously provided approximately 10 tonnes or 5,000 units of ready-to-eat meals and 200 units of body armour from Defence Forces stocks to Ukraine.
171. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if there are plans to appoint a cultural officer to the Embassy of Ireland in Paris. [5732/23]
View answerThe appointment of full-time specialist Cultural Officers in priority locations worldwide has been identified in the Government’s Global Ireland 2025 strategy as a key action to widen and deepen our global cultural presence and engagement. Six posts have been filled since the programme commenced in 2020 in a close partnership between my Department and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. The next such post is to be located in Paris and is in the course of recruitment at present.
172. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide a breakdown of aid, including finance and non-lethal military aid, provided by Ireland to Ukraine since the illegal invasion by Russia in February 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5829/23]
View answerIreland has been providing support to Ukraine both bilaterally and through the EU budget since Russia's full-scale invasion was launched on 24 February 2022. That support has been directed at addressing the humanitarian consequences of the invasion, as well as supporting the Ukrainian government, public services and economy.
In terms of humanitarian assistance Ireland was among the first to respond to the crisis in Ukraine. Irish Aid package provided €20 million in the first weeks of the conflict, disbursed through UN agencies, the Red Cross movement and Irish NGOs. In addition, 5 members of the Rapid Response Register were also deployed to support the efforts of UN agencies in Ukraine and neighbouring countries.
In December 2022, my Department made a further contribution of €25 million. Of this, €20 million was disbursed through the World Bank Multi-Donor Trust Fund. This funding supports the Ukrainian government to provide essential public services, including pensions, social assistance grants, health service delivery through hospitals and clinics and wages to State Emergency Service staff. €4 million was provided to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development's Small Business Impact Fund. Ireland’s contribution will be allocated to SMEs in Ukraine who are playing a vital role in maintaining economic activity under extreme extraordinary circumstances. €1 million was provided to the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) Ukraine Solidarity Fund. The Fund addresses social needs created by the war, such as emergency assistance, resettlement and integration of refugees and internally displaced persons.
Ireland has also committed €77 million in support for Ukraine's armed forces under the European Peace Facility. In line with the Programme for Government, Ireland’s contribution is directly solely towards non-lethal assistance and is used to help supply items such as medical equipment, food, personal protective equipment and fuel.
Ireland has provided medical assistance and supplies including ambulances, 4,000 blood bags, 10,000 bio-protection suits and 50,000 medical protection masks, in addition to spare parts to repair gas and electricity infrastructure, delivered via the EU’s civil protection mechanism and civil society partners. The estimated value of these in-kind donations is €4.4million.
Ireland also contributes to the crisis in Ukraine through our core funding to key humanitarian partners and joint mechanisms such as WHO, UNICEF, ICRC, IFRC, WFP and the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). To date, the CERF has allocated €60 million to Ukraine and neighbouring countries. Ireland is the 9th largest donor to the CERF this year.
173. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the engagement his Department has had with the Colombian authorities regarding Cerrejón coal mine; if concerns have been raised regarding human rights and the importation of coal to Ireland from the mine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5830/23]
View answerIreland and Colombia enjoy excellent, long-standing relations across a range of areas. .
Ireland takes a very active role in supporting human rights defenders, indigenous communities and civil society space in Colombia, recognising that addressing social, land-related and environmental issues is an essential component of Colombia’s peace process. We remain firmly committed to supporting the implementation of the Colombian Peace Agreement, as well as, more broadly, the ‘Total Peace’ policy of the current administration.
Ireland also welcomes the Colombian Government’s efforts to promote dialogue at regional level and the firm commitment to agriculture and land reform as part of efforts to consolidate peace in Colombia. Ireland is committed to supporting these efforts, including by sharing experiences from our own island.
As the Deputy is aware, responsibility with regard to the importation of coal comes under the remit of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and the ESB. However, I am aware of the human rights concerns that have been raised by some civil society organisations around the operation of the Cerrejón mine, and my Department has been following these issues closely.
The Embassy of Ireland in Bogotá has visited the region where the mine is located, as well as the mine itself, on several occasions, most recently in November 2022. Officials have interacted with a wide range of stakeholders, including local communities, local authorities, and the management of the mine, in order to gain a greater understanding of the circumstances. This engagement will continue, including where opportunities arise to discuss the issues relating to the mine directly with the Colombian authorities.
I can assure the Deputy that officials in my Department in Dublin and at our Embassy in Bogotá will continue to follow these issues closely in 2023.
174. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if consideration has been given to opening an Embassy in Cuba; if discussions have taken place with the Cuban authorities on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5832/23]
View answerThe Embassy of Ireland to Mexico currently holds Ireland's accreditation to Cuba and is actively engaged on the bilateral relationship with Cuba, regularly interacting with the Cuban authorities, the Irish community in Cuba and the EU Delegation in Havana.
Officials in my Department maintain frequent contact with the Embassy of Cuba in Dublin on a range of issues and initiatives in support of enhancing bilateral relations.
There are no imminent plans to open a resident Embassy of Ireland in Cuba. This has been discussed with the Cuban authorities, including in meetings with officials from the Cuban Foreign Ministry and with the Embassy of Cuba in Ireland, in the context of broader exchanges on our bilateral relationship.
I remain confident that the Cuba-Ireland relationship will continue to benefit from the ongoing implementation of Ireland's Strategy for Latin America and the Caribbean, and the work of the respective Embassies across a range of areas.
175. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has spoken to the new Prime Minister of New Zealand. [5839/23]
View answerIreland has excellent and warm bilateral relations with New Zealand, anchored in shared values, economic ties and close people to people links. This relationship was strengthened with the opening of embassies in Dublin and Wellington in 2018. We cooperate closely across government, on a broad range of topics.
As you will be aware, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins recently took office following the decision of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to step down. As Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, I look forward to working with Foreign Minister Mahuta to further strengthen the relationship with New Zealand.
176. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he plans to have a bilateral meeting with his Dutch counterpart. [5840/23]
View answerWopke Hoekstra, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, and I, both attended the EU Foreign Affairs Council on 23 January.
The Netherlands is traditionally an important ally for Ireland in the EU. We are like-minded on most foreign policy and economic issues. This close relationship at the EU level has increased following the decision of the U.K. to leave the EU. The Netherlands is second only to Ireland in relation to the impact of the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union. The Netherlands has consistently been a strong supporter of Ireland’s positions and concerns relating to the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement and the Northern Ireland Protocol.
I look forward to having a bilateral meeting with my Dutch colleague at the earliest opportunity.
177. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide an update on the post-Brexit Northern Ireland protocol. [5906/23]
View answerThe recent engagements between the EU and the UK around the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol are welcome. The joint statement on 9 January by European Commission Vice-President Šefcovic and UK Foreign Secretary Cleverly demonstrated that progress has been made, for example, on the key issue of the EU’s access to UK customs IT systems. As they noted in their statement, this was important in building trust in relations.
While I hope that a deal can be reached as soon as possible, we have to acknowledge, however, that these are complex issues. I believe that it is best to give the EU and UK teams space to find joint solutions that will address the concerns of people and business in Northern Ireland.
The Government continues, as it has done throughout the Brexit process, to engage with all key stakeholders in this process. I had a positive meeting with Prime Minister Sunak at the British-Irish Council in November and have ongoing contact with Foreign Secretary James Cleverly. I also met Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris twice in recent weeks. The Taoiseach has also spoken with Prime Minister Sunak by telephone and Minister of State for European Affairs Burke has spoken with his British counterpart, Leo Docherty.
I remain in close contact with the Northern Irish political parties, and other key stakeholders in the North, including business groups. I most recently met with party leaders in Belfast on 3 February. The Government is committed to resolving the difficulties around the Protocol and helping to ensure that the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement can once again operate effectively.
We also continue to engage with our EU counterparts. The Taoiseach spoke with Commission President von der Leyen on 11 January. I met Vice President Šefcovic in Brussels last month and we maintain regular contact. Minister of State Burke is engaging with his EU counterparts and Vice President Šefcovic on this issue at the General Affairs Council in Brussels on 6 February. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola visited Ireland earlier this month and reiterated the European Parliament’s solidarity with Ireland and support for the European Commission’s approach to the talks.
The Government is also in ongoing contact with the US administration and Congress and key interlocutors in the United States. The appointment of a US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland is a welcome development. We are grateful for continued bipartisan US support for peace and stability in Northern Ireland throughout the Brexit process.
178. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will expedite legislation for the establishment of an independent commission on information retrieval as committed to under the Stormont House Agreement, and propose a timeline for the legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5962/23]
View answerThe Stormont House Agreement was collectively agreed by the British and Irish governments and a majority of the political parties in Northern Ireland. It remains the agreed means of addressing the legacy of the past.
Within the framework of the Stormont House Agreement, it is envisioned that an Independent Commission on Information Retrieval (ICIR) would be established to enable victims and survivors to seek and privately receive information about the deaths of their next of kin during the Troubles.
