Vol. 739 No. 2
28 Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the stakeholders with whom he met while consulting on the proposed changes to the joint labour committees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20127/11]
On 24 May last, the Government decided to publish the Report of the Independent Review of Employment Regulation Orders and Registered Employment Agreement Wage Setting Mechanisms.
The Report's overall finding is that the basic framework of the current JLC/REA regulatory system requires radical overhaul so as to make it fairer and more responsive to changing economic circumstances and labour market conditions.
To coincide with the publication of the report, I immediately requested meetings with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, IBEC and the Construction Industry Federation to hear those organisations' views on the report and to outline my proposals to address the report's recommendations and other issues raised in the report. Those meetings took place in early June.
I also held discussions with other employer interests in the sectors covered by statutory wage fixing mechanisms, including Hairdressing and the Hospitality and Retail sectors. Officials from my Department have held discussions with employer representatives in the Security and Agriculture sectors, as well as TASC, the independent think-tank dedicated to economic equality issues. In accordance with the terms of the EU/IMF programme, discussions have also taken place with representatives of the troika.
These discussions enabled me to hear at first hand the views of the main representative bodies and stakeholders on how a meaningful and overdue reform might be implemented in these wage-setting mechanisms, which would strike a balance between protection of the rights of vulnerable workers and ensuring businesses could weather the difficult economic conditions and open up new job opportunities.
As the Deputy knows, this Government has been determined to protect vulnerable workers by restoring the National Minimum Wage and by retaining the JLC mechanism but in a substantially reformed framework. The recent High Court judgment has made reform imperative and urgent. The Government is determined to proceed with urgency to undertake a substantial reform of the current JLC / REA regulatory system. This work will simultaneously address the weakness identified by the High Court judgment and the issues raised by the independent Report and by the discussions with the various stakeholders.
The drafting of the necessary legislation will be given the highest priority. My intention is that the new legislation will be introduced to the Dáil very early in the next term, with prioritised enactment to follow thereafter.
29 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if there have been any expressions of interest in the former Amgen site outside Carrigtwohill, County Cork; the efforts that he and bodies under his aegis are making to attract industry and enterprise to this site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21120/11]
The Carrigtwohill East site consists of approximately 54 hectares located in a high profile position on the eastern side of Cork City on the Main Waterford-Cork Road.
All of this land forms part of IDA's property portfolio. IDA Ireland maintains a property portfolio specifically to support the promotion of Ireland and its regions as a suitable location for FDI by providing tailored property solutions. Since the 1950's it has been an integral part of industrial policy that the State, through the industrial development agencies, will have available land that is suitable, zoned and serviced for industrial purposes, so as to ensure that industrial projects will not be prevented or delayed in setting up operations.
Through its network of overseas offices, IDA continues to market the Carrigtwohill site, together with its other strategic sits throughout the country to prospective client companies, mainly the pharma, biopharma and ICT sectors.
Cork, has grown over the past decade into a globally recognised location for foreign direct investment, attracting several billions of euro in investment by overseas companies. Over recent years, direct employment in IDA supported companies in Cork City and County has grown and today there are 20,491 people employed in 130 companies.
IDA Ireland continues to actively promote Cork and its advantages, including a young skilled workforce with a student population of over 30,000, the presence of a University and an Institute of Technology, the availability of first class business parks, good infrastructure and an international airport.
Announcements of new and expansion investments in Cork this year include EMC, McAfee, Easylink Services and Quest Software. These projects will significantly add to the value and depth of the overseas industry in Cork.
30 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when he will introduce a credit guarantee scheme; the amount of money that will be invested in this scheme; and the criteria that will be applied. [21157/11]
The Deputy will be aware that as part of the Jobs Initiative announced in this House on 10 May, both the Minister for Finance and I confirmed the commitment given under the Programme for Government to initiating a tendering process for the development of a temporary partial credit guarantee scheme. A call for competition for the design of a scheme was published on e-tenders on 15 June 2011, closing on 7 July. Arising from this process, formal tenders should be received early in August and on completion of the procurement process, contract commencement is envisaged to be the last week in August. The completion date for the scheme design is scheduled for early October.
The design of the scheme will draw from international experience to support new lending that would not otherwise have been extended by the banks. In this way, the scheme will be limited in its scope and will complement, rather than be a substitute for, existing lending activities by the main financial institutions. It will be a targeted scheme aimed at new companies or expanding companies trying to develop new products or markets that can demonstrate repayment capacity for the additional credit facilities but which cannot secure credit facilities, due to insufficient collateral or a lack of familiarity or understanding of the new industry, the new product or the potential of new markets. The amount of money that will be invested in this scheme and the criteria that will be applied are intrinsic elements of the scheme design, which is the subject of the current tendering process.
The Government's commitment will be for an initial period of one year. Specific performance criteria will be set down that allow for review and revision of the scheme at the end of that initial period before any commitment to a roll-over of the scheme for subsequent years. The temporary partial credit guarantee scheme will complement the Government plans on the restructuring and recapitalisation of the banking system which seek to secure an adequate flow of credit into the economy to support economic recovery.
31 Deputy Jonathan O’Brien asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the actions he will take to promote the use of co-operatives in order that they reach their full potential; if his attention has been drawn to the fact of the important role that the co-operative model has played in our economy. [21159/11]
The co-operative model is one of a number of legal options that are available to those considering establishing themselves in business, and the different models have their own distinct characteristics. It is of course up to each individual operation to choose the model that best suits the nature of the business and the desired ethos of the entity.
Insofar as the direct promotion of co-operatives is concerned, I believe that this is properly a matter for the co-operative movement, and indeed it is ably done by the three main umbrella groups for co-operatives: the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) — which developed predominantly in the dairy industry but has branched out to the wider food, agribusiness and rural sectors in Ireland; the National Association of Building Co-operatives (NABCO), which deals with housing co-operatives; and the National Federation of Group Water Schemes (NFGWS), which deals with group water schemes.
The co-operative sector in Ireland is strong and the consultation paper issued by my Department on the legislation that governs the majority of co-operatives in Ireland, the Industrial and Provident Societies Acts, recognised the importance of co-operative societies and organisations to the economic and social fabric of Ireland over the last century.
Arising out of this consultation process I recently announced that I had obtained approval from Government for the drafting of a Bill that will address a range of issues raised by the sector. I hope to publish the Draft Bill early next year. I expect that the amendments I am proposing will make the co-operative model more attractive for those wishing to use it.
By introducing these legislative changes for co-operatives, the Government is recognising the value of the co-operative business model to our economy, particularly at the present time.
32 Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide a timeline for the introduction of fair trade legislation. [17629/11]
48 Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when the promised legislation to ban a number of unfair trading practices in the retail sector, such as “hello money” from food suppliers, will come into force. [17618/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 48 together.
The Programme for Government contains a specific commitment to "enact the Fair Trade Act, which will ban a number of unfair trading practices in the retail sector such as ‘hello money' which suppliers have to pay to secure a place for their goods on supermarket shelves". It is my intention to give effect to the commitment in the Programme for Government by including a specific enabling provision in the legislation, currently being prepared to merge the National Consumer Agency and the Competition Authority. Government gave its approval to draft this legislation at its meeting on 5 July 2011 and I hope to publish it and present it to the Oireachtas before the end of this year.
On 6 July 2011, I also published the report and draft outline code of practice, which was submitted to me by Mr. John Travers, the facilitator appointed to explore the possibility of agreeing a voluntary code. His view was that agreement on such a voluntary code was not achievable at present. Thus, in preparation for introducing a statutory code, I have initiated a consultation process in relation to the draft outline code prepared by Mr. Travers. I have asked that submissions be made to my Department by 1 September 2011 at the latest.
The Government is strongly committed to ensuring that Ireland continues to have vibrant agri food and retail sectors, particularly given the importance of these sectors to the national economy. The Government considers it important, therefore, that there is balance in the relationship between the various players in the grocery goods sector. The introduction of a Code of Practice is intended to achieve such a balance taking into account the interests of all stakeholders in the grocery goods sector including the interests of the consumer and the need to ensure that there is no impediment to the passing on of lower prices to consumers.
33 Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the division of responsibilities for foreign trade between his Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; the number of officials that have been transferred from his Department to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to help it to carry out its role; the new initiatives in the foreign trade area that have resulted from this division of responsibilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21074/11]
The new arrangements provide specifically for the transfer of responsibility to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of certain trade promotion functions, including, specifically, management of the Export Trade Council, as well as responsibility for Joint Economic Commissions.
The new Export Trade Council, being established following the commitment in the Programme for Government and which subsumes the role of the former Foreign Trade Council, will oversee the implementation of the recommendations in the Strategy for Trade, Tourism and Investment to 2015, which was launched in September last. The Council will now to be chaired by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and I will also be a member, together with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Leo Varadkar, the Minister for Research and Innovation, Deputy Sean Sherlock, and the Minister for Trade and Development, Deputy Jan O’Sullivan.
Responsibility for the organisation and management of Joint Economic Commissions, and for setting up any new Joint Economic Commissions, is now also a matter for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Joint Economic Commissions are formal Intergovernmental bodies that provide a forum for discussing issues that relate to the development of economic and business cooperation and scientific and technological cooperation. Ireland currently operates Joint Economic Commissions with five key growth markets.
In relation to leading Trade Missions to foreign export markets, the specific circumstances of the target market and of the company sectors involved, will influence Ministerial participation. My intention is to maximise the potential of these events to bring Irish businesses into direct contact with business opportunities abroad, by targeting sectors and countries where there is significant potential. While the programme of trade missions for the remainder of 2011 has yet to be finalised, I can confirm that I and the Minister of State in my Department will participate in missions to the Southern U.S., the U.K., and Australia before the end of the year, facilitated by Enterprise Ireland and Science Foundation Ireland.
The Government is very committed to developing Trade with the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China), which are exciting export markets with high potential for growth.
My Department retains lead responsibility for Trade Policy including policy within the framework of the EU Common Commercial Policy and the World Trade Organization. Discussions on free trade agreements, liberalization of world trade in the context of the WTO's Doha Round or using other avenues to expand opportunities for our exporters are directly linked to the sectoral enterprise and investment policies that are being developed by my Department and its Agencies. It is it is therefore essential that I ensure a coherent approach between export strategies, investment policies and the broad trade policy agenda. Export control licensing for the export of military or dual use goods will remain in my Department. In addition, my Department will continue to manage the compilation and analysis of detailed trade statistics, and will continue to be active on relevant other Bilateral Trade promotion issues.
Three officials, who had been working in the Bilateral Trade Unit of my Department, transferred to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade last month. The transfer of these trade promotion functions, which took effect just last month, will seek to enhance the levels of cooperation and coordination of the relevant State bodies with the presence abroad provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. That Department's Embassy and Consulate network, which is the largest overseas representation of Ireland's resources, will play an important role in facilitating trade and building linkages worldwide, and builds on the existing high level of official coordination in the promotion of Ireland's economic interests overseas. The new enhanced arrangements for trade promotion activities will be provided for in a Memorandum of Understanding between both Departments and the agency.
34 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he has taken any initiatives to facilitate the development of energy co-operatives. [21161/11]
233 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will urgently review the legislation prepared by the previous Government to update the ancient law governing co-operative societies with a view to making provisions for energy co-operatives. [21021/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 233 together.
Following a wide consultation by my Department with all interested parties in relation to the existing legislation pertaining to co-operatives, I recently announced that I had obtained Government approval for the preparation of new legislation aimed at addressing some of the practical difficulties faced by the co-operative sector.
Among the issues raised by the co-operative sector was a concern that a current statutory limit on individual shareholdings in societies — there is a limit of €150,000 or 1% of the total assets of a society, whichever is the greater — acts against renewable energy co-operatives, where quite intensive capital requirements apply. To address this concern, and to encourage the growth of energy co-operatives, one of the legislative changes I am proposing is the abolition of the limit on individual shareholdings. I hope to introduce this legislation early next year.
My responsibility lies in the legislative provision for co-operatives in general. Any initiatives to facilitate the development of energy co-operatives in particular would be a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.
35 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the actions he will take to reduce costs to local businesses in view of the fact that the legal system is now 12% more expensive then it was in 2006 and that Ireland is now the fourth most expensive location for fees. [21146/11]
I am keen to ensure that all costs that impact on businesses, including legal costs, are kept as low as possible in order to enhance the competitiveness of enterprises in Ireland. Improved competitiveness will help businesses to retain existing jobs, create new ones, and contribute to economic recovery.
The National Competitiveness Council monitors and analyses costs and other competitiveness issues in the Irish economy. The "Costs of Doing Business in Ireland 2011" report published last month, shows that Ireland has regained some of its international cost competitiveness which is now at a level comparable to prices in February 2003. It also pointed to sectors where challenges to our competitiveness remain, including tackling legal costs. The report shows that Ireland is the fourth most expensive location of 18 benchmarked countries for the legal cost of contract enforcement. The countries benchmarked include a number of EU countries, as well as Korea, the US, China, Singapore and India.
The cost of legal services has been consistently cited by both the NCC and the Competition Authority in recent years as uncompetitive, and they point out that the delivery of legal services in Ireland is in need of reform. It is for this reason we made the commitment in the Programme for Government to establish independent regulation for the legal professions to improve access and competition, to make legal costs more transparent and to ensure adequate procedures for addressing consumer complaints.
My colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality, Alan Shatter T.D., is in the process of preparing a Legal Services Bill, due to be published in the autumn, which will address these issues. I will continue to liaise closely with Minister Shatter on this matter to ensure the better regulation of legal services that will lead to greater transparency in costs and increase competition in the sector.
36 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the action he has taken to construct a microfinance start-up fund. [21158/11]
As Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, I recognise the importance of supporting business start-ups if we are to encourage entrepreneurship and create more jobs. I also acknowledge that micro enterprises can find it very difficult to access funding from traditional sources, particularly at start-up phase.
For this reason, the Minister for Finance and I confirmed on the 10th of May last, as part of the recent Jobs Initiative, that the Government is committed to setting up a dedicated Microfinance Start-Up Fund that will provide start-up and expansion loans to potentially viable businesses at the micro level. Microfinance applies to businesses with up to ten employees and individual loans cannot exceed €25,000, although average loans will be significantly less. The Fund, including scheme design and appropriate delivery mechanisms, will be developed with a view to formalizing proposals in the context of Budget 2012.
My Department is taking the lead on this initiative and has almost concluded detailed discussions with relevant stakeholders, including the Department of Finance, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the European Investment Bank and other organisations with experience in the area. Work is currently progressing on the development of a suitable model for delivery.
37 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to improve access by small and medium enterprises to public procurement. [21070/11]
47 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the reforms he plans and when he proposes to introduce assurances that public procurement can become a tool to support innovation and allow greater access to small and medium-sized businesses. [21156/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 47 together.
Public procurement is governed by a complex set of EU rules to ensure fairness and transparency. However, given the size of the market, and the predominance of small and medium sized enterprises in Ireland, public procurement can be an important source of business for SMEs within the context of EU and national tendering rules. According to the latest data available to me from the National Procurement Service, the value of the public procurement market in Ireland in 2009 was €16 billion.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to reform public procurement so that it supports innovative firms and allows greater access to public procurement by SMEs. The Minister for Finance, in introducing the Jobs Initiative to the Dáil on 10May last, also indicated that the Government will build on existing initiatives to promote greater access to procurement opportunities for SMEs, including through identifying and overcoming barriers to their participation in the procurement process.
The Jobs Initiative also includes a commitment that the Government will seek to foster greater SME engagement in developing innovative products and services to meet the needs of public bodies within the framework of EU law, and will explore schemes in other EU countries in that regard.
It is worth acknowledging that there have been some recent developments aimed at improving access by SMEs to public procurement. These measures include:
The publication by my Department in 2009 of a 10-Step Guide to Smart Procurement and SME Access to Public Contracts. This Guide provides practical advice to public bodies on measures which could boost the involvement of SMEs in public procurement.
In August 2010, the Department of Finance issued new guidelines to public contracting authorities, aimed at ensuring that tendering processes operate in a manner that facilitates increased participation by SMEs. These guidelines include practical suggestions to facilitate access to procurement by SMEs, such as reducing the level of administrative requirements in the early stages of the tendering process, ensuring that pre-qualification criteria are proportionate, and sub-dividing contracts into lots.
Enterprise Ireland has a dedicate Public Procurement Team to focus on procurement opportunities in Ireland and abroad for indigenous companies, including SMEs, and to accelerate knowledge within contracting authorities in the public service of the potential of these companies.
Building on these initiatives, and to drive forward the Government's commitments in the Programme for Government, a Steering Group on SME Access to Public Procurement has been established by my Department to examine what more can be done to improve SME participation in tendering for public contracts and to recommend actions that will deliver results.
The Steering Group will also examine the potential for developing a new scheme that provides opportunities for SMEs to provide innovative solutions to public sector requirements, based on schemes operated in other countries. The Group will make recommendations on foot of its considerations.
The Steering Group consists of the key players in the public procurement area, including the National Public Procurement Policy Unit of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the National Procurement Service, Enterprise Ireland, InterTradeIreland, and my own Department which chairs the Group.
The Steering Group's inaugural meeting took place last week. The Group is now drawing up a work programme which will identify specific actions to be taken within clear timeframes to improve SME access to participation in public procurement. The Group will report regularly to me and to Minister Bruton on progress.
38 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps he has taken to date and the steps he will take in the immediate and longer term to ensure that the JLCs are put on a legal footing in view of the recent High Court judgement on JLCs. [21147/11]
43 Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the measures he plans to introduce to protect vulnerable workers following the recent High Court ruling on joint labour committees. [21066/11]
50 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will give any assurances to low-paid workers covered by the JLC/REA system before the summer recess that their incomes and conditions will not be reduced as a consequence of the legislation that he is preparing in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21133/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 38, 43 and 50 together.
On 7 July, the High Court issued its ruling in a legal challenge, taken by John Grace Fried Chicken Ltd and others, to the Joint Labour Committee system and the 2008 Employment Regulation Order (ERO) covering the Catering Sector outside of Dublin. The High Court ruled that certain provision of the Industrial Relations Acts of 1946 and 1990 governing the making of EROs are unconstitutional and that the 2008 ERO constituted an unlawful and disproportionate interference in the property rights of the plaintiffs.
The High Court ruling does not prevent the establishment under law of Joint Labour Committees for the purpose of setting minimum wage rates and terms and conditions of employment for vulnerable categories of low-paid workers. Nor does it affect the operation of the 13 already established Joint Labour Committees. What has been declared to be invalid is the power of these JLCs to make regulations in relation to remuneration and conditions, as well as the power of Labour Court to make EROs on foot of an application made by a JLC, and the enforcement of all the Orders in place up until now.
Immediately following the judgment, I engaged in urgent consultations with the Attorney General and her Office to explore all legal options available so as to provide protection for workers previously covered by EROs. In particular, two possibilities were examined: enacting emergency legislation to provide temporary protection for workers pending enactment of comprehensive reforms, and appealing the judgment with the possibility at the same time of securing a stay of execution on its effects.
The fact that the process of making EROs has been found by the High Court to be unconstitutional together with the lack of adequate Oireachtas scrutiny of this process only underscores the need for reform proposed by the Independent Review Report on these statutory wage setting mechanisms.
The overall finding of the Report of the Review was that the basic framework of the current JLC/REA regulatory system requires radical overhaul to improve competitiveness. The purpose of the recommendations of the Report is to create a framework within which greater efficiencies and necessary adjustments in payroll costs can be achieved in the affected sectors.
As the Deputy knows, this Government has been determined to protect vulnerable workers by restoring the National Minimum Wage and by retaining the JLC mechanism but in a substantially reformed framework. The recent High Court judgment has made reform imperative and urgent.
The Government is determined to proceed with urgency to a substantial reform of the current JLC/REA regulatory system in order to restore protection to vulnerable workers and at the same time introduce necessary reforms to ensure that business can adapt to the difficult economic conditions and open up new job opportunities for people who have been particularly badly affected by unemployment.
The comprehensive reform proposals that have already been the subject of discussions with stakeholders and at Government will address the weaknesses identified in the High Court judgment, and will restore protection for workers in the relevant sectors.
The drafting of the necessary legislation will be given the highest priority.
My intention is that the new legislation will be introduced to the Dáil very early in the next term, with prioritised enactment to follow thereafter.
39 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to develop a vibrant and effective social enterprise sector; and the number of persons that will be employed in this sector. [21163/11]
The enterprise agencies under the aegis of my Department do not have a specific role in the provision of supports to the social enterprise sector. Rather, the agencies are focused on assisting enterprises in the commercial sphere to create employment with a central focus on export-led growth.
In both the Programme for Government and in the recently announced Jobs Initiative, the Government signalled that it is committed to setting up a dedicated Microfinance Start-Up Fund that will provide start-up and expansion loans to potentially commercially viable businesses at the micro level, who have been refused credit by the banks. Microfinance applies to businesses with up to 10 employees, individual loans cannot exceed €25,000 and the business must demonstrate commercial viability.
The Programme for Government also sets out a commitment to promote the development of a vibrant and effective social enterprise sector, which is a separate, although very important, sector. Initiatives in this area will be of primary concern to my colleague Ministers responsible for promoting community activity and the social economy. The Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government now has responsibility for the Rural Development Programme 2007-13 and the Local and Community Development Programme. Responsibility for the Community Services Programme, which supports local community activity that addresses disadvantage, is the responsibility of the Minister for Social Protection.
As Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, I will, of course, work with my colleagues around the Cabinet table in implementing this Programme for Government commitment.
40 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the proportion of Ireland’s loss of competitiveness in recent years that was due to currency fluctuations; and his immediate priorities in tackling the problem of cost competitiveness in the economy. [21068/11]
Ireland experienced a significant loss in cost competitiveness as measured by the real Harmonised Competitiveness Indicator over the past decade, reflecting a combination of an appreciation of the Euro against the currencies of many of our trading partners and higher price inflation in Ireland. Between 2002 and early 2008, our cost competitiveness declined by almost a third. Adverse exchange rates accounted for about three quarters of this decline, with the rest due to higher rates of inflation in Ireland compared with our main trading partners.
Since 2008, however, we have regained some of this lost competitiveness and Irish competitiveness is now back to 2003 levels. This has been driven almost equally by favourable exchange rate movements and lower rates of inflation compared with our competitors.
Ireland's competitiveness has also been improved through a reduction in the costs of doing business. Improvements have been seen in relation to labour costs, property costs, utilities and business services, as highlighted in the recent Cost of Doing Business report published by the National Competitiveness Council.
To continue to build on this improvement in our competitiveness, however, the Government recognises that it must put in place structural reforms to our cost base, to ensure that the gains we make are permanent and will not be eroded by a resumption in growth or exchange rate movements.
In this context, I am have been in contact with my Ministerial colleagues, highlighting the issues which the National Competitiveness Council believes must be addressed to strengthen the competitiveness of our cost base, and asking them to consider those recommendations.
I am also continuing to develop proposals for substantial reform of our sectoral wage agreements and I am working with my Government colleagues, through the Cabinet Committee structure, to identify actions that can be taken to reduce costs in other areas, such as commercial rates, legal costs and administrative burdens.
The High Level Group on Business Regulation, which is chaired by the Minister of State for Small Business, John Perry T.D., works to fast-track simplifications to specific red-tape issues identified by business. In addition, an Inter Departmental group of officials from all Departments responsible for regulation affecting business, co-ordinates the measurement and reduction of administrative burdens in a systematic manner, based on the internationally recognised standard cost model.
To date, the High Level Group has processed 48 specific red-tape issues brought to its attention by business, and continues to drive progress on a further 20 items. The Group continues to work with business interests to identify new opportunities for simplification.
My Department has already reduced measured burdens by 22%, which is an annual saving of almost €187 million for business. I expect to be in a position to announce further initiatives in this area before the end of the year.
41 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the efforts that will be made to bring jobs to County Kerry (details supplied). [21135/11]
Job creation is central to our economic recovery and the Programme for Government has job creation at its core. The role of my Department is to ensure that we have the right policies in place that will support and grow our enterprise base in order to facilitate both job creation and job retention. The Jobs Initiative announced on 10 May focuses our limited resources on measures that offer the greatest potential for expansion and employment creation in the domestic economy. The initiative has a significant focus on tourism and the reduction in the VAT rate and the abolition of the travel tax will provide an important stimulus to tourism businesses in Kerry and around the Country.
IDA Ireland promotes Kerry for new inward investment across the ICT, International Financial Services and Globally Traded Business sectors. As well as attracting new foreign direct investment, IDA works closely with its existing clients in Kerry to encourage them to expand their operations in the County. IDA continues to market all available land and buildings in the county including its Business and Technology Park at Tiernaboul, Killarney. In Tralee, IDA is also marketing the Kerry Technology Park, which is owned and managed by Shannon Development in partnership with the Institute of Technology Tralee. In selecting locations to show companies, IDA Ireland seeks to include locations, which have been affected by closures and job losses. While IDA Ireland seeks to influence the selection of location, the final decision is taken in all cases by the promoter. At present there are 15 IDA Ireland-supported companies in Co. Kerry employing more than 1,300 people.
Enterprise Ireland continues to support job creation through a number of interventions, such as supporting the establishment and growth of high potential start-up companies and supporting companies to target new opportunities in overseas markets. At present there are 133 Enterprise Ireland client companies in Co. Kerry employing more than 3,000 people in full time jobs. In 2010, Enterprise Ireland paid out over €3.2m in financial support to its client companies in Co. Kerry. In addition, the agency has been providing support to six community enterprise projects since 2006. The agency aided the development of the Tom Crean Centre in the Institute of Technology Tralee, which currently houses 19 start-up businesses. In addition, the Shannon ABC — Applied Research Enhancement Centre in the Institute of Technology Tralee, received funding from Enterprise Ireland and has a total of 23 industrial collaborations to date.
The role of Kerry County Enterprise Board is to provide a source of support for micro-enterprise in the start-up and expansion phases, to promote and develop indigenous micro-enterprise potential and to stimulate economic activity and entrepreneurship at local level. Business growth, job creation and retention are central to its activities. Since its inception in 1993 to end 2010, Kerry CEB has issued almost €7.1m in grant assistance to 888 clients. So far this year, Kerry CEB has paid out over €173,000 in grant support to 32 micro-enterprise project promoters in the County, with an associated job creation figure of 31. There are approximately 1,300 people employed full time in companies assisted by Kerry CEB. Throughout 2011, Kerry CEB will continue to be actively involved in the economic development of the County and will be actively engaged in supporting job creation and retention through its range of supports to the micro-enterprise sector.
In regard to regulation, the previous Government committed in 2008 to reducing administrative burdens by 25% by 2012. The work to reduce administrative burdens on business in Ireland is being progressed on two fronts. The High Level Group on Business Regulation, chaired by Minister of State Perry, works to fast-track simplifications to specific red-tape issues identified by business. In addition, an interdepartmental group of officials from all Departments, having regulation affecting business, co-ordinates the measurement and reduction of administrative burdens in a systematic manner, based on the internationally recognised standard cost model. My Department has already reduced measured burdens by 22%, or 90% of the target to be achieved, which is an annual saving of almost € 187 million. I expect that I will be in a position to announce the initiatives that will make up the remaining 3% before the end of the year.
42 Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the action he proposes to take to enable Ireland to realise the full economic benefits of cloud computing in view of his recent statements about its potential. [21067/11]
Ireland is extremely well-placed to take advantage of the rapidly-growing international potential of cloud computing. A recent report commissioned by Microsoft has estimated that by 2014 the cloud computing industry in Ireland could be worth €9.5 billion and employ 8,600 people. Now more than ever we must do everything we can to seize opportunities like this. I do not believe that these jobs will be created automatically, and the Government must act decisively and urgently if we are to position Ireland as a world leader in this high-growth sector.
The commitment in the Programme for Government on Cloud Computing sets out the Government's intentions in this important area of the ICT industry. The commitment provides that we will make Ireland a leader in Cloud Computing by promoting greater use of cloud computing in the public sector, organising existing State supports for cloud computing into a package to promote Ireland as a progressive place for I.T. investment, establishing an expert group to address new security and privacy issues arising from the use of cloud computing and reviewing the adequacy of current legislation and identify what steps need to be taken to ensure a supportive regulatory environment.
In May I announced the establishment of a €5 million applied research centre in cloud computing, which will bring industry and researchers in this sector together in order to turn good ideas into good jobs
I also recently announced the establishment of the Cloud Computing Implementation Group. Last week I met with those members of the Group from my own Department and the Agencies under the aegis of my Department. The first meeting of the full group is scheduled to take place this Wednesday. Aside from my own Department and its agencies, the group includes representatives of the Data Protection Commissioners Office, the Department of Justice, Equality and Defence, the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
Ireland already has a considerable presence in the Cloud Computing market with both multinational and indigenous companies actively engaged. The sector has the support of the full range of the programmes of the industrial development agencies, notably IDA, Enterprise Ireland and Science Foundation Ireland.
The implementation group will set out and implement a work programme under headings such as Enterprise Supports, Telecommunications Infrastructure, Data Protection and Information Security Legislation, Public Procurement, Skills, Energy and the Business Environment. The aim is to ensure that our arrangements are as favourable as we can make them to ensure Ireland becomes a leader in Cloud Computing.
44 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if an audit has been carried out of ready-to-go advance buildings suitable for the location of foreign direct investment enterprises; if he has satisfied himself that the stock of suitable buildings is adequate in this respect; if any deficit has been identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21119/11]
Both IDA Ireland and Shannon Development maintain a property portfolio of land and buildings specifically to support the promotion of Ireland and its regions as a suitable location for FDI by providing tailored property solutions. The Agencies acquire and sell land and buildings at market prices and grant support for industrial projects is a separate issue.
On an ongoing basis, both agencies review the availability of suitable property solutions, including advance buildings. In the main, however, buildings are provided for rent by the private sector or are built and owned by the industrial company operating in them.
