Parliamentary questions

School Facilities

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

501. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the projected cost of ensuring every DEIS secondary school is funded for the provision of a JCSP library; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37009/23]

School Facilities

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

502. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education to outline the funding provided in each year since 2020 for the provision of school libraries; what current support streams are in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37010/23]

Departmental Data

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

503. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the current staffing schedule at primary level, for DEIS and non-DEIS schools; how many teachers are currently employed across the primary level system; the number employed in each year from 2018 to 2023, in tabular form; the cost of reducing the average class size to 20 pupils; the cost of each one-point improvement in staffing costs, and capital costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37011/23]

Departmental Data

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

504. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education to provide, in tabular form, the projected costs of reducing the staffing schedules for DEIS urban band 1 vertical schools to 17:1, DEIS urban band 1 junior schools to 15:1 and DEIS urban band 1 senior schools to 19:1; the costs for the 2024-25 school year; the current number of schools in each band; the staffing schedules that apply for DEIS urban band 2 and DEIS rural schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37012/23]

Departmental Data

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

505. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the current staffing schedule at second level; how many teachers are currently employed across the second-level system; the number employed in each year from 2018 to 2023, in tabular form; the cost of each one-point improvement in staffing costs, and capital costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37013/23]

Fee Paying Schools

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

506. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education how many children are enrolled in fee-paying private second-level schools in each year since 2018; the subsidy for teaching salaries and SNA posts in each of those years; the additional capital or grant expenditure provided in each of those years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37014/23]

Mental Health Services

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

507. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the projected cost of the current pilot programme of counselling supports for primary school pupils; the projected cost of a nationwide roll-out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37015/23]

Education Schemes

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

508. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the projected cost of a 10% increase in funding for the school completion programme; the current financial and staff commitments in 2021-22 and 2022-23; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37016/23]

School Staff

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

509. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the cost of every ten additional home school community liaison positions; how many are currently in place; the current financial commitment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37017/23]

State Examinations

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

510. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the cost of permanently abolishing fees for sitting the Junior and Leaving Certificate for 2024; the projected number of students in each year, by exam; the cost of waiving the fee in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37018/23]

School Transport

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

511. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the cost of abolishing school transport charges for concessionary students; if she will outline the changes in the fees for the scheme over the past two years; the current fees paid by students; the total fees collected this school year; the projected fees to be collected in 2023 for the 2023/24 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37019/23]

School Textbooks

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

512. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the full-year projected cost of free schoolbooks at primary level; the cost of expanding that to all secondary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37020/23]

School Staff

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

513. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the cost to provide a permanent release day for administrative purposes every week to every teaching principal; how many would benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37021/23]

School Staff

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

514. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the cost of restoring the outstanding approximately 2,400 posts of responsibility in primary and special schools, for AP1 to reach 1,605, and AP2 to reach 8,592; the current level of positions in each; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37022/23]

School Staff

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

515. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the cost of employing an additional 100 SNAs; the projected number of additional SNAs to be employed in 2024/2025 due to demographic pressures; the current number of SNAs at the end of 2022/23 school year; the current number of funded posts from September for the 2023/24 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37023/23]

School Staff

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

516. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the costing for employing an additional 100 resource teachers; the current number employed; the projected number of additional resource teachers to be employed in 2023/2024 due to demographic pressures; the projected additional number needed in 2024/25; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37024/23]

Departmental Funding

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

517. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the additional capital and current spending required in 2023/24 and then 2024/25 to meet projected demand for special classes and special schools; to provide, in tabular form, the additional number of places required at each level; the provision currently in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37025/23]

Mental Health Services

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

518. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the additional cost of restoring guidance counselling to pre-recession levels; the provision currently in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37026/23]

Capitation Grants

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

519. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the cost for either a 10% or 20% increase in school capitation grants at primary and secondary level, in tabular form, for the 2023/24 school year; the first-year cost and full-year cost for the 2024/25 school year; the additional cost of a 25% increase in Deis capitation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37027/23]

Departmental Expenditure

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

520. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the allocation for capital expenditure in 2023; to provide a breakdown of the spend on new schools and classrooms at primary, secondary and special schools; how many additional classrooms are planned in each; what the required provision in 2024 is; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37028/23]

Energy Conservation

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

521. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the level of capital commitment for retrofitting or energy efficiency measures in schools in 2023; which projects were supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37029/23]

Public Sector Pay

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

522. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the additional funding required to ensure equal pay for the post-2010 entrants to teaching; where the remaining differences are; how many teachers are affected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37030/23]

School Meals Programme

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

777. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Social Protection the additional funding required to expand the hot school meals to all DEIS schools in 2024; the resources required to ensure all special schools and DEIS secondary schools can provide a hot school meal; if she will confirm if her Department has an implementation plan for the roll-out of a universal provision of hot school meals in all schools; what work has been carried out on the feasibility of providing meals to children during holiday time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37031/23]

Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

886. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice for an update on progress towards establishing a statutory DSGBV agency; to confirm if it will commence in 2023; the projected establishment costs; if her Department has funding in place for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37032/23]