The ICIR agreement was signed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in October 2015 and laid before the Oireachtas in January 2016. The Independent Commission can only be formally established once the necessary legislation has been enacted in both jurisdictions and the two Governments have notified each other of completion of all other domestic legal procedures required to bring the agreement into force. The Government stands ready to introduce such legislation, and has consistently said that legislation in this jurisdiction to enable this State to meet its obligations under the Stormont House Agreement would be introduced in line with British legislation. Regrettably the expected and necessary British legislation has not been tabled in Westminster.
However, in May 2022, the UK's introduced the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill, which is now progressing through the House of Lords. This Bill takes a unilateral approach to addressing legacy issues and is not what was agreed in the Stormont House agreement. Given this step, it has not been possible to progress the establishment of the ICIR. The British Government’s Legacy Bill, if implemented, we believe would not be compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights and would damage reconciliation efforts in Northern Ireland. The Bill as it stands is not fit for purpose, is not supported by political parties or civil society.
I have communicated the Government’s deep and fundamental concerns with the Legacy Bill, which have not been addressed by the British Government’s recent amendments, to the Secretary of State, including at the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference on 19 January 2023.
The British Government’s Legacy Bill has also come under intense criticism, including from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights and members of the US House of Representatives. The British and Irish Governments have engaged on the Bill at the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers' meetings in Strasbourg. Since the Bill's publication, that Committee has produced three decisions, most recently in December 2022, which echo our serious concerns.
Throughout my previous roles and now as Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, I have valued the opportunity to meet with numerous victims' groups, families and survivors of Troubles-related attacks. At the beginning of January, I met with a number of victims and survivors and their representative group WAVE Trauma in Armagh. These meetings, and my longstanding engagement with victims have reinforced my resolve to ensure that the needs of victims and survivors is at the heart of any approach to legacy.
This Government continues to urge the UK to pause this legislation and return to a collective approach which is human rights compliant and delivers for victims.
179. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the requirement placed by certain airlines on Irish citizens to hold a valid Irish passport for travel infringes on the rights of Irish citizens in the Common Travel Area (details supplied). [6017/23]
View answerUnder the longstanding Common Travel Area arrangements, Irish and British citizens are entitled to move freely between Ireland and the UK.
Under Irish legislation - specifically Section 11 of the Immigration Act 2004 - any person entering the State must be in possession of a valid passport or other equivalent document, issued by or on behalf of an authority recognised by the Government, which establishes his or her identity and nationality to the satisfaction of an immigration officer. Information on the procedures that apply at immigration control in Ireland and in Great Britain for checks on nationality and identity are published on the irishimmigration.ie website and the UK Government website respectively.
Transport carriers operating on routes between Ireland and Great Britain set their conditions of carriage while taking account of the relevant national, EU and international laws and procedures, including Irish and British immigration rules. Carriers make their identity documentation requirements clear in the terms and conditions that they provide to customers before tickets are sold. When it comes to passports specifically, it should be noted that both an Irish passport and the Irish passport card are acceptable as identity documentation for travel to Great Britain.
180. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the percentage of social media videos posted on his Department's social media accounts or the social media accounts of public bodies and agencies that operate under the remit of his Department, that included closed captioning or subtitling and Irish sign language translations between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022, inclusive. [5565/23]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department does not currently subtitle posted videos, but Irish Sign Language interpreters are provided for campaign launches, and their livestreaming.
Examples of this include the Be Summer Ready and Be Winter Ready campaigns, of which there were two launches in total, during 2022.
181. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the reason that a person who lodged a redress of wrong on 22 July 2021 has not received a reply, despite an obligation to have a reply within three months. [5581/23]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the Chief of Staff has overall responsibility for the Redress of Wrongs process, under Section 114 of the Defence Act, within the Defence Forces. While I am notified of a Redress of Wrongs complaint, as provided in the Defence Act, the process operates independently of myself, as the Minister.
While I cannot comment on individual cases subject to internal investigation through the Redress of Wrongs (RoW) process, I have nevertheless sought an update from the Military Authorities and have been informed that matter remains under investigation.
I am also advised that that Administrative Instruction A7 outlines a timeframe for such complaints, from initiation to decision by the Chief of Staff.
Administrative Instruction A7 provides a formal mechanism for members, under Section 114 (1) and 114 (2) of the Defence Act, 1954, to seek redress of wrongs or to make a complaint. The objective of the process is to resolve grievances at the earliest possible point within the military structure.