IDA Ireland informs me that it concentrates its marketing effort mainly in the Gateway locations in Ireland and that it has an adequate stock of suitable advance buildings that are in line with its marketing needs in most of these locations. However, the Agency does foresee a need to work with the private sector to deliver quality advance solutions to meet the needs of FDI into the future.
As regards Shannon Development, that Agency has informed me that it has identified a range of good quality vacant offices, which are available for small to medium sized FDI projects from the International Traded Services sectors. In addition, Shannon Development has a range of manufacturing and warehouse space available, which is suitable for FDI projects in the manufacturing and logistics sectors.
45 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the actions he has taken on the commitment in the programme for Government to ensure that an adequate pool of credit is available to fund small and medium-sized businesses; and his views on whether the creation of a loan guarantee scheme will be of benefit to small and medium businesses. [21148/11]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 22 of today.
The availability of credit to viable businesses is a recurring challenge that has hampered new or expanding firms from developing new products and markets and thereby protecting or creating jobs. This is a challenge the Government is determined to address.
I, together with my Departmental officials, continue to work closely with our colleagues in the Department of Finance to ensure that the interests of businesses are central to Government actions in the banking sector.
The recently announced plans by my colleague, the Minister for Finance, to restructure and re-capitalise the banking system is the principal response to this challenge. These plans are designed to secure an adequate flow of credit into the economy to support economic recovery, even as the banking system is downsized.
As the Minister for Finance has confirmed, the banking system restructuring plan creates capacity for the two Pillar Banks, Bank of Ireland and AIB, to provide lending in excess of €30 billion in the next three years. SME and new mortgage lending for these banks is expected to be in the range of €16 billion to €20 billion over this period.
In each bank, a team of senior managers will be dedicated to the task of ensuring lending continues to grow to support economic growth. This lending capacity is incorporated into the banks' deleveraging plans which allow for repayment of Central Bank funding through asset run-off and disposals over the period to 2013.
Both pillar banks regularly provide the Department of Finance with monthly figures on balance sheet volumes, sanctioned facilities and geographic and industrial breakdowns of their SME lending and for sanctions and drawdowns by SMEs. The data is monitored to ensure that the banks are compliant with the terms of the Government recapitalisation as it relates to the provision of credit for SMEs.
As part of the Jobs Initiative and in accordance with the commitment in the Programme for Government, I am working towards the introduction of a targeted, Temporary Partial Credit Guarantee scheme which will be in operation later in the year. A call for competition for the design of a scheme was published on e-tenders on 15 June 2011, closing on 7 July. Arising from this process, formal tenders should be received early in August and on completion of the procurement process, contract commencement is envisaged to be the last week in August. The completion date for the scheme design is scheduled for early October.
The design of the scheme will draw from international experience to support new lending that would not otherwise have been extended by the banks. In this way, the scheme will be limited in its scope and will complement, rather than be a substitute for, existing lending activities by the main financial institutions. It will be a targeted scheme aimed at new companies or expanding companies trying to develop new products or markets that can demonstrate repayment capacity for the additional credit facilities but which cannot secure credit facilities, due to insufficient collateral or a lack of familiarity or understanding of the new industry, the new product or the potential of new markets. The amount of money that will be invested in this scheme and the criteria that will be applied are intrinsic elements of the scheme design, which is the subject of the current tendering process.
The Government's commitment will be for an initial period of one year. Specific performance criteria will be set down that allow for review and revision of the scheme at the end of that initial period before any commitment to a roll-over of the scheme for subsequent years. The temporary partial credit guarantee scheme will complement the Government plans on the restructuring and recapitalisation of the banking system which seek to secure an adequate flow of credit into the economy to support economic recovery.
Work is also underway within my Department on the establishment of a microfinance fund to provide loans of up to €25,000 to micro-enterprises employing up to 10 persons for start-ups and expansions. These initiatives are not to replace lending through the normal banking system but to provide additional lending where specific measures are warranted.
Businesses having difficulty with credit refusals can use the services of the Credit Review Office which will carry out an independent and impartial review of a bank's decision to refuse or reduce credit. With effect from 9 July, the limit for loan applications that can be reviewed by the Credit Review Office has been increased from €250,000 to €500,000.
As a further assistance to improving the cash flow of businesses, all Government bodies (excluding commercial semi state bodies) are now required from 1st July 2011, to pay suppliers within 15 days of receipt of a valid invoice. Given that the public sector enters contracts with suppliers worth €15bn each year, the importance of such a policy for all the companies that do business with the State is clear.
These actions already taken will enable businesses to access credit and benefit from growth in our economic activity. I am committed to the provision of an adequate supply of credit to viable businesses and I will continue to ensure that our heavily supported banking system plays its role in supporting our enterprise sector.
46 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when he plans to implement the promise of the programme for Government to allow small businesses to restructure debt without recourse to expensive court proceedings; and the priority that he is affording this matter. [21071/11]
The Government has published a comprehensive programme setting out its goals over the full range of policy concerns. The Government will address this programme over its term of office in a measured and prioritised way.
Sections 201 to 204 of the Companies Act 1963 provide a structure for the negotiation of a scheme of arrangement or compromise between a company and its creditors under the supervision of the court. Upon application being made to the court, section 201 empowers it to order the convening and holding of meetings of creditors or members and, where a majority representing 75% in value at those meetings approves the scheme, the court is empowered to subsequently order that the scheme is binding, even on dissenting or untraceable members or creditors. The fact that a scheme of arrangement has been approved by the court must be adequately publicised.
The are also existing provisions in relation to examinership, and these are contained primarily in the Companies (Amendment) Act 1990. The fundamental principle of the examinership mechanism is that it offers protection for a short period to a company which is considered by the court to have a "reasonable prospect of survival". I would stress the importance of this test — the remedy of examinership is only intended to be availed of by a company which has a reasonable prospect of continuing on an ongoing basis after the examinership, and which has an underlying sound business model to continue.
In addition, it is already the case that, under private contract law, creditors and debtors can agree to restructure their debts on a voluntary basis, without recourse to the courts. Such arrangements can also be legally binding.
In determining the scope for any possible extension of the provisions which I have outlined above, it will be necessary to assess the proper role of the courts, and the need to respect the interests of preferential creditors and of small creditors. I will consider these aspects carefully in determining how best to proceed.
I have recently met with interests advocating a new form of "Company Voluntary Arrangement", or "CVA", which is based on the comparable model which exists under U.K. law. I will reflect on the suggestions which have been made in this context as part of my overall consideration of the matter.
Finally, I remain open to any suggestions that could improve the effectiveness of the process.
49 Deputy Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will consider buying a factory (details supplied) at Boyle, County Roscommon, and making it available to a new processor or to several new start-ups within the food processing sector. [17992/11]
In relation to the factory referred to, I am informed that Enterprise Ireland has been monitoring the situation closely and continues to actively pursue a replacement enterprise for these particular premises. I have been further advised that the company has advertised the premises for sale.
While Enterprise Ireland has no property portfolio, it did approve financial support for Community Enterprise Centres in five locations in Co. Roscommon including Arigna, Boyle, Ballaghaderreen, Castlerea and Roscommon Town. While Boyle Chamber of Commerce was approved funding for the construction of an Enterprise Centre, the Chamber advised that work on their project had been delayed indefinitely in 2009. Subsequently, Boyle Chamber of Commerce reviewed their plans and a revised proposal for the purchase of an existing building in Boyle was received by Enterprise Ireland. This revised plan has now been approved and approval has been given for eligible expenditure towards the development of an Enterprise Centre in Boyle, which will provide enterprise space for small companies. While funding was approved for a Community Enterprise Centre in Castlerea, I am informed that the promoters have now reviewed their project and are now pursuing a lease/purchase arrangement which may not be eligible for EI funding.
Currently, Enterprise Ireland (EI) activity is focused on the creation of new jobs through supporting entrepreneurs setting up new High Potential Start-Up Companies, the retention and creation of new jobs in existing companies and enhancing the innovation capability of Ireland at a national and regional level through support of research in companies and Third Level institutions. At present, there are over 60 Enterprise Ireland client companies in Co. Roscommon, employing almost 1,200 people and in 2010 the agency approved over €1.5m for client companies in the county.
The creation of jobs in Roscommon is also supported by the activities of the Roscommon CEB through a series of programmes and both financial and non-financial assistance are available to a project promoter. In 2010, Roscommon CEB provided over €340,000 to 16 projects and assisted more than 500 people in their training and mentoring programmes. During 2011, the Board has continued to support enterprise development in Boyle and throughout the County and will ensure that available funds are targeted to maximise entrepreneurial development.
In relation to potential Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) based job creation for the area, IDA Ireland's strategy for Roscommon is to promote the County as part of an integrated Midlands Region. In line with the National Spatial Strategy, IDA is committed to marketing the County town of Roscommon as a location for FDI. To this end, IDA Ireland works closely with educational institutions in the Region, in developing the best fit between their programs and the skill sets necessary to attract high value added employment to the county. At present, there are six IDA Ireland-supported companies in Roscommon employing approximately 755 people.
51 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Taoiseach the recommendations submitted by him for a national reform programme under the Europe 2020 strategy for jobs and growth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21410/11]
The Europe 2020 Strategy has been adopted as a successor to the Lisbon Strategy for Jobs and Growth and aims to enable Europe to emerge stronger from the current economic crisis and to turn the European Union into a smart, sustainable and inclusive economy.
As part of the strategy each member state is required to prepare a National Reform Programme (NRP) for submission to the European Commission. Ireland's NRP was laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas on Friday 29 April and subsequently submitted to the European Commission, and is also available on my Department's website.
Ireland's NRP sets national targets in the five headline areas of (i) employment, (ii) research and development, (iii) climate change, (iv) education and (v) poverty.
(i) Employment — to increase the employment rate to 69-71% for women and men aged 20-64, including through the greater participation of young people, older workers and low-skilled workers and the better integration of legal migrants, and to review the target level of ambition in 2014, in the context of a proposed mid-term review of the Europe 2020 Strategy.
(ii) Research and Development — to raise combined public and private investment levels in this sector to 2.5% of GNP (approximately equivalent to 2.0% of GDP).
(iii) Climate Change — to reduce emissions in the non-traded sector by 20% compared to 2005 levels; to increase the share of renewables in final energy consumption to 16%; and to move towards a 20% increase in energy efficiency.
(iv) Education — to reduce the percentage of 18-24 year olds with at most lower secondary education and not in further education and training to 8%; and to increase the share of 30-34 years olds having completed tertiary or equivalent education to at least 60%.
(v) Poverty — To reduce the number experiencing consistent poverty to between 2-4% by 2012, with the aim of eliminating consistent poverty by 2016, which will lift at least 186,000 people out of the risk of poverty and exclusion. The Government proposes to initiate a comprehensive review of the national target in 2011.
The NRP complements the Stability Programme Update prepared by the Minister for Finance as part of the European Semester, and the commitments of countries participating in the Euro Plus Pact.
An assessment of Ireland's NRP published by the European Commission in June, and endorsed at the June European Council, recommends continued implementation of the measures agreed as part of the EU-IMF Programme of Support.
53 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the census protocols in place to respect prisoners’ privacy were routinely set aside by the Irish Prison Service during the recent census; the steps he will take to ensure that in any future census all privacy protocols are fully complied with; and the further action he will take against those agencies which do not comply with them in the future. [20726/11]
Following contacts with the Irish Penal Reform Trust in advance of the Census field operation, the Central Statistics Office in consultation with the Irish Prison Service agreed a policy to be put in place for the enumeration of prisoners. The policy, which was not legally binding, was devised to ensure, as far as was practicable given potential security concerns, that prisoners had the opportunity to complete their own census form in confidence.
The legal obligations applying to managers of communal establishments, such as prisons, were as set out in the Statistics (Census of Population) Order 2010. The CSO is satisfied that, with the co-operation of prisoners and the Irish Prison Service, a census form was completed in respect of every person who spent Census night in a prison and that the requirements of the Statistics (Census of Population) Order 2010 were observed.
The Office has received a written complaint from a prisoner in a particular prison regarding the enumeration of prisoners in that establishment on Census night. The Central Statistics Office is following up on this complaint with the Irish Prison Service.
Regarding plans for any future census, the CSO will again work with the relevant stakeholders to ensure that prisoners have the opportunity, insofar as possible, to complete their census return in confidence.
54 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Taoiseach the mechanisms that are to be established to involve persons who are interested in assisting with the constitutional convention. [20774/11]
Work has commenced on the preparation of detailed proposals for the establishment of the Constitutional Convention and, when ready, these will be considered by Government. The proposals will address matters such as the structure, composition and working methods of the Convention.
55 Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Taoiseach if companies (details supplied) are employed by him; and if so, the capacity of same. [20896/11]
The aforementioned companies have not been engaged by my Department since my appointment as Taoiseach.
56 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Taoiseach if he will provide full details of all appointments made at his Department since he took up office. [20898/11]
A full list of the appointments made by me in my Department since I took up office as Taoiseach are detailed in the following table:
|
Name |
Grade |
|
Mark Kennell |
Chief of Staff |
|
Andrew McDowell |
Special Adviser |
|
Paul O’Brien |
Special Adviser |
|
Angela Flanagan |
Special Adviser |
|
Mark O’Doherty |
Special Adviser to the Government Chief Whip |
|
Eoghan O Neachtáin* |
Government Press Secretary |
|
Feargal Purcell |
Government Press Secretary |
|
Cathy Madden |
Deputy Government Press Secretary and Head of GIS |
|
Joanne Lonergan |
Assistant Government Press Secretary |
|
Sarah Moran |
Personal Assistant |
|
Gerard Deere |
Personal Assistant |
|
Teresa Diskin |
Personal Assistant |
|
Pauline Coughlan |
Personal Assistant |
|
Colum Coomey |
Personal Assistant to the Government Chief Whip |
|
AnneMarie Durcan |
Personal Secretary |
|
John Lohan |
Personal Secretary |
|
Claire Urquhart |
Personal Secretary to the Government Chief Whip |
*Eoghan O Neachtáin's contract of employment terminated on 30 June 2011.
57 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Taoiseach the amount of money paid by his Department to a company (details supplied) in the past decade; and the details of the projects. [20973/11]
The table below details the payments made to the company in the past decade by my Department.
|
Year |
Total Payments |
Details |
|
2002 |
€78,221 |
Implementation of HRMS Peoplesoft |
|
2003 |
€96,351 |
Implementation of HRMS Peoplesoft and provision of training |
58 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Taoiseach the cost of hiring of external public relations companies by his Department over the past decade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20974/11]
61 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Taoiseach the cost to him of the hiring of public relations companies and external advisors by the previous Governments between the years 1998 and 2011 in tabular form; the persons that initiated these contracts; if they were given out to tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21411/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 58 and 61 together.
The following table details the expenditure on Public Relations by my Department from July 2002 to end of June 2011. The spend primarily relates to the National Forum on Europe and the Taskforce on Active Citizenship which were both discontinued in 2009.
|
Year |
Spend on Public Relations |
|
July-Dec 2002 |
€95,167 |
|
2003 |
€54,666 |
|
2004 |
€88,858 |
|
2005 |
€93,143 |
|
2006 |
€72,661 |
|
2007 |
€150,524 |
|
2008 |
€6,245 |
|
2009 |
Nil |
|
2010 |
Nil |
|
Jan-June 2011 |
Nil |
The information for 1998 to June 2002 is not readily available.
59 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Taoiseach the amount of money paid by his Department to a company (details supplied) in the past decade; and the details of the projects. [20975/11]
The following table details payments made to the said company in the past decade by my Department:
|
Year |
Total Amount Paid |
Details |
|
2001 |
€78,317 |
Provision of consultancy service in respect of eCabinet Project |
|
2002 |
€35,365 |
Provision of consultancy service in respect of eCabinet Project |
60 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Taoiseach if any savings have been made as a result of the collapse of social partnership networks and bodies and reductions in related expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20595/11]
While it is clear that the traditional model of formal agreement with the Social Partners is not appropriate to the current circumstances and issues we face, it is not correct to say that Social Partnership has collapsed. The Government continues to value dialogue with the social partners, and recognises the contribution that social dialogue can make to maximising common understanding across all sectors of society as we respond to the challenges facing the country.
Social dialogue continues to take place in different ways and through different fora. In particular, the National Economic and Social Council, which comes under the remit of my Department, provides a forum for consideration of strategic economic and social issues.
My Department has traditionally had limited expenditure relating to Social Partnership and, as such, the changes in how Government engages with the social partners has not impacted significantly on my Department's expenditure.
However, to maximise both effectiveness and value for money, the work of National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) has been streamlined through absorbing the appropriate functions of the National Economic and Social Forum (NESF) and the National Centre for Partnership and Performance (NCPP) into the National Economic and Social Council (NESC). As a result, the 2011 Grant-in-Aid allocation to NESDO was reduced by 30% on 2010.
62 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Taoiseach the savings to the semi-state sector in his Department in a full year if he were to cap the maximum salary available in semi-state bodies at €100,000. [22634/11]
The National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) is the only agency under the aegis of my Department. The savings in a full year for NESDO if the maximum salary were capped at €100,000 would be just over €67,000.
63 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the provision of Irish passports to adopted children, with reference to section 3 of the Irish passport application, which notes whether a person was born abroad and adopted under Irish law by an Irish citizen, and the explanatory notes which refer to documentary evidence that establishes the Irish citizenship of an adoptive parent at the time of adoption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21250/11]
The Passports Act 2008 provides, inter alia, that the Minister for Foreign Affairs shall be satisfied that a person is an Irish citizen before a passport is issued to him/her. The Minister has no discretion in awarding a passport to an individual who is not an Irish citizen. Any person who was born abroad and whose citizenship basis is directly linked to an Irish adoptive parent must provide with his/her passport application his/her original certificate of entry in the Irish Adoption Board’s Register of Foreign Adoptions plus documents, such as birth and marriage certificates, that show that at least one of the adoptive parent(s) was an Irish citizen at the time of the adoption.
This practice by the Passport Service ensures that the adoption itself is legal in terms of Irish law and that the applicant has demonstrated his/her entitlement to Irish citizenship in accordance with the requirements of the Passports Act 2008.
64 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will support UN membership for a Palestinian state. [20883/11]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Priority Questions Nos. 9 and 10, answered on 13 July 2011, which follows.
The continuing Israeli military occupation of the Palestinian Territories is at the heart of the unresolved Arab-Israeli conflict. The issues which have been critical for Israel for most of its history — the existence of the State of Israel and its right to live in peace and security — have for many years now been accepted in principle by most Arab and Palestinian opinion. It is the continuing Occupation, and the creation and growth of illegal settlements on the occupied lands, which are now the major obstacles to peace. I consider it an urgent priority objective, both for Ireland and the EU, to help achieve the end of the Occupation and the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state, living in peace alongside Israel. This has been the consistent view of Irish Governments since 1980. It is indeed long overdue. It remains my view that there should be a State of Palestine, and very soon.
It is widely expected, if the negotiations process remains effectively suspended, that the Palestinians will in the autumn seek some form of recognition at the UN for Palestinian statehood. They have made clear that for them this is very much a second choice, and that what they really want to be engaged in in the autumn is serious negotiations with Israel to achieve their objective of statehood through a comprehensive agreement. They are, as I am, more interested in achieving a state that exists in reality, rather than only in a UN Resolution, which will not of itself bring that state about.
It is also important to note that the Palestinians themselves have not yet decided exactly what, if any, action they will seek to take at the UN. This could range from full entry as a UN member state, to a General Assembly Resolution which could take many forms. Some of these possibilities would principally involve the Security Council, of which Ireland is not currently a member. There is thus no proposal on the table on which we can take a view, although our general support for the establishment of a Palestinian State is well known. In discussions at EU level, however, I have agreed with the view that assuring either side now of our support would be premature, and simply reduce the incentive on them to return to real talks, which is the more important objective.
As I have stated in answer to previous Questions, if the issue of recognition arises at the United Nations in the autumn, the Government will consider Ireland's response very carefully. We will take into account factors such as Ireland's long-standing support for the achievement of a Palestinian State, the exact terms and nature of what may be proposed, the positions of EU partners and other friends, the progress on the wider peace process, and our assessment of the practical impact of any such decision.
65 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will put in place additional supports for Irish emigrants, particularly in the areas of further education while abroad and notification of employment opportunities here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20948/11]
The Emigrant Support Programme, administered by my Department, provides funding to non-profit organisations and projects to support Irish emigrant communities overseas and to facilitate the development of more strategic links between Ireland and the global Irish . Since 2004 over 80 million Euro has been provided to organisations which provide culturally sensitive, front-line welfare, information and advocacy services to Irish emigrants.
Whilst the provision of education opportunities is not a core function of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, many of the organisations which receive funding through the Emigrant Support Programme assist Irish emigrants in accessing information on both educational and employment opportunities. These services have made a substantive difference to the lives of Irish people living abroad, including through tackling social isolation, and enabling Irish emigrants to access their local, statutory entitlements.
In addition to the grant funding provided to services abroad, the Emigrant Support Programme supports the Crosscare Migrant Project. Crosscare works with intending, existing and returning Irish migrants to assist them in accessing information and services on opportunities and entitlements, before they travel, whilst they are abroad and on return to Ireland. FÁS, the national training and employment authority, provides an online jobs vacancy service through its Jobs Ireland Website www.jobs.ie. This site is available worldwide and can be accessed by Irish emigrants abroad seeking work in Ireland. Our Missions abroad will also provide information to Irish people wishing to access job opportunities at home.
Further, it may be of interest to the Deputy to know that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has provided support to the The Farmleigh Fellowship. The Fellowship is an initiative to emerge from the Global Irish Economic Forum in September 2009. It was developed by a number of Global Irish Network members based in Singapore and provides opportunities for up to 25 Irish graduates to work in Asia on placement with a broad range of international companies for four months and to participate in a joint MSc degree from University College Cork and the Nanyang Business School of the Nanyang Technical University in Singapore. There are 23 students currently undertaking the first year of the three year programme which received grant funding of €135,000 under the Emigrant Support Programme.
66 Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Finance his view on a policy (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20735/11]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the possibility of an arrangement of the kind referred to by the Deputy has been examined in the context of substituting marked diesel with a general excise repayment scheme for qualifying consumers across all sectors. It was considered, however, that it would impose significant cashflow and administrative costs on businesses and consumers, pose serious control and enforcement risks and have substantial resource implications for Revenue.
In relation to substituting marked diesel with a VAT-only rebate scheme specifically for the agricultural sector as suggested, this has not been considered. However, it should be noted that VAT-registered operators in the agricultural sector are entitled to a VAT input credit for diesel purchased for purposes of their trade and for VAT-unregistered farmers, the farmers' flat-rate credit is already designed to compensate farmers, on an overall basis, for VAT suffered on their inputs, including diesel, used for farming purposes.
While there are no proposals to introduce a system along the lines suggested, this whole area is being kept under review in light of the increasing evidence of fuel laundering. Discussions are taking place with business representatives with a view to improving controls, and Revenue is working closely with Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs in Northern Ireland to manage the risk on an all-island basis.
67 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Finance, further to Parliamentary Question No. 177 of 7 July 2011, if he has communicated these initiatives to other Departments; and if he will keep indicators of their performance in this area. [20785/11]
The Office of Public Works has involvement with energy conservation initiatives in the various buildings in its portfolio. A State-wide energy conservation campaign entitled “Optimising Power @ Work” was launched in January 2008. The aim of the initiative was to achieve a reduction of 15% in energy consumption in each of approximately 250 large buildings located throughout the country, which are owned/leased by the OPW for use by Government Departments and Agencies. The main focus of the project was the implementation of an intensive staff energy awareness campaign in each building, at the same time ensuring that the buildings were being operated in the most efficient manner possible with respect to all energy consuming processes, while maintaining or improving comfort conditions. The project also included basic energy audits of the buildings.
The initiative delivered average total savings of approximately 12%, €2.6 m annually, taking account of non-participating buildings. A second phase of the Optimising Power @ Work campaign was launched in late 2010 and the target for this programme is to achieve a 20% energy saving over a 2 year period. In general Phase 2 of the project involves intensively targeting buildings, which under-performed in the first phase. We continue to work with the established energy teams in all the buildings to optimise their energy performance and identify areas where further improvements can be made.
Savings to date of approximately 14% have been achieved. This figure however reflects additional buildings that have only recently joined the project and have not yet shown savings. It is expected that the savings will improve considerably over the coming months as the new energy teams in these buildings become established and proactive. Data for both electrical and heating fuel consumption is automatically collected from each building in the campaign, using a dedicated monitoring system. As part of Optimising Power @ Work, using this data, each building is provided with a monthly energy report, which provides information on their current energy performance compared to the target and recommendations on how it can be improved.
68 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance if former miners will have their pensions reduced by 10% as a result of the 0.6% Government pension levy; the number of other pension plans and persons affected in such a manner; if it is legal that there is such a large pension reduction; if there is scope for the pension firms to take on some of this cost; and the steps he will take to help pensioners in this situation. [20856/11]
The stamp duty levy of 0.6% applies to the market value, on the valuation date, of assets under management in pension funds and pension plans approved under Irish tax legislation. I cannot say what the precise impact of the levy will be on individual funds, schemes or members as this depends on whether and to what extent pension fund trustees and Life Offices decide to pass on the levy to individual members, given the particular circumstances of the pension funds or pension plans that they are responsible for. I can say that the Finance (No. 2) Act 2011 provisions which introduced the levy include certain safeguards in this area.
The payment of the levy is treated as a necessary expense of a scheme and the trustees or insurer, as appropriate, will be entitled where needed to adjust current or prospective benefits payable under a scheme to take account of the levy. However, should the option of reducing scheme benefits be taken, it must essentially be applied in an equitable fashion across the different classes of scheme members that could include active, deferred and retired members. In no case may the reduction in an individual member's or class of member's benefits exceed the member's or class of member's share of the levy. The Revenue Commissioners are also afforded oversight authority to review instances where benefits are adjusted as a result of the payment of the levy to ensure that any such adjustment is made in accordance with the requirements of the levy legislation. In undertaking any such review Revenue may consult with appropriate experts as they see fit.
I take the view that there is scope for the pension fund industry to absorb the impact of the temporary pension scheme levy by way of a reduction in the fees and charges made on those schemes. I have made that clear in this House and I have conveyed that view to representatives of the pension fund industry at face-to-face meetings and in writing. I will await developments in the coming months to see if, in fact, the pension fund administrators and providers have absorbed any of the pension fund levy this year. In the light of those developments, I would intend to pursue the matter further with them in the autumn.
69 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the rules governing access to an approved minimum retirement fund before the age of 75 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21088/11]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that Approved Minimum Retirement Funds (AMRFs) are part of the Approved Retirement Fund (ARF) regime introduced in 1999. The ARF regime gives a considerable degree of control, flexibility and personal choice to certain categories of individuals in relation to the drawing down of benefits from their pension plans. Access to the ARF regime was extended to all main benefits from retirement benefit schemes (other than Defined Benefit arrangements) in Finance Act 2011.
Under the regime an individual can take his or her retirement lump sum and, other than immediately purchasing an annuity from a life assurance company, use the remainder of the pension fund to:
receive the balance of the pension fund in cash (subject to tax, as appropriate), or
invest in an ARF.
These latter options are subject to conditions. The conditions include the requirements that the individual be over 75 years of age or, failing that, that the individual has a guaranteed level of pension income (specified income) actually in payment for life at the time the option to effect the ARF or cash option is exercised. Finance Act 2011 increased the guaranteed level of pension income required from the previous fixed amount of €12,700 to a variable amount equal to 1.5 times the maximum annual rate of the State Pension (Contributory) bringing the "specified income" limit to €18,000 per annum at present.
Where the minimum specified income test is not met, then an AMRF must be chosen into which a "set aside" amount must be invested from the pension fund equal to 10 times the maximum annual rate of State Pension (Contributory) — €119,800 at present — or the remainder of the pension fund, after taking the tax-free lump sum, if less. Prior to Finance Act 2011, the "set aside" amount was fixed at the first €63,500 of the pension fund or the remainder of the fund after the tax-free lump sum, if less than that amount. As an alternative to going the AMRF route, an annuity can be purchased with the first €119,800 of the pension fund and the balance placed in an ARF or taken as cash subject to tax. The Finance Act 2011 changes in this area were signalled in the National Pensions Framework report which was published in March 2010.
Prior to Finance Act 2011, if the minimum specified income test was not met at the time the option to effect the ARF or cash option was exercised and the individual placed a "set aside" amount in an AMRF, that capital sum was effectively "locked in" and could not be accessed by the individual, other than to purchase an annuity, until he or she reached 75 years of age (at which point the AMRF automatically becomes an ARF) though any income generated by the fund could be drawn down subject to tax. This was the position even if the minimum specified income test was met after retirement. Finance Act 2011 changed this rule so that where the minimum specified income test is met at any time after retirement and before age 75, the AMRF automatically becomes an ARF with full access to the funds.
As a transitional measure, Finance Act 2011 allows the previous lower guaranteed income requirement of €12,700 per annum to continue to apply for a period of 3 years from the date that Act was signed into law (6 February 2011) for:
individuals who had retired before that date and who already had an AMRF, and
individuals who availed of the deferred annuity purchase option*, had exercised the ARF (or cash) option within one month of the date of passing of Finance Act 2011 and who in exercising that option had transferred the requisite amount to an AMRF within that one month period.
This means that if such individuals satisfy the guaranteed income requirement of €12,700 within that three-year period their AMRF becomes an ARF. After this three-year period expires, the new higher guaranteed income test will have to be satisfied before the AMRF can become an ARF. The amount of guaranteed income required to meet the test will change in line with any future change in the maximum annual rate of State Pension (Contributory).
*The deferred annuity purchase option was introduced with effect from 4 December 2008 for members of defined contribution occupational pension schemes and allowed them to defer the purchase of an annuity for an initial period of 2 years, in light of the fact that pension funds had been adversely affected by the falls in equity markets and the more general falls in assets values. The deferral option was operated administratively by the Revenue Commissioners. The period of deferral was subsequently extended to 6 March 2011 i.e. one month beyond the passing into law of the Finance Act 2011.
