Written Answers Nos. 137-153
137. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the way in which members of the Defence Forces can make representations to his Department regarding their pay and conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47269/18]
View answerThe Conciliation and Arbitration (C&A) Scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) provides an established mechanism for the PDF representative associations, that is PDFORRA (the representative association for enlisted personnel) and RACO (the representative association for commissioned officers) to engage with the Official side. Members of the PDF can make representations in relation to their pay and conditions through their representative associations having regard to the provisions of the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020, to which the Defence Forces Representative Associations are parties.
138. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the Defence Forces medical service is continuing to prescribe the antimalarial drug Lariam for members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47270/18]
View answerI am advised that there are three anti-malarial drugs, namely Lariam (Mefloquine), Malarone and Doxycycline which continue to be used by the Defence Forces. I have indicated on many occasions that the use of anti-malaria drugs is a medical matter that should be decided by qualified medical professionals. In the Defence Forces these are decisions for highly qualified Medical Officers, having regard to the specific circumstances of the mission and the individual member of the Defence Forces. I am advised that significant precautions are taken by the Defence Forces Medical Officers in assessing the medical suitability of members of the Defence Forces to take any of the anti-malarial medications.
Given that there is litigation pending in relation to these matters which is being managed by the State Claims Agency, the Deputy will appreciate that it would be inappropriate for me to comment further. However, I wish to assure the Deputy that the health and welfare of the men and women of the Defence Forces is a key priority for me and for the Military Authorities.
139. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the Northern Executive and Assembly will be reconvened in the near future; and if he has discussed this with his British counterpart recently. [47124/18]
View answerSince the Northern Ireland Assembly elections of March 2017, the Irish and British Governments, as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, have worked tirelessly to support and facilitate the parties in their efforts to form a new power-sharing Executive.
Unfortunately, to date, it has not proved possible to reach an agreement on the formation of an Executive, despite intensive engagement. The absence of the Executive also means that the North South Ministerial Council cannot meet.
I am currently engaging with Secretary of State Bradley on how both Governments can most effectively secure the full operation of all of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement. I met with Secretary of State Bradley in Dublin on 17 September, in Belfast on 8 October and most recently in Dublin on 2 November at the British Irish Inter-Governmental Conference. We spoke by phone on Monday 12 November.
Both Governments are continuing to engage with all of the political parties to seek a way forward to get the Institutions up and running again. All parties have re-affirmed their commitment to operating the devolved institutions and have provided views on their key concerns and issues.
In the period ahead, I believe a new political process is required to get beyond the current impasse and secure the necessary agreement between the parties on operating the devolved institutions again.
I do not underestimate the way to go in achieving that, but I firmly believe that a resolution is possible and that the calls from across all sections of the community in Northern Ireland for the devolved institutions to operate will be heeded.
The Government will continue to do everything in its power, in accordance with its responsibilities as a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, to secure the effective operation of all of the institutions of the Agreement.
140. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Finance the substantive differences both in terms of capacity, scope, ability, personnel and powers between the large cases division that deals with high wealth individuals and the medium enterprises division that deals with individuals with net assets of between €10 million and €50 million; the legislative provision for the threshold of high wealth individuals; the amendments that could be made to same; the legislation to which it relates that would alter this threshold; and the reason reviews in 2007 and 2015 resulted in no change in the threshold for high wealth individuals. [47363/18]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that the role of its Large Cases High Wealth Individuals (HWI) Division and Medium Enterprises Division (MED) is to encourage and ensure compliance with tax legislation for the case base within their area of responsibility. These Divisions have been established as part of Revenue’s decision, in the overall context of risk, to realign its resources to give a better focus on and response to risk in line with Revenue’s Statement of Strategy 2017-2019. The compliance work of each of the aforementioned Divisions is risk based and the capacity and capability of each Divisions is related, inter alia, to a range of factors including the complexity of the cases.