Complaints may be submitted orally or in writing to the complainants Commanding Officer, or in the case where they feel themselves wronged by their Commanding Officer, may complain to the Chief of Staff. If a complaint cannot be resolved at Formation level, it is forwarded to the Chief of Staff for his considered ruling on the matter. Under this mechanism, if a complaint remains unresolved after the Chief of Staff's review, it can be referred to the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces (ODF).
The Ombudsman is entirely independent in carrying out his functions in line with the provisions of the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces Act, 2004, and his final report, which may include a recommendation on each complaint, is submitted to me for determination.
I would point out also that under the provisions of the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces Act, a serving member may also submit a complaint directly to the Ombudsman, without recourse to the Redress of Wrong system.
182. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the land and buildings owned or leased by his Department in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023. [5904/23]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy is not readily available in the format requested. My officials will collate same and I will arrange to have this data provided to the Deputy in due course.
|
Year |
Property Disposed |
|
2021 |
Former Barracks, Castlebar, Co. Mayo. |
|
2022 |
Fermoy Barracks (part thereof), Co. Cork. |
|
2022 |
Lands at Chapelizod (part thereof), Co. Dublin. |
|
2022 |
Portion of Lands at Crinkle, Co. Offaly |
|
2022 |
Rockbrae House (part thereof), Co. Wicklow |
|
Property/Land |
Legal Indenture Terms |
|
Gormonston Rifle Range, Co. Meath. |
5 years – from 2019. |
|
Kilcrohane, Co. Cork. |
Ground Rent dated 1928. |
|
Renmore Barracks, Co. Galway. |
Ground Rent dated 1852. |
|
Stephen Barracks, Co. Kilkenny. |
Ground Rent dated 1812. |
|
Collins Barracks, Co. Cork. |
Ground Rent dated 1866. |
|
Collins Barracks, Co. Cork. |
Ground Rent dated 1860. |
|
Rockbrae House, Co. Wicklow |
Ground Rent dated 1875. |
|
Property |
Area (Hectares)a |
||
|
Schedule of Land and Buildings as at 31 December 2022 |
|||
|
1. Vested in the Minister for Defence |
|||
|
Clare |
|||
|
Knockalisheen Camp |
51.24 |
||
|
Cork |
|||
|
Murphy Barracks, Ballincollig |
0.89 |
||
|
Collins Barracks, Cork |
24.22 |
||
|
Portion of Camp Field, Collins Barracks |
— |
||
|
Old Barracks & Graveyard, Fermoy |
3.98 |
||
|
Fitzgerald Camp, Fermoy |
0.40 |
||
|
RDF Premises, Kilcrohane |
0.40 |
||
|
Michael Collins Memorial Plot, Béal na Bláth |
0.004 |
||
|
RDF Premises, Skibbereen |
0.20 |
||
|
RDF Premises, Mallow |
0.03 |
||
|
Dublin |
|||
|
Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel including sewage plant on adjacent land |
276.93 |
||
|
Esplanade, Collins Barracks |
0.20 |
||
|
Site at Islandbridge, Dublin 8 |
0.26 |
||
|
Galway |
|||
|
Oranmore Rifle Range |
216.10 |
||
|
Springfield Water Supply to Oranmore Range |
— |
||
|
Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa, Galway |
29.95 |
||
|
Kerry |
|||
|
Ballymullen Barracks, Tralee |
6.07 |
||
|
Fort Shannon, Tarbert |
0.81 |
||
|
RDF Premises, Kilorglin |
0.10 |
||
|
Kildare |
|||
|
Curragh Camp and Lands |
1,968.12 |
||
|
Curragh Lands – Kildare By-Pass |
— |
||
|
Nos. 2, 78, and 96 Orchard Park, Curragh |
0.06 |
||
|
Magee Barracks, Kildare |
1.99 |
||
|
Lands at Blackrath, Curragh |
14.37 |
||
|
a Hectares stated are approximate. Most of the properties contain buildings thereon. |
|||
|
Property |
Area (Hectares)a |
||
|
Kilkenny |
|||
|
Stephens’ Barracks, Kilkenny |
5.67 |
||
|
Louth |
|||
|
Red Barns Rifle Range, Dundalk |
5.46 |
||
|
Meath |
|||
|
Gormanston Camp and Aerodrome |
105.62 |
||
|
RDF Premises, Navan |
0.20 |
||
|
Offaly |
|||
|
Former Military Barracks, Birr |
0.2 |
||
|
Roscommon |
|||
|
Rifle Range, Carna |
114.53 |
||
|
Tipperary |
|||
|
Rifle Range, Kilcoran |
5.46 |
||
|
Waterford |
|||
|
Military Barracks, Waterford |
0.28 |
||
|
Westmeath |
|||
|
Columb Barracks, Mullingar |
9.61 |
||
|
Custume Barracks, Athlone |
5.26 |
||
|
Garrynafela Lands, Athlone |
5.97 |
||
|
Wicklow |
|||
|
Glen of Imaal Artillery Range |
2,698.85 |
||
|
Coolmoney Camp and Lands |
97.53 |
||
|
Rockbrae House and Lands, Bray |
1.38 |
||
|
Range Warden’s Post, Seskin |
0.40 |
||
|
a Hectares stated are approximate. Most of the properties contain buildings thereon. |
|||
|
