Latest news with #DEISPlan
The Journal
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Journal
Cabinet to hear update on government's plans to bring RTÉ finances under C&AG scrutiny
CABINET WILL TODAY be updated on the government's plans to bring RTÉ's finances under the remit of the state auditor. The update comes ahead of a Sinn Féin Private Members' Bill, due to be reintroduced this week, to bring RTÉ under the control of the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG). Media Minister Patrick O'Donovan will outline to ministers that in the government's view, the Sinn Féin bill doesn't go as far as the government's proposed legislation, and therefore the Private Members' Bill will be opposed. O'Donovan will tell Cabinet that the policy objective of the Bill is already being addressed by government through the General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill, the revision of which was approved on 8 April and which is now with the relevant Oireachtas Committee for pre-legislative scrutiny. Former Minister Catherine Martin first introduced the government legislation last year. The C&AG currently audits the finances of almost 300 public bodies, excluding local authorities and commercial semi-State bodies like RTÉ. Advertisement During the protracted crisis surrounding RTÉ governance, following the Ryan Tubridy payment scandal, then chairperson of the RTÉ board Siún Ní Raghallaigh recommended that RTÉ should be audited by the C&AG. However, legislative change was required to expand its remit. Minister Patrick O'Donovan Department of Tourism and Media Department of Tourism and Media O'Donovan will tell ministers that the Sinn Féin proposal differs from the approach by government in two substantive ways, insofar as it does not provide for the accountability of the Director General of RTÉ to the Public Accounts Committee for RTÉ's financial statements or value-for-money matters and it does not allow the RTÉ Board the discretion to appoint a regulated private sector auditor in addition to the C&AG. The Cabinet update comes after RTÉ director general Kevin Bakhurst met with chairman of the media committee, Alan Kelly, as well as chair of the Public Accounts Committee, John Brady last week. Bakhurst described the meeting with Kelly as 'constructive', with the meeting understood to have centred around the restructuring programme and a range of legacy issues in the organisation, as well as the €3.6 million partly failed IT project. It is understood that RTÉ will be invited before both committees before the Dáil summer recess. Education In addition, Cabinet will also hear from Education Minister Helen McEntee who will outline the new DEIS Plan to address educational disadvantage across all schools. Related Reads RTÉ to receive €725m over three years as part of new 'multi-annual' funding model Government to ramp up financial scrutiny of RTÉ, with C&AG to act as auditor Powerful Oireachtas committee says RTÉ should be brought under the remit of the State's auditor The new DEIS Plan will focus on improving the opportunities for children at risk of educational disadvantage in all schools, working towards a system where a school can receive the right supports they need at the right time to support the children most in need in the school at that time. It will look at addressing retention for the Leaving Certificate and improving progression rates into further and higher education. It will also place a major focus on school attendance and tackling the rate of absenteeism in both DEIS and non-DEIS schools, something the minister has spoken about this week. 'The Year of the Normans' Normans and Crusaders at a 12th Century historical reenactment. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Meanwhile the Housing Minister James Browne will seek approval for cross-government involvement with '2027 – The Year of the Normans – People of Europe'. It is understood the Normandy Regional Council has invited European countries and regions sharing Norman history and heritage, such as Britain, Channel Islands, Southern Italy, Norway, Denmark and Ireland to take part. Apparently, Ireland's participation backs up the Programme for Government commitment to build links and understanding with other EU capitals and regions in, education, research and innovation. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
RTÉ News
19-05-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
1926 census to be available online after digitisation
The first census carried out by the State will be available online next year, the Minister for Arts, Culture and Communications Patrick O'Donovan is expected to tell the Cabinet. The 1926 Census website will go live on 18 April 2026, making available information on almost three million people living in Ireland on that night 100 years ago. The 1926 Census was the first census of the Irish Free State, also known in Irish as Saorstát Éireann, and marks a significant moment in the development of modern Ireland. Census 1926 consists of 2,496 bound volumes containing 700,000 household returns and about 70,000 enumerators' sheets giving details of houses and buildings in each townland. More than €5 million has been made available by the Government to enable release of the 1926 Census next year. This census captured details on employers and provides an insight into the nature of work in Ireland in 1926 from a social and cultural perspective. Minister O'Donovan will also update the Government on work to bring RTÉ under the remit of the Comptroller and Auditor General. 'DEIS Plus Scheme' Education Minister Helen McEntee will outline plans to address educational disadvantage, including the publishing of a new DEIS Plan, and work on a 'DEIS Plus Scheme'. Minister McEntee will publish a new DEIS Plan this year to address educational disadvantage across all schools. The new DEIS Plan will focus on improving the opportunities for children at risk of educational disadvantage in all schools. The plan will address retention to Leaving Certificate and improving progression rates into further and higher education and employment. It will place a major focus on school attendance and tackling the rate of absenteeism in both DEIS and non-DEIS schools. Minister for Education Helen McEntee will also update Cabinet on her work to establish a new 'DEIS Plus' scheme which will support schools with the highest level of educational disadvantage, helping them to improve educational outcomes, particularly regarding literacy and numeracy. Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke will bring a memo to Cabinet on his department's new small business unit. The purpose of the unit is to ensure that the needs and issues of small businesses have a dedicated focus and are acknowledged across Government. While Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary will provide an update on the procurement of investment management providers for the automatic enrolment retirement savings system . The successful bidders will informed later today. The new system, which will automatically include employees in a pension savings scheme for at least six months, is set be launched at the beginning of next year.
