Vol. 756 No. 4
14 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the efficacy of the inclusion policy operated by him for children with cerebral palsy and who have learning, physical and sensory needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10025/12]
The policy of my Department is to promote the principle of inclusive education for children with special educational needs.
My Department, either directly or through the National Council for Special Education, provides for a range of supports in schools to enable them to cater for students with special educational needs. This may include additional Resource Teachers, Special Needs Assistants and specialist equipment, depending on a child's level of assessed needs.
I am advised by the NCSE that the majority of mainstream schools now enrol children with special educational needs and I am further advised by my Department's Inspectorate that the majority of children with physical disabilities, including cerebral palsy, now attend mainstream schools. This is evidence that the policy of inclusion is operating successfully.
Where children with special needs also require physical or sensory therapy supports, this support is provided by the Health Service Executive, and may be provided in schools.
For children who have such complex needs that a special school or special class placement may be required, this is also provided for by my Department.
15 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the disproportionate impact that the decoupling of learning support and resource hours will have in small schools especially on foot of changes to the pupil-teacher ratio; if he will review this policy decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10019/12]
The new arrangements incorporate a long overdue updating of the GAM (learning support) allocation for all schools. This inevitably involves changes to existing clustering arrangements whereby a teacher is shared between schools. A further change is that schools in any locality are being empowered to cluster and arrange their GAM resources in a manner that best suits their local needs. This should be completed by schools in March. There are also new and separate arrangements for how resource hours for individual pupils are converted into teaching posts in schools. The requirement for resource hours in a school varies from year to year depending on the number, if any, of its pupils with autism etc. Small schools generally have a lower requirement for resource hours. The new arrangements take account of the later timescale for the allocation of these hours necessitated by individual assessment by the NCSE.
All of the changes are designed to enable a more efficient operation of the teacher redeployment and recruitment and to reduce the impact of travel time between schools where teachers are shared.
My Department will be working with schools and the relevant education partners to ensure that the new arrangements operate as efficiently as possible. As the process proceeds this work can take account of any appropriate local arrangements that might be made to further optimise travel arrangements.
16 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of the fact that his proposed cuts to DEIS schools were made without an impact assessment, if he will recognise that his mistake was not to have undertaken any impact assessment of the proposed cuts prior to the budget 2012 proposals announced in December; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10289/12]
21 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills when he expects the review on cuts to DEIS announced in the budget for 2012 to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10188/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 21 together.
The Report on the impact, in terms of posts, of Budget measures on DEIS Band 1 and Band 2 urban primary schools that still had additional posts allocated under disadvantage schemes, pre-dating DEIS was published earlier this week.
The legacy disadvantage posts date back to programmes such as Giving Children an Even Break and Breaking the Cycle. They were retained in a number of schools in addition to the normal posts and other supports that are allocated to all DEIS schools. The retention of these older posts in some but not all DEIS schools created a degree of inequity in the system and that is one of the reasons they were considered for withdrawal.
The Budget announcements followed on the Comprehensive Expenditure Review (CER) process. The objectives of the CER were to provide the Government with a comprehensive set of decision options. The approach taken by my Department in the CER process endeavoured to spread the adjustment burden equitably across different parts of the education system. This would ensure that education and training priorities continued to be the focus of policy and allocations. DEIS schools in disadvantaged areas would continue to be provided with targeted supports including preferential Pupil Teacher Ratios (PTRs) over and above mainstream schools.
Ultimately, given the state of the country's finances, difficult and unpalatable decisions have to be made.
I requested a report because conflicting and in some cases exaggerated numbers of posts were being reported as potentially lost to schools and it was necessary to obtain clarity with regard to the net effect of a range of factors on teacher allocations in these schools; for example, increasing and decreasing enrolments, the reforms to the existing teacher allocations process and up to date enrolments, all of which contribute to determining the staffing requirement for these schools for 2012/13 school year.
On foot of an analysis of the Report, the Government agreed to retain a total of 235 posts, on a concessionary basis, in DEIS Band 1 and DEIS Band 2 schools.
My Department's Social Inclusion Unit will now be writing to the schools concerned and all DEIS Band 1 schools separately in relation to their staffing allocations for 2012/13 school year.
17 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of part-time contract teachers paid by his Department and the vocational education committee funds that have applied for contracts of indefinite duration; the number of such claims that have been contested by his Department or vocational education committee; the legal and administrative cost to the State of contesting these legitimate entitlements; and if he will ensure that part-time workers qualifying for CIDs will receive their legitimate entitlement without have to take cases to Rights Commissioner and Labour Court. [10186/12]
Where there is a dispute regarding the award of a Contract of Indefinite Duration (CID) to a teacher, my Department's procedures provide for an appeal to an independent adjudicator. A teacher may also choose to avail of the Rights Commissioner Service.
53 adjudicator appeals were lodged in the 2011/2012 school year. 33 of these were dealt with without the need for formal adjudication with 9 cases progressing to adjudication.
A referral to the adjudicator costs the Department between €690-€920. The Department does not, in general, engage an external legal team for Rights Commissioner cases.
The information requested by the Deputy in respect of teachers employed by Vocational Education Committees (VECs) is not available in my Department as these are matters dealt with at local level by the VECs.
Figures relating to CIDs for teachers paid by my Department are being collated and will be forwarded to the Deputy separately.
18 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he collates the pay, pension and allowances data of vocational educational committee employees. [10044/12]
My Department determines the rates of pay and allowances paid to employees of vocational education committees and allocates funding to each committee to allow these employees be paid. As of 31st December 2011 there were 12,611 whole time equivalent (WTE) employees in the VEC sector whose posts were funded from my Department's pay allocation, approximately 85% of whom were teachers or instruction staff.
In 2011 the cost of funding these posts was €786m approximately. This figure includes the cost of pay and allowances.
As of 31st December 2011 there were approximately 5,500 former VEC employees on the pension payrolls. The estimated cost of these in 2011, including lump sums paid to new retirees, was of the order of €184 million.
19 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he had already made the decision to increase the student contribution fee by €1,000 in the coming years at the time that he announced the €250 increase for 2012; the reason he failed to inform the public of his intentions at the time of the budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10191/12]
In order for this country to adhere to its agreed economic recovery programme and to reduce the budget deficit to 3% of GDP by 2015 it is necessary to seek to reduce expenditure across all areas of my Department.
Unfortunately this involves difficult decisions including the decision in Budget 2012 to increase the Student Contribution to €2,250 for the 2012/13 academic year. While the Government considered a range of saving options for the 2012-2015 period as part of the budget process last year, final decisions have not been made in respect of student contribution increases for 2013 and beyond.
It should be noted that the student contribution is paid by the Exchequer in respect of students who qualify under my Department's third level grant schemes. Tax relief is also available for second and subsequent siblings to alleviate the costs for families.
20 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way the new national strategy for higher education will be implemented; if he intends to establish an implementation group and the persons who will be on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10207/12]
An implementation oversight group for the National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030 was established over a year ago and is chaired by the Secretary General of my Department.
Nominations for membership have been provided by the Department of Education and Skills, the Higher Education Authority, Irish Universities Association, Institutes of Technology Ireland, the interim Qualifications and Quality Assurance Authority of Ireland, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.
The Implementation Plan is published on my Department's website along with a progress report outlining priority actions, the progress to date and timelines for further implementation. Significant progress has been made on a number of key priority actions identified.
Question No. 21 answered with Question No. 16.