2. Vested in the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform |
|||
|
Property |
Area (Hectares)a |
||
|
Clare |
|||
|
RDF Premises, Ennis |
0.10 |
||
|
Cork |
|||
|
Kilworth Camp and Range |
1,377.55 |
||
|
Portion at Kilworth Camp for provision of road services to NRA |
10.69 |
||
|
Bere Island |
91.05 |
||
|
Naval Base, Haulbowline |
33.99 |
||
|
Fort Davis, Whitegate |
22.04 |
||
|
Fort Templebreedy, Crosshaven |
14.97 |
||
|
Furious Pier, Castletownbere |
— |
||
|
Landing Pier, Cobh |
— |
||
|
Donegal |
|||
|
Finner Camp, Bundoran |
337.01 |
||
|
Dublin |
|||
|
Cathal Brugha Barracks, Rathmines, Dublin 6 |
18.62 |
||
|
Nos. 17-28 Cathal Brugha Apartments, Rathmines, Dublin 6 |
0.27 |
||
|
McKee Barracks, Blackhorse Avenue, Dublin 7 |
18.21 |
||
|
64 McKee Park, Dublin 7 |
0.02 |
||
|
St. Bricin’s Hospital, Dublin 7 |
3.24 |
||
|
Old School House, Arbour Hill, Dublin 7 |
— |
||
|
2 Tomar Court, Arbour Hill, Dublin 7 |
0.01 |
||
|
Laois |
|||
|
RDF Premises, Portlaoise |
0.03 |
||
|
Limerick |
|||
|
Sarsfield Barracks, Limerick |
5.99 |
||
|
Louth |
|||
|
Aiken Barracks, Dundalk |
7.28 |
||
|
a Hectares stated are approximate. Most of the properties contain buildings thereon. |
183. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education her plans to include additional upskilling in the area of home economics, which is one of the most difficult subjects for which to find suitably-qualified teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5554/23]
View answer190. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education if she will consider offering financial support to post-primary teachers to upskill in order to teach home economics, similar to the support being offered to registered teachers to teach subjects such as mathematics, physics and Spanish; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5620/23]
View answer193. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if post-primary teachers who decide to upskill in order to teach home economics will be given the same financial assistance as those upskilling to teach mathematics, physics and Spanish; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5623/23]
View answer202. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education if her Department will offer the same financial support to registered post-primary teachers to upskill in order to teach home economics, as is currently being offered to registered teachers to teach mathematics, physics and Spanish, given that home economics is currently the second-most difficult subject to find a teacher for, ahead of mathematics and Spanish; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5707/23]
View answer213. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education if there is a plan to extend funding to post-primary teachers who are willing to return to education for other subjects for example, but not exclusive to, home economics, similar to that currently available for mathematics, physics, Spanish and Irish; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5826/23]
View answer224. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Education if she plans to extend the free of charge programmes to upskill registered post-primary teachers to those wishing to teach home economics; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5903/23]
View answer235. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Education to include home economics as a subject in the post-primary upskilling initiative (details supplied). [6001/23]
View answer247. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education if consideration has been made to offer financial support to registered post-primary teachers to upskill in order to teach home economics; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6058/23]
View answer253. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education to provide the same financial support to registered post-primary teachers to upskill in order to teach home economics as is currently being offered to registered teachers to teach mathematics, physics and Spanish. [6182/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 183, 190, 193, 202, 213, 224, 235, 247 and 253 together.
In 2018, my Department established a Steering Group on Teacher Supply to facilitate multi-agency engagement and to lead on a coordinated programme of actions to support the supply of teachers. Arising from the work of this Group and its various substructures, the Teacher Supply Action Plan was published in November 2018.
