Written Answers Nos. 183-202
183. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a DEIS review (details supplied) has been completed; if so, the outcome; if the review will benefit schools in the Drogheda area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2631/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is in the final stages of refinement of the new DEIS identification model, based on school enrolment data form 2018/19 and the latest data available from Census 2016 under the HP Deprivation Index. A detailed quality analysis of the data has been carried out by members of the DEIS Technical Group which contains representatives of the Department’s Statistics and Social Inclusion Units, the Inspectorate and the Educational Research Centre. The work of this group is at an advanced stage and a consultation process with education stakeholder representatives on the technical aspect of this model has been arranged. It is envisaged that this will then provide the basis for development of a DEIS resource allocation system to match resources to identified need.
I am confident that the culmination of this work will facilitate the ultimate aim of matching resources to identified need and will allow us to target extra resources at those schools most in need. Until this work is complete, it is not intended to extend the DEIS programme to any further schools.
184. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if plans are being developed for a new school in Tallaght, Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2642/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government announced plans in April 2018 for the establishment of 42 new schools over the next four years (2019 to 2022), including a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school to be established in 2020 to serve the Citywest/Saggart (Tallaght & Newcastle_Rathcoole school planning areas) as a regional solution.
This announcement follows nationwide, demographic exercises carried out by my Department into the future need for primary and post-primary schools across the country.
An application for planning permission for the school was lodged on 17th December 2019 with South Dublin County Council for the development of the school on a State owned site on Fortunestown Lane in Citywest.
It is intended that the school will open in suitable interim accommodation on that site for September 2020.
185. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the actions he is taking to provide permanent accommodation for a school (details supplied) in view of the serious concerns of the school community in relation to the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2643/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, a site has been identified (with the assistance of South Dublin Co Co) in Oldcourt to accommodate a permanent building for the school to which the Deputy refers. Legal conveyancing is advancing well in respect of the acquisition and is being progressed as a priority. Due to commercial sensitivities, I cannot elaborate further at this juncture
In the interim, my Department is engaging with the school’s Patron Body in relation to the provision of suitable alternative interim accommodation for the school for September 2020.
186. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an appeal will be supported for funding to be provided to a primary school (details supplied) in County Cork on an emergency basis in relation to a boundary wall; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2660/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to inform the Deputy that an Emergency Works Scheme grant was approved in January in respect of the issues in question. As this is a devolved scheme it is now a matter for the school authority to progress the project.
187. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a decision will issue from the school transport appeals office in relation to an appeal issued on 7 October 2019 (details supplied); if the report which was requested from his Department is causing the delay, and if so, when the report will issue to the school transport appeals section for completion of the appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2672/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
In the current school year over 120,000 children, including over 14,200 children with special educational needs, are transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres at a cost of over €219m in 2019.
An appeal was lodged with the School Transport Appeals Board on the 7th October 2019 in relation to the child referred to by the Deputy.
The Board has requested the School Transport Section of the Department of Education and Skills to provide a report in accordance with the terms of the Board’s Operating Procedures. In this regard, my officials have asked Bus Éireann to report on issues raised by the Board. This report is due to be received before the next Board meeting on 16th March 2020 and the appellant will be advised in advance of this meeting.
When received, the Board will advise the family with regard to the appeal date and their subsequent deliberations.
188. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to overcrowding at a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2680/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, a major project to provide an extension to the school in question is included in my Department's building programme to be delivered as part of the National Development Plan (NDP). The accommodation brief is currently being finalised and it is intended that the project, when completed, will provide capacity for 1,000 students.
In the meantime, my Department is currently considering an application from the Patron for additional interim accommodation and a decision on the application will issue shortly.
189. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason he is not ensuring that lands zoned Z15 in the Dublin City Development Plan providing for institutional and community use are not specifically retained for future educational uses such as school buildings in view of the expected population growth particularly in the context of a planning application (details supplied) in the Killester, Raheny, Clontarf and school planning area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2684/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe zoning of land is a matter for the relevant planning authorities and while my Department is a prescribed body with whom planning authorities are statutorily obliged to consult in respect of the making or variation of Development Plans, there is no requirement for consultation in respect of individual planning applications. Rather, planning authorities are to have regard to relevant planning guidance including the 2008 Code of Practice “The Provision of Schools and the Planning System” and Planning Guidelines “Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas” which provide for an assessment of existing schools’ capacity or the provision of new school facilities in tandem with the development. It is important to note that the recent adoption of the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) for the Eastern and Midland Region is going to inform the review of County Development Plans and Local Area Plans. The RSES identifies a future settlement hierarchy to be reflected in the Plans and will require extensive engagement between the Planning authorities and the Department officials to ensure proper planning provision for schools and other education facilities.