22 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Skills when he will publish the list of 180 existing primary schools and second level schools that will need major extensions or new buildings between now and 2017. [10042/12]
I wish to advise the Deputy that I will shortly publish a five year plan outlining the school building projects that will commence construction in that time The plan, when finalised, will be published on my Department's website.
On the 19th December last, I announced details of 56 major school building projects to commence construction in 2012 as part of the €430 million education infrastructure plan for 2012, representing the first phase of a €2 billion five-year plan for major school building projects.
The Deputy will also be aware that in 2011, I announced that 40 new schools are to be established nationally up to 2017.
In view of the need to ensure that every child has access to a school place, the delivery of major school projects required to meet demographic demand will be the main focus for capital investment in the coming years.
23 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Education and Skills the rationale behind the scholarship scheme awarded by the Irish Universities Association offering Indian students a chance to pursue their studies in Ireland with €10,000 awarded for living expenses and full tuition fee waiver. [10029/12]
The Programme for Government indicated that the Government would "develop cultural and diplomatic links with emerging markets including through a scholarship scheme". A similar recommendation is also made in the international education strategy 2010-2015.
It is in Ireland's long-term interests to identify and educate the next generation of business, political and cultural leaders in emerging markets which are increasing importance to our country.
There is also an immediate impact on the economy and on job creation. International students are worth over €750m to the Irish economy in direct expenditure. International education has also been identified in the Action Plan for Jobs as a key growth sector.
To fulfil Ireland's potential in this area, we need to raise our profile as a centre for international education. International scholarships are regarded as a crucial tool in that effort. Our competitors use them very effectively.
My Department and the Higher Education Authority will shortly be launching this new scholarship scheme.
24 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied regarding the adequacy and the extent to which he can positively impact on the upskilling and retraining required in the current economic situation; if a full and comprehensive examination has been done in this area with particular reference to meeting the skill requirements of hi-tech, manufacturing and-or other industry and service; the extent to which he can put in place the necessary provisions to meet these requirements in the short and medium terms; when he can expect to see the results of any such provision to emerge by way of reduction in the numbers on the live register thereby directly and positively assisting in national economic recovery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10290/12]
In 2012, the Government will fund over 450,000 education and training places across the range of provision in the higher education, further education and training sectors.
The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs advises the Government on the current and future skills needs of the economy. This advice, together with information both local and national informs course planning and provision.
The establishment of SOLAS , the new Further Education and Training Authority, will ensure the provision of 21st century high-quality further education and training programmes.
My Department also has a number of measures under the recently announced "Action Plans for Jobs" initiative. In addition, the "Pathways to Work" initiative will set out the strategy to reform labour market activation policy. This new activation policy will make a very positive contribution to the training, upskilling and re-skilling of those on the Live Register and thereby enhance their employment opportunities.
25 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Education and Skills the net cost to the Exchequer of pay increments to teaching staff; if he will provide in a tabular format the total incremental amount received by each salary grade and the corresponding grade salary. [10046/12]
The cost to the Exchequer of paying increments to teaching staff employed in primary schools in 2011 was €14.48 million, and €4.84 million to teaching staff in secondary and community/comprehensive schools.
In respect of Vocational Educational Committees the information requested by the Deputy is not held within my Department. As each individual VEC is a separate employer it would involve an inordinate amount of administrative time to compile.
The payment of increments is not related to salary grades. Teachers are paid on a 25 point common basic salary scale which ranges in value from €30,904 to €59,359 for those whose first appointment was prior to 1st January 2011. For those teachers whose first appointment was on or after 1st January 2011, the common basic salary scale ranges from €27,814-€53,423.
All teachers appointed for the first time on or after 1st January 2011 commence employment at the first point of the salary scale and move up one point for each year of service.
Teachers whose first appointment was prior to 1st January 2011 also move up one point for each year of service, those employed as Primary teachers generally commenced employment on the second point of the salary scale whilst Post-Primary teachers generally commenced on the third point.
|
Sector |
€000 |
|
Primary |
14,486 |
|
Post PrimaryExcluding VEC |
4,847 |
26 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied that lecturers at third level are participating in adequate class contact, lectures and tutorials, in view of recent commentary attributed to him; if there is a general system of monitoring teaching hours in third level colleges; if there are specific requirements in respect of such hours for individual staff; if such requirements vary depending on the seniority of the staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10216/12]
Individual higher education institutions have autonomous responsibility for the management of staff resources. While teaching hours norms are specified under standard agreed contracts for academic staff in the institute of technology sector, in the case of the university sector there would be a variation of individual teaching loads as part of overall academic duties.
Under the terms of the Public Service Agreement (Croke Park), from the start of 2011/12 academic year, university academics are required to provide an additional hour per week to facilitate teaching and learning and to co-operate with academic workload management and full economic costing models to improve the quality of information available for resource management in universities. In the Institute of Technology sector, lecturing staff, where required by management will deliver up to an additional two hours per week above the current weekly norms with an additional hour per week of availability to students.
27 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of part-time teachers paid from his Department funds who are not members of any State pension scheme who have had pension levy deductions made; the average deduction made; and the reason the moneys deducted have not been repaid to these employees. [10185/12]
The Public Service Pensions Related Deduction (PRD) applies to a public servant who is employed or holds an office or position in a public service body and is a member of a public service pension scheme or receives payment in lieu of membership of a pension scheme.
A person who is not a member of a public service pension scheme, as defined in the legislation, or in receipt of a payment in lieu of same would not be subject to the deduction.
If the Deputy is aware of an instance in which she is of the opinion that a PRD deduction was improperly made, I would invite her to provide details to my Department and the matter will be examined.
28 Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of retired teachers who will be rehired in schools at the end of February; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10196/12]
The recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for the individual school authority, subject to procedures agreed under Section 24(3) of the Education Act 1998.
In recognition of the additional pressure of students facing state examinations, and the concerns of teachers who wish to ensure continuity of support for these children, I have made provision, for this year only, to reduce disruption to students undertaking State examinations in June. This is in the form of alleviation measures allowing post-primary schools to re-employ teachers who retire between 1 December 2011 and 29 February 2012 and who, immediately before their retirement, have been teaching students preparing to sit the Junior or Leaving Certificate examinations in 2012.
I do not have information of the numbers of retirees who will be re-employed under these special arrangements as it will be a matter for the school and teacher concerned to decide if they wish to avail of them.
The information available to the Pensions Section of my Department in relation to projected retirements nationally from 1 January 2012 to 29 February 2012 are of the order of 729 Primary teachers, 507 Secondary/Community and Comprehensive School teachers and 220 Vocational teachers.
29 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he envisages a project which would support children in Border areas progressing from a primary school in the North to second level in the South; his views that communities of practice should be established between primary teachers and second level teachers to establish successful transfers for students; and if he will give an update on any progress made in this area. [10030/12]
My Department, in conjunction with the Department of Education, Northern Ireland, is currently engaged in planning for a joint attitudinal survey exercise to inform cross-border pupil movement and school planning in the border region. The aim of the survey is to establish parental preference in schools and to enable those parents, who so wish, to send their children to schools on the other side of the border. An interim report of work on the survey will be presented to the next North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) Education meeting which will take place in May 2012 with the results from the survey and proposals on the way forward to be considered at the first NSMC Education meeting of 2013. At present there are no plans to establish a community of practice between primary teachers and second level teachers regarding the transfer of students in the border region.
30 Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to support those who wish to obtain skills as mentors for newly qualified teachers. [10027/12]
The National Induction Programme for Teachers (NIPT) currently provides specific training for mentors in the areas of mentor qualities, the role and responsibilities of the mentor and the role of the principal and the newly qualified teacher in the induction programme.
