Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 25 May 2011

Vol. 733 No. 2

Adjournment Debate

SR Technics Former Employees

Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan

With the permission of the House, I am sharing time with Deputy Catherine Murphy.

The group we met from SR Technics became unemployed through no fault of their own. They received the statutory redundancy payment, not massive payments. They were encouraged to avail of further education courses and a seminar was organised in the ALSAA fitness club at Dublin Airport with the various colleges to look at available options. Some provision was made for the workers by FÁS, the city and county enterprise boards, the VEC and third level colleges and institutions in support of the more than 1,000 workers made redundant in 2009.

A group of 55 workers opted for a tailor-made course in All Hallows College, 30 of whom are finishing year 2 of the course, while the remainder are in year 1. The funding, provided through the European Globalisation Fund, EGF, runs out shortly. Why were they allowed by the Government to commence a degree course if it knew funding would not be available for the full duration of the course? The course is of four years duration, approved by the Department of Education and Skills and accredited by Dublin City University. It is not practical to ask the men finishing year 2 to transfer to another course and begin again. The men concerned could have applied to other colleges by the CAO mature student route, but they opted for this course which was tailor-made for their needs.

There must be a way around this problem. Could it be done through the Minister, Deputy Ruairí Quinn negotiating with All Hallows College or through the Springboard initiative, as announced by the Minister, or could the remainder of the course be covered under the free fees scheme? Allowing this would hardly set a precedent as the fund will no longer be available to other workers made redundant. All Hallows College is on the CAO list and part of the free fees system. I do not see, therefore, why it is being considered a private college. As a former guidance councillor, I never considered it as a private college. The private colleges included the likes of Portobello College and Griffith College.

I ask that a way be found for those currently on the course to be allowed to finish it. As the State was prepared to fund other full-time courses at third level for the former SR Technics workers, why cannot the same be done for these men who had a legitimate expectation that funding would be available to allow them to complete the course.

Deputy Catherine Murphy

The workers received statutory redundance payments; there was no big pay-out. As such, they are not in a position to pay college fees at this stage. The investment they have made in time and energy was matched by funding from the EGF. That financial investment should have seen accreditation at the end of the course, to which they are entitled. I spoke to one of the workers yesterday and he told me the education element of his CV consisted of a group certificate awarded in the 1970s. A BA degree would have given him the hope he would not end up long-term unemployed but skilled and able to commence his own business or build a new career.

The workers were of the opinion that EGF funding would commence from the date it was approved by the European Union and run for two years from that date, September 2010. They were not aware that the commencement date was the date of the initial application in October 2009, which was rejected. An administrative process was also to have been initiated. This has not occurred to date and it seems pointless to initiate such a process at this stage. I wonder if the scheme is entirely in compliance with EGF programme requirements, given that the administrative process was not initiated and the fund is nearly exhausted.

The students are too far into the degree course to change, as suggested in the letter from the Department of Education and Skills. Changing at this stage would mean beginning year 1 elsewhere. If the students did what was suggested, they might well be supported under the CAO system for four years, which would be much more expensive. Many of the workers are in their 40s and early 50s. They make the point that this was a really good course that they embraced with enthusiasm. The fact that they are a group of mature students from the same background has been a positive for them. Many have been doing the course for a full 12 months in order to complete it as soon as possible. They are keen to get back to making a contribution and take advantage of their new skills, but it is now doubtful if they will be able to complete the course. They are asking to be allowed to do this. There are many half-baked schemes and courses with no result at the end of them, but there is massive potential for these 55 workers. All that they ask is that they be allowed to complete the course.

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Ciarán Cannon)

I thank both Deputies for raising this matter.

The requirements in applying for and implementing approved applications for EGF co-financed programmes are prescribed by EU law. EGF supported programmes are of finite duration. Currently, they are required to be completed no later than 24 months from the date of submission of the relevant EGF application. The binding timeframes are specified in the relevant European Commission decision addressed to the member state in approving its application. Under the terms of the European Commission decision relating to the EGF application in support of redundant SR Technics workers, EGF co-funding can be used for measures delivered from the commencement of service provision on 25 March 2009 until 9 October 2011 at the latest. When the Irish authorities raised the issue of the extension of the current EGF implementation period, this position was reconfirmed by the Commission.