I am advised that the HWI Division is, in general, responsible for the tax affairs of individuals with a net worth of c. €50m, for tax avoidance and for pensions. In relation to individuals, the MED is responsible for the tier of high wealth individuals, just below the case base of the HWI Division. The criteria used to identify individuals for inclusion in the MED is a combination of wealth, income, and risk indicators.
Both Divisions monitor the tax affairs of their case base through risk assessment and evaluation programmes that are supported by data analytics and by the interrogation of both taxpayer and third-party information. In line with Revenue’s overall approach to managing compliance the appropriate intervention is undertaken following appraisal of the risk factors in each case. The substantive difference in the two Divisions is the taxpayer case base for which they have responsibility.
I understand that Revenue’s structural realignment is supported by an expansion in the number of specialist and experienced staff assigned to the oversight of the case base in each of the two new Divisions. This includes staff with backgrounds in the tax, accounting and legal professions. By the end of 2018 the staffing of the HWI Division will be c.100 and the staffing of the MED will be c.380. Staff are assigned to Divisions where their skills can be matched to the requirements of the role.
Revenue operates within a legislative framework that applies to the overall customer base. Revenue powers are exercised by appropriately authorised Revenue officials subject to compliance with the relevant governance procedures in place.
The threshold within which cases are managed by the different Divisions in Revenue are an administrative matter for Revenue for high wealth individuals and are not set out in legislation.
I am also advised by Revenue that the Large Cases Division case base reviews in 2007 and in 2015 were part of Revenue’s normal procedural reviews. Having regard to risk assessment of the case base, Revenue’s existing oversight of the case base at that time and Revenue’s overall strategic priorities, the decisions made at the time was not to adjust the threshold for high wealth individuals for which LCD was responsible.
The Deputy will be aware that Revenue operates its risk, compliance and service functions independently from Ministerial direction. I have been supportive of Revenue proposals with regard to additional resources in the context of the last three budgets and estimates campaigns. I will carefully consider any further requests for additional resources.
141. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance if a tax increase (details supplied) will be reversed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47372/18]
View answerI would point out that no legislative change has been made to the VAT rating of food supplements. Furthermore, the interpretation by the Revenue Commissioners as to which food supplements apply at the zero rate of VAT and the standard rate of VAT has been fixed since 2011. Revenue has only ever allowed basic vitamins, minerals and fish oils to apply at the zero rate and this has not changed.
142. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance when the Revenue Commissioners will respond to a request for a document for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47377/18]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that the details requested have now issued to the person concerned.
Revenue has also advised me that the delay in dealing with this matter occurred because the email correspondence items referred to by the Deputy did not deliver into its caseworking system. Revenue has investigated the reason for the delivery failure and will make direct contact with the Deputy in this regard.
The Deputy may be interested to know that once the PAYE Modernisation project is completed, taxpayers will be able to view the pay and tax details submitted by employers to Revenue on their behalf via an online statement.
143. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe cad iad na socruithe atá curtha i bhfeidhm dóibh siúd a chuireann isteach ar phoist tríd an tSeirbhís um Cheapacháin Phoiblí ach nach bhfuil seirbhís shásúil leathanbhanda ar fáil dóibh de bharr gur theip ar an rialtas an méid sin a chur ar fáil ar fud na tíre, i gcás go bhfuil sé mar dhlúthchuid den phróiséas measúnaithe go gcaithfear scrúdú a dhéanamh ar líne, chun gur féidir leo an scrúdú sin a dhéanamh; cén líon daoine a rinne gearán le bliain anuas faoin gceist seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [47259/18]
View answerMar is eol don Teachta, Is comhlacht reachtúil neamhspleách é an tSeirbhís um Cheapacháin Phoiblí a fheidhmíonn mar sholáthraí seirbhíse comhroinnte earcaíochta agus soláthair d’eagraíochta cliaint sa Státseirbhís agus sa tseirbhís phoiblí.