The NIPT runs Initial Mentor Training Programmes throughout the year and this programme is open to teachers who wish to be trained as mentors and who are nominated by the Principal of their school and have a minimum of 5 years teaching experience.
The Teaching Council is currently engaged in a consultation process on a proposed new Career Entry Professional Programme (CEPP) which includes proposals relating to the role and training of mentors.
31 Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will look at the case of a school (details supplied) in County Wexford and its loss of guidance counsellors and reverse the decision; if he will consider re-examining the new policy in relation to this school in view of its extenuating circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10286/12]
39 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views that schools will have difficulties supporting students with mental health problems or others in need of specific counselling following his decision to remove the ex quota allocation for guidance counselling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10199/12]
44 Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will re-examine the decision to remove guidance counsellors from a school (details supplied) in County Wexford; his views that the school is dependent on the services of guidance counsellors because of the number of students in the school and the social make up of same; his further views that it is almost impossible for a school with large numbers to drop other subjects to facilitate keeping guidance counselling hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10287/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 31, 39 and 44 together.
My Department has just recently published Circular 0009/2012 to inform all post primary school management and staff of the staffing arrangements for post-primary schools for the 2012/13 school year, including in particular, the requirements to manage guidance from within the standard allocation. The circular is available on the Department website.
Schools will have autonomy on how best to prioritise its available resources to meet its requirements in relation to guidance and the provision of an appropriate range of subjects to its students. Decisions on how this is done will be taken at school level and I am confident that schools will act in the best interest of students when determining precisely how to use the teaching resources available to them.
32 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total amount spent on insurance to cover personal injury employers’ and public liability and third party property damage claims for the primary schools in the State; if he will consider transferring this liability to the State Claims Agency to realise immediate cost savings; if he will confirm that the cost of insurance is currently met from the capitation grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10008/12]
46 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total amount spent on insurance to cover personal injury employers’ and public liability and third party property damage claims for vocational schools and community colleges, and voluntary sector schools in 2011; if any attempts have been made to realise savings on this expenditure in the past year through grouping and procurement; if he has considered transferring this liability to the State Claims Agency which already handles this for community and comprehensive schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10009/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 46 together.
Responsibility for the payment of insurance to cover employers and public liability, and property damage rests with the Board of Management of primary schools, voluntary secondary schools and with the VEC in respect of schools operated by them.
My Department does not gather information from schools or VECs as to the cost of providing insurance cover.
I can confirm to the Deputy that the cost of insurance is met by schools from the grants paid by my Department and in the case of the VECs from the annual non-pay allocation made.
My Department is currently undertaking a Value for Money review of school insurance. It would be premature of me at this point to anticipate the conclusions that will emerge from this review.
33 Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills in relation to the 18 religious orders who must contribute more towards the €1.2 billion bill for compensating victims abused in residential institutions, the number of times he has written to the orders; the dates on which he wrote to them; the number of times he has met with them and the dates of these meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10214/12]
I wrote to all the congregations on 5th July last setting out the Government's response to the offers made and subsequently met with representatives of most congregations on 22nd July 2011. I have since met with the remaining congregations who were not in attendance at the July meeting on the following dates: the Sisters of Mercy and the Institute of Charity (Rosminians) on 21st November, 2011; the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity and the Daughters of the Heart of Mary on 16th December, 2011. I also met with the Christian Brothers on 21st November, 2011.
At those meetings I expressed my disappointment that the contributions offered fell well short of that required to realise a 50:50 share of the cost of the response to abuse. I am anxious to work with the congregations towards achieving a 50:50 sharing of the costs of the response to residential institutional abuse. I have sought the agreement of congregations to exploring a legal mechanism to transfer the title of school properties to the State in this context. I am writing to all the Congregations in relation to these issues.
34 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide details of the training and allowances vocational educational committee chief executive officers receive for attending their own board meetings. [10043/12]
Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of Vocational Education Committees (VECs) are employees of the VECs and are paid directly by the Committees which employ them. The Deputy should note that the CEO is not a member of the VEC.
CEOs do not receive expenses for attendance at VEC meetings. However, travel and subsistence is payable in accordance with public sector norms to CEOs for their attendance at meetings away from the VEC's headquarters and where the attendance of the CEO is necessary for the discharge of their role.
CEOs may qualify for payment of an allowance in respect of the discharge of the role of Secretary to a Board of Management of a Comprehensive School. An allowance was payable to CEOs for the role of Transport Liaison Officer, when that task was undertaken by them prior to 2012.
Each vocational educational committee receives an annual non pay financial allocation which includes provision for training costs, and travel and subsistence expenditure.
35 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way that he justifies the suspension of allowances for newly qualified teachers; and his views that this will deter many from entering the teaching profession. [10039/12]
A public service-wide review of allowances, announced by the Government as part of Budget 2012, is currently being led by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
Under Circular 70/2011 teachers who had been engaged in a public sector teaching post on or before 4 December 2011 are eligible to retain the qualification allowances they were entitled to be in receipt of on that date. Such teachers will not be paid any additional allowance where they acquire any further qualification on or after 5 December 2011. The position of teachers who, on 5 December 2011, were undertaking courses will be considered in the context of the review.
Teachers who were appointed to teaching for the first time on or after 5 December 2011 but before 1 February 2012 are eligible for allowances on the basis of their qualifications at entry to the profession up to a maximum of the allowance applicable to an honours primary degree level.
Circular 3/2012 provides that allowances are not payable to new beneficiaries; i.e. those who become eligible for receipt of the allowance in question on or after 1 February 2012. Examples of such allowances include any form of qualification allowance or the supervision and substitution payment paid to teachers, and the secretary to the Board of Management allowance paid to school principals. The only exceptions to this prohibition are principal and deputy principal allowances.
These decisions were taken pending the outcome of the public service-wide review of allowances due to the upward pressure on the cost of teacher allowances. Without immediate action, this upward pressure would have cancelled out the savings made elsewhere in the education system and would bring about even harsher adjustments to schools and services.
I am not in a position to comment further on the position in relation to teacher allowances until the outcome of the public service-wide review of allowances is known.
36 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is committed to reviewing the leaving certificate Gaeilge course when the summer 2012 results are issued. [10028/12]
A revised Leaving Certificate curriculum in Irish began in all schools in September 2010 for first examination in 2012. The revised programme provides for an increase in the proportion of marks available for oral assessment to 40%, and is aimed at promoting a significant shift in emphasis towards Irish as a spoken language, where students can communicate and interact in a spontaneous way, and where Irish is spoken every day in schools. The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment has been asked to review this syllabus in the light of the experiences of students in the first examination.
37 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a date for publication of the value for money review of small schools; the costs that were associated with conducting this review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10288/12]
I am not in a position to give a publication date for the value for money review of small primary schools but I can confirm the review will be published. Work is well advanced and I expect that the report of the review should be available to me shortly.
The review is being conducted in line with the standard procedures for the conduct of value for money reviews under the guidance of a Steering Committee composed of officials from relevant Government Departments with an external Chairperson. The costs associated with the review are principally the salary costs for the officials involved in respect of the time they spend on the review and there is also a once-off modest payment to the Chairperson of the review. Given that all the officials involved have many duties other than the value for money review, the Deputy will appreciate it is not possible to isolate the costs of the officials' salaries for the time they spend on the value for money review.
38 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for SOLAS to fund FET with the stated aim of separating second level from FET, what will happen in centres where both have been operating. [10032/12]
It is envisaged that SOLAS will have strategic responsibility for all further education and training currently delivered by VECs and FÁS. Over time, FÁS Training Centre premises and most FÁS regional staff will be integrated with the VECs, to facilitate the delivery to the public in an integrated way of both further education and training services. No decisions have been made in relation to centres where both second level and further education provision are being delivered.