It was always made clear to the redundant SR Technics workers, including at a number of EGF specific public meetings to showcase the funded supports, and the various service providers that only supports provided within that timeframe would be funded. That the Department made the expiry date of 9 October 2011 clearly known in advance was acknowledged by a delegation of the former SR Technics workers attending the course at All Hallows College when they met departmental officials last month on this matter. Moreover, All Hallows College was informed in writing by the Higher Education Authority of the expiry date for EGF funding of their course of 9 October 2011 at the latest. In turn, the college has submitted a number of claim forms to the authority for funding under the EGF, clearly indicating that the completion date of the course in question is 30 September 2011. It is, therefore, not clear how students could have begun this course at the college earlier this year in the expectation that the EGF would co-finance study beyond 9 October 2011.

It should be noted that All Hallows College has been extremely helpful in running what was originally a part-time course on a full-time basis under the EGF programme. This was done in order to accelerate students' progress on a modular basis and maximise the scope for them to benefit from the EU funding available.

In addition to a number of past meetings, briefings and communications with members of the delegation of former workers studying at All Hallows College over the course of EGF programme, officials from my Department met the delegation last month. They discussed in detail both the position on EGF funding and the full range of options and supports available to students generally who wish to pursue education programmes in the publicly funded higher education system. I have also recently written to an individual member of the delegationre-emphasising the position as outlined.

The Department of Social Protection has confirmed that if the students remain on the programme on a full-time basis beyond the EGF cut-off date, they will be entitled to retain their back to education allowance. This would be a considerable advantage to the students providing income support while progressing their education.

An option open to the students would be to engage with All Hallows College to seek a reduced course fee for continuation of the course full-time but at their own expense. Alternatively, the relevant students could apply to participate in other full-time courses in the public system that are part of the free fees scheme without losing their back to education allowance. These are matters of individual choice for the relevant students, not for the Department.

In terms of supports being offered outside the EGF programme, the particular education course in question is not part of the Department's free fees scheme which funds full-time higher education course fees for first-time students progressing on the National Framework of Qualifications. All Hallows College, a privately funded institution, had applied to the Department for access to the free fees scheme for this programme in 2010. However, the application was turned down having regard to the fact that the programme was not generally available through the CAO and because of the overall constraints on funding. Further, in line with the recommendations of the new strategy for higher education, the policy of the Department is to provide for no further extension of free fees funding to specific courses in private institutions such as All Hallows College. Additional funding is not available elsewhere in the Department's Vote to fund this course for this cohort of students. To do so outside normal requirements and rules would set an unsustainable precedent in terms of other EGF programmes and in terms of access to education programmes generally. I again thank the Deputies for raising this matter.

FÁS Training Programmes

Deputy Seamus Kirk

I thank the Office of the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to raise this important issue. As we know, apprenticeship is vital as part of skills development for the building and construction sector. FÁS, despite considerable criticism in some other areas, has delivered on the programme of training in this area for a considerable period and has provided a steady stream of trained and suitable personnel for this sector. While we all know of the decline of the sector and the impact it has had on the economy, we must keep the focus on the longer-term position, namely, that the skills involved will be required, albeit with a much greater focus, in years to come.

There is some degree of uncertainty as to how these courses will be delivered in the immediate and the medium term. FÁS is delivering the courses at present but there is some suggestion that the institutes of technology might take over responsibility for them. It goes without saying that students, tutors and lecturers would like clarification on this as quickly as possible. I will not labour the point. I am sure the Minister of State understands the need for information. My case rests and perhaps he will advise us.