Tá córas iarratais agus scrúduithe ar líne á reáchtáil ag an tSeirbhís um Cheapacháin Phoiblí le cuid mhaith blianta. Más rud é go mbíonn fadhb ag iarrathóir, agus iarratas ar bun acu nó scrúdú ar líne ar siúl acu, déantar gach iarracht cuidiú leo agus an fhadhb a réiteach go pras. Moltar d’iarrathóirí teagmháil a dhéanamh leis an Seirbhís um Cheapacháin Phoiblí má tá fadhb acu agus, go ginearálta, bíonn sé ar chumas an tSeirbhís um Cheapacháin Phoiblí gach fadhb a réiteach in éineacht leis an iarrathóir.
Tuigtear dom ón Aire Cumarsáide, Gníomhaithe ar son na hAeráide agus Comhshaoil go bhfuil sé mar sprioc ag Plean Náisiúnta Leathanbhanda an Rialtais íosluas de 30 meigibheart ar fáil i ngach áitreabh sa tír, beag beann ar an suíomh ina bhfuil sé lonnaithe, trí idirghníomhú stáit agus trí infheistíocht tráchtála.
San idirlinn, tá leathanbhanda ardluais á leathadh amach trí infheistíocht tráchtála ó chomhlachtaí tráchtála ar luach €2.75 billiún iad. Tá fáil ar leathanbhanda ardluais ag 7 as 10 den 2.3 milliún áitreabh in Éirinn.
Dár leis an tuarascáil do ráite 2 2018 ón gCoimisiún um Rialáil Cumarsáide, is cosúil go an luas atá ag leathanbhanda ardluais seasta ag dul i bhfeabhais. Bhí luas níos mó ná 10Mbps ag 85.9% de gach síntiús leathanbhanda seasta i ráithe 2 2018, ardú ó 82.2% i ráithe 2 2017. Bhí luas níos fearr ná 30Mbps ag 74.6% de gach síntiús leathanbhanda seasta, ardú ó 68.7% i ráithe 2 2017.
144. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the share of public expenditure allocated to voted education expenditure in each year since 2010, in tabular form. [47235/18]
View answer145. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the public expenditure on education as a share of gross domestic product in each year since 2010, in tabular form. [47236/18]
View answer146. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the public expenditure on education as a share of gross national income in each year since 2010, in tabular form. [47237/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 144 to 146, inclusive, together.
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below for the years in which all relevant data are available (2010-2017). Figures pertaining to the national economy are based on those published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
This table sets out the Department's overall expenditure (both Voted and National Training Fund) and Voted expenditure alone as a percentage of Gross National Income, Modified Gross National Income, Gross Domestic Product and total Public Expenditure from 2010 to 2017.
I would draw attention to the well-known globalisation effects that disproportionately impact the measurement of the size of the Irish economy. Irish-specific measures of activity – most notably ‘modified Gross National Income’ – attempt to control for part of the impact of globalisation on Irish macro-economic statistics.
|
Year |
Public Expenditure on Education (Education & Skills Expenditure); includes NTF non-Voted |
Voted Education (Education & Skills) Expenditure; excluding NTF non-Voted |
Gross National Income |
Public Expenditure on Education (Education & Skills) as a share of gross national income |
Modified Gross National Income |
Public Expenditure on Education (Education & Skills) as a share of modified gross national income |
|
€b |
€b |
€b |
% |
€b |
% |
|
|
2017 |
9.60 |
9.24 |
234.2 |
4.10% |
181.2 |
5.30% |
|
2016 |
9.16 |
8.81 |
223.2 |
4.10% |
175.8 |
5.21% |
|
2015 |
9.06 |
8.73 |
201.7 |
4.49% |
161.4 |
5.61% |
|
2014 |
8.85 |
8.50 |
164.9 |
5.36% |
148.6 |
5.95% |
|
2013 |
8.77 |
8.42 |
151.8 |
5.78% |
136.9 |
6.41% |
|
2012 |
8.94 |
8.60 |
141.3 |
6.33% |
126.4 |
7.07% |
|
2011 |
9.19 |
8.87 |
138.8 |
6.62% |
126.6 |
7.26% |
|
2010 |
9.74 |
9.35 |
140.5 |
6.93% |
128.9 |
7.55% |
table cntd.