Question No. 39 answered with Question No. 31.
40 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the person who will be undertaking the departmental review of DEIS schools; the criteria that will be used to assess these schemes; when the review will be complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10014/12]
On 11th January, I asked my Department for a report on the impact of the withdrawal of certain posts allocated under previous disadvantaged schemes in DEIS Band 1 and Band 2 primary schools. Due to conflicting and, in some cases, exaggerated numbers of posts being reported as potentially lost to schools it was necessary to obtain clarity with regard to the net effect of a range of factors on teacher allocations in these schools; for example, increasing and decreasing enrolments, the reforms to the existing teacher allocations process and up to date enrolments, all of which contribute to determining the staffing requirement for these schools for 2012/13 school year.
This report was published earlier this week and, on foot of analysis of this report, the Government has agreed to my proposal to retain a total of 235 posts, on a concessionary basis, in DEIS Band 1 and DEIS Band 2 primary schools. My Department's Social Inclusion Unit will now be writing to the schools concerned, and all DEIS Band 1 schools separately, in relation to their staffing allocations for 2012/13 school year.
41 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is confident that net capacity exists amongst current teaching staff and teacher professional networks to support newly qualified teachers at second level. [10031/12]
For the current academic year the National Induction Programme for Teachers (NIPT) has 45 trained mentors at Post Primary level who are registered and active with the Programme. Since September an additional 12 Post Primary teachers have received training as mentors. There are an additional 74 Post Primary teachers currently undergoing training as mentors and another 46 Post Primary teachers awaiting places on the Initial Mentor Training Programmes which is organised by NIPT.
In addition the NIPT has 76 locally based facilitators who deliver the Teacher Induction Workshops through the Education Centre Network to the newly qualified teachers at post primary level and therefore I am satisfied that the resources are in place to support newly qualified teachers (NQTs). These facilitators have received customised training from the NIPT teams. There is no established Teacher Professional Network for mentors. However, developing support for mentors through existing or new TPN structures is something to be considered for the future. The Deputy might wish to note that the Teaching Council is currently engaged in a consultation process on a proposed new Career Entry Professional Programme (CEPP) which includes proposals relating to the role and training of the mentors.
42 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills if provision has been made to protect minority faith-based schools from forced closures and amalgamations resulting from changes to the staffing schedules. [10036/12]
57 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review budget 2012 cuts in view of the impact that they will have on staffing in rural primary schools, especially on foot of forthcoming school transport changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10018/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 42 and 57 together.
There is no increase in the staffing schedule general average of 28:1 for the allocation of classroom teachers at primary level. However, there is a phased increase in the pupil threshold for the allocation of classroom teachers in small primary schools. As part of the Budget decisions announced, the number of pupils required to gain and retain a teaching post in small primary schools will be gradually increased between September 2012 and September 2014. The schools concerned are those with four or less classroom teachers. All schools are being treated equally irrespective of the type of patronage. The phasing of these measures can provide the schools concerned with time to consider the potential for amalgamation with other schools where this is feasible. If amalgamations take place, they will be voluntary and follow decisions taken by local communities and not by my Department.
This Government recognises that small schools are an important part of the social fabric of rural communities. They will continue to be a feature of our education landscape. However, this does not mean that small schools can stand still or never have their staffing levels changed to something that is more affordable and sustainable for these difficult and challenging times. I have already made clear to the House on a number of occasions that school communities should have no reason to feel that there will be a forced closure of their local school. No school closes because it loses a teacher. Schools close because of a loss of pupils. Small primary schools that have had to close in recent years are those that are no longer viable due to falling enrolments. The enrolment in such schools had typically fallen below a total of 8 pupils for two consecutive school years.
My Department has expanded the existing appeals process so that it is accessible to the small schools that are losing a classroom post as a result of the budget measure. They won't lose their classroom post if any of them are projecting increased enrolments in September 2012 that would be sufficient to allow them to retain their existing classroom posts over the longer term. The detailed arrangements are set out in the Department's Staffing Circular that is now published on my Department's website. In relation to primary school transport, Budget 2012 changes were confined to primary school transport charges. Other changes to the primary scheme commencing this September were announced in Budget 2011 and derive from recommendations in the School Transport Value for Money review. Given the requirement to obtain savings under the four year national recovery plan there is no scope to review these changes.
43 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a detailed updated assessment of the Springboard project; the number of successful applicants who are currently taking approved courses and those who have finished courses; if he will outline the number of courses taken by field of study, by institution, by age and gender of applicants and by former occupation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10049/12]
A first-stage process evaluation of Springboard, which includes a report on the initial outputs of the programme, is available on the HEA's website: www.hea.ie. It shows that the programme has been very successful to date in reaching its target cohorts. At the end of December 2011, 4,305 people were participating in Springboard programmes. 72% of participants were male and 77% were aged between 25 and 49. 20% of participants were previously employed in the construction sector. The full list of courses approved under the Springboard programme and a breakdown of participants by age and former occupation is as follows.
|
Provider |
Programme Title |
NFQ |
ECTS |
Years |
|
Athlone Institute of Technology |
Certificate in Renewable Heating Systems |
Level 6 |
60 |
1 |
|
Cork Institute of Technology |
Certificate in Computer Networking |
Level 6 |
35 |
1 |
|
Cork Institute of Technology |
Certificate in Introduction to Sustainable Energy |
Level 6 |
10 |
1 |
|
Cork Institute of Technology |
Higher Certificate in Science in GMP and Technology |
Level 6 |
120 |