An Garda Síochána

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

887. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice what additional funding her Department requires in 2024 to recruit 800 additional gardaí trainees next year; to confirm if her Department has funding in place for this in 2024, or if additional funding will be required in budget 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37033/23]

An Garda Síochána

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

888. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice the projected cost of every ten additional community gardaí; the cost of each additional dedicated community sergeant; the cost of a 10% increase overall; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37035/23]

Citizenship Applications

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

889. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice the projected cost of reducing citizenship fees to €200, and waiving it for children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37036/23]

Immigration Policy

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

890. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice the projected cost of reducing the Irish residence permit to €75; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37037/23]

An Garda Síochána

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

49. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice the current operational strength of An Garda Síochána; if she will include a breakdown of new recruits, retirements, resignations, gardaí unavailable for duty and any analysis on the projected numbers of gardaí over the next 18 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34000/23]

An Garda Síochána

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

58. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice to report on progress on the new Garda station for Dublin 7-Dublin 13. [34004/23]

Prison Service

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

60. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice when she expects to introduce legislation in the Houses of the Oireachtas to put the Prison Service on a statutory basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34002/23]

An Garda Síochána

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

81. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice the status on the review of the culture within An Garda Síochána; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34001/23]

Naturalisation Applications

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

83. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice how long it is taking to process naturalisation applications for citizenships; if she will present data showing the percentage of successful cases processed within six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 12 months, and longer than 12 months, and similar data for decisions where cases are refused or abandoned; and if she is satisfied with the timescales of the process. [34003/23]

Special Educational Needs

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

299. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education if there is a policy preventing the establishment of ASD units within single-sex girls' schools and boys' schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34162/23]

Special Educational Needs

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

300. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education to facilitate the opening of an ASD unit in a school (details supplied) where there is a known demand for this September for an ASD unit and where there is appropriate accommodation available on the grounds of the school. [34163/23]

Residency Permits

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

488. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice if she will review and significantly reduce the cost of the Irish residence card, in view of the cost-of-living crisis, high accommodation costs and the reliance of key sections of the Irish economy on workers who need to carry the card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33791/23]

Residency Permits

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

489. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice if she will engage with two entities (details supplied) to understand the impact of the €300 fee for the Irish residence permit. [33792/23]

Residency Permits

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

534. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice her plans to reduce the cost of Irish residency permit cards; to outline the reason for charging €300 on an annual basis for such cards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34292/23]

An Garda Síochána

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

535. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice the number of community gardaí across the service in 2023; how many were in place in each year from 2016 to date; the breakdown for 2023 of where these are located, by division and Garda station; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34293/23]

Childcare Services

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

599. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware of a shortage of childcare and particularly afterschool places in the Dublin 5 area; and the services in Dublin 5 for afterschool care that a person (details supplied) could contact or avail of. [33523/23]

Pharmacy Services

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

567. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health if he will engage with an organisation (details supplied) to discuss its concerns in relation to the shortage of community pharmacists, dispensing fees and other related matters. [32098/23]

Disadvantaged Status

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

111. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of the proposal to create a DEIS plus band for schools with high levels of support needs to assist with disadvantage; and if she will consider creating a DEIS plus model to provide additional supports to pupils who need it. [31596/23]

School Costs

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

131. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education if she will ban voluntary contributions in schools in view of the escalating costs on parents; and if she will implement the financial supports necessary in order to be able to fund those services currently funded by voluntary contributions. [31595/23]

School Funding

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

134. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the reason ICT grants were not given this year; if she is aware that many schools had built the ICT grant into their funding model to avail of lease agreements and that the withdrawal of the ICT grant leaves a gap in funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31597/23]

Special Educational Needs

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

74. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the progress being made for the provision of autism classes in the Knocklyon area at primary and secondary level. [31507/23]

School Admissions

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

76. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education if she will examine the appeal of a child (details supplied) who has been refused a remote access boarding grant to study at an all-Irish secondary school on the basis that the child was refused a place at the local Gaelscoil because of the lack of sufficient Irish of the student, despite the fact that school is oversubscribed; and if she would agree that the aim of the student and to remedy this deficiency by accessing a secondary school education through Irish is precisely what the remote access boarding grant scheme was designed for. [31522/23]

Assisted Human Reproduction

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

127. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the Government’s position on implementing the recommendations of the recent report titled: ‘Review of Children’s Rights and Best Interests in the Context of Assisted Human Reproduction (AHR) and Surrogacy in Irish Law’; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31403/23]

Recycling Policy

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

120. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will engage with an organisation (details supplied) to discuss potential modification of the operation of the deposit return scheme to ensure it does not have the unintended consequence of providing a competitive advantage to large-scale producers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30834/23]

Tax Reliefs

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

199. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Finance if there are any plans to bridge the gap between the tax relief rates available to drivers and passengers under the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme, as passengers are currently entitled to €6,000 more a year than drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30640/23]

School Patronage

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

287. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a copy of the final draft report of the school facilitator in the Raheny Diversity Pilot initiative to parents of children in Raheny who have requested one, noting that one has already been provided to the Catholic archbishop as patron. [30506/23]