|
Year |
Gross Domestic Product |
Public Expenditure on Education (Education & Skills) as a share of gross domestic product (i.e. includes NTF no-Voted) |
Total Public Expenditure (excludes non-voted debt-servicing costs spent directly from the Central Fund) |
Share of Public Expenditure Allocated to Voted + NTF Education (Education & Skills) Expenditure |
Share of Public Expenditure Allocated to Voted Education (Education & Skills) Expenditure (i.e. excludes NTF non-Voted) |
|
€b |
% |
€b |
% |
% |
|
|
2017 |
294.1 |
3.26% |
58.5 |
16.41% |
15.80% |
|
2016 |
273.2 |
3.35% |
56.0 |
16.35% |
15.74% |
|
2015 |
262.5 |
3.45% |
54.6 |
16.60% |
15.98% |
|
2014 |
195.3 |
4.53% |
54.1 |
16.35% |
15.71% |
|
2013 |
179.9 |
4.88% |
54.4 |
16.13% |
15.48% |
|
2012 |
175.2 |
5.10% |
55.9 |
16.00% |
15.39% |
|
2011 |
171.1 |
5.37% |
57.4 |
16.02% |
15.45% |
|
2010 |
167.7 |
5.81% |
60.6 |
16.07% |
15.42% |
|
Share of Public Expenditure Allocated to Voted + NTF Education (Education & Skills) Expenditure |
Share of Public Expenditure Allocated to Voted Education (Education & Skills) Expenditure (i.e. excludes NTF non-Voted) |
|
% |
% |
|
16.41% |
15.80% |
|
16.35% |
15.74% |
|
16.60% |
15.98% |
|
16.35% |
15.71% |
|
16.13% |
15.48% |
|
16.00% |
15.39% |
|
16.02% |
15.45% |
|
16.07% |
15.42% |
147. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps that can be taken to assist a person (details supplied) with school transport. [47277/18]
View answerSchool 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 2017/18 school year over 117,000 children, including over 12,000 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 4,500 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually at a total cost of almost €190 million in 2017.
Children are generally eligible for school transport if they satisfy the distance criteria and are attending their nearest school.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application process on time will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation for the 2018/19 school year.
Bus Éireann has advised that the child in question is eligible for school transport to the school referred to by the Deputy. However, Bus Éireann has also advised that payment or medical card details were not submitted within the application process timeline and that the service is now operating to capacity. My officials have been in contact with Bus Éireann to ask them to examine further options, if any, in this case.
148. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the provision of a new school building for a school (details supplied); the contacts he has had with Fingal County Council on acquiring a site for the new school building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47238/18]
View answer149. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if priority will be awarded to the delivery of a new school site and new school building for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47239/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 148 and 149 together.
As the Deputy is aware the building project for the school to which he refers is included on my Department's capital programme.
My Department is currently engaging with the school Trustees in relation to the requirement for a site to facilitate the project.
150. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made to date in providing a new school (details supplied) for a substandard school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47257/18]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that a building project for the schools in question is included in my Department's 6 year Construction Programme. The options for providing this accommodation are currently being explored by the school authority and my Department will continue to liaise directly with the school authority in this regard.
151. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a case (details supplied) against his Department is impacting on all potential new school builds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47266/18]
View answer152. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason public representatives in County Kildare were not informed of an issue in the development of a school (details supplied). [47267/18]
View answer153. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason tendering cannot continue while dealing with a case regarding a school (details supplied). [47268/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 151 to 153, inclusive, together.
The Deputy will appreciate that as there is an ongoing legal challenge in relation to the project to which she refers it is not possible for me to comment at present. The matter is being handled on my Department's behalf by the Chief State Solicitor’s Office.
The legal challenge is specific to this project and does not impact on the progress of other school building projects.