Engagement between my officials and officials in the relevant Planning Authority in the context of its review of the Development Plan is underway and through this my Department aims to secure necessary provision to protect current and future educational requirements in the Planning Authority area.
With respect to the planning application to which the Deputy refers, my Department made an observation on this application to the Planning Authority regarding current educational requirements in the area.
190. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a more central location can be found for the new Educate Together primary school in the Killester, Raheny and Clontarf school planning area; if he will make stronger submissions in respect of planning applications for residential developments insisting that land be made available for school buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2685/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that a permanent site option for the new Killester/Raheny/Clontarf ETNS has been identified and it is in the school planning area.
The zoning of land is a matter for the relevant planning authorities and while my Department is a prescribed body with whom planning authorities are statutorily obliged to consult in respect of the making or variation of Development Plans, there is no requirement for consultation in respect of individual planning applications. Rather, planning authorities are to have regard to relevant planning guidance including the 2008 Code of Practice “The Provision of Schools and the Planning System” and Planning Guidelines “Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas” which provide for an assessment of existing schools’ capacity or the provision of new school facilities in tandem with the development. It is important to note that the recent adoption of the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) for the Eastern and Midland Region is going to inform the review of County Development Plans and Local Area Plans. The RSES identifies a future settlement hierarchy to be reflected in the Plans and will require extensive engagement between the Planning authorities and the Department officials to ensure proper planning provision for schools and other education facilities.
Engagement between my officials and officials in the relevant Planning Authority in the context of its review of the Development Plan is underway and through this my Department aims to secure necessary provision to protect current and future educational requirements in the Planning Authority area.
191. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Skills if it will be ensured that sites are made available for school buildings in an area (details supplied) having regard to the number of planning permissions granted for residential development in the district; if observations are submitted in respect of such planning applications; if the planning permissions are monitored by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2686/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe zoning of land is a matter for the relevant planning authorities and while my Department is a prescribed body with whom planning authorities are statutorily obliged to consult in respect of the making or variation of Development Plans, there is no requirement for consultation in respect of individual planning applications. Rather, planning authorities are to have regard to relevant planning guidance including the 2008 Code of Practice “The Provision of Schools and the Planning System” and Planning Guidelines “Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas” which provide for an assessment of existing schools’ capacity or the provision of new school facilities in tandem with the development. It is important to note that the recent adoption of the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) for the Eastern and Midland Region is going to inform the review of County Development Plans and Local Area Plans. The RSES identifies a future settlement hierarchy to be reflected in the Plans and will require extensive engagement between the Planning authorities and the Department officials to ensure proper planning provision for schools and other education facilities.
However, it should be noted that the area to which the Deputy refers is the subject of a 2012 Local Area Plan which has been extended until 2022. My Department engaged with the Planning Authority in the preparation of this LAP and identified school site requirements for which provision was made. One such school site requirement was recently upheld in an An Bord Pleanála decision on a planning application which had proposed residential development on an area identified for future school needs. My Department made a submission on the planning application and ABP's subsequent decision precluded the landowner from delivering the proposed development on the school site.
In addition, the 2018 announcement of new schools included two new schools, one primary, one post primary, in the area in question. Sites have been identified for both schools and the projects for the delivery of the school accommodation are being progressed.
192. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an extension will be sanctioned for a school (details supplied) for September 2020 to facilitate the large number of 6th class students in Kilcoole, County Wicklow and the catchment area for the school that do not have a place in the school or in other local post-primary schools in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2698/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, a major project to provide an extension to the existing school building is included in my Department's building programme to be delivered as part of the National Development Plan (NDP).
In this regard, the procurement of the Design Team to deliver the project has commenced.
I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department approved grant to the school's patron in 2019 for the provision of interim accommodation and the patron has advised that the accommodation was installed in January 2020.
193. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps being taken to ensure that a child (details supplied) in County Cork has an appropriate second-level school place for the 2020-2021 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2744/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnsuring that every child has a suitable school placement is a key objective of my Department. Significant resources are allocated each year to ensure that appropriate supports are available for children with special educational needs.
Since 2011, the number of special classes in mainstream schools has increased almost threefold, from 548 to 1,618 for the 2019/2020 school year; with 1,353 of these catering for children with autism.
There are 195 special classes and 13 special schools in the Cork area providing specialist support to children with more complex special educational needs.
A list of special classes for September 2019 is available on the NCSE website.
Budget 2020 provided for an additional 265 special class teachers in 2020, which will allow for the opening of additional classes where required.
The NCSE has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide; has well established structures in place for engaging with schools and parents; and seeks to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all children who have been identified as needing special class placements.
It is open to any school to make an application to the NCSE for the establishment of a specialised provision and where sanctioned, a range of supports, including capital funding, is made available to the school. My Department works closely with the NCSE in this regard.
The NCSE is planning a further expansion of special class and school places nationally, including Cork, to meet identified need for next year. This process is ongoing.
Normally, special class and school places are established with the full cooperation of the schools in areas where they are required. However there are some parts of the country where the NCSE has faced challenges in getting schools and their patrons to voluntarily agree to provide special class or school places. I know that this can cause much anguish for parents and families involved.
As Minister I have a power under Section 37A of the Education Act 1998 to direct a school to provide additional provision where all reasonable efforts have failed. This legislation has been used to good effect in the recent past.
The NCSE's Local Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) are available to assist and advise both schools and the parents of children with special educational needs in relation to special class provision.
As the Deputy's question relates to special class placement for an individual pupil, this has been referred to the NCSE for direct reply.
194. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the decanting of students during the period of the construction of a new school building to a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2755/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe major building project referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning, Stage 2(b) - Detailed Design, which includes the application for statutory approvals and the preparation of tender documents.
In July 2019 the Department received correspondence from the school in relation to a suggested decant proposal during construction. The school was advised that any proposals in relation to decant would need to be discussed in the first instance with the school’s design team and would then require the submission of a fully costed Brief Change Request by the design team to the Department. The Design Team completed a review and inspection of the decant option put forward by the school and in November 2019 determined it not to be a viable alternative.
In December 2019, the Department received the Stage 2(b) submission for this project. In order to expedite the progression of the major building project, the Department authorised the school and its Design Team to commence the pre-qualification process to select a shortlist of contractors in parallel with the Department’s review of the Stage 2(b) submission for this project.
195. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the options regarding a school placement for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2756/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnsuring that every child has a suitable school placement is a key objective of my Department and significant resources are being provided to support children with special needs to access education.
Since 2011, the number of special classes in mainstream schools has increased almost threefold, from 548 to 1,618 for the 2019/2020 school year; with 1,353 of these catering for children with autism.
167 new special classes have been established nationally for 2019/20 school year of which approximately 156 will be new autism special classes, comprising 6 Early Intervention, 100 primary, and 50 post-primary autism classes.
A list of special classes for September 2019 is available on the NCSE website at:
https://ncse.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/NCSE-List-of-Special-Classes-for-September-2019.pdf
Budget 2020 provided for an additional 265 special class teachers in 2020, which will allow for the opening of additional classes where required.
The NCSE has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide; has well established structures in place for engaging with schools and parents; and seeks to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all children who have been identified as needing special class placements.
It is open to any school to make an application to the NCSE for the establishment of a specialised provision and where sanctioned, a range of supports, including capital funding, is made available to the school. My Department works closely with the NCSE in this regard.
The NCSE is planning a further expansion of special class and school places nationally to meet identified need for next year. This process is ongoing.
Normally, special class and school places are established with the full cooperation of the schools in areas where they are required. However there are some parts of the country where the NCSE has faced challenges in getting schools and their patrons to voluntarily agree to provide special class or school places.
I know that this can cause much anguish for parents and families involved.
Last year, the NCSE indicated that parents in Dublin 15, South Dublin, Kildare and Cork were experiencing difficulty securing school places for their children. The NCSE has not reported similar problems in Limerick city and county.
As Minister I have a power under Section 37A of the Education Act 1998 to direct a school to provide additional provision where all reasonable efforts have failed.