70 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Finance if any tax or charge is envisaged on a product (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21284/11]
Wood chips for domestic fuels are liable to VAT at the rate of 13.5%, as is the case with the supply of all fuel products used for home heating or light. No further tax is payable on the product. In addition, the supply and installation of wood pellet burners also apply for the most part at the 13.5% rate. In order for the reduced rate to apply the VAT-exclusive cost of the burner must not exceed two-thirds of the total VAT-exclusive charge to the customer. The bulk of supply and install contracts generally meet this two-thirds rule. It should be noted that Chapter 3 of Part 3 of the Finance Act 2010 provides for the introduction, subject to a Ministerial commencement order, of a carbon tax on solid fuel supplied in the State. However, wood chip and other fuel wood are not included in the scope of this tax.
71 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Finance if changes are proposed to the current tax arrangements for capital transfers within families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20745/11]
The tax code currently provides for various reliefs — from Capital Gains Tax, Capital Acquisitions Tax and Stamp Duty — on capital transfers within families.
Capital Gains Tax (CGT):
Transfers of assets between spouses do not give rise to a chargeable gain for CGT purposes. Instead the asset is treated in the hands of the receiving spouse as having the cost and acquisition date of the spouse from whom it was acquired.
Retirement relief is a very significant CGT relief. It applies to assets that have been owned and used for the purposes of a trade or for farming for the ten years immediately prior to the disposal. It applies to a disposal of shares in family companies where certain proportions of shareholding exist. Where disposals are to unconnected persons there is a limit of €750,000 to lifetime disposals. However, where the qualifying conditions are met and the disposal is to a child of the disponer or to a nephew who has worked in the trade for the preceding 5 years, there is no limit — a full CGT exemption applies, regardless of the value of the business or farming assets transferred to the child or qualifying nephew.
There is a relief from CGT where a parent transfers a site of not more than an acre to a child. The child must build a house on the site and live in it as a principal private residence for three years. If the site is disposed of by the child without the conditions having been met, then the relief is withdrawn. There is also a relief from CGT where there is a partition, subject to conditions, of jointly owned farming partnership assets. This relief is not restricted to family members only.
Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT):
There is a complete exemption from CAT in respect of all capital transfers by way of gifts and inheritances transferring between spouses. Apart from this overall spouse's exemption, for the purposes of CAT, the relationship between the person who provided the gift or inheritance (i.e. the disponer) and the person who received the gift or inheritance (i.e. the beneficiary) determines the maximum tax-free threshold below which gift or inheritance tax does not arise on capital transfers. Currently, there are, in all, three separate tax-free thresholds, known as group thresholds:
Group A: €332,084 — applies where the beneficiary is a child (including adopted child, step-child and certain foster children) or minor child of a deceased child of the disponer. Parents also fall within this threshold where they take an inheritance of an absolute interest from a child. A nephew or niece who has worked full-time with a disponer in a trade, business or profession may qualify for the Group A threshold in respect of the property of that business, provided certain conditions are met.
Group B: €33,208 — applies where the beneficiary is a brother, sister, a nephew, a niece or lineal ancestor or lineal descendant of the disponer.
Group C: €16,604 — applies in all other cases.
If the value of gifts and inheritances received by a beneficiary exceeds his or her tax-free Group threshold, then a rate of CAT of 25% will apply on the difference.
The CAT code also exempts a gift or inheritance of a dwelling house completely from gift or inheritance tax in certain circumstances. The main conditions attaching to the dwelling-house exemption are that the beneficiary of the dwelling-house must have resided in the dwelling-house for a minimum of three years prior to the gift or inheritance and must not have an interest in any other dwelling-house. Family members can also claim agricultural relief or business relief from CAT, if the property gifted or inherited qualifies as agricultural or business property respectively.
Stamp Duty:
All transfers of property between spouses are exempt from stamp duty. Apart from this exemption, the stamp duty payable on transfers of non-residential property between family members is reduced by 50%. There is also an exemption from stamp duty on the transfer of agricultural land to a farmer who is under 35 years of age and who is the holder of certain educational qualifications. This exemption is not restricted to family members only.
A number of possible changes to the CAT and CGT provisions are under consideration as part of the proposed reform of capital taxation as outlined in the EU-IMF programme. The Deputy may be aware that the CAT Group tax-free thresholds were reduced by approximately 20% in Budget 2011. The nature, level and timeframe of any changes will be determined in the context of the Budget following the comprehensive expenditure review.
72 Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cost to the Exchequer in 2010, 2011 and 2012 of granting deductions for interest against rental income for residential and commercial properties to individual taxpayers. [20794/11]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that based on personal income tax returns filed by non-PAYE taxpayers for the year 2008, the latest year for which this information is available, the amount of tax foregone by allowing a deduction for interest on borrowings to be offset against rental income assessable under Case V, Schedule D is estimated to have been of the order of €1,150 million. This estimate is based on assuming that tax relief was allowed at the top income tax rate of 41% and the figure provided could therefore be regarded as the maximum Exchequer cost in respect of those taxpayers. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they are not in a position to provide data for 2009 and later years as the tax returns for that year and subsequent years are not yet due. The figures for 2008 are subject to adjustment in the event of late returns being filed or where returns already filed are subsequently amended.
It should be noted that any corresponding data returned by PAYE taxpayers in the income tax return form 12 is not captured in the Revenue computer system. However, any PAYE taxpayer with non-PAYE income greater than €3,174 is required to complete an income tax return form 11. This return is the source of the figures provided in this reply. The Deputy will no doubt be aware that the level at which interest repayments can be claimed against tax for residential rental properties was reduced from 100% to 75% in section 5 of the Finance Act 2009 at an estimated full year yield of €95 million.
73 Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cost to the Exchequer in 2010, 2011 and 2012 of granting deductions for interest against rental income for residential and commercial properties to companies. [20795/11]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that as the rental income of companies is returned as net of interest on borrowings the figures for interest are not separately distinguished in corporate tax returns. There is, therefore, no basis on which an estimate of the cost of tax relief involved could be provided.
74 Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Finance the expected cost to the Exchequer of tax forgone in 2010, 2011 and 2012 on property-related tax schemes, including legacy schemes that are now closed. [20797/11]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the relevant information available on the cost to the Exchequer of all property related tax schemes is based on personal income tax returns filed by non-PAYE taxpayers and corporation tax returns filed by companies for the year 2009, the latest year for which this information is available. These are set out in the following table:
|
Scheme |
2009 |
|
€m |
|
|
Urban Renewal |
93.1 |
|
Town Renewal |
18.3 |
|
Seaside Resorts |
5.3 |
|
Rural Renewal |
28.0 |
|
Multi-storey car parks |
5.2 |
|
Living over the Shop |
1.7 |
|
Enterprise Areas |
2.1 |
|
Park and Ride |
0.8 |
|
Holiday Cottages |
13.9 |
|
Hotels |
102.1 |
|
Nursing Homes |
21.6 |
|
Housing for the Elderly/Infirm |
2.8 |
|
Hostels |
0.30 |
|
Guest Houses |
0.10 |
|
Convalescent Homes |
0.5 |
|
Qualifying (Private) Hospitals |
12.5 |
|
Qualifying Sports Injury Clinics |
1.5 |
|
Buildings Used for Childcare Purposes |
12.5 |
|
Mental Health Centres |
0.0 |
|
Student Accommodation |
19.1 |
|
Registered Caravan Parks |
0.2 |
|
Mid-Shannon Corridor Tourism Infrastructure |
0.2 |
It should be noted that any corresponding data returned by PAYE taxpayers in the income tax return (Form 12) is not captured in the Revenue computer system. However, any PAYE taxpayer with non-PAYE income greater than €3,174 is required to complete an income tax return (Form 11).
The estimated relief claimed has assumed tax forgone at the 41% rate for 2009 in the case of individuals and 12.5% in the case of companies. The figures shown correspond to the maximum Exchequer cost in terms of income tax and corporation tax.
The figures for 2009 are subject to adjustment in the event of late returns being filed or where returns already filed are subsequently amended. Corresponding data cannot yet be provided for 2010 and later years as the tax returns for that year and subsequent years are not yet due.
75 Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Finance the Revenue Commissioners’ best estimate of the amount of Schedule D Case V losses being carried forward by individual taxpayers based on 2009 tax returns, or the latest year available. [20799/11]
76 Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Finance the Revenue Commissioners’ best estimate of the amount of Schedule D Case V losses being carried forward by companies based on 2009 tax returns, or the latest year available. [20800/11]
77 Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Finance the Revenue Commissioners’ best estimate of the amount of unused capital allowances being carried forward by persons for offsetting against future Schedule D Case V income based on 2009 tax returns, or the latest year available. [20801/11]
90 Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Finance the Revenue Commissioners’ best estimate of the amount of unused capital allowances being carried forward by companies for offsetting against future Schedule D Case V income based on 2009 tax returns, or the latest year available. [20814/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 75 to 77, inclusive, and 90 together.
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that on the basis of Form 11 tax returns for 2009 the amount of Schedule D Case V losses brought forward by individual taxpayers is €2.1 billion. Based on CT1 tax returns filed by companies for 2009 the corresponding amount of Schedule D Case V losses brought forward by companies is €265.5million. On the basis of the 2009 tax returns the amount of unused capital allowances carried forward by individuals for offset against future Schedule D Case V income is €1.8 billion. As there is no requirement to provide the necessary information in corporate tax returns, it is not possible to provide an estimate of the amount of unused capital allowances being carried forward by companies for offset against future Case V income.
78 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons who paid capital acquisitions tax in the years 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010; and if he will analyse the numbers in each year based on whether they fell within group threshold A, B or C. [20802/11]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the information available in respect of numbers of persons who paid Capital Acquisitions Tax is as follows:
|
Year |
Number |
|
2006 |
11,058 |
|
2007 |
12,320 |
|
2008 |
12,963 |
|
2009 |
11,910 |
A breakdown for 2009 by Group Threshold A, B and C of numbers who paid Capital Acquisitions Tax is as follows:
|
Group Threshold — relationship to Disponor |
Number |
|
A — Son/Daughter |
1,358 |
|
B — Parent/Brother/Sister/Niece/ Nephew/Grandchild |
7,241 |
|
C — Relationship other than Group A or B |
3,311 |
Details from returns are not maintained in such a way as to provide a basis for compiling this information for earlier years.
79 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cost of the tax foregone for thresholds A, B and C to capital acquisitions tax for the years 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. [20803/11]
80 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the likely additional yield of capital acquisitions tax in the years 2009 and 2010 if the thresholds had been €200,000 for group A and €20,000 for groups B and C. [20804/11]
81 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the likely additional yield of capital acquisitions tax in the years 2009 and 2010 if the thresholds had been €250,000 for group A and €25,000 for groups B and C. [20805/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 to 81, inclusive, together.
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the relevant information on the cost of tax foregone in respect of group thresholds for Capital Acquisition Tax (CAT) is only available for the year 2009. The estimated tax foregone in that year for group threshold A is €134m, group threshold B €79m and group threshold C €17m. It is assumed the Deputy is asking for the potential yield if there were no tax free thresholds and gifts and inheritances were taxable in full. Revenue do not receive information on gifts and inheritances which currently do not have to be declared so it is not possible to estimate the potential yield if such benefits were brought into the tax net.
The group tax free threshold amounts for 2009 and 2010 were:
From 1 January 2009 to 7 April 2009: €542,544 for group A, €54,254 for group B and €27,127 for group C.
From 8 April 2009 to 31 December 2009: €434,000 for group A, €43,400 for group B and €21,700 for group C.
From 1 January 2010 to 7 December 2010: €414,799 for group A, €41,481 for group B and €20,740 for group C.
From 8 December 2010 to 31 December 2010 (and to date) the thresholds are €332,084 for group A, €33,208 for group B and €16,604 for group C.
The additional yield from reducing the thresholds for CAT to €250,000 for Group A and €25,000 for Groups B and C, as compared with the actual thresholds, is estimated to be of the order of €97 million for 2009 and €75 million for 2010. On the same basis the corresponding yields from reducing the thresholds to €200,000 for Group A and €20,000 for Groups B and C are estimated to be €121 million for 2009 and €100 million for 2010.
The proposed group C threshold of €25,000 is greater than the group C thresholds which applied in practice from 8 April 2009 to 31 December 2010 (and to date). The proposed group C threshold of €20,000 is greater than the actual group C threshold for the period 8 December 2010 to 31 December 2010 (and to date). Implementing these thresholds would have given rise to an Exchequer cost, not a yield, amounting to €2.5 million in 2009 and €3.6 million in 2010 if the Group C threshold had been €25,000; and €0.2 million in 2010 if the Group C threshold had been €20,000.
All estimates are based on transactions recorded in 2009. It should be noted that these estimates are based upon an assumption that there would be no behavioural impact of the suggested changes, which could lead to a less than expected result from a change to the tax base. In addition, the realisation of any estimated yield from an increase in taxation on assets relating to property is subject to movements in the value of such assets which are currently occurring in the economy.
82 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the effect to the capital acquisitions tax yield in tax forgone for the years 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 of the following exemptions: dwelling house, heritage property, retirement benefits and charities. [20806/11]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that estimates of the cost to the Exchequer of Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT) forgone arising from reliefs for dwelling houses, heritage property, retirement benefits and charities are as shown in the following table to the extent that they are available:
|
Exemption |
Year |
Cost €m |
|
Dwelling house |
2008 |
43 |
|
2009 |
36 |
|
|
Heritage Property |
2003 to 2008 |
1 |
|
Retirement benefits |
Not Available |
|
|
Charities |
Not Available |
83 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated additional tax yield arising in 2011 if the imputed distribution from approved retirement funds (details supplied) was set up. [20807/11]
84 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the current number of approved retirement funds in existence; and the number of funds falling within each of the following categories (details supplied). [20808/11]
127 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated total value of approved retirement funds on which the 0.6% pension levy does not apply. [21049/11]
128 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of approved retirement funds created in the State since their inception; and the average value of each ARF. [21050/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 83, 84, 127 and 128 together.
These four questions all relate in one way or another to Approved Retirement Funds or ARFs. There is no requirement on qualifying fund managers who hold ARFs on behalf of the individuals entitled to the assets in those funds to provide data to my Department or to the Revenue Commissioners in relation to the value of assets in ARFs or on the numbers of ARFs held by them. I am not, therefore, in a position to provide the statistical data on ARF values and numbers requested by the Deputy.
As regards the imputed or notional distribution from ARFs, Budget and Finance Act 2006 introduced this measure at a rate of 3% of the value of the assets of an ARF on 31 December each year, which distributions are taxed at the ARF owner's marginal income tax rate. Funds actually drawn down from ARFs by ARF owners are already subject to tax at the marginal rate and such draw downs are credited against the imputed distribution in the year to arrive at a net imputed amount, if any, for the year. This measure was introduced to encourage the use of ARFs as intended — that is to fund an income stream in retirement.
The rate of notional distribution was increased in Budget and Finance Act 2011 to 5% and the increase applies to asset values at 31 December 2010 and future years.
Since detailed data on ARF values and numbers are not available to my Department, for the reason already explained, I am not in a position to provide an estimate of the additional tax yield based on the incremental ARF value and notional distribution rate approach set out in the details supplied with the question. I have indicated previously that I intend to examine, as part of my preparations for Budget 2012, how best to amend the existing arrangements insofar as higher value ARFs are concerned while ensuring that more modest ARFs are protected.
85 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the amount of tax forgone in the years 2008 and 2009 and his estimate of the tax lost in 2010 due to the writing down of the value of land and property purchased during the property bubble and held as trading stock by property developers. [20809/11]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that taxable profits and allowable losses of a trade are computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting practice, subject to such adjustments as are required by tax legislation. Under generally accepted accounting practice, the value of land and property held by property developers as trading stock should be stated in the accounts at the lower of cost or net realisable value. The fall in land and property values in recent years has resulted in some property developers writing down the value of land and property held as trading stock in their accounts thereby resulting in a trading loss or a reduction in taxable profits. However, as the amount of any trading loss or reduction taxable profits that is attributable to such write-downs in land or property values is not separately shown in the income tax or corporation tax returns of developers, it is not possible to estimate the amount of tax foregone as a result of such accounting adjustments.
86 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of audits carried out by the Revenue Commissioners to verify the revised valuations of property or land held by property developers in 2008, 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011. [20810/11]
87 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of trained valuers or other property professionals employed by the Revenue Commissioners to carry out tax audits where property valuations are an issue. [20811/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 87 together.
I am informed by Revenue that cases are selected for audit based on the risks in the case. Revenue carried out the following number of audits specifically in the ‘Development and Selling of Real Estate' sector and the results are as follows:
2008 — 465 audits — €33.8 million yield;
2009 — 377 audits — €27.6 million yield;
2010 — 318 audits — €22 million yield.
These figures do not include losses restricted following Revenue intervention which, in 2010, amounted to €1.58 million.
The risks associated with the write-down of property values is one of the risks that is considered in the audit of cases in this sector. Revenue does not directly employ valuers or property professionals for the purpose of carrying out audits. Where professional valuation services are required in the course of an audit, Revenue has recourse to a panel of professional valuation services set up following a public tendering procedure.
88 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the amount of tax forgone in 2008, 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011 by the State as a result of incorporated bodies’ claiming losses against profits earned in a previous year. [20812/11]
89 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the amount of tax refunded in 2008, 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011 as a result of companies’ setting current year losses back to a previous profitable year. [20813/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 88 and 89 together.
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that information in relation to tax losses claimed by companies against profits earned in a previous year is derived from corporation tax returns filed for the years 2008 and 2009. Data for the year 2010 is not yet available.
On the basis of information derived from corporation tax returns for 2008, the amount of trading losses carried back for offset against profits earned in a previous year is €1,573 million. The corresponding figure for carry back of trading losses in 2009 against profits earned in a previous year is €868 million.
Figures of corporation tax refunds to companies arising from carry-back of trading losses cannot be separately identified from refunds issued for other reasons.
The Deputy may wish to note the report on Revenue — Loss Reliefs that is contained in Chapter 17 of the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General, Accounts of the Public Service, 2009.
91 Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Finance the cost of tax relief that was provided in respect of mortgage interest on principal private residences in 2009 and 2010; and the estimated cost for 2011. [20817/11]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the cost to the Exchequer of mortgage interest relief for principal private residences by way of tax relief at source (TRS) in 2009 and 2010 was €486 million and €375 million respectively. The cost for the full year of 2011 is provisionally estimated at €400 million.
92 Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Finance the estimated impact on nominal GDP growth and real GDP growth of the July 2008 budget adjustments, budget 2009, the February 2009 budget adjustments and the April 2009 supplementary budget, in view of the fact that his Department’s information note on the economic and budgetary outlook for 2011 to 2014 estimated that budget 2011’s fiscal adjustment of €6 billion reduced the rate of GDP growth by somewhere in the region of 1.5 to 2 percentage points. [20818/11]
Long-run historical relationships suggest that fiscal consolidation amounting to 1% of GDP reduces Ireland's economic growth rate by around 0.5 percentage points, reflecting inter alia the fact that a large part of domestic expenditure is on imported goods and services. This relationship is static in nature and does not allow for a number of factors which have a bearing on the impact of fiscal consolidation on economic growth. These include changes in credit conditions and the monetary policy stance, the credibility of the adjustment package, as well as its composition. On the latter, international evidence suggests that the economy is less impacted when consolidation focuses on spending as opposed to taxation measures. The composition of spending and taxation measures is also important. For example, a reduction in capital spending on machinery and equipment has less impact on the level of GDP, as much of this is imported rather than being produced domestically.
While there is no doubt that fiscal consolidation has had a dampening effect on economic activity, I will be very clear in saying that had such action not been taken, the deficit would have been far worse, with very negative growth consequences.
93 Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Finance the estimated additional yield of capital acquisitions tax in 2011 if agricultural and business relief was reduced from 90% to75%. [20819/11]
94 Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Finance the estimated additional yield of capital acquisitions tax in 2011 if agricultural and business relief was reduced from 90% to60%. [20820/11]
95 Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Finance the estimated additional yield of capital acquisitions tax in 2011 if agricultural and business relief was reduced from 90% to50%. [20821/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 93 to 95, inclusive, together.
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the estimated full year yield in 2011 by reducing Agricultural Relief from Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT) from 90% to 75%, would be in the region of €28 million; the estimated yield from reducing the relief from 90% to 60% would be in the region of €37million; and the estimated yield from reducing the relief from 90% to 50% would be in the region of €50 million.
The estimated yield from reducing Business Relief from CAT from 90% to 75% would be in the region of €10 million; the estimated yield from reducing the relief from 90% to 60% would be in the region of €22 million; and the estimated yield from reducing the relief from 90% to 50% would be in the region of €28 million.
These estimates are based on transactions recorded in 2009, the latest year for which the appropriately detailed data is currently available.
It should be noted that these estimates is based upon an assumption that there would be no behavioural impact from such changes, which could lead to a less than expected result from a change to the tax base. In addition, the realisation of any estimated yield from an increase in taxation on assets relating to property is subject to movements in the value of such assets which are currently occurring in the economy.
96 Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Finance the effect on the capital acquisitions tax yield, in terms of tax forgone for the years 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010, of the following reliefs: agricultural relief, business relief and favoured nephew and niece relief. [20822/11]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the Exchequer cost of the reliefs mentioned by the Deputy are available for the following years as outlined in the following table.
|
Tax Year |
2008 |
2009 |
|
Estimated Cost — Agricultural Relief |
€113m |
€110m |
|
Estimated Cost — Business Relief |
€30m |
€63m |
|
Estimated Cost — Favourite Nephew/Niece Relief |
Not available |
€8m |
Corresponding estimates are not available for earlier years.
97 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will support a matter (details supplied). [20825/11]
I would like to inform the Deputy that there are measures in place to assist mortgage holders who are in genuine difficulties with regard to the payment of their mortgages. However, there are no measures that discriminate in favour of single homeowners as opposed to other categories of mortgage holders.
The Deputy will be aware of the work of the Expert Group on Mortgage Arrears and Personal Debt. This Group published its final report in November 2010. All of the Group's recommendations are listed in Chapter 2 of the Report which can be accessed at www.finance.gov.ie.
One of the recommendations of the Group was that lenders should offer a Deferred Interest Scheme (DIS) to borrowers. Under this Scheme, subject to certain criteria being satisfied, borrowers are allowed to pay at least 66% of their mortgage interest but less than 100%. Payment of the balance may be deferred for up to 5 years. Lenders representing the majority of the market have already implemented (or indicated their willingness to implement) the Group's proposals for a DIS or a variation of it. While the Scheme is voluntary for all lenders, those who have signed up in support of the Scheme will be monitored by the Central Bank to ensure compliance.
Since the publication of the Group's Report, the Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears (CCMA) has been revised by the Central Bank to reflect many of the Group's recommendations, including key recommendations relating to the introduction by all lenders regulated by the Central Bank of a standardised Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP). The most significant changes in the revised CCMA include:
penalty interest charges may not be imposed on borrowers in arrears who co-operate with the MARP,
harassment of borrowers through unsolicited communication is outlawed,
borrowers in financial difficulties, but not in arrears, are allowed to come under the MARP,
when determining the 12 month period the lender must wait before applying to the courts to commence legal action, the lender must exclude any time period during which the borrower is complying with the terms of an alternative repayment arrangement, making an appeal to the internal appeals board or making a complaint to the Financial Services Ombudsman.
The revised CCMA came into effect on 1 January 2011 and can be accessed at www.centralbank.ie. Lenders are required to comply with the CCMA as a matter of law. With effect from 30 June 2011, lenders must have in place the requisite systems and trained staff necessary to support the implementation of the MARP.
People in debt or in danger of getting into debt can also avail of the services of the Money Advice and Budgeting Service. This is a national, free, confidential and independent service.
98 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance if he has explored the viability and potential net earnings of a 1 cent or 2 cent levy on text messaging; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20859/11]
Text messages are already subject to VAT at 21%. I am informed by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) that no projections are made for mobile telephone usage, whether calls or texts. The only basis for estimating the yield from a tax on text messages is the figures for mobile telephone usage per quarter supplied by the companies to ComReg. In the 12 months to end March 2011, the last 12 month period for which figures are available, over 12 billion SMS messages and over 43 million MMS messages were sent in Ireland, a total of over 12.192 billion messages. At those usage rates, a levy of one cent on such messages could raise c. €121 million per annum and a levy of 2 cent on such messages could raise c. €242 million per annum. However, this potential yield does not take account of any behavioural impact if a levy was directly imposed on customers or imposed on the mobile phone companies and passed on to customers.
While any additional revenue would be welcome in the current circumstances, the wider social and economic factors which militate against the introduction of a further levy on text messages and telephone calls must also be taken into account. I am not aware of a similar tax anywhere else in the world. Although there are no plans to introduce such a tax at this time, all potential taxation measures are kept under review.
99 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether an emergency super tax should be applied to the top 10% of earners for a period of three years during the current economic emergency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20860/11]
The position is that all taxation measures will be considered in the context of the forthcoming Budget and Finance Bill.
100 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Finance if it is his intention to bring the National Treasury Management Agency CEO salary structure into line with commercial semi-state CEO pay ceilings; if the NTMA will be included in the review of the current performance bonus schemes for CEOs in commercial semi-state companies; and if this review will be extended to all levels of senior management in the NTMA. [20341/11]
101 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Finance, following a statement by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in Dáil Éireann that he was unhappy with the pay arrangements for National Treasury Management Agency staff seconded to his Department who are not subject to public service pay ceiling, the actions he has taken to remedy this situation. [20340/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 101 together.
The legislation which established the NTMA in 1990 deliberately positioned it outside of the wider public service structures with operational freedom to negotiate market-competitive salaries so that it would have, for example, the flexibility to recruit specialists in mid-career from the private sector. Under the NTMA business model, its remuneration structure is such that there are no general pay grades and no pay scales and all staff are on individually-negotiated contracts.
This business model has allowed the NTMA to staff itself with the necessary technical expertise to carry out the financial and risk management functions which have been assigned to it by Government since its initial establishment as a single-function agency managing the National Debt. These additional functions include the State Claims Agency, the National Pensions Reserve Fund, the National Development Finance Agency and the National Asset Management Agency.
At the same time, public sector organisations must operate having due regard to the wider public policy context, which includes general economic circumstances. Accordingly, it is my intention to examine the approach to remuneration in the NTMA in more detail in the coming months following consultation with my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. I will then see what changes, if any, might be appropriate in relation to the remuneration of all staff in the NTMA, having regard to the changing economic circumstances of the State and the need for transparency in public expenditure.
102 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance when the ministerial order applying carbon tax to solid fuel will be commenced, in view of the fact that the Marketing, Sale and Distribution of Fuels (Amendment) Regulations 2011 limits all bituminous coal for residential use placed on the market since 7 June 2011 to a sulfur content of no more than 0.7%, and in the context of the development of our own domestic renewable energy sector, particularly wood biomass and wind-generated electricity, and the need to reduce our over-dependence on imported fossil fuels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20965/11]
The section in the Finance Act 2010 that provides for the application of the carbon tax to solid fuels (coal and commercial peat) is subject to a Ministerial Commencement Order. This approach was primarily adopted by the previous Government in order to allow time for a robust mechanism to be put in place to improve the control of high-sulfur coal being sourced from Northern Ireland suppliers.
As the Deputy may be aware, in that context the Department of the Environment, in conjunction with the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI), proposed new regulations for coal which would effectively extend the existing voluntary agreement for low sulfur coal to the entire State on a regulatory basis. A stakeholder committee was established to provide an input into the proposed regulations. Under EU law dealing with technical barriers to trade, Member States are required to notify the European Commission of all draft technical regulations concerning products before they are adopted in national law. Formal notification of the proposed new standard for coal issued from NSAI to the EU Commission in November 2010.
Following acceptance of the proposal by the EU Commission, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has recently introduced a new specification for the sulfur content of coal placed on the market for residential use in Ireland. This has been given legal effect through the Air Pollution Act 1987 (Marketing, Sale and Distribution of Fuels) (Amendment) Regulations 2011.
In light of these developments, the issue of coal with a high sulfur content potentially being sourced from Northern Ireland has been addressed. In those circumstances the timing of the application of the carbon tax to solid fuels, as had been planned, will be considered.
103 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider introducing a 10% levy on National Lottery or other winnings to individuals of more than €500,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20985/11]
The receipt by a person of any bona fide sum by way of winnings from betting or from any licensed lottery is exempt from Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax and Capital Acquisitions Tax.
I have no plans to introduce a levy on lottery winnings at this time.
104 Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Finance his views on the cessation of overdraft facilities in a particular case (details supplied); if there is any mechanism, such as an appeal or review mechanism, available to the organisation to deal with this matter; the implications for the community and voluntary sector and those employed by the same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20990/11]
The decision on whether or not to grant credit facilities, including overdraft facilities, is a commercial decision for individual lending institutions. Each lending institution assesses properly and independently the individual risks that it is considering accepting. At the same time, borrowers should avoid building up substantial additional arrears due to interest accruing for long periods on overdrafts.
I have no powers to request a bank to provide overdraft facilities to a given customer. I understand from the Central Bank that firms use overdraft facilities to cover short term cash flow issues such as the payment of wages and salaries. The issue is whether using overdraft facilities for such purposes is viable in the long term. Continued use of overdraft facilities may run the risk of incurring high interest charges which may ultimately call into question the viability of the enterprise. It is a matter for the operator of the enterprise to ensure that there are proper management and good governance arrangements in place to provide that the best interests of the community are served.
However there are mechanisms available to customers who are dissatisfied with the treatment they receive from a financial service provider. If a customer feels that he/she has not been properly treated, or that there are grounds for complaint for some other reason, then a complaint may be made to the financial institution concerned. If the customer is not satisfied with the response received from the institution, there may be grounds to forward the complaint to the Financial Services Ombudsman, who has statutory powers to investigate complaints against financial service providers. The Ombudsman will only consider a case once the internal complaints procedure within the financial institution concerned has been followed.