Deputy Ciarán Cannon

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter as it provides me with the opportunity to outline the current position of the Department of Education and Skills. The standard-based apprenticeship programme is an alternance training and education programme for employed apprentices for which FÁS has statutory responsibility. The training and education programme generally comprises three off-the-job phases and four on-the-job phases. The off-the-job training and education is generally provided by FÁS at phase 2, and phase 4 and phase 6 are provided by the institutes of technology and colleges of further education.

The registration of apprentices, including in the carpentry and joinery trade, by employers has reduced considerably since 2005 due to the reduction in the level of activity in the construction sector. In 2010 an interdepartmental working group and FÁS undertook a detailed forecast of the number of apprentices that would be expected to be recruited by employers in the period up to 2014. This forecast is currently being updated to provide a forecast to 2015, taking account of the changes in the level of economic activity that have taken place since the report was commissioned and the lower level of registrations experienced to date. It is expected that a draft forecast report of apprentice intake for the period up to 2015 will be available in September 2011.

Traditionally, the trade of carpenter and joiner provided the highest employment among all of the designated trades. Employment reached its peak in 2007 at 43,400, which is almost double the level recorded in 1998. The apprentice recruitment levels in the construction and joinery trade began to contract two years earlier than the employment stock. The apprentice intake level, unlike the trend in employment, reached its peak level of 2,127 in 2005 and declined thereafter to 138 in 2009. Based on forecasts of apprentice registrations, the training capacity provided for the off-the-job training is agreed with the training providers based on the current population of apprentices progressing through their apprenticeship as well as the current and future forecast registrations expected from employers.

The capacity for phase 2 training in carpentry and joinery for 2011 is eight courses, comprising 112 places. The capacity for phase 2 in carpentry and joinery for 2012 will depend on the level of registrations by employers. The capacity for phase 4 and phase 6 for the academic year 2010-11 is 102 blocks, comprising 1,632 places, to provide for the progression of the current apprentice population. The capacity planned for phase 4 and phase 6 for the academic year 2011-12 is 30 blocks, or 480 places, and this lower level is based on the apprentice population now expected to progress and accounts for the lower level of registrations in the previous two years.

The Department, in conjunction with FÁS and other relevant stakeholders, continues to monitor and assess the apprenticeship capacity requirements for all trades, including carpentry and joinery. I again thank the Deputy for allowing me the opportunity to outline the Department's position relating to this area.

Water Supply

Deputy Anthony Lawlor

I thank the Office of the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this issue regarding the necessary infrastructure for the continued expansion of Intel in Leixlip. Intel is one of Ireland's biggest employers, with more than 4,000 people working in either chip manufacturing or research and development. Indirectly, Intel supports up to eight times this number in the business and service sector in the Kildare, Meath and Dublin areas.

One of the main reasons the company located at this site more than two decades ago was that necessary infrastructure was available along with a qualified labour market. Currently, Intel is retrofitting an existing building as this would be cheaper than starting from scratch. This $500 million investment will create 850 construction jobs in the two year fit-out of this building and the move will create more than 1,000 new jobs in this facility. Key to all this investment, however, is the continued attractiveness of Ireland as a place to invest, particularly with our 12.5% corporation tax. I was delighted to tour the facility recently with the managing director, Eamonn Sinnott, and the Taoiseach, who stressed that the existing rate of corporation tax would be maintained. Consequently, I was delighted to hear the Minister, Deputy Noonan, reiterate this in Paris today.

There is also a well-qualified labour market and Intel has developed links with local schools and NUI Maynooth. In addition, there is the issue of the necessary infrastructure to support this expansion, which includes the huge water requirements of this plant. For the previous two winters, during extreme weather conditions many homes in the area of Celbridge, Leixlip and Maynooth suffered severe water shortages while the council was able to maintain supplies to keep the Intel plant at Leixlip operating. With this new expansion, there needs to be an increase in the water quantities made available to this area of north Kildare.