The legislation has been used twice in Dublin to address shortages of special class and school places.
The legislation contains a procedure through which the NCSE can test the capacity of schools in an area to provide more special education places and through which ultimately a Ministerial direction can be made requiring a school to make additional special education places available. The Act prescribes a set of steps to follow which includes extensive consultation with schools and their patron bodies.
The initial step in the process is for the NCSE to inform the Minister that there is a shortage of places in a particular area.
The NCSE will only activate the legislation after it has taken all reasonable efforts to get schools and their Patrons to voluntarily agree to provide additional special class or school places.
I would prefer to see schools volunteer to provide more places rather than places being secured on the back of an order or a direction from me. It is the right thing for the children in a community.
The NCSE's Local Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) are available to assist and advise both schools and the parents of children with special educational needs in relation to special class provision.
As the Deputy's query relates to an individual pupil it has been referred to the NCSE for direct reply.
196. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status in relation to a school building (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2767/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe project to which the Deputy refers has been devolved to Donegal Education and Training Board (DETB) for delivery.
Following the appointment of a new architect to complete the delivery of this project, the Department has recently granted permission to DETB and its design team to proceed to finalise its planning application. It is the intention of DETB to lodge that planning application shortly. Subject to any issues arising during the planning process, the project can then be expected to proceed to tender.
The Deputy will also be aware that surveys to investigate issues with the school's main existing building have been carried out. An initial report was provided to my Department on foot of which further surveys were undertaken. A final report is being prepared and this will inform a decision on the best approach to addressing the issues raised in these reports.
197. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the proposed LMETB headquarters in Drogheda; the reasons for the delays to the commencement of this project for Drogheda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2776/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the project to which he refers has been devolved for delivery to the local Education and Training Board (LMETB).
A number of design issues have arisen with this project. These have included issues relating to the need for additional security features for the proposed building that became apparent at tender stage and which required a change in brief with consequent design alterations. Currently, the capacity of the building, and the number of staff it is required to accommodate, is being reviewed to ensure it meets the needs of LMETB into the future.
I can assure the Deputy that every effort to progress the project has been made in 2018 and 2019 and will continue to be made. A number of meetings between officials from my Department and LMETB and its design team, with a view to addressing the relevant issues, have taken place in the last year. However, it is still too early at this stage to give a commencement date for construction.
198. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the planning position in regard to the new post-primary school for south Drogheda and other relevant updates on the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2781/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm officials from my Department have been working to identify and procure a suitable site for the school to which the Deputy refers.
A potential site option has been identified and engagement with the relevant landowner is currently underway. All parties are working to clarify some outstanding technical issues with a view to progressing with the proposed acquisition as expeditiously as possible.
Once a suitable site has been acquired, my Department will be in a position to progress the project concerned into the architectural planning process. While a site acquisition process is underway, given the commercial sensitivities associated with land acquisitions generally I am not in a position to comment further at this time.
199. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made to date to improve the recognition of the role of a SNA; his future plans to strengthen the recognition of the role and the resources that will be made available to acknowledge the need for improved holiday and illness entitlements in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2785/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSpecial Needs Assistants (SNAs) are recruited specifically to assist in the care of pupils with disabilities who have additional and significant care needs in an educational context. They may be appointed to a special school or a mainstream school to assist school authorities in making suitable provision for a pupil or pupils with special care needs. The first priority is that the care needs of the pupils are met on an ongoing basis during the school year.
Annual Leave and Public Holiday entitlement is regulated by the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 (as amended) . In general, full-time employees are entitled to a minimum of 20 days Annual Leave in each leave year.
Sick Leave entitlements for SNAs are governed by the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme and are detailed in Circulars 54/2015 and 26/2018 issued by my Department.
Last year, my Department established a Forum comprising of representatives of SNAs, School Management and my Department. The purpose of the Forum is to deal with claims and proposals relating to the salaries, other emoluments and conditions of service for SNAs, and to secure the fullest co-operation between the parties in maintaining and improving the quality of the service provided to pupils with special care needs.
200. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to extend the entitlement for the July provision to children with Down's syndrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2787/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Departments July Provision Scheme provides funding for an extended school year for students with a severe/profound general learning disability and/or students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
The scheme was developed to reduce potential regression in learning associated with these specific categories of special education needs over the summer holidays.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) which advises me on these matters published its Policy Advice on Educational Provision for Children with Autism in July 2016 which included a review of the July Scheme.