105 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Finance the commitments submitted under the Euro Pact Plus on 3 May on Ireland’s behalf; if he will circulate a copy of these commitments under each of the four headings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20994/11]
The Taoiseach submitted Ireland's first set of Euro Plus Pact commitments to the President of the European Council, Mr. Herman Van Rompuy, and to the President of the European Commission, Mr José Manuel Barroso, in letters dated May 3 2011. The commitments made under each of the four headings as sent in the letters are set out below.
Ireland's Euro Plus Pact commitments
1. Fostering Competitiveness
We are adopting policies to lower costs in sheltered sectors, thus boosting purchasing power and underpinning further competitiveness gains. These include:
An independent review of Employment Regulation Order (ERO) and Registered Employment Agreement (REA) mechanisms, which has been completed.
Consideration of a potential programme of asset disposal based on the Programme for Government and the Review Group on State Assets and Liabilities.
Legislative changes to remove restrictions in the legal profession, medical services and the pharmacy profession, and to enhance competition in open markets.
2. Fostering Employment
A Jobs Initiative was announced in May 2011 which includes a range of further measures to support job creation. This reorientation of policies will be delivered within the overall fiscal targets of the EU/IMF Programme and includes:
A 50% reduction until the end of 2013 in employers' social insurance contributions for low income earners (on a weekly wage of up to €356).
A capital works programme concentrated upon "shovel-ready" labour intensive projects.
A large increase in the number of places for the unemployed across a range of education and employment programmes.
New taxation and sectoral measures to promote job creation.
3. Contributing further to the sustainability of public finances
We are delivering key institutional reforms including:
A recently announced Comprehensive Spending Review that will underpin the fiscal consolidation process.
A Fiscal Advisory Council which will be established shortly.
Reform of the budgetary framework by way of a Fiscal Responsibility Bill to be introduced in the third quarter of 2011.
Proactive measures through the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill to reduce long-term pension liabilities.
The introduction of measures to broaden the tax base.
4. Reinforcing financial stability
We are addressing underlying weaknesses that led to the banking crisis. This will involve:
Reforming and enhancing the supervisory framework for Irish banks.
A radical reorganisation and downsizing of the Irish banking system to more appropriately serve the needs of the Irish economy.
Deleveraging of the banking system to reduce lending in areas that will not support our economic recovery and also decrease the system's reliance on ECB/Central Bank funding.
The return of the banks to profitability by rationalising their cost base and fully recapitalising them based on stringent stress tests carried out by independent experts.
As was noted in the Taoiseach's letter of 3 May, the enhanced co-ordination in the areas of competitiveness, employment, sustainability of public finances and financial stability under the Euro Plus Pact represent an important step for the Eurozone and EU in the area of economic governance. Ireland's commitments are reflected in our National Reform Programme and Stability Programme Update which were submitted in late April 2011. They will also be taken forward in the context of the EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support for Ireland.
106 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Finance the scale of private-sector involvement in the voluntary roll-over of existing Greek debt at maturity; the additional funding from official sources that will be made available to Greece; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20995/11]
On 23-24 June, euro area Heads of State or Government agreed that the private sector would be involved in the financing of a new programme of assistance for Greece. However, the modalities of such private sector involvement — such as the form that private sector involvement will take as well as its scale — have not yet been finalised. In these circumstances, it is not possible to accurately assess the level of official financing needs.
Euro area Heads of State or Government will meet on Thursday of this week to discuss matters further. Additional information regarding the scale and form of private sector involvement is expected to become available at that stage.
107 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance if he has a contingency plan in the event of a requirement for the State to rely on our own currency. [20996/11]
As the Deputy will be aware, the focus of Government is to work with our partners in the euro area and the broader EU to maintain and enhance the stability of the euro. This is also the aim and intention of the wider international community including the IMF. Our actions support this. Financial support measures were put in place for Greece, and the European Financial Stabilisation Mechanism (the EFSM), the European Financial Stability Facility (the EFSF) were established. The permanent stability facility — the European Stability Mechanism — was agreed at the European Council. In addition to this, economic governance in the euro area has been enhanced with measures such as the Euro Plus pact. The European semester, for budgetary and economic policy monitoring and coordination, is already in operation.
A further significant step that all member states are taking is to ensure and enhance fiscal sustainability. That is why difficult decisions are being taken right across Europe by responsible Governments. Restoring growth potential and improving the public finances is the way forward.
As the Deputy will be aware, a meeting of Euro Area Heads of State and Government has been arranged for 21 July to discuss the latest developments and the appropriate response.
All these measures are concrete evidence of the determination of the Euro Area members to protect the currency, and also of their willingness and ability to do so. It is in the nature of modern economies and financial systems that difficulties will arise from time to time. The appropriate response to such difficulties is to take the measures necessary to defend an institution that has served its members — the euro area member states, including Ireland — very well. This is the approach that all major economies take: they defend their currency and do not abandon it at the first sign of difficulty.
108 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance his views on a reduction of the excise duty on cider for on-premise sales in view of the history of excise increases on cider by past Administrations and the importance of the Irish cider industry for employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21002/11]
The EU Council Directive 92/83/EEC of 19 October 1992, on the harmonisation of the structures of excise duties on alcohol and alcoholic beverages, sets the parameters under which excise duty on alcohol products may be levied. It is not possible to differentiate the application of excise rates on where products are sold.
109 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the likely tax return to the Exchequer in a full year if a 48% tax on individual incomes in excess of €100,000 was introduced, based on the latest data. [21030/11]
It is assumed that the threshold for the proposed new tax band mentioned by the Deputy would not alter the existing standard rate band structure applying to single and widowed persons, to lone parents and married couples.
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the estimated full year yield to the Exchequer, estimated by reference to 2011 incomes, of the introduction of a new 48% rate would be of the order of €410 million.
However, given the current band structures, major issues would need to be resolved as to how in practice such a new rate could be integrated into the current system and how this would affect the relative position of different types of income earners.
This figure is an estimate from the Revenue tax-forecasting model using actual data for the year 2008, adjusted as necessary for income and employment trends for the year 2011. It is therefore provisional and likely to be revised.
110 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the return to the Exchequer in a full year if he standardised all discretionary tax reliefs. [21031/11]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the deductions and reliefs which are allowable for tax at an individual's marginal rate of income tax and for which estimates of cost can be provided are set out as follows with estimated costs for the year 2006, the most recent year for which the necessary estimates are available. If relief for these deductions and reliefs was confined to the standard rate of income tax the saving to the Exchequer could be of the order of €1,100 million.
This estimate does not take into account any possible behavioural change on the part of taxpayers as a consequence of such a change or the economic effect of such a change. This applies in particular to the BES, Film Relief and Capital Allowances regime. The standard rating of employee pension reliefs would also have an impact on workers' take home pay.
|
Tax Relief Provision |
2006 Cost |
Saving if standard rated |
|
€m |
€m |
|
|
Person Taking Care of Incapacitated Taxpayer |
2.8 |
1.2 |
|
Health Expenses* |
167.2 |
64.1 |
|
Contributions Under Permanent Health Benefit Schemes, after Deduction of Tax on Benefits Received |
3.1 |
1.4 |
|
Employees’ Contributions To Approved Superannuation Schemes |
543.3 |
257.3 |
|
Retirement Annuity Premiums |
435.9 |
210.2 |
|
Personal Retirement Savings Accounts |
56.4 |
22.9 |
|
Interest paid relating to borrowings for purposes such as acquiring an interest in a company or partnership or to pay death duties. |
31.1 |
15.4 |
|
Expenses Allowable to Employees under Schedule E |
71.2 |
25.8 |
|
Donations to Approved Bodies |
49.5 |
20.1 |
|
Donations to Sports Bodies. |
0.3 |
0.1 |
|
Retirement Relief for certain Sports Persons. |
0.2 |
0.1 |
|
Revenue Job Assist allowance |
0.3 |
0.1 |
|
Allowance for seafarers |
0.3 |
0.1 |
|
Investment in Corporate Trades (BES) |
21.4 |
11.4 |
|
Investment in Seed Capital |
1.2 |
0.6 |
|
Stock Relief |
2.0 |
0.6 |
|
Relief for expenditure on significant buildings and gardens |
6.2 |
3.0 |
|
Donation of Heritage items |
5.7 |
2.0 |
|
Capital Allowances (Income Tax only) |
796.8 |
328.2 |
|
Rented Residential Relief — Section 23 |
252.4 |
132.2 |
|
Investment in Films |
36.4 |
19.1 |
|
Total |
2,483.7 |
1,115.9 |
111 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the return to the Exchequer in a full year if he abolished all remaining property-based tax reliefs. [21032/11]
It is assumed that the Deputy is referring to the abolition of the tax relief on future expenditure in relation to the following property based tax incentive schemes that remain in the tax code: certain tourism infrastructure under the Mid-Shannon Scheme (only 80% of expenditure can qualify in certain areas) and Qualifying Specialist Palliative Care Units (subject to Commencement Order).
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that based on information regarding the cost of these schemes, which has been received and collated for the tax year 2009, the latest year for which data is available, the annual yield to the Exchequer from the abolition of these reliefs could be in the region of €0.2 million.
All other such schemes have been abolished, subject to transitional arrangements for certain schemes where projects were already in the pipeline.
Tax relief in respect of investment in Convalescent Homes, Qualifying (Private) Hospitals, Qualifying Mental Health Centres, Registered Nursing Homes and Qualifying (Nursing Home) Residential Units was abolished in the Supplementary Budget and Finance Bill 2009.
Tax relief in respect of investment in buildings used for child care purposes was terminated in the Finance Bill 2010.
Apart from the schemes listed above all other property based tax incentive schemes were terminated on, or before, 31 July 2008. However, due to their nature these reliefs continue to impose ongoing costs on the Exchequer in terms of tax foregone.
112 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of Irish passport holders who claim Irish tax exile status. [21033/11]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that nothing in Irish tax law makes reference to the term "tax exile". I am assuming that in referring to "tax exile status" the Deputy is thinking of Irish citizens or Irish domiciled individuals claiming to be non-resident for tax purposes and who are living abroad primarily for tax reasons.
For the 2009 tax year, the latest year for which statistics are available, 8,493 non-resident individuals filed Irish tax returns in respect of their Irish source income or income derived from working here. However, many of these non-residents are foreign nationals or have a foreign domicile; and many of the non-resident Irish citizens or Irish domiciled individuals included in this figure may have become non-resident for reasons unrelated to taxation — for example they may have gone abroad to work — but have retained Irish investments such as rental property. Such individuals could not be categorised as "tax exiles" under any reasonable definition of that term.
The Revenue Commissioners are not provided with information about whether an individual holds an Irish passport.
113 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the return to the Exchequer in a full year if he increased DIRT by 5%. [21034/11]
It is estimated that the yield to the Exchequer from increasing the DIRT rate by 5% to 30% is €80m in a full year, assuming no significant behavioural change by depositors or a change in interest rates applied by financial institutions to savings.
114 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the value of DIRT forgone to the State through current exemptions for those over 65 years. [21035/11]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that sufficiently detailed figures are not captured on the statutory return of Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) filed by financial institutions in such a way as to provide a basis for compiling estimates of the impact on the Exchequer from the exemptions mentioned in the question. Accordingly, the specific information requested by the Deputy is not available.
An individual aged 65 years or over is only eligible for a refund of or exemption from DIRT if his or her taxable income, including deposit interest, does not exceed the relevant income tax exemption limit. This is currently €18,000 for single individuals and €36,000 for married couples.
115 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the potential gain for the Exchequer annually if the exemption from DIRT was no longer applied to savings in excess of €100,000. [21036/11]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that sufficiently detailed figures are not captured on the statutory return of DIRT filed by the financial institutions in such a way as to provide a basis for compiling estimates of the impact on the Exchequer from the change mentioned in the question. Accordingly, the specific information requested by the Deputy is not available.
An individual aged 65 or over is only eligible for a refund of or exemption from DIRT if his or her taxable income, including deposit interest, does not exceed the relevant income tax exemption limit of €18,000 for single individuals and €36,000 for married couples. The majority of such individuals would be unlikely to have savings in excess of €100,000.
116 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance his views on introducing a wealth tax; and the potential return in a full year of a wealth tax levied at 1% on all assets over €1 million. [21037/11]
While I do not propose at this time to introduce a wealth tax, all taxes and potential taxation measures are constantly reviewed in the context of the Budget and Finance Bill.
Capital Gains Tax (CGT) and Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT) are, in effect, taxes on wealth, in that they are levied on an individual or company on the disposal of an asset (CGT) or the acquisition of an asset through gift or inheritance (CAT). However, they are not annual taxes on an individual's wealth, which is presumably what the Deputy has in mind. The rate of both of these taxes is now 25%.
The Deputy will be aware that a Domicile Levy was introduced in Budget 2010. The Levy is charged on an individual who is Irish-domiciled and an Irish citizen whose world-wide income exceeds €1m, whose Irish-located property is greater than €5m, and whose liability to Irish income tax is less than €200,000. The first valuation date was 31 December 2010 and the tax return and payment of the levy for 2010 is due by 31 October 2011. The amount of the levy is €200,000.
I am informed by the Central Statistics Office that the CSO institutional accounts do not give an indication of the number of households or persons classified by the categories of wealth they hold. These statistics are based on aggregate information collected from financial institutions and do not contain the demographic details which would enable such a breakdown of the statistics. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that they have no statistical basis for compiling estimates in relation to a potential wealth tax. It is therefore not possible to provide the information requested by the Deputy on the potential return from a wealth tax.
117 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide this Deputy with data on the likely uptake for the employment and incentive scheme, which was announced in 2010 to replace the business expansion scheme. [21038/11]
It is difficult to forecast in advance the precise level of take-up of the new scheme. Due to the increase in the number of trades that can qualify for the scheme it is expected that there will be an increase in the take-up of the scheme in comparison with the existing Business Expansion Scheme.
A number of take-up scenarios were put forward in an ex-ante economic impact assessment of the Employment and Investment Incentive that was completed by my Department. This report is available on the Department of Finance Tax Policy website at http://taxpolicy.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/EIIEconomicImpact.pdf. I would point out that the new scheme is subject to Commencement Order and my officials are engaged on ongoing negotiations with the European Commission with regard to achieving State Aid approval for the scheme.
118 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an analysis of the capital gains tax take for the years 2007 to 2010, inclusive, split between land, property, shares and other disposals. [21039/11]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the relevant information available is a proportional breakdown by reference to asset types of the aggregate consideration underlying chargeable gains for tax years 2007 to 2009 — that is, the total selling price prior to allowing any offsets or deductions, rather than the tax take per asset category. On this basis the figures, which are based on Capital Gains Tax (CGT) returns filed by individuals who made a positive entry in the CGT panel of Form 11, are as follows:
|
2007 |
2008 |
2009 Provisional |
|
|
Asset Type |
% |
% |
% |
|
Agricultural Land |
10.5 |
8.5 |
8.3 |
|
Development Land |
8.3 |
3.7 |
2.3 |
|
Shares (Quoted) |
24.2 |
29.1 |
33.6 |
|
Shares (Unquoted) |
19.0 |
22.7 |
28.0 |
|
Commercial Property |
15.1 |
10.4 |
6.8 |
|
Residential Property |
17.2 |
17.0 |
12.3 |
|
Shares Exchanged |
0.5 |
1.8 |
1.0 |
|
Foreign Life |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
|
Offshore Funds |
0.0 |
0.1 |
0.1 |
|
Other Assets |
5.3 |
6.7 |
7.6 |
|
Total |
100 |
100 |
100 |
A corresponding breakdown is not available in respect of the tax liability.
119 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide this Deputy with the data on the volume and value of sales of principal private residences for the years 2007 to 2010, inclusive. [21040/11]
I understand the Deputy is looking for the volume and value of sales of principal private residences which are not subject to Capital Gains Tax (CGT). I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that information on the value of capital gains arising from the disposal of principal private residences is not required in CGT returns (most disposals of principal private residences do not lead to a CGT liability). I am also informed by the Revenue Commissioners that Stamp Duty returns do not show whether the house being sold was the principal private residence of the vendor. They are therefore unable to supply data on the volume and value of sales of principal private residences which are not subject to CGT.
Housing statistics are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government.
120 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the return to the Exchequer in a full year if capital acquisitions tax was increased to 35%. [21041/11]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the estimated full year yield to the Exchequer from increasing the Capital Acquisitions Tax rate by 10%, could be in the region of €110 million in a full year. However, this estimate is based upon an assumption that there would be no behavioural impact of such an increase, which could lead to a less than expected result from a change to the tax rate. In addition, the realisation of any estimated yield from an increase in taxation on assets relating to property is subject to movements in the value of such assets, which are currently occurring in the economy.
121 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide this Deputy with an analysis of the capital acquisitions tax, CAT, take for the years 2007 to 2010, inclusive, indicating the value of gifts or inheritances under the various thresholds and the tax take under each threshold. [21042/11]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the breakdown of yield from Capital Acquisitions Tax for the years in question is as follows:
|
Year |
Inheritance tax €m |
Gift tax €m |
Discretionary Trust tax €m |
Probate tax €m |
|
2007 |
314.5 |
70.5 |
4.4 |
1.2 |
|
2008 |
291.8 |
46.8 |
3.3 |
0.9 |
|
2009 |
201.6 |
50.5 |
2.9 |
0.6 |
|
2010 |
186.2 |
46.8 |
3.0 |
0.5 |
On the basis of the taxable values of gifts or inheritances liable to tax, the breakdown of the 2009 yield from Inheritance tax and Gift tax by Group Threshold A, B and C is estimated as follows:
|
Group threshold — relationship to disponor |
% of total Inheritance tax and Gift tax |
|
A — Son/Daughter |
31.5 |
|
B — Parent/Brother/ Sister/Niece/ Nephew/Grandchild |
50 |
|
C — Relationship other than Group A or B |
18.5 |
Details from returns are not maintained in such a way as to provide a basis for compiling this information for earlier years.
122 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the return to the Exchequer in a full year if the rates of capital gains tax were increased to 30% and 40%. [21044/11]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the estimated full year gain from increasing the rate of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) from 25% to 30% is €65 million, and from 25% to 40% is €195 million. However, these estimates assume no behavioural changes on the part of taxpayers, and large increases in rates such as are contemplated in the question may have a significant behavioural impact. CGT is very dependent on individual behaviour and a change in rate may not produce a corresponding increase or decrease in tax yield. In current economic conditions any estimate of additional yield must be treated with caution. The realisation of any estimated yield from an increase in taxation on assets relating to property is subject to movements in the value of such assets, which are currently occurring in the economy. In addition, increasing the rate could, in theory, lead to a reduction in yield from the tax.
123 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the potential gains to the Exchequer annually if a limit of €150,000 was applied to the capital gains tax exemption for the transfer of assets between married couples. [21045/11]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that figures are not captured in such a way as to provide a dedicated basis for compiling estimates of the impact on the Exchequer from the measure proposed in this question. Accordingly, the specific information requested by the Deputy is not available.
124 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide data on the total value of Irish pension funds to which the 0.6% pension levy applies. [21046/11]
125 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide data on the value of Irish pensions funds divided between personal retirement saving accounts, retirement annuity contracts, executive schemes, company defined pension schemes, company defined contribution schemes, hybrid schemes and other schemes; and the numbers of members and contributors under each type of scheme. [21047/11]
126 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide data on the value of funds from outside the State invested in Irish pension funds and products. [21048/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 124 to 126, inclusive, together.
There is no general requirement for data on the value of Irish pension funds to be returned to my Department or to the Revenue Commissioners. Neither is there a requirement for data on the value of the investments of such funds held outside the State to be returned to either of those bodies. I am not, therefore, in a position to provide the Deputy with the relevant data in the manner requested. Certain of the data requested on Irish pension funds in relation to personal retirement savings accounts and occupational pension schemes may be available from the Pensions Board which operates under the aegis of my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection.
The estimate of the annual yield from the temporary 0.6% stamp duty levy on pension fund assets (€470 million per annum) is broadly based on estimates of the end-2010 aggregate value of such assets derived by my Department from various sources in the public and private sectors and taking account of the exclusions from the levy provided for in Finance (No. 2) Act 2011. The aggregate estimated value of assets on this basis is €78 billion.
129 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the valuation of pension funds by bank and pension provider (details supplied) based here. [21051/11]
There is no general requirement for data on the value of Irish pension funds to be returned to my Department or to the Revenue Commissioners. I am not, therefore, in a position to provide the Deputy with the data in the manner requested.
130 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the average percentage rate of income tax relief granted to persons for making pension contributions (details supplied) for each tax year 2000 to 2009, inclusive; and the value of income tax foregone as a result in each year. [21052/11]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the relevant information available is in respect of income tax relief allowed for contributions to Retirement Annuity Contracts (RACs) and Personal Retirement Savings Accounts (PRSAs) for the income tax years 2002 to 2008. RACs and PRSAs are available to the self-employed and to employees not in occupational pension schemes. The information is set out in the table, which provides the amount of allowable deductions, the tax reduction and the percentage of tax reduction to allowable deductions. The information in the table is based on income returns contained in Revenue records at the time the data were compiled for analytical purposes, representing approximately between 85% and 95% of all returns expected, depending on when the data was extracted for each year. These are lower than the figures used to provide the annual estimates of cost to the Exchequer because the latter, in accordance with normal practice, are grossed-up at aggregate level to adjust for the perceived level of incompleteness.
|
Year |
Amount of deduction |
Tax Reduction |
Tax Reduction as % of deduction |
|
€m |
€m |
% |
|
|
2002 |
655.2 |
245.4 |
37.5 |
|
2003 |
715.9 |
270.9 |
37.8 |
|
2004 |
833.3 |
319.8 |
38.3 |
|
2005 |
954.2 |
368.1 |
38.6 |
|
2006 |
1,102.7 |
424.9 |
38.5 |
|
2007 |
1,029.2 |
384.7 |
37.3 |
|
2008 |
907.7 |
335.2 |
36.9 |
*Figures for contributions to PRSAs are included for 2003 and later years.
131 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide analysis of the corporation tax take by industrial sector for the years 2007 to 2010, inclusive. [21053/11]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the relevant information for 2007, 2008 and 2009 is available from the Revenue Statistical Reports which are accessible on the Revenue website at www.Revenue.ie. The information is located in Table TR6, under the main chapter heading of Total Revenue. That table provides a percentage breakdown of the net receipt of PAYE, VAT, Income Tax, Corporation Tax and Capital Gains Tax by trade sector. The corresponding figures for 2010 will be included as soon as possible in the Statistical Report for 2010.
132 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the value of corporation tax collections or refunds returned to banks covered under the bank guarantee scheme in the past three years. [21054/11]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the figures requested by the Deputy in respect of participating institutions under the Credit Institutions (Eligible Liabilities Scheme) 2009 (Bank Guarantee Scheme) are as set out in the following table:
|
Year |
Payments |
Refunds |
|
€ million |
€ million |
|
|
2008 |
338 |
23 |
|
2009 |
71 |
107 |
|
2010 |
26 |
28 |
The payment figures represent payments made in the calendar years 2008 to 2010, inclusive, in respect of any accounting period. The refund figures represent refunds made in those years.
133 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide analysis of corporation tax take on a county-by-county basis on the registered or trading address of each company as filed on those companies’ CT1 forms. [21055/11]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the information available on corporation tax receipts by county is by reference to the geographical indicator of "bailiwick". Revenue Sheriffs, County Registrars or their officers operate for the purposes of enforcement of tax debt within certain geographical boundaries known as a "bailiwick" which equates geographically with "county". Data on the net receipts of most taxes can be linked to bailiwicks to provide an estimated breakdown of receipts on a county basis. The following table set out the estimated breakdown of net receipts for Corporation Tax for 2009, the latest year for which such information is available.
In considering the data it should be noted that the amount of tax attributed to a county may not necessarily be an indication of economic activity in that county as companies are associated on the tax record with the county address of the head-office or branch with which contact is established for tax purposes, which may be different to the city or county addresses of other branches. The distribution of corporate tax between regions can also vary from year to year as companies relocate.
|
County |
Corporation tax |
|
€m |
|
|
Carlow |
7.68 |
|
Cavan |
31.51 |
|
Clare |
47.20 |
|
Donegal |
12.56 |
|
Galway |
69.88 |
|
Kerry |
21.58 |
|
Kildare |
92.41 |
|
Kilkenny |
9.77 |
|
Laois |
4.57 |
|
Leitrim |
2.76 |
|
Limerick |
134.52 |
|
Longford |
4.70 |
|
Louth |
33.56 |
|
Mayo |
23.07 |
|
Meath |
19.63 |
|
Monaghan |
6.93 |
|
Offaly |
6.69 |
|
Roscommon |
2.96 |
|
Sligo |
29.19 |
|
Tipperary |
32.44 |
|
Waterford |
24.74 |
|
Westmeath |
12.99 |
|
Wexford |
23.36 |
|
Wicklow |
56.76 |
|
Dublin |
2,671.04 |
|
Cork |
349.40 |
|
Other/foreign |
157.09 |
|
Totals |
3,889.0 |
134 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of companies availing of the research and development tax credit scheme from the years 2007 to 2010 scheme by industrial sector and on a county basis according to the registered trading address of each company as filed on those companies’ CT1 forms. [21056/11]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the numbers of companies claiming the research and development tax credit for the years 2007 to 2009 is derived from the corporation tax returns for those years. The breakdown by economic sector and on a county basis is set out separately in the following tables:
|
Trade Sector |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
|
D. Manufacturing |
128 |
242 |
383 |
|
E. Electricity, gas and water supply |
— |
— |
7 |
|
F. Construction |
— |
12 |
25 |
|
G. Wholesale and retail trade |
15 |
58 |
99 |
|
I. Transport, storage and communication |
6 |
14 |
26 |
|
J. Financial intermediation |
11 |
24 |
27 |
|
K. Real estate, renting and business activities |
51 |
202 |
367 |
|
N. Health and social work |
— |
7 |
12 |
|
O. Other community, social and personal service activities |
5 |
11 |
21 |
|
Other |
10 |
12 |
14 |
|
County |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
|
Carlow |
— |
7 |
8 |
|
Cavan |
— |
10 |
13 |
|
Clare |
8 |
13 |
24 |
|
Donegal |
8 |
9 |
21 |
|
Galway |
26 |
48 |
78 |
|
Kerry |
— |
18 |
23 |
|
Kildare |
— |
12 |
27 |
|
Kilkenny |
— |
— |
9 |
|
Laois |
— |
— |
5 |
|
Limerick |
9 |
25 |
31 |
|
Longford |
— |
— |
6 |
|
Louth |
5 |
14 |
26 |
|
Mayo |
— |
6 |
20 |
|
Meath |
5 |
11 |
16 |
|
Monaghan |
— |
6 |
10 |
|
Offaly |
— |
6 |
12 |
|
Roscommon |
— |
6 |
5 |
|
Sligo |
— |
— |
11 |
|
Tipperary |
— |
11 |
12 |
|
Waterford |
— |
9 |
24 |
|
Westmeath |
— |
9 |
11 |
|
Wexford |
5 |
6 |
14 |
|
Wicklow |
10 |
16 |
23 |
|
Dublin City |
47 |
155 |
244 |
|
Dublin County |
35 |
93 |
179 |
|
Cork City |
13 |
32 |
51 |
|
Cork County |
17 |
45 |
74 |
|
Other |
38 |
15 |
4 |
The 2007 figures in the tables do not include some 253 applicants whose claims for the tax credit were submitted by means other than the tax returns. Due to the Revenue Commissioners' obligation to observe confidentiality for taxpayers and small groups of taxpayers certain companies have not been associated in the tables with their appropriate economic sector or county. These are included in the "Other" category of both tables instead.
The figures were given on the basis of "bailiwick", meaning, in this case, the jurisdiction or boundaries within which Revenue Sheriffs, County Registrars or their officers operate for the purposes of enforcement of tax debt and which equates geographically with "county". Companies are associated on the tax record with the county address of the head-office or branch with which contact is established for tax purposes, which may be different to the city or county addresses of other branches. The distribution of corporate tax between regions can also vary from year to year as companies relocate.
The sector identifier used on the tax records is based on the 4 digit "NACE code (Rev. 1)", an internationally recognised economic activity code system. The NACE codes are not essential for the assessment and collection of taxes and duties and the correct allocation and maintenance of these codes is subject to the limit of available resources. NACE code classifications on tax records are compiled by reference to the primary area of economic activity reported by individual and corporate taxpayers on their own behalf and the taxes collected are allocated to those codes without reference to the precise economic activity which generated them. While the accuracy of the NACE codes on tax records is sufficient to underpin broad sector-based analyses there will undoubtedly be some inaccuracies at individual level. This should be borne in mind when considering the information provided.
I am advised by Revenue that they are not in a position to provide data for 2010 as the bulk of corporation tax returns for that year are not yet due.
135 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number and value of companies in the mining and petroleum industry claiming research and development tax credits; and the taxable profits of these companies. [21057/11]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that their obligation to observe confidentiality for taxpayers and small groups of taxpayers precludes them from providing the information requested. I would draw the Deputy's attention to paragraph (i) of Appendix 2 of the R&D tax credit guidelines that are accessible on the Revenue website outlining categories of activity that are not research and development activities (e.g. prospecting, exploring or drilling for, or producing, minerals, petroleum or natural gas).
136 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the potential gain to the Exchequer annually of placing a levy of 1% on the profits of holding companies here. [21059/11]
Holding companies of domestic groups do not generally have profits chargeable to corporation tax and thus imposing a 1% levy would not provide a yield for the Exchequer. I am presuming, therefore, that the Deputy is referring to holding companies with foreign subsidiaries. It is not possible to predict the effect such a levy would have on the behaviour and decisions of holding companies with foreign subsidiaries. This uncertainty in relation to responses prevents a reliable estimate being made of any yield that might accrue to the Exchequer if such a levy were imposed on their profits.