3 |
|
Cork Institute of Technology |
Higher Certificate in Science in Industrial Measurement and Control |
Level 6 |
120 |
3 |
|
Cork Institute of Technology |
BSc in GMP and Technology |
Level 7 |
60 |
2 |
|
Cork Institute of Technology |
Certificate in Automation and Control Systems |
Level 7 |
15 |
1 |
|
Cork Institute of Technology |
Certificate in Biomedical Device Manufacturing |
Level 7 |
10 |
1 |
|
Cork Institute of Technology |
Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Business |
Level 7 |
35 |
1 |
|
Cork Institute of Technology |
Certificate in Lean 6 Sigma Green Belt |
Level 7 |
10 |
1 |
|
Cork Institute of Technology |
Certificate in Sustainable Energy |
Level 7 |
15 |
1 |
|
Cork Institute of Technology |
Certificate in Advanced Industrial Automation |
Level 8 |
30 |
1 |
|
Cork Institute of Technology |
Certificate in Chemical and Bio-Pharmaceutical Engineering |
Level 8 |
60 |
1 |
|
Cork Institute of Technology |
Certificate in Environmental and energy engineering |
Level 8 |
30 |
1 |
|
Cork Institute of Technology |
Diploma in Lean 6 Sigma Black Belt |
Level 8 |
30 |
1 |
|
Cork Institute of Technology |
Grad Dip in Software Development |
Level 8 |
60 |
2 |
|
Cork Institute of Technology |
Certificate in Embedded Systems Engineering |
Level 9 |
30 |
1 |
|
Cork Institute of Technology |
Post-graduate Diploma in Civil Eng (Environment and Energy) |
Level 9 |
60 |
2 |
|
Cork Institute of Technology |
Post-Graduate Diploma in Embedded Systems Engineering |
Level 9 |
60 |
1 |
|
Digital Skills Academy |
WebElevate programme (Professional Development Programme in Digital Media) |
Level 8 |
60 |
2 |
|
DPS Education and Training Ltd. |
CPD Certificate in e-(Bio)PharmaCem |
Level 7 |
15 |
1 |
|
Dublin Business School |
Certificate in Fundamentals in Networking and Cloud Technologies |
Level 6 |
20 |
1 |
|
Dublin Business School |
Certificate in Fundamentals of Database and Cloud Technologies |
Level 6 |
30 |
1 |
|
Dublin Business School |
Certificate in Export Marketing and Enterprise Development |
Level 7 |
50 |
1 |
|
Dublin Business School |
Certificate in Financial Services |
Level 7 |
40 |
1 |
|
Dublin Business School |
Advanced Certificate in Project Management for ICT Professional |
Level 8 |
24 |
1 |
|
Dublin Business School |
Certificate in Advanced Networking and Cloud Technologies |
Level 8 |
34 |
1 |
|
Dublin Business School |
Certificate in Database Development in Cloud Technologies |
Level 8 |
36 |
1 |
|
Dublin Business School |
Certificate in Funding and Treasury |
Level 8 |
58 |
1 |
|
Dublin Business School |
Certificate in International Business for Sales Professionals |
Level 8 |
36 |
1 |
|
Dublin Business School |
Certificate in Project Management for ICT Professional |
Level 8 |
24 |
1 |
|
Dublin Business School |
Certificate in Software and Cloud Technologies |
Level 8 |
24 |
1 |
|
Dublin Business School |
Certificate in Internationalisation and Innovation |
Level 9 |
45 |
1 |
|
Dublin Business School |
Certificate in Risk and Financial Analysis |
Level 9 |
45 |
1 |
|
Dublin City University |
Business Innovation Programme |
Level 8 |
40 |
1 |
|
Dublin City University |
Grad Certificate in Corporate Treasury |
Level 9 |
30 |
1 |
|
Dublin City University |
Grad Diploma in Information Technology |
Level 9 |
60 |
2 |
|
Dublin City University |
MBS in Strategic Procurement |
Level 9 |
90 |
2 |
|
Dublin City University |
MEng in Computer Aided Mechanical and Manufacturing Eng |
Level 9 |
90 |
2 |
|
Dublin City University |
MEng in Electronic Systems |
Level 9 |
90 |
2 |
|
Dublin City University |
MEng in Telecommunications Engineering |
Level 9 |
90 |
2 |
|
Dublin Institute of Technology |
Certificate in Computer Programming and Applications Development |
Level 6 |
60 |
1 |
|
Dublin Institute of Technology |
CPD Diploma in Food Product Development (Stage I) |
Level 6 |
45 |
1 |
|
Dublin Institute of Technology |
CPD Diploma in Systems Administration |
Level 6 |
50 |
1 |
|
Dublin Institute of Technology |
Higher Certificate in Computing |
Level 6 |
120 |
|
|
Dublin Institute of Technology |
Higher Certificate in Electrical Services Engineering |
Level 6 |
30 |
2 |
|
Dublin Institute of Technology |
Higher Certificate in Mathematics (II) |
Level 6 |
60 |
2 |
|
Dublin Institute of Technology |
Higher Certificate in Science and Technology |
Level 6 |
120 |
|
|
Dublin Institute of Technology |
BEng Technology in Electrical Services Engineering |
Level 7 |
30 |
2 |
|
Dublin Institute of Technology |
BSc (Ordinary) in Information Systems and IT |
Level 7 |
60 |
2 |
|
Dublin Institute of Technology |
CPD Certificate in Ethical Hacking |
Level 7 |
10 |
1 |
|
Dublin Institute of Technology |
CPD Certificate in i-phone/Android Application Development |
Level 7 |
10 |
1 |
|
Dublin Institute of Technology |
CPD Diploma Development in Cloud Computing (Designing and Building A Private Cloud) |
Level 7 |
40 |
2 |
|
Dublin Institute of Technology |
CPD Diploma in Computer Games and Ludology |
Level 7 |
50 |
1 |
|
Dublin Institute of Technology |
CPD Diploma in Fundamental Cell and Molecular Biology |
Level 7 |
60 |
1 |
|
Dublin Institute of Technology |
CPD Diploma in Software Testing |
Level 7 |
40 |
2 |
|
Dublin Institute of Technology |
CPD Diploma Roof Construction Design and Energy Efficiency |
Level 7 |
40 |
1 |
|
Dublin Institute of Technology |
Biopharmaceuticals Conversion Course |
Level 8 |
60 |
2 |
|
Dublin Institute of Technology |
BSc (Honours) in Information Systems and IT |
Level 8 |
60 |
1 |
|
Dublin Institute of Technology |
BSc in Electrical Services Engineering and Energy Management |
Level 8 |
30 |
2 |
|
Dublin Institute of Technology |
BSc in Medical Device Innovation |
Level 8 |
55 |
1 |
|
Dublin Institute of Technology |
CPD Diploma in Accessible Web Design |
Level 8 |
40 |
1 |
|
Dublin Institute of Technology |
CPD Diploma in Building Geographic Information Systems |
Level 8 |
45 |
1 |
|
Dublin Institute of Technology |
CPD Diploma in Cloud Computing (Application Development) |
Level 8 |
45 |
2 |
|
Dublin Institute of Technology |
CPD Diploma in Financial Mathematics and Analytics |
Level 8 |
45 |
1 |
|
Dublin Institute of Technology |
CPD Diploma in Logistics in Supply Chain Management |
Level 8 |
40 |
1 |
|
Dublin Institute of Technology |
CPD Diploma in Statistics and Operation research |
Level 8 |
30 |
1 |
|
Dublin Institute of Technology |
Digital Imaging Skills for Multi-Media and Gaming |
Level 8 |
10 |
1 |
|
Dublin Institute of Technology |
Honours Degree in Mathematical Studies |
Level 8 |
60 |
1 |
|
Dublin Institute of Technology |
Honours Degree in Maths |
Level 8 |
60 |
2 |
|
Dublin Institute of Technology |
CPD Diploma in Computing |
Level 9 |
30 |
1 |
|
Dublin Institute of Technology |
Executive Masters in Supply Chain Management |
Level 9 |
90 |
2 |
|
Dublin Institute of Technology |
MSc in Computing |
Level 9 |
90 |
3 |
|
Dublin Institute of Technology |
MSc in Energy Management |
Level 9 |
90 |
3 |
|
Dublin Institute of Technology |
Post-graduate Certificate in Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics |
Level 9 |
30 |
1 |
|
Dublin Institute of Technology |
Post-graduate Certificate in Engineering Simulation and Modelling |
Level 9 |
30 |
1 |
|
Dublin Institute of Technology |
Post-Graduate Certificate in Mechanical Engineering |
Level 9 |
30 |
1 |
|
Dublin Institute of Technology |
Post-graduate Certificate in Software Development |
Level 9 |
30 |
1 |
|
Dublin Institute of Technology |
Post-graduate Diploma in Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics |
Level 9 |
60 |
2 |
|
Dublin Institute of Technology |
Post-Graduate Certificate in Digital Energy Analysis and Buildings Retrofit |