The review found that in general parents value July provision because it provides day-time respite for families and a structured day for students. However, the NCSE review found a number of problems with the scheme. These include concerns that the scheme may be inequitable because it is not provided to all students with complex special educational needs.
The Council recommended that the relevant Government Departments consider how an equitable national day activity scheme could be developed for all students with complex special educational needs.
The proposed scheme would provide a structured, safe, social environment for all students with complex special educational needs, which will include some children with Down syndrome.
My Department has convened an Implementation Group to ensure that the Report’s recommendations are fully and appropriately considered.
There has been consultation with a number of other Departments and State agencies regarding the future direction of the July Education Programme.
It is expected that proposals for a revised scheme will be submitted shortly following which there will be consultations with stakeholders before final decisions are made.
201. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps being taken to ensure that a child (details supplied) in County Cork has an appropriate second-level school place for the 2020-21 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2788/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnsuring that every child has a suitable school placement is a key objective of my Department and significant supports are available for children with special educational needs.
Since 2011, the number of special classes in mainstream schools has increased almost threefold, from 548 to 1,618 for the 2019/2020 school year; with 1,353 of these catering for children with autism.
167 new special classes have been established nationally for 2019/20 school year of which approximately 156 will be new autism special classes, comprising 6 Early Intervention, 100 primary, and 50 post-primary autism classes.
Provision in our 124 special schools has also increased from 6,848 placements in 2011 to 7,872 this year.
In Cork alone there are 195 special classes and 13 special schools providing specialist support to children with more complex special educational needs.
A list of special classes for September 2019 is available on the NCSE website at:
https://ncse.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/NCSE-List-of-Special-Classes-for-September-2019.pdf
Budget 2020 provided for an additional 265 special class teachers in 2020, which will allow for the opening of additional classes where required.
The NCSE has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide; has well established structures in place for engaging with schools and parents; and seeks to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all children who have been identified as needing special class placements.
It is open to any school to make an application to the NCSE for the establishment of a specialised provision and where sanctioned, a range of supports, including capital funding, is made available to the school. My Department works closely with the NCSE in this regard.
The NCSE is planning a further expansion of special class and school places nationally, including Cork, to meet identified need for next year. This process is ongoing.
Normally, special class and school places are established with the full cooperation of the schools in areas where they are required. However there are some parts of the country where the NCSE has faced challenges in getting schools and their patrons to voluntarily agree to provide special class or school places.
I know that this can cause much anguish for parents and families involved.
As Minister I have a power under Section 37A of the Education Act 1998 to direct a school to provide additional provision where all reasonable efforts have failed.
Last year, the NCSE indicated that parents in Dublin 15, South Dublin, Kildare and Cork were experiencing difficulty securing school places for their children.
The legislation has been used twice in Dublin to address shortages of special class and school places.
The legislation contains a procedure through which the NCSE can test the capacity of schools in an area to provide more special education places and through which ultimately a Ministerial direction can be made requiring a school to make additional special education places available. The Act prescribes a set of steps to follow which includes extensive consultation with schools and their patron bodies.
The initial step in the process is for the NCSE to inform the Minister that there is a shortage of places in a particular area.
The NCSE will only activate the legislation after it has taken all reasonable efforts to get schools and their Patrons to voluntarily agree to provide additional special class or school places.
I would prefer to see schools volunteer to provide more places rather than places being secured on the back of an order or a direction from me. It is the right thing for the children in a community.
The NCSE's Local Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) are available to assist and advise both schools and the parents of children with special educational needs in relation to special class provision.
As the Deputy's question relates to special class placement for an individual pupil, this has been referred to the NCSE for direct reply.
202. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps being taken to ensure that children (details supplied) in County Cork have an appropriate second-level school place for the 2020-21 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2789/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that as school authorities finalise their enrolments each year, issues have arisen where primary school pupils are experiencing difficulties in a number of areas in securing a post-primary school place for the start of the new school year (September 2020).
Where capacity is an issue the key points to be considered are:
- Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area
- School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area
- Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school they are not available to all pupils
- External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area
Where these issues exist, Department officials from the Planning and Building Unit engage with all relevant parties to resolve them.