In any event, such a levy would be unlikely to yield significant additional Irish tax. Many of the holding companies concerned would be entitled, under the terms of our Double Taxation Treaties, to reduce the additional charge by the amount of foreign tax paid on the profits out of which their dividend income was paid.
137 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide analysis of the VAT take, split between the two rates of 13.5% and 21%. [21060/11]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that data is not available in a sufficiently detailed manner to provide a precise breakdown of the yields from the two rates of VAT as requested by the Deputy. However, it is tentatively estimated based on provisional macroeconomic data that in 2010, the standard VAT rate (21%) yielded around €6.5bn while the 13.5% reduced VAT rate yielded around €3.5bn.
138 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if any cost benefit analysis has been undertaken as to whether VAT should continue to be applied to equipment supplied to public hospitals. [21061/11]
VAT law in Ireland is applied in accordance with EU VAT law, under the EU VAT Directive. VAT is charged on the value added to the supply of goods and services by economic entities. The status of persons receiving those goods or services does not impact on whether or how VAT is charged on those items. In this circumstance, the VAT charged on a good supplied to a hospital will be based on whether the person supplying that good is registered for VAT and the rate of VAT applying to that particular good. Whether the good is supplied to an individual, hospital or business does not factor into how VAT is charged in that situation. In this context as EU law does not allow for the circumstances of the recipient to determine how VAT is charged on a good or service, a cost benefit analysis is not necessary.
However, it should be noted that Ireland, outside of the normal VAT rules, operates a VAT refund scheme for certain donated medical instruments and appliances under Statutory Instrument 58/92. The main conditions relating to this refund scheme are that:
the appliance or instrument is donated to a hospital;
the appliance costs €25,390 or more in value (exclusive of tax);
the appliance is designed and manufactured for use solely in medical research or in diagnosis, prevention or treatment of illness;
the appliance is purchased through voluntary donations, such that no part of the funds used in the purchase is provided directly or indirectly by the State, a State body or any public or local authority; and,
the appliance is subject to a recommendation by the Minister for Health that, having regard to the requirements of the health services in the State, a refund of tax would be appropriate.
139 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Finance the number of direct and indirect jobs involved in the construction and refurbishment of hotels that qualified for tax incentives in the years 2004 to 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21108/11]
140 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Finance the taxes raised for the Exchequer directly and indirectly in the construction and refurbishment of hotels that qualified for tax incentives in the years 2004 to 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21110/11]
141 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Finance the annualised number of employees working in hotels whose construction and development was funded through tax incentives in the years 2004 to 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21111/11]
142 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Finance the annual tax rates taken to the Exchequer from hotels whose construction and development was funded through tax incentives from 2004 to 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21116/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 139 to 142, inclusive, together.
As those claiming reliefs in relation to tax incentive schemes were not required to provide details of the hotels for which they were claiming benefits in their tax returns there is unfortunately no basis on which the information requested by the Deputy can be gained from Revenue records. Such information could only be gleaned in the context of a detailed review.
My Department is currently undertaking a public consultation on the "legacy" property-based tax relief schemes, which includes the scheme of accelerated capital allowances for hotels. The consultation is the first stage in a process to assess the possible impacts of reducing, capping and/or abolishing such schemes. This impact assessment, which will consider the economic impact of curtailing the costs to the State of outstanding or "legacy" reliefs, will provide more detailed information on these schemes (including the hotels scheme). It will give us a better understanding of the benefits that may accrue to the Exchequer in terms of additional tax yield as well as consequences for investor groups and the wider economy arising from possible changes to the treatment of property-based legacy reliefs.
143 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Finance the advice taken on the legal aspects of the proposal to restrict or guillotine property tax incentives in budget 2011; if he will publish same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21118/11]
The Department of Finance with the support of the Office of the Revenue Commissioners engaged in discussions with the Office of the Attorney General (AG) in relation to the many complex issues and attributes of the various "legacy" property-based tax schemes. The measures provided for in the Finance Act 2011 are in line with the advice received from the AG. We do not publish legal advice from the Attorney General.
The Programme for Government states that property tax reliefs and other tax shelters which benefit very high income earners will be reduced, capped or abolished. To this end a public consultation is currently underway as the first stage in a process to assess the possible impacts of such changes on the "legacy" property-based tax relief schemes. The consultation paper and details of how to make submissions are available on the Department of Finance's tax policy website www.taxpolicy.gov.ie. The consultation will run from 23 June to 29 July 2011.
The purpose of this consultation is to provide an opportunity for all interested parties to offer input on how the impact assessment should proceed in determining an appropriate policy approach to the "legacy" reliefs including Section 23 type reliefs. The Minister is keen to hear from all parties on this issue and has invited interested parties to respond to the consultation paper. The impact assessment will consider the economic impact of curtailing the costs to the State of outstanding or ‘legacy' reliefs, which have so far not been fully claimed by investors. It will provide a better understanding of the benefits that may accrue to the Exchequer in terms of additional tax yield as well as consequences for investor groups and the wider economy arising from possible changes to the treatment of property-based legacy reliefs. The results of the assessment will be considered in the context of Budget 2012.
144 Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Finance the tax revenue expected for 2012, 2013 and 2014; if he will supply in tabular form the value, in gross spending and percentage terms, which is forecast to go into servicing the national debt, paying for public services and any costs associated with supporting the banking system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21170/11]
The following table sets out the details requested by the Deputy. All of the technical forecast figures in the table are taken from the Stability Programme Update (SPU) and will be subject to revision as the year progresses and more up-to-date economic and budgetary data becomes available and decisions with regard to the precise nature of the future budgetary consolidation to be implemented are taken. The Deputy should be aware that tax revenues are generally not assigned to particular areas of expenditure but rather are available, along with other sources of revenue such as non-tax revenue, capital receipts and Exchequer borrowing, to fund overall expenditure.
|
€ billion |
Tax Revenue (A) |
National Debt Servicing (B) |
(B) as a % of (A) |
Gross Voted Expenditure (C) |
(C) as a % of (A) |
Exchequer Banking Expenditure (D) |
(D) as a % of (A) |
|
2012 |
37.5 |
8.1 |
22 |
55.2 |
147 |
3.1 |
8 |
|
2013 |
39.9 |
8.9 |
22 |
53.3 |
134 |
3.1 |
8 |
|
2014 |
42.3 |
9.6 |
23 |
51.5 |
122 |
3.1 |
7 |
145 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance if the recently reported proposed bonus payment of €7 million to Bank of Ireland officials, which in essence is taxpayers’ money, will be allowed to proceed; if he will request these officials to forego such payments at this time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21253/11]
I assume the Deputy is referring to a recent article in a Sunday newspaper. Payments of some €7 million have been approved as contractually due deferred bonus and retention overseas payments and payments to temporary contractors. The bank has undertaken that no further submissions to the Department of Finance will be made for payment of contractually deferred payments for 2012 and beyond. I expect, however, other submissions on other remuneration matters will be made from time to time to the Department.
I wrote to Bank of Ireland on 8 July last and instructed the Bank that, in consideration of State support received, as and from the date of the letter, no employment bonus whatsoever was to be paid or awarded other than on foot of a Court order or with the prior consent of NTMA. Except as noted above, no bonus payments have been made in relation to Irish employees.
146 Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Finance if he will refer to recent media reports that the drawdown of funds under the EU-IMF bailout programme is far ahead of schedule, and provide details of the most recent amount drawn down; if the drawdown is ahead of schedule or of our needs and, if so, the reason for same; how the funds have been used; how the excess amount was drawn down and, if held, if it is invested in commercial banks and the interest rate being received; if the interest rate is higher than the rate being paid to the EU-IMF; if he will confirm that any reduction in the rate under the bailout programme applies only to future moneys drawn down; the reason moneys are being drawn down in excess of current requirements; if the excess drawn down is being done by or encouraged by the Central Bank to take pressure off ECB money provided to commercial banks; the current estimate for the duration of the bailout programme; if the full amount provided in the programme will be required or if the bank bailouts will be less than the provision made in the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21292/11]
The EU-IMF Programme of Support for Ireland was agreed in late 2010 and runs to the end of 2013. There has not been an excess drawdown of funds under the Programme. The drawdown of funds to date under the Programme is in accordance with the disbursement schedule agreed by my Department and the NTMA with the European Commission and the IMF. Following the combined first and second review of the Programme in April 2011, the phasing of the drawdown of funds was changed to provide for later draw down of funds and to reduce the amounts required in 2011. To date, Ireland's nominal borrowings are €23 billion under the EU/IMF Programme. The details are set out in the following table.
|
Source |
Loan amount |
Disbursement Amount |
Draw down Date |
Maturity from date of receipt. |
Interest Rate |
Effective Interest Rate including all costs & EFSF Credit Enhancements |
|
European Financial |
€5.00 billion |
€4.973 billion |
12-Jan-11 |
4 years 11 months |
5.425% |
5.54% |
|
Stability Mechanism |
€3.40 billion |
€3.39 billion |
24-Mar-11 |
7 years |
6.175% |
6.21% |
|
(EFSM) |
€3.00 billion |
€2.986 billion |
31-May-11 |
10 years |
6.425% |
6.48% |
|
EFSM — totals/weighted average |
€11.40 |
€11.35 |
|
6.87 years |
5.91% |
5.99% |
|
IMF |
€5.84 billion |
€5.84 billion |
18-Jan-11 |
7½ years average life |
2.345%SDR = € 4.77%1 |
|
|
€1.58 billion |
€1.58 billion |
18-May-11 |
7½ years average life |
|||
|
European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF) |
€4.20 billion2 |
€3.592 billion |
01-Feb-11 |
5 years 6 months |
5.22%5 |
5.90% |
|
Overall Total |
€23.02 billion3 |
€22.36 billion4 |
6.83 years; weighted average life |
5.58% |
1. The current SDR floating rate (2.345%) on the IMF drawdown reflects the lower rate arising from a quota increase for Ireland on 4th March 2011. The estimated Euro Equivalent rate on credit outstanding is 4.77% (pricing 31st May 2010) after hedging.
2. This is the loan amount. The net loan, the amount made available to the Exchequer, from the EFSF is €3.592 billion after credit enhancement measures.
3. Taking account of €600 million in credit enhancement measures in the EFSF funding and below-par issuance by the EFSM and EFSF, the total cash received amount is €22.357 billion.
4. This is the overall Net Loan Amount.
5. This is the coupon of 2.75% plus the margin of 2.47%. The margin, in this case, has been paid in advance as per note 2 above.
The funds drawn down under the Programme of support are being used in accordance with the terms of the Programme. They are being applied to Exchequer financing, and also to recapitalise the Irish banks. This usage is in accordance with the objectives of the Programme, to return our economy to sustainable growth and to ensure that we have a properly functioning healthy banking system.
The Programme provides for a total of €85 billion of financial support, including €17.5 billion from our own resources. It was initially envisaged that €50 billion would be available for sovereign purposes — that is the funding of the Exchequer deficit and the refinancing of maturing loans — and up to €35 billion for bank recapitalisation. However, the prudential capital assessment review carried out by the Central Bank of Ireland in the first quarter of 2011 quantified the additional capital support required by the banking sector at €24 billion. It is anticipated that mitigating actions will generate up to €5 billion of the total, leaving €19 billion to be provided by the State. On this basis, some €16 billion of the funding originally earmarked for the banking sector is now available for sovereign funding, bringing the total available under the Programme for sovereign purposes to €66 billion. Based on current projections and assuming no market access, the State has access to sufficient funds for its needs into the second half of 2013. However, it is the stated intention of the NTMA to return to the debt markets before this point and as soon as market conditions permit.
In relation to the application of any interest rate margin reduction, as I have said on numerous occasions the Government is continuing to seek an interest rate margin reduction and every suitable opportunity is being taken to press our case for that reduction. It is my understanding that any interest rate margin reduction secured will apply to interest due on both existing and future drawdowns, but will not apply to any interest payments already made. In this context, I would refer the Deputy to my response to PQ 15570 of 14 June last. In relation to the investment of any EU/IMF borrowings this is commercially sensitive information and for this reason, details regarding investments and the interest rates earned cannot be disclosed.
147 Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify the issue of Internet shopping and VAT on same from the Central Statistics Office and the Revenue Commissioners aspect; the data available on the growing trend of out-of-State imported Internet shopping; the data available to show the trend vis-à-vis total retail business; the measures in place by the Revenue Commissioners to collect VAT; if the concentration of effort is on high-value items and so on; the penalties imposed in recent years in cases where attempts were made to import without paying VAT or the appropriate VAT; if the loss to the economy and Exchequer from Internet shopping can be quantified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21294/11]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that, in general, the amount of VAT and other taxes collected from internet trading is not separately identifiable as businesses are obliged to calculate and return VAT and other taxes by reference to their entire taxable activities, which includes both traditional forms of business and internet sales. Internet business includes sales to private businesses and consumers in Ireland by businesses in Ireland, other EU Member States, and from outside the EU. The vast bulk of such sales into Ireland, as with phone and mail order sales, involves small goods delivered through the postal system and the larger courier service firms.
Internet sales to Irish consumers by businesses based in Ireland are liable to VAT in the same way as other sales in Ireland and are accounted for and paid by the business concerned. Businesses based in other Member States must register and account for VAT in Ireland if their sales into Ireland exceed €35,000 in any year. Otherwise, they are subject to VAT in the Member State in which they are based and must account for and pay VAT in that Member State. Any supplier who makes distance sales of excisable goods to another Member State must register and account for VAT in that Member State, as distance sales of excisable goods are always subject to VAT and excise in the Member State to which they are dispatched.
Sales from outside the EU into Ireland are subject to VAT and customs duty on importation and Revenue maintains and operates systems and risk based controls to facilitate collection of the appropriate revenues and identify non-compliance. For example, Revenue has a Customs presence at the four An Post mail depots that receive third country mail. All non-Community mail on arrival at the depots is subject to either an external or internal examination of the goods and documents. Revenue staff raises the relevant charges, customs duty, excise and VAT, which are shown on a charge label affixed to the package and collected by the postal authority on delivery. While Revenue is generally satisfied with its existing procedures in this area, it is an area that is kept under review from both a staffing and procedural viewpoint. While there is the possibility of seizure of goods where an incorrect return or declaration is made, in practice such instances are rare for general merchandise. Practically all seizures relate to cigarettes, medicines and counterfeit products.
Non-EU businesses with any level of sales of electronic services such as computer software, music, films, games, etc to private individuals in Ireland are required to register and account for VAT. A special electronic services scheme called the VAT on e-Services System enables non-EU businesses to register in one EU Member State of their choice and account for VAT in relation to their supplies in all Member States. The resulting VAT revenues are distributed among Member States based on the distribution of sales.
Given the arrangements in place nationally and at EU level, internet business does not of itself give rise to a loss to the Exchequer. The risks lie in the potential for non-compliance in this, as in other sectors. Revenue's approach to tackling non-compliance generally is based on risk analysis, taking into account all taxes and duties relevant to the businesses and both the e-commerce and traditional economic activities of the business. This approach generates a much greater knowledge of business activities, more detailed local risk assessment and faster compliance interventions. Also, at both regional and national level, Revenue is undertaking reviews of certain business sectors, the purpose of which is to improve overall tax compliance across those sectors. In addition, Revenue is working closely with other tax administrations at EU level to share experience and develop effective operational techniques and technologies for promoting compliance in this sector.
148 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance if €800 million has been spent so far on unguaranteed unsecured senior bond holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21344/11]
I understand that the Deputy is referring to the repayments so far this year of unguaranteed unsecured senior bond holders in Anglo Irish Bank. I am advised by the bank that €1.06 billion of unsecured unguaranteed senior debt in Anglo Irish Bank has matured and been repaid so far this year.
I have indicated to the House that, consistent with Government policy, I will raise the issue of burden sharing which will allow for the imposition of losses on unguaranteed and unsecured senior bondholders in Anglo and INBS with the IMF and EU authorities in the autumn. I have also indicated that we will take no unilateral action in this area.
149 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance the amount of money that has been spent on guaranteed banks in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21345/11]
Though no capital injections have been made in respect of any of the covered institutions to date in 2011, it has already been announced as part of the PCAR 2011 results on 31 March that further recapitalisation measures will be required to enable the AIB/EBS, Bank of Ireland and IL&P to meet their regulatory capital requirements set by the Central Bank. The State has committed to completing the recapitalisations to the extent possible by 31 July as part of the Programme of Financial Support for Ireland.
The total recapitalisation commitments made or to be made in respect of the banks are set out in the following table.
|
Credit Institution |
Cost of Share Acquisition |
Cost of Preference Shares |
Capital contributions |
Capital Provided to 31 December 2010 |
PCAR 2011 requirement |
Contingent Capital |
Mar 31st Total(1) |
|
€bn |
€bn |
€bn |
€bn |
€bn |
€bn |
€bn |
|
|
Anglo Irish Bank |
4.0 |
— |
25.3 |
29.3 |
— |
— |
0.0 |
|
Allied Irish Banks |
3.7 |
3.5 |
— |
7.2 |
11.9 |
1.4 |
13.3 |
|
Bank of Ireland |
1.7 |
1.8 (2) |
— |
3.5 |
4.2 |
1.0 |
5.2 |
|
Irish Nationwide Building Society |
0.1 |
— |
5.3 |
5.4 |
— |
— |
0.0 |
|
EBS Building Society |
0.6 |
— |
0.3 |
0.9 |
1.3 |
0.2 |
1.5 |
|
Irish Life and Permanent |
- |
- |
- |
- |
3.6 |
0.4 |
4.0 |
|
Total |
10.1 |
5.3 |
30.8 |
46.3 |
21.0 |
3.0 |
24.0 |
(1) Before banks potential capital raising actions (LME's/Asset Sales / Internally Generated Capital)
(2) Original investment of €3.5bn, of this €1.7bn converted to equity in May 2010
The Government is committed to ensuring that the banks meet the PCAR target, but is also seeking further direct contributions to the capital requirements of the banking system. As such, the Government has instigated processes which have reduced and will further reduce the cost to the State by looking for significant contributions from subordinated debt holders, by the sale of assets to generate capital and, where possible, by seeking private sector investors. It is expected that the effect of these actions will be to reduce the amount of capital required by the State very significantly.
150 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance if he will support the proposal by the new head of the IMF, Ms Christine Lagarde, that the four main ratings agencies be precluded from commenting on the credit rating of states that are part of IMF-EU bailout programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21346/11]
As the Deputy may be aware, the EU Commission is working on proposals in relation to credit rating agencies. In this context, the Commission initiated a public consultation to elicit the views of the public and market participants at the end of 2010. The purpose of the public consultation was to open a wider debate and get input from investors, market participants, governments, regulators and other stakeholders in order to calibrate the scope and ambition on possible provisions to be considered in a forthcoming Commission proposal. Such a proposal would deal with potential risks arising from over-reliance on credit rating by financial markets participants, the high degree of concentration in the rating market, absence of civil liability of credit rating agencies in the Credit Rating Agencies Regulation and conflicts of interest due to the remuneration models used by the credit rating agencies.
Following this consultation, the Commission is to present concrete policy initiatives in this area, with the goal of having these adopted over the period 2011-2012. I expect that all appropriate options will be examined in that context. I look forward with interest to the work in this area and can assure the Deputy that the Government will participate fully in the process of bringing these initiatives to finality.
Finally, in this context, I note that widespread concern has been expressed about recent unilateral decisions made by credit-rating agencies, including the downgrading of Ireland's credit rating last week by Moody's. This was a disappointing development and completely at odds with the recent views of other rating agencies.
151 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons employed by Customs and Excise at Dublin Airport, Dublin Port and Dún Laoghaire Port by grade. [21364/11]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the staffing details requested for Dublin Airport and Dublin Port, expressed as Full Time Equivalent numbers, are as set out in the following tables.
|
Principal Officer (PO) |
Assistant Principal Officer (AP) |
Higher Executive Officers / Administrative Officers (HEO/AO) |
Executive Officers (EO) |
Staff Officers (S) |
Clerical Officers (CO) |
Service Officer |
|
1 |
1 |
6 |
32.50 |
6.60 |
57.80 |
1 |
Total = 105.90
The staff based at Dublin Airport are engaged in Customs Enforcement and Customs Trade Facilitation duties.
|
Principal Officer (PO) |
Assistant Principal Officers (AP) |
Higher Executive Officers / Administrative Officers (HEO/AO) |
Executive Officers (EO) |
Staff Officers (S) |
Clerical Officers (CO) |
Service Officer |
|
1 |
5 |
12.80 |
49.40 |
3.60 |
61.50 |
1 |
Total = 134.40
The staff based in Dublin Port are engaged in Customs Enforcement and Customs Trade Facilitation duties. In addition, the staff figure includes 35.80 staff from the Dublin Region Special Compliance Team and Joint Investigation Unit who are engaged in Region-wide Revenue Compliance operations, including multilateral operations with An Garda Síochána, the Department of Social Protection and the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA).
Revenue has no staff permanently based in Dún Laoghaire, which is serviced by Customs staff on a needs and risk basis.
152 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Finance his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding VAT rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21401/11]
VAT is charged on the supply of goods and services, and the rate applying is subject to the requirements of EU VAT law with which Irish VAT law must comply. The provision of sporting facilities is among a number of tourist related services which was made subject to a new temporary lower reduced VAT rate of 9% from 1 July 2011. All other goods and services that had applied at the 13.5%, such as yoga studio services, reduced rate will continue to be liable at that rate.
Certain goods and services that were at a reduced rate of VAT on 1 January 1991, under the provision of Article 118 of the EU VAT Directive, cannot be reduced below 12%; these are known as parked goods and services. It is not possible to apply the 9% VAT rate to services consisting of the care of the human body supplied in the course of a health studio business or similar business, such as a yoga studio, since this service is the subject of a parked rate. The rate of VAT on the provision of facilities for taking part in sporting activities by a person other than a non-profit making organisation can be reduced to 9% since this service was not the subject of a parked rate.
153 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the savings to his Department in a full year if he were to cap the maximum salary available in semi-State bodies at €100,000. [22630/11]
I refer to my reply to the Deputy to Questions Nos. 39, 43 and 45, taken together, on 5 July 2011. The estimate of the net savings accruing to the Exchequer of less than €100 million p.a. arising from the imposition of a cap of €100,000 on public service salaries includes those employed in non-commercial State bodies, although it is not possible to provide a breakdown specifically in respect of those staff.
154 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the bureaucratic and costly requirements imposed on schools awaiting the summer works programme; and his plans to reform this system. [20786/11]
As the Deputy is aware all funding allocated under my Department's Devolved Schemes including the Summer Works Scheme to allow school management authorities carry out building or improvement works to their schools, must be offered to the market in accordance with EU and National procurement guidelines.
School management authorities must comply with all the requirements of Technical Guidance Documents TGD 007 and TGD 008 (Design Team Procedures for Small Works and Engaging Professional Consultants for Small Works respectively) which are available on my Department's website. Failure to do so may expose the school management authorities to challenge and subsequent financial penalties from a consultant or contractor who feels he/she was not afforded an opportunity to tender. Any such challenge could also result in the project being substantially delayed.
As these guidelines provide a balanced approach by allowing access for smaller firms while also ensuring that appropriate consultants are engaged for small works, I do not propose to make any changes.
155 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has identified areas in which there is employment demand but a lack of skills or training; the efforts he has made to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21337/11]
My Department is continually examining ways to increase the availability of, and to enhance the success of, education and training provision for the unemployed.
My Department is funding in 2011 the provision of over 154,000 Training places through FÁS, Skillnets and the Labour Market Activation Fund and 172,000 places which the unemployed may access in the Further Education sector as well as 161,900 in the Higher Education sector.
The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs assists the Government and its agencies with the task of matching skill needs. It advises on future growth sectors and on the skills and training requirements to respond to the future skill needs of the economy. The reports of the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs are factored into decisions on education and training provision in as far as is possible.
In addition, the Labour Market Activation Fund provided a mix of programmes covering a broad spectrum of activities in potential high growth areas of the economy. This programme is being evaluated and this evaluation will inform Government policy and decisions on the focus of upskilling programmes in the context of relevant skills needs of the Labour Market. The Springboard programme also aims to provide relevant training opportunities for the unemployed to bring their skill sets into line with employment demand.
156 Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason he has decided to implement a reduction in the mature student grant and to do so retrospectively; his views on whether this will have a devastating effect on many mature students who, upon enrolling in full-time education for an agreed term, had budgeted the then available grant into their daily lives and who will now find themselves in a position in which they can no longer continue under this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20718/11]
The economic circumstances of the country are such that I am not in a position to reverse the change to the student grant scheme referred to by the Deputy. In estimating public expenditure savings to accrue from the measures introduced in Budget 2011, the previous Fianna Fáil-Green Party Government had already factored in the application of this change to both new and continuing mature students. For clarity, I should point out that this is not a retrospective change, but it will apply to all mature students from September 2011.
Students on particularly low incomes will continue to receive a "top-up" in the special rate of grant and the Student Assistance Fund at some €5 million continues to be made available through the access offices of third-level institutions to assist students in exceptional financial need.
157 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Education and Skills when schools will receive allocations of special needs assistant hours and their provision. [20727/11]
I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. This now includes a requirement for the NCSE to have regard to an overall cap on the number of SNA posts.
The NCSE has issued a circular to all schools advising of the allocation process for the 2011-2012 school year. A key feature of the amended scheme will be to provide for an annual allocation of Special Needs Assistant support to eligible schools. The NCSE is currently in the process of informing schools of their annual SNA allocation for the coming school year.
158 Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the survivors groups that have been consulted about the establishment of the statutory trust fund envisaged by the Institutional Child Abuse Bill 2009 are satisfied with the proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20740/11]
The Government has agreed to the drafting of the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Bill to provide for the establishment of a Statutory Fund to support the needs of victims of residential institutional abuse, as endorsed by Dáil Éireann in the aftermath of the publication of the Ryan Report in 2009. The legislative proposals followed extensive consultations with survivors of residential abuse and the groups which support them, together with a public consultation process.
While some former residents advocated a simple distribution of the available money others support the establishment of the Fund. I believe that the Fund should target resources at services to support the needs of former residents that suffered abuse. The report on the consultation process and the General Scheme of the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Bill are available on my Department's website and I believe that the availability of the detailed arrangements proposed for the Fund will remove any misconceptions regarding the scope of the Fund.
I will be meeting with groups representing survivors of residential institutional abuse to discuss the proposals later this month and I am confident that the proposals will receive broad support.
159 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will amend the rules on third level grant applications to allow those who have been resident here for two out of the last four years instead of three of the previous five years, as is currently the case, to be eligible for this grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20752/11]
I have no plans to change the residency requirements under the student grant scheme, the main purpose of which is to ensure that persons applying for grants will have more established links with and integration in the State. It is envisaged that the residency requirements as set will, in many instances, provide greater flexibility for students who may be returning from abroad.
160 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position in respect of special needs assistant posts at a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; and the reason notification has issued to inform one SNA at the school that he or she will be losing his or her job from September. [20759/11]
Firstly, I wish to clarify for the Deputy that Special Needs Assistant (SNA) allocations are not permanent, as the level of SNA support allocated to a school may be increased or decreased as pupils who qualify for SNA support enrol or leave a school. They are also decreased where a child's care needs may have diminished over time.
A Special Needs Assistant whose post is surplus to the approved allocation to the school may be entitled to a redundancy payment under the terms of circular 58/2006 — titled Redundancy Arrangements for Special Need Assistants. Support to SNAs who may have been made redundant is provided for within the terms of this scheme.
The recruitment and deployment of SNAs within schools are matters for the individual Principal-Board of Management. The Board is the SNA's employer and the terms of employment are subject to the conditions of the contract of employment.
The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating resource teachers and SNAs to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support, which now includes a requirement for the NCSE to have regard to an overall cap on the number of SNA posts.
The NCSE has issued a circular to all schools advising of the allocation process for SNA support for the 2011/2012 school year. A key feature of the amended scheme will be to provide for an annual allocation of SNA support to eligible schools. The NCSE is currently in the process of informing schools of their annual SNA allocation for the coming school year.
161 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider extending panel rights to special needs assistants. [20760/11]
Firstly, I wish to advise the Deputy that Special Needs Assistant (SNA) allocations are not permanent, as the level of SNA support allocated to a school may be increased or decreased as pupils who qualify for SNA support enrol or leave a school. They are also decreased where a child's care needs may have diminished over time. There are no plans to introduce panel rights for SNAs.
The recruitment and deployment of SNAs within schools are matters for the individual Principal-Board of Management. The Board is the SNA's employer and the terms of employment are subject to the conditions of the contract of employment.
The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating resource teachers and SNAs to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support, which now includes a requirement for the NCSE to have regard to an overall cap on the number of SNA posts.
The NCSE has issued a circular to all schools advising of the allocation process for SNA support for the 2011-2012 school year. A key feature of the amended scheme will be to provide for an annual allocation of SNA support to eligible schools. The NCSE is currently in the process of informing schools of their annual SNA allocation for the coming school year.
162 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills, further to Parliamentary Question No. 156 of 17 May 2011, the schools across the country that received alleviation or adjustment measures under this measure. [20770/11]
The Deputy is aware that Resource Teacher for Traveller posts-Teaching Hours for Traveller pupils will be withdrawn, effective from 31st August 2011. Traveller pupils who are eligible for learning support teaching should receive this tuition through the existing learning support provision in schools. All schools should select students for learning support on the basis of priority of need.
Limited alleviation or adjustment measures have been provided to assist schools which have high concentrations of Traveller pupils who were previously supported by Resource Teacher for Travellers (RTT) posts.