Level 9 |
30 |
1 |
|
Dublin Institute of Technology |
Postgraduate Graduate Certificate in Applied Computing for Technologists |
Level 9 |
30 |
1 |
|
Dundalk Institute of Technology |
Certificate in Home Energy Consultancy |
Level 6 |
30 |
|
|
Dundalk Institute of Technology |
Certificate in Sustainable Plumbing and Heating Installation |
Level 6 |
15 |
|
|
Dundalk Institute of Technology |
Certificate in Bio-Process engineering |
Level 7 |
35 |
1 |
|
Dundalk Institute of Technology |
Certificate in Agri-Waste and Management |
Level 8 |
25 |
|
|
Dundalk Institute of Technology |
Certificate in Food Supply Chain Management |
Level 8 |
20 |
|
|
Dundalk Institute of Technology |
Certificate in Technology Entrepreneurship |
Level 8 |
40 |
1 |
|
Dundalk Institute of Technology |
Hdip in Science and Computing |
Level 8 |
60 |
|
|
Dundalk Institute of Technology |
Certificate in Bio-Energy |
Level 9 |
16 |
1 |
|
Dundalk Institute of Technology |
Certificate in Solar Energy |
Level 9 |
23 |
|
|
Dundalk Institute of Technology |
Certificate in Wind Energy |
Level 9 |
23 |
1 |
|
Financial Services Ireland (FSI) |
FSI Career Plus |
Level 7 |
90 |
2 |
|
Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology |
Higher Certificate in Business in Computing Applications |
Level 6 |
120 |
2 |
|
Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology |
Higher Certificate in Business Studies and Enterprise Development |
Level 6 |
120 |
2 |
|
Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology |
Bachelor of Engineering (Ordinary) Energy Engineering |
Level 7 |
60 |
|
|
Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology |
BSc (Ordinary) in Computing (Software Development) |
Level 7 |
60 |
2 |
|
Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology |
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Degree in Energy Engineering |
Level 8 |
60 |
|
|
Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology |
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Mechanical Engineering |
Level 8 |
60 |
|
|
Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology |
BSc (Honours) Bio-Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Science (Distance) |
Level 8 |
60 |
2 |
|
Griffith College Dublin |
Special Purpose Award in SME Management |
Level 7 |
10 |
1 |
|
Griffith College Dublin |
Certificate in Computing Science |
Level 8 |
60 |
1 |
|
Griffith College Dublin |
Higher Diploma in Computing |
Level 8 |
60 |
1 |
|
Independent College Dublin |
Certificate in Business Research and Enterprise Development |
Level 8 |
20 |
1 |
|
Innopharma Labs Ltd |
Upskilling for the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Industry |
Level 8 |
50 |
1 |
|
Institute of Art, Design and Technology |
Certificate in Online Business Trading |
Level 7 |
10 |
1 |
|
Institute of Art, Design and Technology |
Bachelor in Business in Entrepreneurship |
Level 8 |
60 |
1 |
|
Institute of Art, Design and Technology |
Certificate in Enterprise Development |
Level 8 |
10 |
1 |
|
Institute of Art, Design and Technology |
Certificate in Human-Computer Interaction |
Level 8 |
10 |
1 |
|
Institute of Art, Design and Technology |
Certificate in Mobile Software Development (Android) |
Level 8 |
10 |
1 |
|
Institute of Art, Design and Technology |
Certificate in Mobile Software Development (iOS) |
Level 8 |
10 |
1 |
|
Institute of Public Administration |
MSc in Business and Management |
Level 9 |
90 |
2 |
|
Institute of Technology Blanchardstown |
Certificate in Creative web Communication |
Level 6 |
30 |
1 |
|
Institute of Technology Blanchardstown |
Certificate in Energy Efficient Domestic Retrofit Technology |
Level 6 |
25 |
1 |
|
Institute of Technology Blanchardstown |
Certificate in Energy Efficient Heating Systems |
Level 6 |
20 |
1 |
|
Institute of Technology Blanchardstown |
Certificate in PC Maintenance and Networking with Cisco Certified Network Associate |
Level 6 |
40 |
1 |
|
Institute of Technology Blanchardstown |
Computer Security incl COMTIA security and CCNA security |
Level 6 |
20 |
1 |
|
Institute of Technology Blanchardstown |
Higher Certificate in Sustainable Electrical Technology |
Level 6 |
60 |
2 |
|
Institute of Technology Blanchardstown |
Languages for the Export Market (Level 1) |
Level 6 |
10 |
1 |
|
Institute of Technology Blanchardstown |
Languages for the Export Market (Level 2) |
Level 6 |
10 |
1 |
|
Institute of Technology Blanchardstown |
BEng in Mechatronic Engineering |
Level 7 |
60 |
2 |
|
Institute of Technology Blanchardstown |
BSc in Information Technology (Information Security and Digital Forensics) |
Level 7 |
60 |
1 |
|
Institute of Technology Blanchardstown |
BSc (Honours) in Entrepreneurship |
Level 8 |
60 |
2 |
|
Institute of Technology Blanchardstown |
Hdip in Science and Computing |
Level 8 |
60 |
1 |
|
Institute of Technology Blanchardstown |
Minor Award Certificate in CAD and Manufacturing |
Level 8 |
15 |
1 |
|
Institute of Technology Blanchardstown |
Post-graduate Diploma in Science and Technology Entrepreneurship |
Level 9 |
60 |
2 |
|
Institute of Technology Carlow |
Certificate in Computer Systems |
Level 6 |
60 |
1 |
|
Institute of Technology Carlow |
Certificate in Mechanical Engineering |
Level 6 |
60 |
1 |
|
Institute of Technology Carlow |
BSc in Management (Energy) |
Level 7 |
60 |
1 |
|
Institute of Technology Carlow |
Hdip in Business (Supply Chain management) |
Level 8 |
60 |
2 |
|
Institute of Technology Sligo |
Certificate in Automation and Instrumentation/Certificate in Electronics |
Level 6 |
35 |
1 |
|
Institute of Technology Sligo |
Higher Certificate in Environmental Management |
Level 6 |
120 |
2 |
|
Institute of Technology Sligo |
Bachelor of Engineering in Electronic Engineering |
Level 7 |
60 |
2 |
|
Institute of Technology Sligo |
Bachelor of Engineering in Mechtronics |
Level 7 |
60 |
2 |
|
Institute of Technology Sligo |
BEng in Polymer Processing |
Level 7 |
60 |
2 |
|
Institute of Technology Sligo |
BSc in Construction Management |
Level 7 |
60 |
2 |
|
Institute of Technology Sligo |
BSc in Environmental Management |
Level 7 |
60 |
2 |
|
Institute of Technology Sligo |
BSc in Manufacturing Management |
Level 7 |
60 |
2 |
|
Institute of Technology Sligo |
Certificate in LEAN Sigma Quality |
Level 7 |
15 |
2 |
|
Institute of Technology Sligo |
BEng (Honours) in Electronic Engineering |
Level 8 |
60 |
2 |
|
Institute of Technology Sligo |
BSc (Honours) in Pharmaceutical Science |
Level 8 |
60 |
2 |
|
Institute of Technology Sligo |
Post-graduate Diploma in Environmental Protection |
Level 9 |
60 |
2 |
|
Institute of Technology Tallaght |
Certificate in Bio-Processing and Clean Room Management |
Level 6 |
35 |
1 |
|
Institute of Technology Tallaght |
HC/BSC/BSC (Honours) in Computing IT Management |
Level 6 |
120 |
3 |
|
Institute of Technology Tallaght |
Certificate in Engineering Technologies |
Level 7 |
40 |
1 |
|
Institute of Technology Tallaght |
Certificate in Network Design and Implementation |
Level 7 |
35 |
1 |
|
Institute of Technology Tallaght |
Diploma in Cloud Computing (Designing and Building a Private Cloud) |
Level 7 |
35 |
2 |
|
Institute of Technology Tallaght |
Diploma in Cloud Computing (Cloud Application Development) |
Level 8 |
40 |
1 |
|
Institute of Technology Tallaght |
Diploma in Enterprise Innovation |
Level 8 |
60 |
1 |
|
Institute of Technology Tralee (Shannon Consortium) |
Certificate in Applied Biology and Chemistry |
Level 6 |
30 |
1 |
|
Institute of Technology Tralee (Shannon Consortium) |
Certificate in Energy Management |
Level 6 |
30 |
1 |
|
Institute of Technology Tralee (Shannon Consortium) |
Certificate in Engineering Technology |