The Action Plan called for the development of upskilling programmes in targeted subject areas for existing teachers and, following a request from my Department, the HEA issued a funding call to providers of initial teacher education for upskilling programmes in mathematics, physics and Spanish in late 2019. These were identified by the Steering Group as among the most challenging subjects in terms of teacher recruitment. Following the successful completion of the funding call, these programmes commenced in January 2021.
Upskilling programmes are provided over two years on a part-time basis. They are free of cost to participants. The first cohort of participants, approximately 170 teachers, completed these programmes in 2022 and more than 300 teachers are due to graduate in 2023. My Department has agreed to extend funding in 2023 and to provide for additional capacity.
Funding for these programmes was put in place following a competitive call to all initial teacher education providers for proposals. It is intended to commence an upskilling programme in Irish in 2023/24 and consideration will be given to programmes in other subjects. The allocation of funding for any future programmes will be dependent on a competitive process for potential providers.
Separate to the direct funding to these upskilling programmes, the Teacher Fee Refund Scheme provides funding to teachers towards the cost of participation and examination fees on successful completion of professional development courses. Funding under the scheme is being prioritised for those taking courses in particular areas, including upskilling for post primary teachers leading to registration with the Teaching Council in an additional subject. The maximum refund under the scheme is €5,000 per year and the level of refund depends on the volume of eligible applications that are received. Department Circulars 0005/2023 and 0015/2021 relate to this Scheme.
184. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Education the percentage of social media videos posted on her Department's social media accounts or the social media accounts of public bodies and agencies that operate under the remit of her Department, that included closed captioning or subtitling and Irish sign language translations between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022, inclusive. [5566/23]
View answerThe Department of Education's social media accounts posted a total of 69 videos during 2022. Of these all but 9 included closed captioning or subtitling, where three of those that did not have closed captions were Irish language versions of a video where the English version did have closed captions. This equates in percentage terms to 86 per cent. 16 social media videos (23 per cent) included full Irish Sign Language Interpretation.
Not all of the videos had recorded audio.
The Department endeavours to make its social media content accessible to those who require the use of ISL or subtitling and continues to improve its output in this regard.
The Department does not hold the figures requested for its aegis bodies.
185. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Education the number of DEIS schools nationally that are currently off service with the National Educational Psychological Service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5582/23]
View answer186. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Education the number of DEIS schools in County Wexford that are currently off service with the National Educational Psychological Service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5583/23]
View answer187. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Education if a school (details supplied) will be assigned a National Educational Psychological Service psychologist for the 2023-24 academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5584/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 185 to 187, inclusive, together.
My Department’s National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides educational psychological support to all recognised primary and post-primary schools.
The NEPS service provides access for all schools to:
- Psychological support in the event of a Critical Incident
- A Casework Service for individual children where there is a need for intensive consultation and assessment via a NEPS psychologist or through the Scheme for the Commissioning of Psychological Assessments (SCPA).
- A school staff Support and Development Service, to build school capability to provide a comprehensive continuum of support in schools and
- Ongoing access to advice and support for schools.
NEPS, in common with many other psychological services and best international practice, has adopted a consultative model of service. The focus is on empowering teachers to intervene effectively with pupils whose needs range from mild to severe and transient to enduring. Psychologists use a problem solving and solution oriented consultative approach to maximise positive outcomes for these pupils. NEPS encourages schools to use a continuum based assessment and intervention process whereby each school takes responsibility for initial assessment, educational planning and intervention for pupils with learning, emotional or behavioural difficulties. Teachers may consult their NEPS psychologist should they need to at this stage in the process. Where reasonable progress is not made, following a school's best efforts in consultation with NEPS, a psychologist will become involved with an individual child for intensive intervention or assessment. This system allows psychologists to give early attention to urgent cases and also to help many more children indirectly than could be seen individually.
Where a school temporarily is without an assigned psychologist, due to a vacancy, the school continues to have a service delivered by the local NEPS team as outlined above. This service comprises:
- Psychological support in the event of a Critical Incident
- A Casework Service for individual children where there is a need for intensive consultation and assessment via a NEPS psychologist or through the Scheme for the Commissioning of Psychological Assessments (SCPA).
- A school staff Support and Development Service, to build school capability to provide a comprehensive continuum of support in schools and
- Ongoing access to advice and support for schools.
The school referred to by the Deputy continues to have access to a service from the local NEPS Office. I understand that a recruitment competition is ongoing with the Public Appointments Service, with interviews commencing this month. It is expected that vacancies in NEPS will be filled from this recruitment campaign.