In respect of primary schools with DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) status, Traveller enrolments have now been included in the valid enrolment for the purpose of allocating additional staffing under DEIS from the 2011-2012 school year. For schools other than DEIS schools in receipt of enhanced pupil teacher ratios, alleviation measures have been provided to assist schools with high concentrations of Traveller pupils who were previously supported by RTT posts. These measures were considered in the context of the limited resources available to my Department. As such, alleviation measures have been concentrated on schools which have 33 or more pupils supported by RTT posts.
A decision was also taken that further limited additional alleviation measures would be made available for schools that may have been disproportionately affected by the earlier alleviation adjustment measures, in comparison to schools of a similar size and in the context of the very limited resources available to my Department.
The decision to withdraw Resource Teacher for Travellers was taken by the previous Government in the last budget. The requirement to make expenditure savings and to ensure that staffing numbers remain within the Public Service Employment Control Framework prevent me from re-visiting this decision.
I have arranged for the details sought by the Deputy to be forwarded directly to him.
163 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills, further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 194 to 198, inclusive, of 17 May 2011, if he has received a detailed analysis from Bus Éireann relating to the impact of changes in the school transport scheme referred to in those replies; if not, when he expects the analysis; and his plans to publish that analysis. [20771/11]
The detailed analysis relating to changes in the ‘Closed School Rule' has been initiated by Bus Éireann and will draw on the final data in relation to school transport requirements in September 2011. Given this fact, I do not expect to have the final details for some weeks yet.
These changes are not due to be implemented until September 2012 and as detailed consideration and assessment will be required it will be some time before this work is completed. In the meantime, Bus Éireann has identified a number of services that will be withdrawn from the commencement of the 2011-2012 school year. In these cases the number of applications received from eligible pupils has fallen below the minimum number required to retain a school transport service. Bus Éireann is continuing to monitor the situation and some services may be restored if late applications-payments are received. The list of the services in question is available on my Department's website.
As is currently the position, families of eligible pupils for whom there is no school transport service available may apply for the remote area grant towards the cost of making private transport arrangements.
164 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6 regarding the loss of a special needs assistant. [20777/11]
Firstly, I wish to clarify for the Deputy that Special Needs Assistant (SNA) allocations are not permanent, as the level of SNA support allocated to a school may be increased or decreased as pupils who qualify for SNA support enrol or leave a school. They are also decreased where a child's care needs may have diminished over time.
I wish to clarify also that the recruitment and deployment of SNAs within schools are matters for the individual Principal-Board of Management. SNAs should be deployed by the school in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of the children enrolled in the school for whom SNA support has been allocated. It is a matter for schools to allocate support as required, and on the basis of individual need, which allows schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.
The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. This now includes a requirement for the NCSE to have regard to an overall cap on the number of SNA posts.
The NCSE has issued a circular to all schools advising of the allocation process for the 2011-2012 school year. A key feature of the amended scheme will be to provide for an annual allocation of Special Needs Assistant support to eligible schools. The NCSE is currently in the process of informing schools of their annual SNA allocation for the coming school year. The NCSE will advise schools early in the new school year of a review process to review allocation decisions to ensure that correct procedures were followed and that they comply with my Department's policy. The merits of individual allocation decisions will not be open to appeal under this mechanism.
It will be expected that schools, before requesting a review, will be in a position to demonstrate that they have made every effort to manage their allocation of SNA posts to best effect.
165 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6W regarding the loss of a special needs assistant. [20778/11]
Firstly, I wish to clarify for the Deputy that Special Needs Assistant (SNA) allocations are not permanent, as the level of SNA support allocated to a school may be increased or decreased as pupils who qualify for SNA support enrol or leave a school. They are also decreased where a child's care needs may have diminished over time.
I wish to clarify also that the recruitment and deployment of SNAs within schools are matters for the individual Principal-Board of Management. SNAs should be deployed by the school in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of the children enrolled in the school for whom SNA support has been allocated. It is a matter for schools to allocate support as required, and on the basis of individual need, which allows schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.
The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. This now includes a requirement for the NCSE to have regard to an overall cap on the number of SNA posts.
The NCSE has issued a circular to all schools advising of the allocation process for the 2011-2012 school year. A key feature of the amended scheme will be to provide for an annual allocation of Special Needs Assistant support to eligible schools. The NCSE is currently in the process of informing schools of their annual SNA allocation for the coming school year. The NCSE will advise schools early in the new school year of a review process to review allocation decisions to ensure that correct procedures were followed and that they comply with my Department's policy. The merits of individual allocation decisions will not be open to appeal under this mechanism.
It will be expected that schools, before requesting a review, will be in a position to demonstrate that they have made every effort to manage their allocation of SNA posts to best effect.
166 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin regarding the loss of a special needs assistant. [20779/11]
Firstly, I wish to clarify for the Deputy that Special Needs Assistant (SNA) allocations are not permanent, as the level of SNA support allocated to a school may be increased or decreased as pupils who qualify for SNA support enrol or leave a school. They are also decreased where a child's care needs may have diminished over time.
I wish to clarify also that the recruitment and deployment of SNAs within schools are matters for the individual Principal-Board of Management. SNAs should be deployed by the school in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of the children enrolled in the school for whom SNA support has been allocated. It is a matter for schools to allocate support as required, and on the basis of individual need, which allows schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.
The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. This now includes a requirement for the NCSE to have regard to an overall cap on the number of SNA posts.
The NCSE has issued a circular to all schools advising of the allocation process for the 2011-2012 school year. A key feature of the amended scheme will be to provide for an annual allocation of Special Needs Assistant support to eligible schools. The NCSE is currently in the process of informing schools of their annual SNA allocation for the coming school year.
167 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills, further to Parliamentary Question No. 138 of 7 June 2011, if investigations have been completed into the issues raised (details supplied). [20787/11]
My Department's investigations into this matter are ongoing. As soon as these investigations are complete, a response will issue directly to the person.
168 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the criteria that were used in deciding the vocational educational committees to be amalgamated and the VECs that were to stand alone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20836/11]
At the core of the proposed restructuring is the need to address the current low scale and size of operations in particular VECs in order to position the sector for future development. In this regard, the previous Government decided on a reduction to 16 new entities.
On entering office, I invited the Irish Vocational Education Association (IVEA) to submit alternative rationalisation proposals following their expression of concerns regarding the configuration of the revised entities decided by the previous Government. The IVEA subsequently submitted a proposal that involved 20 new entities.
I am satisfied that having regard to cost and critical mass considerations, a reduction to 16 new entities is appropriate. Consequently, while the new configuration takes account of the IVEA submission to the greatest extent possible, it does not modify the reduction from 33 to 16 in the number of VECs decided by the previous Government.
In this new configuration, eleven of the new entities match the IVEA proposal. In addition, the IVEA proposals to merge City of Galway VEC with Co. Galway VEC, Co. Sligo VEC with Co. Leitrim VEC and City of Waterford VEC with Co. Waterford VEC have also been reflected, albeit with the inclusion an additional county in each case.
Only three of the existing entities will continue, City of Dublin on the basis of overall scale; and Co. Donegal and Co. Kerry on the basis of their peripheral geographic location.
169 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the communication and consultation he entered into with Cork County Vocational Educational Committee before and after making his decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20837/11]
In July 2009, the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes recommended that the number of VECs could be reduced from 33 to 22 and aligned with the functional areas of the 22 Local Authorities, also recommended by the Group. In September 2009 the then Minister for Education and Science invited interested parties to make written submission in relation to a reduction in the number of VECs.
Arising from this process, the previous Government decided in October 2010 to reduce the overall number of VECs from 33 to 16 and agreed on the merger of particular counties.
In January 2011, my Department sought suggestions or observations from all VECs in relation to the title for the sector generally, the title by which the 16 individual VECs which had been decided on by the previous Government should be known, the headquarter location for each of these entities and the future composition of the Committee in each VEC.
Following my appointment as Minister, I invited the Irish Vocational Education Association (IVEA), the representative association for all of the VECs to submit alternative rationalisation proposals for my consideration. I did not issue an invitation to individual VECs, such as County Cork VEC, to make a submission. Following consideration of proposals received from the IVEA, the Government decided to revise the configuration agreed by the previous Government and to approve the consolidation of the existing VEC legislation. These are the only decisions that have been taken.
The Government decision to merge City of Cork and County Cork VECs aligns the position in Cork with planned for Limerick, Waterford and Galway.
170 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the implications of the amalgamation of the vocational educational committees for the trusteeship of designated community colleges in the Cork County VEC area; and if the other co-trustees have been informed; if the new model agreements will have to be signed and agreed by the co-trustees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20838/11]
As a general principle I am anxious to ensure that the process of amalgamating Vocational Education Committees is done in a manner that is not disruptive in any way to the provision of existing services and provision by individual VECs.
My officials are working on the preparation of new legislation needed to bring the changes about. It is the norm in such legislation to provide for the continuation of all existing agreements and contracts which should embrace the agreements that were concluded when certain Community Colleges were established.
171 Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Education and Skills if, in view of his literacy initiative, he will restore the school library grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20839/11]
In view of the serious financial situation left by the previous Fianna Fáil-Green Party Government, I regret that I do not have the resources to restore the grant to local authorities for the provision of library services to primary schools.
The present Government is committed to making literacy a national cause, as evidenced by the publication of the recent National Strategy on Numeracy and Literacy.
172 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will reverse the decision to reduce the number of special needs assistants at a school (details supplied) in County Cork. [20878/11]
Firstly, I wish to clarify for the Deputy that Special Needs Assistant (SNA) allocations are not permanent, as the level of SNA support allocated to a school may be increased or decreased as pupils who qualify for SNA support enrol or leave a school. They are also decreased where a child's care needs may have diminished over time.
I wish to clarify also that the recruitment and deployment of SNAs within schools are matters for the individual Principal/Board of Management. SNAs should be deployed by the school in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of the children enrolled in the school for whom SNA support has been allocated. It is a matter for schools to allocate support as required, and on the basis of individual need, which allows schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.
The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. This now includes a requirement for the NCSE to have regard to an overall cap on the number of SNA posts.
The NCSE has issued a circular to all schools advising of the allocation process for the 2011/2012 school year. A key feature of the amended scheme will be to provide for an annual allocation of Special Needs Assistant support to eligible schools.
The NCSE is currently in the process of informing schools of their annual SNA allocation for the coming school year. The NCSE will advise schools early in the new school year of a review process to review allocation decisions to ensure that correct procedures were followed and that they comply with my Department's policy. The merits of individual allocation decisions will not be open to appeal under this mechanism.
It will be expected that schools, before requesting a review, will be in a position to demonstrate that they have made every effort to manage their allocation of SNA posts to best effect.
173 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding abuse. [20882/11]
The details provided by the Deputy relate to the proposed Statutory Fund. As the Deputy is aware, the Government has agreed to the drafting of the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Bill to provide for the establishment of a Statutory Fund to support the needs of victims of residential institutional abuse, as endorsed by Dáil Éireann in the aftermath of the publication of the Ryan Report in 2009. The legislative proposals followed extensive consultations with survivors of residential abuse and the groups which support them, together with a public consultation process.
While some former residents advocated a simple distribution of the available money others support the establishment of the Fund. I believe that the Fund should target resources at services to support the needs of former residents that suffered abuse. The report on the consultation process and the General Scheme of the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Bill are available on my Department's website and I believe that the availability of the detailed arrangements proposed for the Fund will remove any misconceptions regarding the scope of the Fund. I will be meeting with groups representing survivors of residential institutional abuse to discuss the proposals later this month and I am confident that the proposals will receive broad support.
174 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider the possible utilisation of a company (details supplied) as a means of encouraging interest in local history in schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20886/11]
Decisions on which resources to use for the study of history are made by teachers and their students. The focus of the website referred to by the Deputy is genealogy. While this is of general interest, and promotes stimulating investigative opportunities for students and their families, it does not relate directly to the specific aims of the history syllabuses, and its broader coverage of themes and issues. In addition, it is not the policy of my Department to endorse commercial products.
The history curriculum in schools places a key focus on the skills of working as a historian, using evidence from a variety of sources, appreciating cause and effect, realising that evidence can be interpreted in a number of different ways, and evaluating its relevance.
The website www.scoilnet.ie, managed by the National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE) gives access to a variety of digital content for teachers, students and parents which are of direct relevance to the History curriculum in schools. This is supplemented by the Look At History through the RTE Archives site, and HIST which has been developed by NCTE in collaboration with the Professional Development Support Service for Teachers specifically for the Leaving Certificate curriculum, both of which can be accessed through scoilnet. Students are encouraged to use a wide range of other sources as well for their investigative work. I have passed the information provided by the Deputy to the Professional Development Support Service for Teachers for further consideration.
175 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is willing to be flexible with parents of children who are willing to pay for school transport but who do not meet the eligibility criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20887/11]
I take it the Deputy is referring to my Department's Primary School Transport Scheme. Under the terms of this Scheme, pupils who reside 3.2 kilometres or more from, and are attending, their nearest national school as determined by my Department, are eligible for school transport. It is open to ineligible pupils to apply for concessionary transport, subject to a number of conditions, including the payment of the annual charge which is currently €200. This charge is subject to a family maximum of €650 per annum and may be paid in two instalments in July and December. It is important to note that school transport charges represent a contribution towards the cost of providing school transport services and do not reflect the actual cost which is some €1,000 per annum for a primary school pupil.
176 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the decision by Athlone Institute of Technology, County Westmeath, to sack a small number of lecturers following a Labour Court decision that said lecturers be awarded contracts of indefinite duration; and, in view of the fact that Athlone Institute of Technology is in breach of the Croke Park agreement, if he will instruct the college to reinstate the staff. [20329/11]
I understand that this issue is currently the subject of an injunction application before the High Court, on which judgement has been reserved. It would therefore be inappropriate for me to comment on the matter at this time.
177 Deputy Michael Conaghan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of apprentices who applied for the redundant apprentice placement scheme in each local authority area; the number of apprentices who participated in the redundant apprentice placement scheme in each local authority area; his plans to continue or extend this scheme in line with other measures in the jobs initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20943/11]
The ‘Redundant Apprentice Placement Scheme' was introduced by FÁS in 2010 to provide work placement opportunities for redundant apprentices to complete their on-the-job training at Phase 3, 5 and 7. The scheme has been broadened in 2011 to include placements with employers in both the private and the public sectors.
I understand from FÁS that the total number of apprentices who are participating in the scheme at the 8th July is 1,090 and 276 have completed their on-the-job training. FÁS and the County & City Managers Association (CCMA) recently reviewed the placement programme of redundant apprentices under the Redundant Apprentice Placement Scheme. FÁS has provided to the CCMA a list of the number of redundant apprentices by trade by county who require placement under the Redundant Apprentice Placement Scheme. A copy of that list is attached for the Deputy's information. CCMA will endeavour to match the number available with opportunities in the Local Authorities in accordance with the Redundant Apprentice Placement Scheme conditions. I understand from FÁS that the numbers of redundant apprentices who are currently placed with Local Authorities under the Redundant Apprentice Placement Scheme at the 8th July 2011 is as set out in the following table. As with all labour market activation measure for the unemployed, this scheme is kept under regular review as to its relevance and capacity.
|
Local Authority |
No. of Redundant Apprentice Placements |
|
Dublin City Council |
19 |
|
South Dublin County Council — Tallaght |
17 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
2 |
|
Clare County Council |
5 |
|
Limerick County Council |
6 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
2 |
|
Waterford County Council |
9 |
|
Tipperary S.R. County Council |
5 |
|
Waterford City Council |
4 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
11 |
|
Cork County Council |
2 |
|
Kerry County Council |
4 |
|
Total |
86 |
|
Apprentices in 5H require Phase 3 and Phase 5. Following successful completion of Phase 6 will require Phase 7 |
|||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Apprentices in 7H require Phase 5 and Phase 7.- all off-the-job training is complete. |
|||||||||
|
Current Phase |
County |
Brick & Stonelaying |
Carpentry & Joinery |
Electrical |
Heavy Vehicle Mechanics |
Motor Mechanics |
Plastering |
Plumbing |
Grand Total |
|
5H |
Carlow |
1 |
1 |
||||||
|
Cavan |
1 |
2 |
2 |
5 |
|||||
|
Clare |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
7 |
|||
|
Cork |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
||||
|
Donegal |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||
|
Dublin |
6 |
14 |
12 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
31 |
68 |
|
|
Galway |
1 |
2 |
8 |
11 |
|||||
|
Kildare |
4 |
1 |
1 |
6 |
|||||
|
Kilkenny |
1 |
1 |
2 |
||||||
|
Laois |
1 |
1 |
5 |
7 |
|||||
|
Limerick |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
7 |
|||
|
Louth |
1 |
1 |
3 |
5 |
|||||
|
Mayo |
5 |
1 |
2 |
8 |
|||||
|
Meath |
3 |
3 |
1 |
4 |
11 |
||||
|
Monaghan |
2 |
2 |
4 |
||||||
|
Offaly |
1 |
2 |
3 |
6 |
|||||
|
Roscommon |
3 |
1 |
4 |
||||||
|
Tipperary |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
Waterford |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
Westmeath |
1 |
6 |
1 |
8 |
|||||
|
Wexford |
2 |
2 |
1 |
5 |
|||||
|
Wicklow |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
5H Total |
13 |
50 |
25 |
1 |
11 |
12 |
63 |
175 |
|
|
7H |
Carlow |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|||||
|
Cavan |
4 |
1 |
5 |
||||||
|
Clare |
2 |
7 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
16 |
||
|
Cork |
6 |
6 |
1 |
4 |
17 |
||||
|
Donegal |
8 |
1 |
2 |
11 |
|||||
|
Dublin |
14 |
9 |
17 |
2 |
2 |
29 |
73 |
||
|
Galway |
1 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
6 |
17 |
||
|
Kerry |
1 |
1 |
3 |
5 |
|||||
|
Kildare |
3 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
14 |
|||
|
Kilkenny |
2 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
|||||
|
Laois |
2 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
7 |
||||
|
Leitrim |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
Limerick |
6 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
18 |
|||
|
Longford |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
|||||
|
Louth |
2 |
2 |
1 |
5 |
|||||
|
Mayo |
1 |
7 |
2 |
10 |
|||||
|
Meath |
1 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
11 |
|||
|
Monaghan |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
6 |
||||
|
Offaly |
4 |
5 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
13 |
|||
|
Roscommon |
2 |
5 |
1 |
2 |
10 |
||||
|
Sligo |
1 |
1 |
2 |
||||||
|
Tipperary |
3 |
2 |
1 |
6 |
|||||
|
Waterford |
3 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
7 |
||||
|
Westmeath |
2 |
3 |
3 |
8 |
|||||
|
Wexford |
5 |
10 |
2 |
1 |
18 |
||||
|
Wicklow |
1 |
3 |
2 |
6 |
|||||
|
7H Total |
60 |
100 |
32 |
1 |
5 |
24 |
73 |
295 |
|
|
Grand Total |
73 |
150 |
57 |
2 |
16 |
36 |
136 |
470 |
178 Deputy Michael Conaghan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to maintain the home-school community liaison scheme in its current form; the changes that are envisaged for the scheme in the next year; if the scheme will come under the remit of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20944/11]
Home School Community Liaison (HSCL) is managed by the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) alongside the School Completion Programme (SCP) and the Education Welfare Service (EWS) as part of the Integration of Education Services Project. The aim and rationale for the Integrated Service is to provide more effective services for children who have difficulties participating in school; improved engagement with other agencies and services working with children and families; more effective policy making with an increased emphasis on planning, outcome measurement and the gathering of evidence on the impact of interventions. A number of children' services, from various sectors, including the National Education Welfare Board are being brought together under the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. Responsibility for SCP and NEWB, together with their budgets have transferred to the Department of Children and Youth Affairs with effect from 2 June 2011. While responsibility for the future direction of Home School Community Liaison has also transferred, the allocation of HSCL coordinator posts will remain the responsibility of my Department as these are teaching posts in schools, deployed to undertake full time HSCL duties. The current provision of Home School Community Liaison (HSCL) Services, will remain in the 200 post primary and 345 urban primary schools participating in DEIS.
179 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of pupils with Down’s syndrome in the mainstream school setting that have a diagnosis of DS with a mild intellectual disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20957/11]
180 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will make available the details of the review of the general allocation model of teaching supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20958/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 179 and 180 together.
As the Deputy is aware, pupils with a mild general learning disability, and who do not attend either a special class or special school, receive additional teaching support at primary level through the teaching staff already in place in all primary schools. All primary schools have been allocated learning support/resource teaching support through the General Allocation Model specifically to support pupils with a high incidence special educational need, including pupils with Down Syndrome with a mild general learning disability. My Department does not have compiled detailed information on the individual children who receive support through the general allocation system.
This model of teacher allocation is not in place at post-primary level and therefore the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) allocates additional teaching supports to post-primary schools in respect of students with a mild general learning disability. NCSE has advised my Department that additional teaching supports were in place in post-primary schools in the 09/10 school year in respect of over 3,600 students who had been assessed as having a mild general learning disability. There is no further breakdown of information available in relation to the number of pupils with Down Syndrome with assessed mild general learning disability. A review of the General Allocation Model has been undertaken and completed by my Department and a decision on its publication will be made shortly. The recommendations of the review will be considered in the context of my Departments Employment Control Framework obligations and competing demands on teacher numbers and educational resources.
181 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the provision of additional accommodation for a school (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20977/11]
I can confirm to the Deputy that the school to which he refers has made an application for capital funding to construct a mainstream classroom and a Resource Room. Officials from my Department have been in direct contact with the school with regard to this application. The school have now forwarded further information to my Department. The application is now currently under consideration and a decision will issue shortly to the Board of Management of the school.
182 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a response will issue to correspondence (details supplied). [20983/11]
The correspondence referred to by the Deputy relates to changes in the School Transport Scheme which were announced by the previous Fianna Fáil-Green Party Government and derive from recommendations in the Value for Money Review of the scheme. The decisions announced included the uniform application of the distance requirement, the cessation of the Closed/Central School Rule (CSR), an increase in the minimum number of eligible children required to establish or retain a service and the introduction of charges for eligible primary pupils. It is essential to stress that the wider context within which all these changes are taking place, is a situation of the most serious financial difficulties. Under the four year recovery plan, there is a requirement to deliver savings of €17 million on the school transport budget and these measures are an integral part of this.
183 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a decision will issue on the provision of additional accommodation at a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20988/11]
I can confirm to the Deputy that the school to which he refers has made an application for capital funding for additional accommodation. The application is currently under consideration and a decision will issue shortly to the Board of Management of the school.
184 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider abolishing the capitation fee for graduate-entry medical students, taking into account the fact that they are not eligible for maintenance grants and many are struggling financially; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20989/11]
I understand this question relates to the introduction of the new Student Contribution Charge. The Programme for Government commits the Government to implementing the decisions of the 2011 Budget which was passed by the last Dáil, including the introduction of a Student Contribution Charge of €2,000 with effect from the academic year 2011/12.
As the Deputy may be aware a prerequisite for entry to Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) programmes is an Upper Second or First Class Honours Bachelor's degree in any discipline, in addition to which applicants must sit the GAMSAT admissions test. GEM students are liable for the cost of their tuition fees, which are set by each individual institution. However the fees of EU students are partly subsidised by the Irish State through the Higher Education Authority. For the 2010/11 academic year this subsidy amounted to €11,800 per student.
Section 473A, Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997, as amended by Section 11 of the Finance Act 2011, provides for tax relief, at the standard rate of tax, for tuition fees paid in respect of approved courses at approved colleges of higher education including certain approved undergraduate and postgraduate courses in E.U. Member States and in non- EU countries. Details are available on the Revenue Commissioners' website at www.revenue.ie.
185 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Education and Skills the basis upon which he notified schools that doctors’ certificates from the North are not acceptable; the length of time certificates from the North were accepted by him; the reason certificates from the North are now being refused; the number of teachers that will be affected by this decision; and if he accepts that this decision runs completely contrary to the spirit of the All-Ireland Ministerial Council’s efforts to remove obstacles to cross-Border mobility on the island. [21018/11]
Under the sick leave scheme for registered teachers, a medical certificate must state the nature of the illness, be signed by a duly qualified medical practitioner registered with the Irish Medical Council and cover a period of no more than one month. These conditions are contained in Circular Letter 0060/2010 which was issued in October last year. They have been established for some time and were also a feature of the previous circular issued in 2008. The reason for this requirement is to provide a consistency of approach in order to ensure that sick leave is granted only on the basis of certificates signed by doctors regulated by the appropriate regulatory professional body in the State.
186 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a summer works scheme application in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21027/11]
I can confirm that the school referred to by the Deputy applied for funding under the 2011 Summer Works Scheme. A list of 453 successful schools was announced on 30 March 2011. Applications from schools for gas, mechanical and electrical works were prioritised under the Summer Works Scheme funding this year and I regret that the application made by the school in question was not selected. A letter to this effect has issued to the school. While further funding has been made available for school projects under the Government's Jobs Initiative, I regret that the application referred to above was also unsuccessful under the Initiative as it was necessary to prioritise some categories of works over others.
187 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be facilitated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21091/11]
Springboard is a specific initiative to provide 6,000 part time higher education places targeted at unemployed people who have lost jobs in sectors where employment levels will not return and who will need new qualifications and skills to re-enter employment as the economy recovers. These part time places were selected following a competitive tender process and are being funded as part of the Government's Job Initiative. The Springboard courses are in areas of current and future skills needs as identified by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs and are being delivered by a range of public, private and not for profit higher education providers throughout the country. Higher education institutions are autonomous bodies and entry requirements for admission to any course including a Springboard course are a matter for the relevant institution. Information on the supports available to people who wish to pursue undergraduate and post graduate programmes on a full time basis under my Department's Student Grant Scheme is available on www.studentfinance.ie.
188 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a proposal to support and train in-company trainers in the service sector, including airports, security, retail and so on; if there is or will be relevant accreditation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21097/11]
My Department provides significant funding support to Skillnets Ltd in respect of its Skillnets Training Networks Programme (TNP). This Programme supports the development and provision of enterprise-led training with networks of private sector companies in a variety of sectors and regions, including a significant cohort of companies from the service sector.
One of the most common training programmes delivered across these networks is ‘Train the Trainer' programmes. Under the TNP 2010 programme, Skillnets funded 56 networks in total, and of these, 24 networks delivered ‘Train the Trainer' courses. The Trainers Learning Skillnet is a sectoral network promoted by the Irish Institute for Training and Development (IITD), and whose target membership is exclusively representatives from the training community. The significant majority of Skillnets TNP ‘Train the Trainer' courses were certified on the NFQ, the most common award type being FETAC Level 6. Further information can be obtained from Skillnets, www.skillnets.ie.
I also understand that the Irish Institute of Training and Development (IITD) provide a range of accredited programmes in the field of Training while the National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG) provides a Certificate in Training and Education — Year 1, Diploma in Arts (Training and Education) — Year 2, BA Degree in Arts (Training and Education) — Years 3 and 4. I further understand that NUI Maynooth (NUIM) provides a Certificate in Training and Continuing Education.
189 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he will take to ensure more open, transparent and regularly updated information to the public about applications by schools for school buildings and extensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21104/11]
The current status of all projects on the school building programme may be viewed on my Department's website at www.education.ie and this will be updated regularly throughout the year. I wish to advise the Deputy that since becoming Minister, I have taken a keen interest in the operation of my Department’s School Building and Planning Unit. I have visited the School Building and Planning Unit in Tullamore, Co. Offaly to meet with all members of staff and to discuss what reforms can be brought about to make the planning and construction process more transparent.
I have also asked my officials to look at the band rating system which uses various criteria to prioritise school building projects. I believe that any change should be guided by the needs of school communities so that all involved can clearly see what stage their particular project is at.
In addition, my Department is holding exploratory talks at present with the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) to progress the commitment in the Programme for Government to develop an inventory of school accommodation.
190 Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Education and Skills when he will have the results of the analysis of the changes in school transport in rural schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21193/11]
The detailed analysis relating to changes in the ‘Closed School Rule' has been initiated by Bus Éireann and will draw on the final data in relation to school transport requirements in September 2011. Given this fact, I do not expect to have the final details for some weeks yet.
These changes are not due to be implemented until September 2012 and as detailed consideration and assessment will be required it will be some time before this work is completed.
191 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding plans for new accommodation in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21224/11]
I am pleased to advise the Deputy, that a project to provide a new school building for the school to which he refers, was announced in January 2011 as one of the projects to commence the process of the brief formulation under my Department's 2011 Multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.
I can inform the Deputy that a site, which is in the ownership of the HSE, has been identified as a potential site for a building for the school referred to by the Deputy. My Department has had discussions with the HSE regarding a potential acquisition of the site in question for this purpose. However, as yet, agreement on the matter has not been reached.
Once a site is secured, my officials will be in contact with the school authority in relation to the steps to be taken to progress the project.
192 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding plans for new accommodation for a school (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21225/11]
I can confirm to the Deputy that the school to which he refers has made an application for capital funding to construct a Resource Room.
The application is currently under consideration and a decision will issue shortly to the Board of Management of the school.
193 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills, in respect of schools that are in receipt of grants for temporary accommodation, to ensure that this money is used for the building of a permanent structure or for the rental of prefabs and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21226/11]
Since July 2008, it is my Department's policy to offer schools being approved for devolved grant aid for additional accommodation the option to use their capital grant aid to build a permanent classroom(s) rather than purchase a prefab.
194 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of special needs assistants employed at primary and second level schools in Dublin Central; and if he will provide a breakdown of the numbers per school. [21237/11]
The information requested by the Deputy on the number of special needs assistants employed in Dublin Central is not readily available.
The number of Special Needs Assistants employed nationally from 2007 to 2010 is set out in the following table. The details for each year are the December figures for the year in question. The primary schools information is inclusive of the special schools details.