Level 6 |
30 |
1 |
|
Institute of Technology Tralee (Shannon Consortium) |
Certificate in Environmental Science |
Level 6 |
30 |
1 |
|
Institute of Technology Tralee (Shannon Consortium) |
Certificate in Tourism Entrepreneurship |
Level 6 |
30 |
1 |
|
Institute of Technology Tralee (Shannon Consortium) |
Certificate in Social Media and Web Analytics |
Level 7 |
30 |
1 |
|
Institute of Technology Tralee (Shannon Consortium) |
Certificate in Engineering Enterprise Management |
Level 8 |
30 |
1 |
|
Institute of Technology Tralee (Shannon Consortium) |
Certificate in Business Information Systems |
Level 9 |
30 |
2 |
|
Institute of Technology Tralee (Shannon Consortium) |
MSc in Educational Technologies |
Level 9 |
60 |
2 |
|
Irish Institute of Purchasing and Materials Management |
Certificate in Purchasing fundamentals |
Level 6 |
30 |
1 |
|
Irish Institute of Purchasing and Materials Management |
Certificate in Warehousing and Supply |
Level 6 |
30 |
1 |
|
Irish Institute of Purchasing and Materials Management |
Higher Certificate in Business Procurement |
Level 6 |
120 |
2 |
|
Irish Institute of Purchasing and Materials Management |
BBS Procurement and Supply Management |
Level 7 |
60 |
1 |
|
Irish Management Institute (IMI) |
Certified Module in Business Intelligence and Decision Support |
Level 9 |
10 |
1 |
|
Irish Management Institute (IMI) |
Certified Module in Business Model Innovation |
Level 9 |
10 |
1 |
|
Irish Management Institute (IMI) |
Certified Module in Cloud Computing and Web 2.0 |
Level 9 |
10 |
1 |
|
Irish Management Institute (IMI) |
IMI Diploma in Strategy and Innovation (Standard Cycle) |
Level 9 |
30 |
1 |
|
Letterkenny Institute of Technology |
Higher Certificate in Science Pharmacy Technician |
Level 6 |
120 |
2 |
|
Letterkenny Institute of Technology |
Higher Certificate in Wind Energy Technology |
Level 6 |
90 |
2 |
|
Letterkenny Institute of Technology |
Higher Diploma in Arts in Financial Services Technology |
Level 8 |
60 |
1 |
|
Letterkenny Institute of Technology |
Higher Diploma in Computing (Conversion Course into Computing) |
Level 8 |
60 |
1 |
|
Letterkenny Institute of Technology |
Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting |
Level 9 |
60 |
1 |
|
Limerick Institute of Technology (Shannon Consortium) |
Building CAD using Revit Architecture |
Level 6 |
10 |
1 |
|
Limerick Institute of Technology (Shannon Consortium) |
Certificate in Healthcare Science |
Level 6 |
30 |
1 |
|
Limerick Institute of Technology (Shannon Consortium) |
Sustainable Mechanical Engineering |
Level 6 |
20 |
1 |
|
Limerick Institute of Technology (Shannon Consortium) |
Special Purpose Award in Industrial Electrical Systems |
Level 7 |
30 |
1 |
|
Limerick Institute of Technology (Shannon Consortium) |
Special Purpose in Manufacturing Maintenance Systems |
Level 7 |
30 |
1 |
|
Limerick Institute of Technology (Shannon Consortium) |
Specialist Diploma in Security, Cryptography and Digital Forensics |
Level 9 |
30 |
1 |
|
National College of Ireland |
Certificate in Web Development |
Level 6 |
30 |
1 |
|
National College of Ireland |
Certificate in Science in Web Technologies |
Level 8 |
30 |
1 |
|
National College of Ireland |
Certificate in Cloud Computing |
Level 9 |
30 |
1 |
|
National College of Ireland |
Post-graduate Diploma in Science in Management |
Level 9 |
60 |
1 |
|
National College of Ireland |
Post-Graduate Certificate in Cloud Computing |
Level 9 |
60 |
2 |
|
National Institute of Bioprocessing, Research and Training (NIBRT) |
Education Programme in Pharmaceutical Technology — Bioprocessing and Healthcare |
Level 7 |
40 |
|
|
National University of Ireland, Galway |
Foundation Course in Science Technology and Engineering |
Level 6 |
30 |
1 |
|
National University of Ireland, Galway |
Specialist Diploma in Environmental Sustainability |
Level 8 |
30 |
1 |
|
National University of Ireland, Galway |
Specialist Diploma in LEAN and Quality Systems |
Level 8 |
30 |
1 |
|
National University of Ireland, Galway |
Specialist Diploma in Medical Device Science |
Level 8 |
30 |
1 |
|
National University of Ireland, Galway |
Diploma in Innovation Management |
Level 9 |
30 |
1 |
|
National University of Ireland, Galway |
Diploma in Technology Commercialisation |
Level 9 |
30 |
1 |
|
Open University |
Discovering Mathematics |
Level 7 |
15 |
|
|
Open University |
My Digital Life |
Level 7 |
30 |
1 |
|
Oscail |
BSc in Information Technology |
Level 8 |
120 |
3 |
|
Oscail |
Diploma in Information Technology |
Level 8 |
120 |
3 |
|
SQT Training Ltd. |
Sigma Green Belt in Process Engineering |
Level 6 |
10 |
1 |
|
Tipperary Institute (Shannon Consortium) |
Certificate in Domestic Sustainable Energy |
Level 6 |
20 |
1 |
|
Tipperary Institute (Shannon Consortium) |
Certificate in Renewable Energy Development |
Level 6 |
20 |
1 |
|
Tipperary Institute (Shannon Consortium) |
Higher Certificate in Good Manufacturing Practice |
Level 6 |
120 |
|
|
University College Cork |
Certificate in Supply Chain Management |
Level 7 |
30 |
1 |
|
University College Cork |
Certificate in Creative Digital Marketing |
Level 8 |
30 |
1 |
|
University College Dublin |
Certificate/Graduate Certificate in ICT |
Level 9 |
30 |
1 |
|
University College Dublin |
Graduate Certificate in Bio-Pharmaceutical and Pharmaceutical Sciences by Negotiable Learning |
Level 9 |
30 |
2 |
|
University of Limerick (Shannon Consortium) |
Diploma in Project Management |
Level 7 |
60 |
1 |
|
University of Limerick (Shannon Consortium) |
Science and Engineering (Minor Award) |
Level 8 |
54 |
1 |
|
University of Limerick (Shannon Consortium) |
Specialist Diploma in Quality Management Lean Systems |
Level 9 |
36 |
1 |
|
University of Limerick (Shannon Consortium) |
Specialist Diploma in Six Sigma |
Level 9 |
36 |
1 |
|
Waterford Institute of Technology |
Higher Certificate in Good Manufacturing Practice and Technology |
Level 6 |
120 |
2 |
|
Waterford Institute of Technology |
Bachelor of Arts in Financial Services |
Level 7 |
60 |
2 |
|
Waterford Institute of Technology |
BEng (Honours) in Sustainable Civil Engineering |
Level 8 |
120 |
3 |
|
Waterford Institute of Technology |
BSc (Honours) Applied Biology with Quality Management |
Level 8 |
60 |
1 |
|
Waterford Institute of Technology |
MSc in Innovative Technology Engineering |
Level 9 |
90 |
2 |
|
Waterford Institute of Technology |
MSc in Sustainable Energy Engineering |
Level 9 |
90 |
2 |
|
Age |
|
|
16-19 |
0.3% |
|
20-24 |
6.0% |
|
25-29 |
16.4% |
|
30-34 |
19.4% |
|
35-39 |
17.2% |
|
40-44 |
15.5% |
|
45-49 |
9.0% |
|
50-54 |
5.0% |
|
55+ |
3.4% |
|
Unknown |
7.6% |
|
Total |
100% |
|
Employment Sector |
|
|
Agriculture, forestry and fishing |
0.9% |
|
Industry |
7.4% |
|
Construction |
19.8% |
|
Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles |
7.0% |
|
Transportation and storage |
2.4% |
|
Accommodation and food service activities |
3.6% |
|
Information and communication (including ICT) |
8.5% |
|
Financial, insurance and real estate activities |
5.7% |
|
Professional, scientific and technical activities |
6.0% |
|
Administrative and support service activities |
3.8% |
|
Public administration and defence |
1.8% |
|
Education |
4.1% |
|
Human health and social work activities |
2.3% |
|
Other |
26.5% |
|
Total |
100% |
45 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) in Dublin 7 is one of the schools identified for needing major extensions or new buildings between now and 2017. [10040/12]
56 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills if building work will commence on a school (details supplied) build project this year. [10041/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 56 together.
