I ask for an update regarding any work being done, or any proposals, relating to the Government or local authorities combating the issue of dog attacks on sheep.

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. In late 2022, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine was tasked with leading a cross-government review of legislation regarding dogs. The Minister, Deputy McConalogue, and I held a meeting in early January and asked officials to convene a working group on the issue. The terms of reference of the group are published on gov.ie . The working group examined issues related to dog control and made a number of recommendations for action.

The report of the group was approved by the Government and is also available on gov.ie . The report's recommendations include increasing on-the-spot fines in relation to offences under the Control of Dogs Act. My officials are currently drafting the necessary statutory instruments to effect this change as soon as possible. It is my firm intention to significantly increase the fines regarding dogs which are not in effectual control and, therefore, at risk of worrying livestock. The report also proposed increasing the number of local authority dog wardens nationally. This action is necessary to ensure increased enforcement of penalties and act as a deterrent to irresponsible dog ownership. This recommendation will now be progressed in the context of annual budgetary processes.

My officials will continue to work closely with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to co-ordinate efforts in the area of dog control and related issues across government. I look forward to engaging with stakeholders as we progress this important work.

I can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application for the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme from the school in question.

My Department's Planning and Building Unit is currently assessing its work programme and priorities for 2023 in the context of its available funding. Key priorities for the Department's work programme include continuing strong delivery to support the operation of the school system with particular regard to planning ahead for the 2023/24 school year and beyond and also with particular regard to supporting special educational needs provision.

The school in question is being considered as part of this assessment and a decision will issue to the school authorities as soon as possible in this regard. My officials have been in touch with the school in relation to this matter.

I wish to advise the Deputy that I did not  meet with the Governor of Pennsylvania during my recent visit to Philadelphia for St. Patrick's Day events.

We want to encourage responsible dog ownership. I thank an Cathaoirleach Gníomhach for his indulgence.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has been involved for a number of years in providing a comprehensive integrated road safety education programme in pre-school, primary, post-primary, third level and in the community. This has been done in partnership with many organisations including the Department of Education, An Garda Síochána, the Health & Safety Authority and the Higher Education Authority. As part of this, the RSA has developed a range of material that teachers can use to educate school children about road safety as it applies to all road users – pedestrians, motorcyclists, cyclists and motorists. The resources are tailored to each user group. These are available on their website Road safety education for secondary school students (rsa.ie). In addition, while at post-primary level there are no plans to introduce mandatory driver education classes, basic tuition to lay a foundation in driver education is featured on many school curricula already.

In relation to 16-18 year olds, there are opportunities built into the programmes for students to engage with the content of the driver theory test. For example, the 'Your road to safety' Transition Year programme, consists of a 45-hour version and a 20-hour fast-track option. The programme provides important educational material and learning on road safety for pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and motorists. It covers such issues as seatbelts and airbags, driver fatigue, drink/drug driving, road-safety engineering and enforcement, basic first aid at road crashes, emergency services and rehabilitation, licensing and insurance issues, the NCT, purchasing a car and driving abroad. The programme does not include driving lessons. However, relevant driver theory test content is included at the end of each module.

At Junior Cycle a new Physical Education specification designed for 135 hours engagement over the three years of Junior Cycle has been developed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) and is to be rolled out in schools in September 2023. The course offers a level of flexibility that allows each individual school to design a programme that can be delivered using the resources and supports available to it. Aquatics is one of the physical activities included in the specification, which are the instrumental medium for students to achieve learning outcomes. One of these outcomes is that students should be able to: “Demonstrate an understanding of personal survival and water safety considerations”. It is worth noting that other short courses can also be developed by schools themselves or by other bodies, using a template provided by the NCCA.  It is therefore open to a school or other body to develop a targeted short course in Aquatics for use in schools.

In the Leaving Certificate Physical Education specification, learners’ physically active participation is central to teaching and learning. To enable this to happen, students learn about the different theoretical perspectives through their participation in three different physical activities. These activities are selected from six distinct physical activity areas which reflect the activities more commonly included in school physical education programmes currently.  In the Physical Activity area, Aquatics students learn about water-based activities that utilise swimming and/or diving skills and techniques for performance water safety, or recreational purposes. Learners may choose one of the following activities Lifesaving, survival swimming, swimming strokes, water-polo, synchronised swimming.

The Physical Education curricula at both primary and second level have been developed on the understanding that facilities available to schools vary. Consequently, they offer a level of flexibility that allows each individual school to design a programme that can be delivered using the resources and supports available to it.  However, it is recognised that the particular context of the school, the physical education programme it can facilitate and the level of community facilities will have a bearing on the level of choice that can be managed. The physical education teacher, in consultation with the learners, will agree the range of activities that can be accommodated and supported for Physical Education.  In relation to physical education facilities, many schools have PE halls and practically all schools have outdoor play areas.  In addition, many schools, use adjacent local facilities, including community halls, public parks, playing fields and swimming pools. Access to these facilities is arranged directly by schools and the Department is not involved in these arrangements.

The Deputy is correct; sometimes the training means training the dog owners. They would want to be under control sometimes too. If they are treated properly and well, dogs are a wonderful companion for anybody. We all have our own dogs of whom we are very fond. However, not to take care of dogs and let them out of control and allow them to worry sheep or chase after livestock is irresponsible. We are going to have a media campaign around responsible dog ownership. We will look also at the recommendations of the joint Oireachtas committee report on dog control. It is, therefore, a sort of multifaceted approach. There are a number of different things we can do.

I do not want to be too prescriptive in terms of effectual control. We need to give the dog warden a bit of latitude because there are all different types, sizes and breeds of dogs. We need to make sure of certain things, however. I am totally against dogs that are bred to fight and so on. That is completely cruel and wrong. There is much legislation in place, but we want to tidy up and focus on a few other things to make it better.