SNAs are recruited specifically to assist in the care of pupils with disabilities in an educational context. The class teacher is responsible for educating all pupils in their class, including any pupil with a special educational need. In this task, the teacher may be supported by a learning support teacher and/or resource teacher. As a result, the allocation of SNAs in each school can alter from year to year. Some schools may receive an increased allocation, while others may experience a reduction because the allocation of supports are provided in line with the needs of individual schools.
The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for allocating special needs resources to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. The NCSE will continue to support schools, parents, children and teachers and special needs assistants will continue to be deployed to schools to meet children's needs in line with my Department's policy.
|
Year |
Number of Special Needs Assistants in Primary schools |
Number of Special Needs Assistants in Post Primary Schools, including VECs. |
|
2007 |
8,038 |
1,786 |
|
2008 |
8,440 |
2,002 |
|
2009 |
8,392 |
1,950 |
|
2010 |
8,401 |
2,142 |
195 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of special needs assistants employed in fee-paying schools in the Dublin area. [21238/11]
The information requested by the Deputy on the number of special needs assistants employed in fee-paying schools in the Dublin area is not readily available.
The number of Special Needs Assistants employed nationally from 2007 to 2010 is set out in the following table. The details for each year are the December figures for the year in question. The primary schools information is inclusive of the special schools details.
SNAs are recruited specifically to assist in the care of pupils with disabilities in an educational context. The class teacher is responsible for educating all pupils in their class, including any pupil with a special educational need. In this task, the teacher may be supported by a learning support teacher and/or resource teacher. As a result, the allocation of SNAs in each school can alter from year to year. Some schools may receive an increased allocation, while others may experience a reduction because the allocation of supports are provided in line with the needs of individual schools.
The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for allocating special needs resources to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. The NCSE will continue to support schools, parents, children and teachers and special needs assistants will continue to be deployed to schools to meet children's needs in line with my Department's policy.
|
Year |
Number of Special Needs Assistants in Primary schools |
Number of Special Needs Assistants in Post Primary Schools, including VECs. |
|
2007 |
8,038 |
1,786 |
|
2008 |
8,440 |
2,002 |
|
2009 |
8,392 |
1,950 |
|
2010 |
8,401 |
2,142 |
196 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of requests for special needs assistants that have been made for the coming school year in Dublin Central; the number that have been approved; and the number that are pending. [21239/11]
The detailed information requested by the Deputy on Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) in Dublin Central for the coming school year is not readily available.
I wish to clarify for the Deputy that SNAs are recruited specifically to assist in the care of pupils with disabilities in an educational context. SNA allocations are not permanent as the level of SNA support allocated to a school may be increased or decreased as pupils who qualify for SNA support enrol or leave a school or where a child's care needs may have diminished over time. The allocation of SNAs in each school can therefore alter from year to year.
The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible for allocating SNAs to schools. 10,575 whole time equivalent posts are being provided for the coming school year. To manage this limited resource, 475 of these posts will be retained for allocation over the coming school year to address significant emergency cases; new entrants with special needs; or new assessments or injuries acquired during the school year.
The NCSE will advise schools early in the new school year of a review process to review allocation decisions to ensure that correct procedures were followed and that they comply with my Department's policy. The merits of individual allocation decisions will not be open to appeal under this mechanism.
It will be expected that schools, before requesting a review, will be in a position to demonstrate that they have made every effort to manage their allocation of SNA posts to best effect.
197 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding plans for new accommodation in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21240/11]
The school referred to by the Deputy currently has provisional recognition only and is operating from temporary accommodation. At present, my Department considers that this school has sufficient accommodation to meet its needs.
To date, no application has been made to my Department for new accommodation in respect of this school. In the event of additional accommodation being required by this school, it is open to the school to apply to my Department for the provision of the necessary accommodation.
198 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding plans for new accommodation in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21241/11]
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that a project to provide a new school building for the school to which he refers was announced in January 2011 as one of the projects to commence the process of the brief formulation under my Department's 2011 Multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.
My officials have been in contact with the school authority in relation to the steps to be taken to progress the project.
199 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding plans for new accommodation in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21242/11]
I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has been in contact with the school referred to by the Deputy on a regular basis over the past few years in an effort to ensure that the school's accommodation requirements are being met. In this regard, my Department approved the construction of four mainstream classrooms at the school in September 2010.
200 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding plans for new accommodation in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21243/11]
The building project at the School referred to by the Deputy is included in the School Building Works Programme for 2011 which was announced on 24 January 2011.
Information, including current status, in relation to all projects on the 2011 Programme is available on my Departments web-site. A stage 2(b) addendum report was received in my Department in mid July and is currently under review. When that review is complete my Department will be in contact with the Board of Management with regard to the further progression of the project.
201 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding plans for new accommodation in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21244/11]
The school to which the Deputy refers has applied to my Department for capital funding for a new school. Officials from my Department are in contact with the school authorities directly on this matter and are currently assessing all options regarding the schools current situation.
202 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a decision will issue on an application in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21246/11]
The school referred to by the Deputy was allocated devolved funding towards one Resource room under my Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme in 2010. The school authorities also received additional funding for a boiler replacement under this scheme.
In June 2011, the school submitted a further application for Capital grant-aid towards Emergency Works. My Department contacted the school authorities and sought further information in relation to this application and is currently awaiting a response. Once the information requested by my Department is provided, the school's application will receive further consideration and the school authority will be informed of the decision.
203 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will examine if funding being provided for school transport is being used on ordinary bus runs; and if this is so, whether it should be permitted. [21254/11]
The school transport scheme, which is operated by Bus Éireann on my Department's behalf, facilitates the transportation of over 123,000 children to primary and post-primary schools each day including approximately 8,000 children with special educational needs.
School transport is a very significant national operation involving about 42 million journeys and over 82 million kilometres on 6,000 routes every school year. This service is delivered using a mix of Bus Éireann, both school transport and road passenger vehicles, private contractor vehicles including private operator scheduled services, and Dublin Bus, Irish Rail, DART and LUAS where practical.
Bus Éireann maintains separate accounts for activities provided in connection with the School Transport Schemes. Funding received from the Department is used solely for the purposes of providing transport for schoolchildren in accordance with the terms of these schemes.
204 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21256/11]
In November last year my Department issued a circular which permits schools to participate in the FÁS Work Placement Programme (WPP) if they so wish. This FÁS programme is intended to assist people who are unemployed to retain their skills levels and secure work experience that will assist them in finding employment. This involves a placement for a defined period, rather than employment, and participants in this voluntary programme may be entitled to maintain their social welfare entitlements subject to the rules of the Department of Social Protection.
The WPP provides a mechanism for schools to offer placements to graduates and non-graduates from a wide variety of disciplines which has not existed up until now and offers an opportunity for schools to access skills and experience which may otherwise be unavailable. The individuals on placement will, in turn, have the opportunity to utilise and develop their own skills.
Where a school chooses to participate in the scheme, the Department has determined that service which fulfils the requirements for achievement of probation in respect of registration as a primary school teacher with the Teaching Council may be utilised in achieving such registration.
In addition, my colleague Joan Burton TD, Minister for Social Protection, has announced "JobBridge", the national internship scheme. This will provide work experience placements for interns for a 6 or 9 month period. My Department is currently considering the possible extension of this initiative to schools.
205 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the costs being charged to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick in respect of school transport will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21259/11]
Changes to my Department's School Transport Schemes were announced in the 2011 Budget and derive from recommendations in the Value for Money Review of the Scheme.
One of the changes announced for the 2011/12 school year is an increase from €300 to €350 in the annual school transport charge for eligible post primary pupils. There is no increase in the family maximum charge of €650 per annum.
Charges may be paid in two instalments in July and December and pupils with valid Medical Cards (GMS Scheme) are exempt from paying these charges.
It is essential to stress that the wider context within which these changes are taking place, is a situation of the most serious financial difficulties. Under the four year recovery plan, there is a requirement to deliver savings of €17 million on the school transport budget and these measures are an integral part of this.
206 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the costs associated with the provision of temporary accommodation for 11 schools in south Tipperary; his views on whether these costs represent real value for money; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21261/11]
Following is a list of the costs associated with the provision of temporary accommodation for the 11 schools in south Tipperary, as requested by the Deputy. With regard to the value for money, most of the schools on the list were given prefabs as permanent classrooms were not a viable option at that time. Competing priorities mean that it will not always be possible to have a permanent accommodation solution in place in a short timeframe. Some of the schools have major extensions / new schools due to progress, others currently have temporary recognition and the building of new classrooms did not provide value for money.
Where the need for the accommodation is likely to exceed three years in duration, the Department will devolve funding to a school authority giving it the option to purchase or build the accommodation needed. Where that need is likely to be for three years or less, approval is given to rent the accommodation.
|
School Type |
Roll No |
School Name |
Address |
County |
Major Application Submitted |
Start Date |
Rental |
|
Primary |
10120P |
Our Lady of Mercy NS |
Cahir |
Tipperary South |
Yes |
01/09/07 |
€18,876.00 |
|
Primary |
11872V |
Presentation Primary School |
Carrick-on-Suir |
Tipperary South |
No |
01/09/01 |
€26,254.48 |
|
Primary |
16077B |
Ardfinnan NS |
Clonmel |
Tipperary South |
No |
01/09/07 |
€18,876.00 |
|
Primary |
17779P |
Powerstown NS |
Clonmel |
Tipperary South |
Yes |
21/09/01 |
€49,949.16 |
|
Primary |
18062V |
Grange NS |
Clonmel |
Tipperary South |
Yes |
01/12/06 |
€14,157.00 |
|
Primary |
18716T |
Cahir BNS |
Cahir |
Tipperary South |
Yes |
01/03/00 |
€31,909.24 |
|
Primary |
19230V |
Scoil Chormaic |
Cashel |
Tipperary South |
Yes |
01/05/06 |
€80,016.00 |
|
Primary |
19615S |
Scoil Aonghusa |
Cashel |
Tipperary South |
Yes |
02/06/06 |
€35,000.00 |
|
Primary |
20007C |
GS Chluain Meala |
Clonmel |
Tipperary South |
Yes |
01/06/04 |
€23,000.00 |
|
Primary |
20085W |
GS Charraig Na Siuire |
Carrick-on-Suir |
Tipperary South |
No |
01/09/98 |
€99,364.61 |
|
Post-Primary |
72400V |
Comeragh College |
Clonmel |
Tipperary South |
Yes |
01/08/07 |
€40,000.00 |
207 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding plans for new accommodation in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21276/11]
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that a project to provide an extension to allow the two schools referred to by the Deputy to amalgamate was announced in January 2011 as one of the projects to commence the process of the brief formulation under my Department's 2011 Multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.
My officials have been in contact with the school authorities in relation to the steps to be taken to progress the project.
208 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will have the staffing complement of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 24 reviewed in view of the serious concern about the loss of special needs assistants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21295/11]
Firstly, I wish to clarify for the Deputy that Special Needs Assistant (SNA) allocations are not permanent, as the level of SNA support allocated to a school may be increased or decreased as pupils who qualify for SNA support enrol or leave a school. They are also decreased where a child's care needs may have diminished over time.
I wish to clarify also that the recruitment and deployment of SNAs within schools are matters for the individual Principal/Board of Management. SNAs should be deployed by the school in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of the children enrolled in the school for whom SNA support has been allocated. It is a matter for schools to allocate support as required, and on the basis of individual need, which allows schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.
The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. This now includes a requirement for the NCSE to have regard to an overall cap on the number of SNA posts.
The NCSE has issued a circular to all schools advising of the allocation process for the 2011/2012 school year. A key feature of the amended scheme will be to provide for an annual allocation of Special Needs Assistant support to eligible schools. The NCSE is currently in the process of informing schools of their annual SNA allocation for the coming school year. The NCSE will advise schools early in the new school year of a review process to review allocation decisions to ensure that correct procedures were followed and that they comply with my Department's policy. The merits of individual allocation decisions will not be open to appeal under this mechanism.
It will be expected that schools, before requesting a review, will be in a position to demonstrate that they have made every effort to manage their allocation of SNA posts to best effect.
209 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will advise persons (details supplied) who have been unable to secure a place in a suitable secondary school for this September other than a fee-paying school; the steps he will take to resolve this matter; his views on whether there is shortage of secondary school places in the Dundalk area; the action he will take to resolve this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21350/11]
The selection and enrolment of pupils in schools is the responsibility of the authorities of the individual school. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in an area. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice. As schools may not have a place for every applicant, a selection process may be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants.
Under section 15(2)(d) of the Education Act, 1998, each school is legally obliged to disclose its enrolment policy and to ensure that as regards that policy that principles of equality and the right of parents to send their children to a school of the parents choice are respected.
Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 provides for an appeal by a parent or guardian to the Secretary General of my Department, or in the case of a Vocational Education Committee (VEC) school to the VEC in the first instance, where a Board of Management of a school, or a person acting on behalf of the Board, refuses to enrol a student in a school. My Department has no authority to compel a school to admit a pupil, except in the case of an appeal under section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 being upheld. The National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) is the statutory agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The parents of the child in question may wish to contact the NEWB who have confirmed that they will offer advice on securing a school placement within the pupil's area. The contact details for the NEWB in the area in question is NEWB, Block 3, Floor 1, Grove Court, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, Tel: 01 8103261.
I recently announced that 20 new primary and 20 new post-primary schools are to be established in the next six years. Of the 40 new schools, one new post-primary school will be located in the Dundalk area. This school will cater for a long term enrolment of 1,000 pupils.
210 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a school (details supplied) in Dublin 24 has had its special needs assistant allocation cut from 13 to 6.5, a reduction of 50%, which, combined with a possible loss of language support teachers, will have an impact on the lives of children with special educational needs and behavioural difficulties. [21351/11]
Firstly, I wish to clarify for the Deputy that Special Needs Assistant (SNA) allocations are not permanent, as the level of SNA support allocated to a school may be increased or decreased as pupils who qualify for SNA support enrol or leave a school. They are also decreased where a child's care needs may have diminished over time.
I also wish to clarify that the recruitment and deployment of SNAs within schools are matters for the individual Principal/Board of Management. SNAs should be deployed by the school in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of the children enrolled in the school for whom SNA support has been allocated. It is a matter for schools to allocate support as required, and on the basis of individual need, which allows schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.
The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. This now includes a requirement for the NCSE to have regard to an overall cap on the number of SNA posts.
The NCSE has issued a circular to all schools advising of the allocation process for the 2011/2012 school year. A key feature of the amended scheme will be to provide for an annual allocation of Special Needs Assistant support to eligible schools.
The NCSE is currently in the process of informing schools of their annual SNA allocation for the coming school year.
The NCSE will advise schools early in the new school year of a review process to review allocation decisions to ensure that correct procedures were followed and that they comply with my Department's policy. The merits of individual allocation decisions will not be open to appeal under this mechanism.
It will be expected that schools, before requesting a review, will be in a position to demonstrate that they have made every effort to manage their allocation of SNA posts to best effect.
The Deputy will also be aware that significant support is given to schools by way of language support provision. The level of extra teaching support provided in respect of language support to any school is determined by the numbers of eligible pupils enrolled and the associated assessed levels of those pupils' language proficiency. This is done through an annual application process in the Spring/Summer of each year.
Schools that made applications, and where more than 25% of the enrolment would qualify for language support, have had their applications assessed on the basis of the same criteria as last year and have a right of appeal to the Primary Staffing Appeal Board. The criteria on the number of children outlined in Circular 15/2009 still applies, i.e. the first post is granted where there are 14 to 30 eligible children the second post granted for between 31 and 90 children, the third post granted for between 91 and 120 eligible children, and the fourth post for between 91 and 120 eligible children.
211 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of persons employed by the State Examinations Commission and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment by grade. [21363/11]
The number of persons employed by the State Examinations Commission (SEC) and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) broken down by grade is set out in the following tables.
|
No. |
|
|
Chief Executive Officer |
1 |
|
Deputy Chief Executive Officer |
2 |
|
Directors |
5 |
|
Assistant Principal |
1 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
2 |
|
Executive Officer |
1 |
|
Clerical Officer |
4 |
|
Service Officer |
1 |
|
Education Officers |
8.5 |
|
Total |
25.5 |
|
No. |
|
|
Chief Executive Officer |
1 |
|
PO Director |
1 |
|
Principal Officer (PO) |
1 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer (APO) |
4.8 |
|
Higher Executive Officer (HEO) |
14 |
|
Executive Officer (EO) |
30.0634 |
|
Staff Officer (SO) |
12 |
|
Clerical Officer (CO) |
45.0317 |
|
Head Service Officer |
1 |
|
Service Officer |
8 |
|
HEAD of Examination and Assessment Division (EAD) |
1 |
|
Assistant HEAD |
1 |
|
Examination and Assessment Managers (EAM) |
24.4 |
|
Cleaners |
4 |
|
Night Watchman (Security) |
3 |
|
Total |
151.2951 |
|
Temporary Clerical Officers * |
69 |
|
Temporary Service Officers * |
15 |
|
Temporary Cleaner* |
1 |
|
Grand Total |
236.2951 |
*For summer exam peak only.
212 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a special needs assistant will be provided in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21367/11]
I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. This now includes a requirement for the NCSE to have regard to an overall cap on the number of SNA posts.
The NCSE has issued a circular to all schools advising of the allocation process for the 2011/2012 school year. A key feature of the amended scheme will be to provide for an annual allocation of Special Needs Assistant support to eligible schools. The NCSE is currently in the process of informing schools of their annual SNA allocation for the coming school year.
213 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students from abroad that his Department grant aided via scholarships to come to Ireland in 2009 and 2010 to study; the courses and universities or colleges involved; the cost per student per year; if same was made up of college fees, registration, accommodation, maintenance or orientation expenses; and if there is a reciprocal arrangement for Irish students to study in their countries of origin. [21368/11]
A post-graduate scholarship scheme of a reciprocal nature exists under a number of bilateral cultural agreements between Ireland and other countries.
The number of students from abroad who came to Ireland on scholarships was 22 in 2009 and 22 in 2010. In both years, the courses involved covered a range of disciplines including courses in the humanities, science and business in the universities and Institutes of Technology.
The grant for each student covered the cost of fees and registration, plus a maintenance component. The value of the fee element of the grant ranged from €7,000 to €12,750 per student and the maintenance component was €5,000 per student in both years.
214 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Skills the grants provided by his Department for university lecturers, professors or officials to travel abroad; the purpose and duration of education visits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21369/11]
My Department does not provide specific grants to Universities for foreign travel. The position is that funding is provided by my Department to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) for distribution among the publicly funded third level institutions, including Universities. The HEA disburses funding to the institutions by taking into account the full circumstances of the institution, the range and type of courses and facilities offered to the students, total student numbers and the nature of the infrastructure. It is then a matter for each institution to determine how the funding is allocated internally.
Under the Code of Governance for Irish Universities, the governing authorities of universities are required to implement Government pay policy (including procedures and systems in relation to Travel and Subsistence). The universities provide an annual update on their compliance with the code to the HEA.
215 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills when it is expected that construction will commence on the new post-primary school in Ballinamore, County Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21375/11]
The new post-primary school to be provided in Ballinamore, Co Leitrim is one of eight schools which were approved for inclusion in the 3rd Bundle of schools to be procured via Public Private Partnership.
This Bundle was handed over to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) in July 2010 to commence the tender procurement process.
This process is ongoing with tenders received this month. Subject to the successful completion of the procurement process, including securing the necessary Local Authority consents, it is anticipated that construction of the schools in this bundle will commence in the first quarter of 2012 and the accommodation is expected to be ready for occupation in September 2013.
216 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made to date in relation to the establishment of a new second level school (details supplied) in County Cavan; when the project will proceed to the next stage; the likely timescale for construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21376/11]
The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced that 20 new primary and 20 new post-primary schools are to be established in the next six years. Of the 40 new schools, one new post-primary school will be located in County Cavan in the area referred to by the Deputy.
I also announced the introduction of new arrangements for the recognition of both primary and post-primary schools that will provide an opportunity for all patrons to seek to apply for patronage of these schools.
My Department will shortly inform patron bodies of the details of the first schools that are to be established. Applications for patronage of the new schools will then be sought.
It is not possible at this early stage to say when construction will commence.
217 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the proposal to provide permanent additional accommodation at a school (details supplied) in County Cavan; when this project is likely to proceed to construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21377/11]
The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at an early stage of architectural planning.
Officials from the Planning Building Unit of my Department have requested a meeting with the school and its Design Team to expedite the preliminary design process. When completed, the Stage 1 submission which incorporates the preliminary design will be submitted to my Department for technical review.
The next stages for the project will be the completion of stage 2(a) — Developed Sketch Design and stage 2(b) which will include applications for planning permission and other statutory approvals.
Until planning permission has been secured and stage 2(b) of architectural planning has been completed, it will not be possible to give an indication of the timeframe for completion of the subsequent tender and construction stages.
218 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the proposal to provide permanent additional accommodation at a school (details supplied) in County Cavan; when this project is likely to proceed to construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21378/11]
The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at an early stage of architectural planning.
Officials from the Planning and Building Unit of my Department met with the school and its Design Team recently to expedite the preliminary design process. When completed, the Stage 1 submission which incorporates the preliminary design will be submitted to my Department for technical review.
The next stages for the project will be the completion of stage 2(a) — Developed Sketch Design and stage 2(b) which will include applications for planning permission and other statutory approvals.
Until planning permission has been secured and stage 2(b) of architectural planning has been completed, it will not be possible to give an indication of the timeframe for completion of the subsequent tender and construction stages.
219 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills when approval will issue in respect of the need to provide additional permanent accommodation at a school (details supplied) in County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21379/11]
My Department is liaising with the school to which the Deputy refers regarding their accommodation needs and the school has undertaken to furnish material to my Department for consideration. When this is received and considered, the matter can be progressed further. In the meantime, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that my Department has recently approved four additional classrooms to meet the school's immediate accommodation needs.
220 Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding plans for the new community school at Clifden, Connemara, County Galway; and if he will provide a timeframe for the opening of the new school. [21407/11]
The Project for Clifden Community School is included in the School Building Work Programme for 2011 which was announced on 24 January 2011.
The Design Team are currently working on finalising the Stage 2b submission (Detailed Design) which will then be submitted to my Department for review.
Subsequently assuming no further issues arise, my Department will be in contact with the Board of Management with regard to the further progression of the project.
221 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the savings to the semi-State sector in his Department in a full year if he were to cap the maximum salary available in semi-State bodies at €100,000. [22627/11]
The details requested by the Deputy are not readily available. My Department will arrange to compile and forward the details requested as soon as possible.
222 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the timetable for a reduction in the number of quangos; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20897/11]
The Government is currently undertaking a Comprehensive Review of Expenditure under which all areas of public expenditure are being subject to scrutiny. The Government expect that this will go beyond simply abolishing agencies and also consider issues such as how existing agencies might be reformed, how functions might be reallocated among them, and how different bodies within and beyond individual Ministers' remits might be brought together on a repurposed, streamlined basis.
The question of rationalization and the reduction in the number of state agencies will be considered in the context of the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure and the overall budgetary and estimates process for 2012 and later years.
223 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the savings to the Exchequer in a full year if he were to cap the maximum salary available to public servants at €100,000. [21062/11]
I refer to the reply by my colleague, the Minister for Finance, to Questions Nos. 39, 43 and 45 on 5 July 2011.
224 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total value of bonuses awarded to staff in the public sector from the years 2007 to 2010. [21063/11]
The Committee for Performance Awards was established in November 2001 to oversee the operation of schemes for performance awards for certain grades within the civil service, the Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces. The first awards under the scheme of performance-related awards were made in 2003 in respect of 2002. Subsequent awards were made annually thereafter up to 2008 in respect of performance in 2007. On 5 February 2009 the Minister for Finance announced in the Dail the discontinuation of the scheme for Assistant Secretaries, Deputy Secretary and related grades. No awards have been made under the scheme in respect of performance in 2008 to date.
Details of the awards made to date are contained in the annual reports of the Committee for Performance Awards. The cost of the awards approved by the Committee for Performance Awards amounted to approximately €3 million in 2008 (awards related to performance in 2007) and approximately €2.7 million in 2007 (awards related to performance in 2006). The last report of the Committee is dated 2008 and relates to performance in 2007.
Neither myself nor officials in my Department have any role in the operation of PRA Schemes in either the Local Authority or Health Sectors. Therefore the Deputy may wish to address his query directly to the relevant Departments.
While the introduction of performance related schemes in the commercial and non-commercial State sponsored bodies sector require the approval of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, once such approval has been given, the operation of such schemes is a matter for the relevant Boards and parent Departments. In this context, comprehensive data on annual performance related payments in the commercial and non-commercial State sponsored bodies sector is not held in my Department but may be sought from the parent Departments concerned. All such schemes are predicated on the achievement of stretched targets — i.e. payments under such schemes are not to be seen as an automatic addition to basic pay.
It is to be noted that in the context of Non-Commercial State Sponsored Bodies, Secretaries General of Government Departments were advised in 2009 that in current circumstances, notwithstanding the contractual issues involved, it would be appropriate that consideration of any bonus payments should be suspended. A further letter issued last year which advised all Government Departments that suspension of performance related award schemes in non-commercial State bodies should be on an indefinite basis and that any future proposals to re-introduce such schemes should be referred to this Department. Secretaries General were asked to convey this position to the bodies under the aegis of their Departments. A similar letter issued earlier this year in respect of performance payments in Commercial State Companies. Information on performance related payments for CEOs and second tier management in Commercial State Companies is appropriate to the relevant Departments. In relation to CEOs the information is published in the annual report of such companies.
While not encompassing the Commercial State Companies, it is to be noted that the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector (Report No 44: September 2009) stated that the Review Group remained committed to the concept of performance schemes for the higher management grades in the public service but, in recognition of the very serious state of the public finances, recommended that such payments be suspended until 2012 when they should be reviewed again.
225 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the savings to the semi-State sector in a full year if he were to cap the maximum salary available in semi-State bodies at €100,000. [21064/11]
I refer to the reply by my colleague, the Minister for Finance, to Questions Nos. 39, 43 and 45 of 5 July 2011. The estimate of the net savings accruing to the Exchequer of less than €100m p.a. arising from the imposition of a cap of €100,000 on public service salaries includes those employed in non-commercial state bodies, although it is not possible to provide a breakdown specifically in respect of those staff. However, the estimate does not include staff of commercial state-sponsored bodies since the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform is not responsible for setting the rate of pay for employees (other than CEOs) in the commercial state sector.
226 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the return to the Exchequer in a full year if he capped ministerial salaries at €100,000, TDs’ salaries at €75,000 and Senators’ salaries at €60,000. [21065/11]
The estimated full year saving accruing to the Exchequer from applying a cap on salaries to all members of the Government of €100,000, to TDs of €75,000 and to Senators of €60,000 is estimated at nearly €4.3m.
227 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of exemptions requested by Departments, local authorities and State agencies to the current moratorium on recruitment and promotion; if he will provide the full details in each such case including the requesting body; the reasons for the request; the number of staff requested and at which grade the staff are requested; the cost of same; if he will provide in detail, his response to each such request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21307/11]
The moratorium on recruitment and promotion was introduced at the end of March 2009. The moratorium allows for certain general exemptions in the Education and Health Sectors for the filling of certain key posts as well as for the Local Authorities in relation to certain key posts. Information in relation to the posts covered by these general exemptions may be sought from the relevant Ministers.
Departments have been implementing the moratorium in respect of themselves and the bodies under their aegis. However, where a Department feels that a post should be filled, in either the case of a civil service post or in relation to a public service post in a body under the aegis of the Department, it requires the sanction of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for an exception to the moratorium. Requests for exceptions are not made in respect of every vacancy.
The following tables set out exceptions sought to the moratorium on recruitment and promotion in both the Civil and Public Service to date. This information is collected in a standard format and full details are outlined in table 1 and table 2 below. Information is not collected on the cost of individual posts sanctioned.
Each request for an exception is assessed on a case by case basis. Approval to fill posts is based on the business case made including consideration of, for example:
a. statutory posts which have to be filled for legal reasons;
b. in a number of instances failure to fill posts could result in a breach of EU/international regulations etc.;
c. safety related posts where a failure to fill them could leave the state open to potential legal liabilities or for security reasons;
d. some specialist/technical posts which are required to ensure continuity of operations e.g. legal officers; laboratory staff, maritime safety, etc.;
e. to ensure continuity of essential services.
It should be noted that in accordance with the terms of the moratorium, exceptions can only be sought by Government Departments and Offices after all internal possibilities of reassigning staff, reorganising work, etc. have been exhausted.
In addition, as part of the Employment Control Framework 2011-2014 for the Health Sector, the HSE has discretion to fill a limited number of posts on exceptional grounds to support the development of integrated health care and its transformation programme. There must be suppression of posts of equivalent value in non-frontline areas for each new exempted posts or each exception made.
Information on the individual exceptions sought by each Department in respect of Civil Service and Public Service posts is outlined in table 1 and table 2, respectively.