We all know that in the eastern region, water supply is on a knife edge. It would be a shame if employment suffered as a result of water shortage. There was previous experience of this when lack of a sufficient water supply in the county resulted in a potential major employer locating elsewhere. I urge the Minister to allow the funding to be made available as soon as possible to improve water supply, not alone for the potential for jobs to be generated but also for the householders and small businesses in the area. It is of no use to sanction funds for upgrading the water supply after the factory has been retrofitted, resulting in Intel being unable to commence operations in this facility. This water upgrade must occur in tandem with the retrofit expansion. Consequently, will the Minister of State assure the House that the necessary funds will be made available immediately and that Kildare County Council will speedily upgrade the water supply to this area?

Deputy Ciarán Cannon

I thank Deputy Lawlor, on behalf of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan, for the opportunity to set out the current position on the provision of water infrastructure in north Kildare, with a particular emphasis on infrastructure which supports and encourages economic development in the area. Significant water services infrastructural development is taking place countrywide at present and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government's water services investment programme 2010-12 is providing the funding to support this development. In addition to its public health, environmental compliance and water conservation focus, this programme has among its stated objectives the need to support economic and employment growth throughout the country.

Exchequer funding of €435 million has been provided for the water services capital programme in 2011, with €350 million of this provision dedicated to the water services investment programme and the balance of €85 million allocated to the rural water programme. The water services investment programme comprises 130 contracts and water conservation projects which were in progress at the end of 2009, to the value of €1 billion; 340 new contracts with an estimated value of €1.8 billion, including around 80 water conservation contracts, with an estimated value of €321 million, that have been prioritised to start construction over the period 2010-2012; and 190 schemes and water conservation projects to be progressed through their earlier planning stages during 2010-2012.

In County Kildare alone, there are three contracts listed as at construction, and a further 14 are listed to start during the lifetime of the programme. The estimated cost of these contracts is just over €172 million. As part of the programme, the Barrow abstraction water supply scheme is one of the most significant projects being undertaken in the county. Although the contract for this scheme was signed only recently, when completed it will provide County Kildare with a new water treatment plant at Srowland, thereby reducing Kildare's future demand on the Liffey system that serves the greater Dublin area.

As part of the overall Kildare county water strategy, the Srowland water supply will enable Kildare County Council to become more self-reliant in respect of the supply of water in the county. A further element of that strategy, the Castlewarden-Ballygoran water pipeline and reservoir contract, recently approved to go to tender by the Minister, Deputy Hogan, will utilise water from Srowland and deliver it to Ballygoran in north Kildare. This contract, consisting of a new 20,000 cu m service reservoir at Ballygoran and over 17.5 km of water main, will bring water to Barberstown Cross and the western area of Celbridge. The new reservoir will also supply water to the Maynooth, Celbridge, Leixlip and Straffan areas. Any requirements to meet the upgrading of facilities at Intel can be accommodated through a pipeline link from this supply to Intel and this can be completed within a very short time.

The Minister is keenly aware of the existing economic and employment benefits of an enterprise such as Intel. The Deputy can be assured that his Department continues to work closely with Kildare County Council to advance the water supply, and other water services infrastructure requirements of the area.