Requests for exemption represent a small part of staff numbers not replaced and such requests will usually only be made by Departments if they feel there is a strong case to be made.
|
Dept / Office Title |
Exception Sought1 |
Grade |
No of Exceptions Sought Promotion/ Recruitment Redeployment |
Decision |
Sanction Date |
Exceptions Granted Promotion/ Recruitment Redeployment |
Basis of Sanction |
|
Courts Service |
5 Legal Researchers |
Legal Researchers |
5 |
Approved |
01-Jun-09 |
5 |
Approved but next 6 Tipstaff to be suppressed |
|
1 CO in Limerick from PAS CO panel |
CO |
1 |
Approved |
18-Nov-09 |
1 |
1 CO from PAS |
|
|
1 CO in Waterford from PAS CO panel |
CO |
1 |
Approved |
18-Nov-09 |
1 |
1 CO from PAS |
|
|
Dep Gen Solicitor (AP) acting to Gen Solicitor (PO) to be made substantive |
Gen Solicitor |
1 |
Approved |
06-Nov-09 |
1 |
Sanctioned as substantive Gen Solicitor on basis of suppressing Dep Gen Solicitor post |
|
|
Tip staffs (criers and ushers) for judiciary |
Tip Staff (criers and ushers) |
5 |
Approved |
11-Mar-10 |
5 |
Operational needs. |
|
|
Permanent Court messenger Galway |
Court Messenger |
1 |
Approved |
21-Jan-10 |
1 |
Statutory requirements |
|
|
10 Judicial Fellowships to the High Court |
Fellowships |
10 |
Approved |
16-Jun-10 |
10 |
Fellows considered to provide key support to the Judiciary |
|
|
4 Assistant Principal Officer posts in Dublin |
Assistant Principal |
4 |
Part Approved |
01-Nov-10 |
2 |
3 to replace 4 normal retirements and 1 lateral transfer |
|
|
; |
3 Executive Officers in Dublin |
Executive Officer |
3 |
Not Granted |
2 to replace retirements and 1 to replace transfer |
||
|
1 Clerical Officer Wexford/Waterford |
Clerical Officer |
1 |
Not Granted |
To replace staff member transferring to a Garda Station |
|||
|
Service Officer with Allowance for Dublin |
Service Officer |
1 |
Not Granted |
Vacancy created on retirement of incumbent |
|||
|
1 Higher Executive Officer Wexford |
HEO |
1 |
Approved |
19-Oct-10 |
1 |
||
|
1 Executive Officer Clonmel |
EO |
1 |
Approved |
19-Oct-10 |
1 |
||
|
Judicial Secretaries |
CO |
2 |
Approved |
19-Oct-10 |
2 |
||
|
Private Secretary to President High Court |
CO |
1 |
Approved |
01-Nov-10 |
1 |
Essential Post |
|
|
Registrar Special Criminal Court |
AP |
1 |
Refused |
Operational needs. |
|||
|
Tip staffs (criers and ushers) for judiciary |
Tip Staff (criers and ushers) |
1 |
Approved |
20-Dec-10 |
1 |
||
|
Tip staffs (criers and ushers) for judiciary |
Tip Staff (criers and ushers) |
1 |
Approved |
10-May-11 |
1 |
||
|
Temporary Clerical Officer Cover |
TCO |
3 |
Approved |
10-May-11 |
3 |
Vacancies arising as a result of shorter working year |
|
|
Higher Executive Officer Donegal |
Higher Executive Officer |
1 |
Approved |
10-May-11 |
1 |
Acting up allowance EO to HEO for 6 months |
|
|
Higher Executive Officer Ballinasloe |
Higher Executive Officer |
1 |
Under consideration |
10-May-11 |
|||
|
Tip staffs (criers and ushers) for judiciary |
Tip Staff (criers and ushers) |
2 |
Under consideration |
||||
|
Executive Legal Assistant to Chief Justice |
Executive Legal Assistant |
1 |
Under consideration |
||||
|
Judicial Researcher |
Judicial Researcher |
1 |
Under consideration |
||||
|
2 Supervisory Allowances for Service Officers |
Service Officer |
2 |
Under consideration |
||||
|
PRA |
Examiner of Maps |
04/02/1900 |
Part Approved |
During 2009 |
20-Jan-00 |
20 Mapping Draughts persons promoted to next level. Old grade defunct while their new grade has big workload. Part Granted (no allowance for 15 staff) |
20 Mapping Draughts persons promoted to next level. Old grade defunct while their new grade has big workload. Part Granted (no allowance for 15 staff) |
|
Deputy Registrar |
01/01/1900 |
Approved |
40246 |
01-Jan-00 |
Business Critical Post |
Business Critical Post |
|
|
Mapping Advisor |
01/01/1900 |
Approved |
40246 |
01-Jan-00 |
Business Critical Post |
Business Critical Post |
|
|
PO |
01/01/1900 |
Approved |
40246 |
01-Jan-00 |
Business Critical Post |
Business Critical Post |
|
|
AP |
04/01/1900 |
Part Approved |
40246 |
01-Jan-00 |
Promotions |
Promotions |
|
|
Service Officer |
03/01/1900 |
Approved |
11-Aug-10 |
03-Jan-00 |
|||
|
Assistant Sec |
01/01/1900 |
Part Approved |
40584 |
01-Jan-00 |
|||
|
JELR |
CEO Legal Aid Board |
CEO |
1 |
Approved |
28-Aug-09 |
1 |
Statutory Post, extension for a 5 year fixed term contract |
|
CEO Equality Authority |
CEO |
1 |
Approved |
23-Apr-09 |
1 |
Statutory Post, extension for a 5 year fixed term contract |
|
|
Employment Assistance Officer (EAO) |
Employment Assistance Officer |
1 |
Approved |
06-May-09 |
1 |
Existing Civil Servant, cost neutral |
|
|
Garda Inspectorate — 2 members |
Garda Inspectorate |
2 |
Approved |
07-Aug-09 |
2 |
2 new members of Inspectorate sanctioned for a 2 year period |
|
|
Deputy Chief State Pathologist |
Deputy Chief State Pathologist |
1 |
Approved |
07-Jul-09 |
1 |
Exception made to make temp contract established (see file ) |
|
|
Head of IT |
Head of IT |
1 |
Approved |
17-Feb-10 |
1 |
Acting up allowance for 1 year |
|
|
2 Legal Researchers -INIS/ORAC |
Legal Researcher |
2 |
Approved |
02-Feb-10 |
2 |
Renewal of Contracts for 1 year |
|
|
Director General (Dep Sec) |
DG |
1 |
Part Approved |
25-May-10 |
1 |
Approved at lower level. |
|
|
International Policy (Asst Sec) |
Asst Sec |
1 |
Suppressed |
01-May-10 |
0 |
— |
|
|
JELR ISER 10 PO posts |
PO |
8 |
Part Approved |
— |
4 |
— |
|
|
JELR shared services (Payroll Project Team 1 AP, 2 HEOs and 1 EO) |
Eo to AP |
5 |
Under Consideration |
— |
— |
— |
|
|
JELR shared services (1 AP, 2 EOs and 2 Cos) |
CO to AP |
5 |
Under Consideration |
— |
— |
— |
|
|
Appointment of Ministerial Staff |
Personal Secretary, Assistant, Civilian drivers, special advisers |
3 |
Approved |
24-Mar-11 |
Ministerial Appointments |
||
|
12 Junior Solicitors — Legal Aid Board |
Solicitors |
12 |
Approved |
15-Apr-10 |
12 |
Value for Money |
|
|
Office of Data Protection Commissioner, 5 year contract |
Asst Sec |
1 |
Approved |
26-May-10 |
1 |
Statutory Post, extension for a 5 year fixed term contract |
|
|
National Manager of Detention School Services |
1 |
Under Consideration |
|||||
|
Deputy Director Probation Services |
1 |
Refused |
|||||
|
1 Senior Legal Reseacher |
1 |
Refused |
|||||
|
4 Legal Researchers |
4 |
Approved |
3 |
Essential expertise needed |
|||
|
Senior Investigations Officer GSOC |
AP |
1 |
Refused |
||||
|
3 Forensic Scientists Grade III |
3 |
Refused |
|||||
|
2 Scientists |
2 |
Refused |
|||||
|
Assistant Principal Probation Officer |
AP |
1 |
Refused |
||||
|
Probation Officers |
5 |
Refused |
|||||
|
3 Assistant Principal |
AP |
3 |
Part Approved |
26-Aug-10 |
2 |
Business Critical Posts |
|
|
7 Executive Officers |
EO |
7 |
Part Approved |
26-Aug-10 |
3 |
Business Critical Posts |
|
|
2 Senior Probation Officers |
Senior Probation Officers |
2 |
Approved |
26-Aug-10 |
2 |
Business Critical Posts |
|
|
8 Probation Officers |
Probation Officers |
8 |
Approved |
26-Aug-10 |
8 |
Business Critical Posts |
|
|
5 Community Service Supervisors |
Community Service Supervisors |
5 |
Part Approved |
26-Aug-10 |
3 |
Business Critical Posts |
|
|
Refugee Appeals Tribunal -Chairperson of Refugee Appeals Tribunal |
1 |
Approved |
30-Aug-10 |
1 |
Statutory Post |
||
|
A/Sec — Finance and Corporate |
Asst Sec |
1 |
Approved |
30-Sep-10 |
1 |
||
|
2 Executive Officers Anti-Money Laundering Unit |
EO |
2 |
Approved |
22-Oct-10 |
2 |
Business Critical Posts |
|
|
Extradition & Mutual Assisitance Unit, Increased e-data. |
1 HEO, 2EOs, 2 Cos |
5 |
Part Approved |
09-Nov-10 |
3 |
Increased Statutory function |
|
|
GSOC Head of Communications |
1 PO |
1 |
Part Approved |
December |
1 |
Business Critical Posts |
|
|
Driver Inspector of Prisons |
Driver |
1 |
Approved |
26-Oct-10 |
1 |
||
|
Allowance for GSOC PA |
CO |
1 |
Approved |
08-Nov-10 |
1 |
||
|
Minister Alan Shatter |
Special Advisor |
1 |
Approved |
24-Mar-11 |
1 |
Ministerial Appointment |
|
|
Special Advisor |
1 |
Approved |
1 |
Ministerial Appointment |
|||
|
Personal Secretary |
1 |
Approved |
1 |
Ministerial Appointment |
|||
|
Minister of State for Defence Paul Kehoe |
Special Adviser |
1 |
Approved |
1 |
Ministerial Appointment |
||
|
Minister Alan Shatter |
Personal Assistant |
1 |
Approved |
23-May-11 |
1 |
Ministerial Appointment |
|
|
10 Executive Officers INIS |
Executive Officers |
10 |
Under consideration |
||||
|
4 Higher Executive Officers INIS |
Higher Executive Officers |
4 |
Under consideration |
||||
|
4 Assistant Principal |
Assistant Principal |
4 |
Under consideration |
||||
|
Irish Prison Service |
Renewal of Contract for the Director General |
Director General |
1 |
Approved |
June 09 |
1 |
Renewal of 5 year contract |
|
Chief Officer competition |
Chief Officer |
1 |
Approved |
31-Jul-09 |
1 |
Prison operational reasons. |
|
|
40 Recruit Prison Officers |
Prison Officer |
40 |
Approved |
31-Jul-09 |
40 |
Prison operational reasons. |
|
|
3 Governor 1's |
Governor |
3 |
Approved |
31-Jul-09 |
3 |
Prison operational reasons. |
|
|
2 Governor 2 posts |
Governor |
2 |
Approved |
20/10/09 |
2 |
Prison operational reasons. |
|
|
1 Governor 2 Post |
Governor |
1 |
Approved |
20/10/09 |
1 |
Prison operational reasons. |
|
|
Recruit grade prison officers |
Prison Officers |
40 |
Part Approved |
23-Oct-09 |
40 |
Prison operational reasons. |
|
|
Mandatory Drug Testing (Allowances) |
— |
2 |
Approved |
13-Oct-09 |
2 |
Prison operational reasons. |
|
|
Governor posts |
Governor |
15 |
Approved |
01-Feb-09 |
15 |
Fill front line vacancies in prisons |
|
|
Recruit grade prison officers |
Prison Officer |
40 |
Approved |
22-Jan-10 |
40 |
38 recruit prison officers and 2 psychologists |
|
|
Assistant Chief Officer |
Asst Chief Officer |
15 |
Approved |
11-Feb-10 |
1 |
— |
|
|
Governor III |
Governor |
1 |
Under Consideration |
Required for Transformation Implementation Team |
|||
|
Assistant Governor |
Asst Gov |
1 |
Under Consideration |
Required for Transformation Implementation Team |
|||
|
Assistant Principal |
Assistant Principal |
1 |
Under Consideration |
Required for Transformation Implementation Team |
|||
|
2 Clerical Officers |
Clerical Officer |
2 |
Under Consideration |
Required for Transformation Implementation Team |
|||
|
150 Prison Officers |
Recruit Prison Officer |
150 |
Approved |
19-May-10 |
150 |
Prison operational reasons. |
|
|
14 promotions to Assistant Chief Officer |
Assistant Chief Officer |
14 |
Approved |
05-Jul-10 |
14 |
Prison operational reasons. |
|
|
Allowance for campus Governor |
Governor 1 |
1 |
|||||
|
1 Assistant Principal |
AP |
1 |
Approved |
Oct |
1 |
Required for Transformation Implementation Team |
|
|
2 Clerical Officers |
CO |
2 |
Refused |
||||
|
9 Chief Officer I |
Chief Officer I |
9 |
Part Approved |
18-Oct-10 |
5 |
Prison operational reasons. |
|
|
9 Chief Officer II |
Chief Officer II |
9 |
Part Approved |
18-Oct-10 |
5 |
Prison operational reasons. |
|
|
Psychologists Grade II |
Psychologists Grade II |
2 |
Approved |
December |
2 |
Prison operational reasons. |
|
|
4 Psychology Assistants |
Psychology Assistants |
4 |
Under Consideration |
||||
|
10 Nurse Officer Posts |
Nurse Officers |
10 |
Refused |
October |
|||
|
Coordinator of Education |
1 |
Under Consideration |
|||||
|
5 Governor III posts |
Governor III |
5 |
Approved |
15-Jul-10 |
5 |
Prison operational reasons. |
|
|
2 Governor I posts |
Governor I |
2 |
Approved |
15-Jul-10 |
2 |
Prison operational reasons. |
|
|
1 Assistant Governor |
Asst Gov |
1 |
Approved |
15-Jul-10 |
1 |
Prison operational reasons. |
|
|
Psychologists Grade II |
Psychologists Grade II |
2 |
Approved |
03-Sep-10 |
2 |
Prison operational reasons. |
|
|
150 Prison Officers |
Prison Officers |
150 |
Part Approved |
27-Sep-10 |
79 |
||
|
Assistant Industrial Supervisors |
Assistant Industrial Supervisors (prison officers) |
64 |
Part Approved |
01-Dec-10 |
32 |
Prison operational reasons. |
|
|
Acting up allowances |
Not Granted |
— |
— |
— |
|||
|
Garda Civilians |
GPO head of HR strategy |
PO |
1 |
Not Granted |
— |
— |
— |
|
Head of Garda Infor Services centre |
PO |
1 |
Not Granted |
— |
— |
— |
|
|
Head of Training unit Templemore |
AP |
1 |
Approved |
12-Mar-10 |
1 |
1 year contract extension |
|
|
IT staff 9 |
Various |
9 |
Part Granted |
19-Apr-11 |
4 |
2 HEOs and 2 EOS subject ot CMOD approval |
|
|
31 staff for emergency call answering |
CO |
31 |
Refused |
01-Jun-10 |
— |
— |
|
|
35 Staff for Garda Vetting Unit |
CO |
35 |
Part Granted |
16-Feb-11 |
10 |
six month contracts to clear backlog |
|
|
Head of legal affairs |
PO higher |
1 |
Approved |
19-Apr-11 |
1 |
||
|
OSCAM |
Various |
4 |
Part Granted |
19-Apr-11 |
2 |
||
|
GISC |
HEO |
3 |
Approved |
19-Apr-11 |
3 |
||
|
Accident Damage Manager |
HEO |
1 |
Not Granted |
19-Apr-11 |
0 |
||
|
Vehicle inspectors |
EO |
2 |
Part Granted |
19-Apr-11 |
1 |
||
|
Dr |
Dr |
1 |
Not Granted |
19-Apr-11 |
0 |
||
|
HR manager |
HEO |
2 |
Approved |
19-Apr-11 |
2 |
||
|
Crime analyst |
HEO |
2 |
Not Granted |
19-Apr-11 |
0 |
||
|
GNIB |
EO |
6 |
Under consideration |
||||
|
Head Grooms Person — An Garda Siochana |
Head Grooms Person |
1 |
Under consideration |
1 |
Replacement for retirement |
||
|
D/E&S |
Programme for Govt 22 Psychologist & 3 SENO staff |
Psychologists/SENO |
25 |
Approved |
25-May-09 |
25 |
Extending a service and reducing spend on panel scheme |
|
Chief Inspector vacancy from retirement |
Chief Inspector |
1 |
Approved |
Nov 09 |
1 |
Business Critical Post |
|
|
A/Secretary post |
Asst Secretary |
2 |
Part Approved |
08-Oct-09 |
1 |
Business Critical Post |
|
|
CEO of State Examinations Commission |
Asst Secretary |
1 |
Approved |
08-Oct-09 |
1 |
Business Critical Post |
|
|
School Inspectorate |
10 Retired School Inspectors |
10 |
Approved |
03-Feb-10 |
10 |
||
|
NCCA |
8 Education Officers (temp.) |
8 |
Approved |
22-Jun-10 |
8 |
Business Critical Post |
|
|
SEC |
EAM (maths) |
1 |
Approved |
16-Sep-10 |
1 |
Specialist post |
|
|
NCCA |
Director Curr. Assess. |
1 |
Approved |
22-Sep-10 |
1 |
Business Critical Post |
|
|
SEC |
Director (HEAD) |
1 |
Approved |
09-Mar-11 |
1 |
Busines critical case (Junior & Leaving Certs) |
|
|
Appointment of Ministerial Staff |
Civilian drivers |
2 |
Approved |
07-Apr-11 |
2 |
Ministerial Appointments (Cannon) |
|
|
DES |
Appointment of Ministerial Staff |
Special Advisor |
1 |
1 Approved |
07-Apr-11 |
1 |
Min. appointment (Quinn) |
|
DES |
Appointment of Ministerial Staff |
Personal Assistant |
1 |
1 Approved |
07-Apr-11 |
1 |
Min. appointment (Cannon) |
|
DES |
Appointment of Ministerial Staff |
Personal Secretary |
1 |
1 Approved |
04-May-11 |
1 |
Min. appointment (Quinn) |
|
DES |
Appointment of Ministerial Staff |
Personal Assistant |
1 |
1 Approved |
12-May-11 |
1 |
Min. appointment (Quinn) |
|
DES |
Appointment of Ministerial Staff |
Civilian Driver |
1 |
1 Approved |
13-May-11 |
1 |
Min. appointment (Quinn) |
|
DES |
Appointment of Ministerial Staff |
Special Advisor |
1 |
1 Approved |
02-Jun-11 |
1 |
Min. appointment (Quinn) |
|
DES |
Appointment of Ministerial Staff |
Personal secretary |
1 |
1 Approved |
01-Jun-11 |
1 |
Min. appointment (Cannon) |
|
DES |
Appointment of Ministerial Staff |
Civilian Driver |
1 |
1 Approved |
01-Jun-11 |
1 |
Min. appointment (Quinn) |
|
DES |
3 Post-primary Inspectors |
Education |
3 |
2 approved |
20-May-11 |
to hold a competition for possible vacancies in the primary & post-primary inspectorate (specific sanction required for any appointment by D/Fin) |
|
|
DES |
4 Temp Cos form PAS + 2 redeployed from other local depts. |
CO |
6 |
6 approved |
03-Jun-11 |
6 |
4 Temp Cos form PAS + 2 redeployed from other local depts to cover absences in large scale operational areas. |
|
NCCA |
1 new education officer |
Officer |
1 |
1 approved |
05-Jul-11 |
new post had been approved previously. 2 other staff retiring in august will also be replaced. |
|
|
DES |
replace senior statistician on 5 year secondment |
Senior statistician |
5 |
approved |
06-Jul-11 |
replacement will return to Cso when DES statistician returns from ICTU |
|
|
D/Social Protection |
New Management Board Structure |
A/Sec and Director |
4 |
Agree in principle to fill two of three A/Sec arising in '09 and to replace over '09 and '10 four departing Directors by two /Secs. |
Decision by Minister 8/10/09 to proceed. Sanction issued 19 April '10 to appoint 2 A/Secs to replace 4 departing Directors. |
4 |
Agreed to restructure responsibilities at Mgt Board level from 5 A/Sec and 5 Directors to 6 A/Sec and 1 Director. |
|
To fill vacancy resulting from retirement in Child Family & Supplementary Policy & Services |
Asst Secretary |
1 |
Approved |
Oct-09 |
1 |
Business Critical Post |
|
|
Regional & Pensions Service Delivery |
Asst Secretary |
1 |
Approved |
Oct-09 |
1 |
Business Critical Post |
|
|
General Register Office |
Asst Secretary |
1 |
Refused |
— |
0 |
— |
|
|
GPs required to operate med assessment scheme |
Medical Assessors |
4 |
Approved |
09-Nov-09 |
4 |
Control function in monitoring validity of illness cases |
|
|
Dep Head for med assessment scheme |
Deputy Chief Medical Advisor |
1 |
Approved |
13-Jul-09 |
1 |
To provide management level to ensure appropriate monitoring of illness cases |
|
|
Director — This is a statutory post |
Chief Appeals Officer |
1 |
Approved |
23-Oct-09 |
1 |
Statutory Requirement to have Director in place |
|
|
Head of Office — renewal of contract |
Pension Ombudsman |
1 |
Approved |
01-Apr-09 |
1 |
Statutory requirement to have Ombudsman in place |
|
|
3 posts sanctioned for Buncrana Office Donegal |
Service Officer |
3 |
Approved |
24-Aug-09 |
3 |
Not possible to recruit Service Officer staff locally or via CAF |
|
|
8 Buncrana Office Donegal |
Staff Officer |
8 |
Approved |
06-Oct-09 |
8 |
Supervisory posts |
|
|
Promotions (Dundalk) |
CO to SO |
20 |
Approved |
01-Jul-09 |
20 |
Reduce Live Register "waiting time" for new claimants |
|
|
Promotions Dundalk Initiative |
CO to SO |
25 |
Approved |
23-Dec-09 |
25 |
Reduce Live Register "waiting time" for new claimants |
|
|
Sanction to run competition for PO post in Sligo |
Principal Officer |
Approved |
18-Jan-10 |
1 |
No assignment to date |
||
|
Package of up to 100 posts being requested -50 promotions in 2010 and 50 in 2011. |
SO, EO and HEO, AP, |
100 |
Part Approved |
25-Mar-10 |
20 |
To deal with increases in the Live Register |
|
|
Social Welfare Appeals Officers (Retired) |
AP |
12 |
Approved |
20-May-10 |
12 |
Backlog of Appeals office Claims requiring decisions |
|
|
Special Adviser to Minister |
PO Standard |
1 |
Approved |
06-May-10 |
1 |
Ministerial appointments to D/SP |
|
|
Special Media Adviser to Minister |
PO Standard |
1 |
Approved |
06-May-10 |
1 |
Ministerial appointments to D/SP |
|
|
Personal Assistant to Minister |
HEO |
1 |
Approved |
06-May-10 |
1 |
Ministerial appointments to D/SP |
|
|
Personal Secretary to Minister |
Personal Secretary |
1 |
Approved |
06-May-10 |
1 |
Ministerial appointments to D/SP |
|
|
Request to fill posts by internal competition |
PO, AP and HEO |
3 |
Approved |
17-Aug-10 |
3 |
Essential to the maintenance of critical IT projects connected with increased workload arising from increases in the Live Register and also resulting from the integration of IT systems associated with transfers of functions to the D/SP. PO post is to be filled from existing internal panel while other 2 posts are to filled from redeployment if possible. |
|
|
Medical Assessors |
Medical Assessors |
13-Jul-10 |
Approval given to run competition — additional sanction will be required to fill posts. The Medical Review and Assessment Services (MRAS) is the principal control mechanism for illness, disability and carer payment schemes administered by DSP. |
||||
|
Filling of Senior Management Posts |
1 Deputy Secretary and 1 Assistant Secretary |
2 |
Under Consideration |
Business Critical Posts |
|||
|
Appointment of Ministerial Staff |
Personal Secretary |
1 |
Approved |
20-Apr-11 |
1 |
Ministerial Appointment |
|
|
Filling of Senior Management Posts |
1 Assistant Secretary |
1 |
Approved |
27-Apr-11 |
1 |
Approved on a redeployment basis |
|
|
Payment of PO acting up allowance |
PO |
2 |
Approved |
10-May-11 |
2 |
||
|
Appointment of civilian driver |
Civilian Driver |
1 |
Approved |
25-May-11 |
1 |
Ministerial Appointment |
|
|
Appointment of Ministerial Staff |
Advisor |
1 |
Approved |
15-Jun-11 |
1 |
Ministerial Appointment |
|
|
Appointment of civilian driver |
Civilian Driver |
1 |
Approved |
16-Jun-11 |
1 |
Ministerial Appointment |
|
|
Appointment of Ministerial Staff |
Advisor |
1 |
Approved |
28-Jun-11 |
1 |
Ministerial Appointment |
|
|
D/AFF |
Filling of 2 A/Sec posts |
Assistant Secretary |
2 |
Part Approved |
19-Mar-10 |
1 |
|
|
Filling of vacancy in Direct Payment Schemes |
Assistant Secretary |
1 |
Approved |
10-Jul-09 |
1 |
Business Critical Post |
|
|
Senior Management, technical and scientific (45) to address skills deficits and ensure EU directives compliance |
Various |
45 |
Part Approved |
19-Mar-10 |
21 |
— |
|
|
Statutory posts |
Audit & Senior management |
2 |
Approved |
19-Mar-10 |
2 |
— |
|
|
Acting up allowance |
HEO |
1 |
Approved |
2/10/09 |
1 |
||
|
Senior Management and Technical Posts |
Various |
54 |
Part Approved |
22-Sep-10 |
3 |
To cover financial risk re management of Programmes. Remainder of request still under consideration. |
|
|
Appointment of Ministerial Staff |
Personal Secretary, Assistant, Civilian drivers, special advisers |
8 |
Approved |
10-Mar-11 |
8 |
Ministerial Appointments |
|
|
appointment of AP |
AP |
1 |
Approved |
21-Apr-11 |
1 |
15 Aps retired in the previous 2 years. Consequential HEO vacancy will not be filled |
|
|
Filling of vacancies in service delivery posts |
Various |
42 |
Part Approved |
18 |
Delivery of service |
||
|
D/EH&LG |
To replace retiring and promoted Assistant Secretary |
Assistant Secretary |
1 |
Approved |
19/6/09 |
1 |
Business Critical Post |
|
Request for 35 posts, 14 via promotion and 21 via recruitment |
various Tech and administrative grades |
35 |
Part Approved |
27/03/2010 |
22 |
8 Posts in the National Parks & Wildlife Service: 1 Grade 1 Inspector, 1 Grade II Inspector, 4 Grade III Inspectors, 2 Conservation Rangers. 6 Posts in Met Éireann:1 Assistant Director, 1 Meteorologist, 4 Meteorological Officers 3 Other Professional/Technical Posts 1 Water Quality Inspector, 1 Principal Adviser (Environment Inspectorate), 1 Inspector Grade III, 5 General Service Posts 1 Principal Officer, 2 Assistant Principals, 1 Administrative Officer, 1 Executive Officer. |
|
|
Met Éireann — Director |
Director |
1 |
Approved |
18-Sep-09 |
1 |
Business Critical Post |
|
|
To replace Principal on loan |
PO |
1 |
Approved |
29/1/10 |
1 |
Acting position |
|
|
To replace retired assistant secretary — Heritage Division |
Assistant Secretary |
1 |
Approved |
21-Apr-10 |
1 |
Business Critical Post — already deferred for 1 year |
|
|
Replace retiree |
GIS Manager |
1 |
Approved |
10-Jun-10 |
1 |
Required technical post |
|
|
Appointment of Ministerial Staff |
Personal Secretary, Assistant, Civilian drivers, special advisers |
5 |
Approved |
various 10 March 2011 to 21 March 2011 |
5 |
Ministerial Appointments |
|
|
Appointment of Ministerial Staff |
Civilian Drivers and Special Advisors |
5 |
Approved |
various 9 May 2011 to 19 July 2011 |
5 |
Ministerial Appointments |
|
|
Met Eireann — Principal Meterological Officer |
Principal Meterological Officer |
1 |
Pending |
||||
|
Enterprise, Trade and Innovation |
|||||||
|
Labour Relations Commiss-ion |
Reappointment of 2 Rights Commissioners |
PO equivalent |
2 |
Approved |
28/04/2009 |
2 |
Non-discretionary volume of LRC cases and need to maintain state IR machinery. |
|
DETI |
Personal Assistant, Personal Secretary and 2 Civilian Drivers for Minister of State Kelleher |
HEO, EO, Civilian Driver |
4 |
Approved |
06/05/2009 |
4 |
Political Appointments |
|
DETI |
Personal Assistant, Personal Secretary and 2 Civilian Drivers for Minister of State Lenihan |
HEO, EO, Civilian Driver |
4 |
Approved |
12/05/2009 |
4 |
Political Appointments |
|
ET&I (Labour Relations Commiss-ion) |
Deputy Director of Conciliation Services |
PO |
1 |
Approved |
29/5/2009 |
1 |
Business Critical Post in LRC necessary to maintain state IR machinery. |
|
Personal Assistant, Personal Secretary and 2 Civilian Drivers for Minister of State Calleary |
HEO, EO, Civilian Driver |
4 |
Approved |
09/06/2009 |
4 |
Political Appointments |
|
|
ET&I (Labour Court) |
Reappointment of 2 Members of Labour Court |
N/A |
2 |
Approved |
02/06/2009 |
2 |
Statutory posts needed for operation of divisions of Labour Court |
|
ET&I (Office of Director of Corporate Enforce-ment) |
Part-time services of retired High Court Judge |
High Court Judge |
1 |
Approved |
03/06/2009 |
1 |
To adjudicate on legal documents in Anglo Irish Bank investigation |
|
ET&I (Labour Relations Commiss-ion) |
Reappointment of 2 Rights Commissioners |
PO equivalent |
2 |
Approved |
13/08/2009 |
2 |
Non-discretionary volume of LRC cases and need to maintain state IR machinery. |
|
ET&I (National Employ-mentRightsAuthority) |
Solicitor |
Solicitor |
1 |
Application was refused |
10/09/2009 |
0 |
|