Community Services

Deputy Thomas P. Broughan

Almost 38 years ago the then President, Erskine Childers, laid the foundation stone for the Kilbarrack-Foxfield community centre on Greendale Road, Kilbarrack, Dublin 5, following years of fund-raising by local residents. With the help of the HSE, FÁS, local representatives including myself and the then Minister, Deputy Pat Rabbitte, a Kilbarrack aftercare community programme was developed from May 1996 and finally established in 1998. In January 2001, this project became the Kilbarrack Coast Community Programme, KCCP. Based in the Kilbarrack Foxfield community centre, KCCP has developed a wide range of impressive programmes to combat drug use and provide information and recreation for the young people of the parish. Under the outstanding leadership of the retired Garda superintendent and chairperson, Mr. Michael Finn, Ms Marian Clarke and Mr. Declan Byrne, KCCP carries out this core work through a community employment programme which caters for more than 15 clients recovering from addiction problems. A wide range of activities including IT training, cooking skills, arts and crafts, yoga, drama, gym and fitness classes and relaxation techniques are provided for clients and many of these services are available to the wider community in Kilbarrack-Foxfield. In addition, KCCP provides a regular attractive local newsletter, The Snapper, aimed especially at young people and has carried out a range of important and informative reports including Young People & Drugs, in 2004; A Prevalence Study of Drug Use, also in 2004; and Transforming Kilbarrack — A Proposal For A New Youth And Community Resource Centre, in 2009. The work of KCCP is strongly supported by the north-east drugs taskforce, the HSE, An Garda Síochána, SIPTU, local youth and sporting bodies and the three Dublin North East Deputies who met KCCP a few weeks through a meeting I organised in Dáil Éireann. Given the tremendous track record of KCCP, I was astonished to learn during the general election that the leaseholders of Kilbarrack-Foxfield community centre, Kilbarrack and District Community Association, KADCA, had served KCCP with papers concerning a court action to evict KCCP from the centre. A large public meeting of more than 200 people was facilitated on 21 February by our famous Kilbarrack community leader, Ms Kathleen O'Neill, at St. Benedict's resource centre. I attended the meeting for a time. It voted overwhelmingly in favour of rejecting the eviction and for the retention of KCCP's services at the community centre. A further large public meeting of more than 300 people on 2 March, called by the leaseholders, KADCA, passed, with an overwhelming majority, a vote of no confidence in the KADCA committee and a similar vote in favour of KCCP staying in the hall was again supported by a massive majority. On 23 March a third large public meeting elected a new local residents association, the Kilbarrack-Foxfield Community Residents Association, KFRCA, led by Ms Madeline McNally-Murray. The members are pledged to operate the community centre fully for community use and have it upgraded to a high standard. However, in spite of this positive development the legal eviction action is reportedly being continued by individuals connected to KADCA.

I call tonight for this action to be withdrawn immediately and for former members of KADCA to support the new Kilbarrack-Foxfield Community Residents Association to begin operating the community centre and all its important facilities, including the key services of the Kilbarrack Coast Community Programme, KCCP. Dublin City Council has a key role in the resolution of this distressing and time-consuming matter. The council granted KADCA a 99-year lease in November 1978 for the community centre but public meetings have heard that this lease may now be legally infirm because it is claimed that the leaseholding body did not have a continuous legal existence from 1975 onwards, and especially during the 20-year period, 1987 to 2007. Whether that is the case, Dublin City Council has a clear duty to review the 1974 lease and ensure the retention of the KCCP project and its 41 jobs at the community centre. I have called on local area and city management to urgently investigate and report on this key issue. I was informed that there have been three substantial efforts at mediation on this matter in the past ten years which have failed in spite of KCCP's full engagement and efforts to be co-operative. It is now time for the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Reilly, and the Dublin city manager to step in and insist on an immediate resolution. This should recognise the clear wishes of the people of the two Kilbarrack parishes to retain in their community centre, supported by a sublease if necessary, the critically important and hard won services and facilities of Kilbarrack Coast Community Programme.

Deputy Ciarán Cannon

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I am taking this Adjournment debate on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy James Reilly. The Kilbarrack Coast Community Programme, KCCP, is located at Thornville Road in Kilbarrack, at a premises leased by Dublin City Council to Kilbarrack and District Community Association, KADCA. KCCP is funded by the HSE to provide rehabilitative, prevention and education services and a parental support service to the Kilbarrack community. The Department of Health and Children has also allocated funding for 2011 in respect of KCCP, as a drug-related project in the Dublin north-east local drugs taskforce area. The funding and accounting for this project is channelled through the HSE. It is the responsibility of the directors of KCCP to acquire suitable alternative premises from which to operate, if required, in order to receive ongoing funding towards the valuable local services it provides. I understand that both the HSE and the local drugs taskforce have engaged with representatives of KCCP and KADCA on several occasions over a number of years in an effort to mediate the various issues that have arisen. Unfortunately, the matter is now the subject of legal proceedings and as such, it would be inappropriate for me to make any comment.

The Dáil adjourned at 9 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. on Thursday, 26 May 2011.