As the Deputy is aware, an application for planning permission forms part of the site acquisition process for the school to which they refer. A draft design for the school was discussed with the school authority and the design is currently being revised in light of those discussions. The current position of all projects on the school building programme, including this project, may be viewed on my Department's website at www.education.ie. Details in relation to projects are updated regularly during the year.
As the Deputy is also aware, I have already indicated in the context of the announcement on the 10th November 2011 last of the Government's Medium Term Infrastructure and Capital Investment Framework, which sets out the demographic challenge facing the education system in the coming years, that I intend to publish shortly a five year plan outlining the projects that will commence construction in that time. In addition to the five year plan, my Department is committed to publishing a detailed plan on an annual basis in relation to planned expenditure on individual major school projects commencing construction. The first of these in relation to 2012 expenditure was published in December 2011 last. Information in respect of the plan for 2012 is available on the Department's website at www.education.ie.
47 Deputy Liam Twomey asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of the fact that universities here have dropped out of the top 100 universities, the steps that can be taken to resource our universities to put us back in the top world rankings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10184/12]
I understand that the Deputy is referring to the Times Higher Education World Rankings published last October. International ranking systems and league tables of this nature need to be interpreted with caution as criteria between one set of rankings and another can have material differences on outcomes on different league tables. Furthermore, their focus on individual institutional performance does not reflect overall system quality. We can continue to draw some encouragement from the fact that two Irish institutions are in the top 200 Times HE ranked institutions out of some 15,000 universities worldwide. Moreover, the overall performance of the Irish system remains highly ranked; 17th place overall and 6th relative to our GDP.
In terms of funding resources, the reality of the economic situation presents challenges right across the public sector, including higher education. Delivering high quality higher education for a growing proportion of our population will mean that we need to maintain a clear focus on system performance overall rather than a narrower focus on individual institutional performance. In this regard, the National Strategy for Higher Education and recent proposals issued by the Higher Education Authority make a range of recommendations which seek to enhance the quality and efficiency of the Irish system. In addition, the HEA are examining the future financial sustainability of the system, especially in light of projected growth in numbers over the next two decades. An initial report on the first phase of the study has been published. The work, when complete, will inform decisions on policy options for future funding.
Question No. 48 withdrawn.
49 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the new planned national strategy for higher education will result in a reduction in third level places following the consolidation of some smaller colleges; if the strategy will adversely impact on smaller institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10205/12]
The purpose of the system development reforms outlined in the National Strategy is to improve quality outcomes for all students and to enhance the capacity of the higher education system to meet growing future demand. On Monday 13th February, the HEA published a number of system development papers outlining key parameters for system development. Institutions have now been asked to consider their future strategic direction and fit within the higher education system and to return to the HEA with detailed strategic plans within six months.
By the end of this year HEA will have considered these strategic proposals and will advise me on a "blueprint" or outline structure for the higher education system over the next 10-20 years. The future of higher education institutions will be considered within the context of this analysis and there will be full engagement with institutions by HEA and my Department in relation to their strategic plans and future funding arrangements.
50 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he has taken to address the number of persons in third level who are continuing to earn more than the €200,000 pay cap; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10219/12]
The majority of employees in the third-level sector who continue to earn more than €200,000 per annum are Academic Medical Consultants, remuneration for whom falls in the main within the remit of the Minister for Health. Any changes to the terms and conditions of these consultants will have to be considered in the context of the Minister for Health's approach towards the remuneration of all medical consultants.
Since becoming Minister for Education and Skills, I have written to the Chairpersons of the University Governing Bodies requesting them to ask those individuals who earn in excess of the pay ceiling of €200,000, other than Academic Medical Consultants, to make voluntary waivers of salary. While two individuals have agreed to make personal arrangements with their employer regarding a deduction of the amount of salary in excess of €200,000, to date there have been no voluntary waivers made for the benefit of the State.
I cannot enforce a voluntary waiver nor can I insist that a waiver, if made, follows any particular format. For example, if an employee chooses to waive a portion of his/her salary in favour of a charity or their employer they are free to do so. The Deputy will be aware that the Government has decided that a salary ceiling of €200,000 will apply to future appointments to senior positions across the Public Service.
51 Deputy Jonathan O’Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of the reasons cited in the decision to end the modern languages in primary schools initiative, including recommendations from a National Council for Curriculum and Assessment feasibility report 2008, and information to the effect that it has not been possible for schools to join the MLPSI in recent years, and following the presentation by the modern languages delegation to the Oireachtas joint committee on 1 February 2012 and its detailed written submission, which clarifies that the NCCA report did not recommend an ending of the initiative, if he will review the decision to end the MLPSI in light of these clarifications. [10023/12]
The Modern Languages in Primary Schools Initiative has been a pilot scheme involving approximately 550 schools that has operated since 1998. The decision to end the scheme took account of a 2008 Report by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA). The report identified serious issues with curricular overload at primary level.
The NCCA's advice recommended for the present modern languages should not be part of the Primary School Curriculum as an additional and separate subject. The advice in relation to curriculum overload predated the wake up call on literacy and numeracy triggered by the PISA results. I am taking that advice on board and with particular regard to the demands on time in school that will result from a heightened focus on literacy and numeracy.
The primary curriculum is currently being reviewed by the NCCA in the context of the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategy. The €2.5million in savings from this measure will go towards the cost of implementing the new National Literacy and Numeracy Strategy. The 17% of primary schools at present in the Initiative, who have had even more time demands than others in a crowded curricular space, should as a result be better placed to deliver under the strategy.
Given the priority of literacy and numeracy I have acted on the 2008 advice about overload and could not justify either the continuation of the initiative in the existing schools or its expansion to all schools even if funding was not an issue.
52 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the allocation of resources to DEIS schools in the Dublin 17 area including schools (details supplied); if he will report on the review of the funding of DEIS schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10010/12]
The Report on the impact, in terms of posts, of Budget measures on DEIS Band 1 and Band 2 urban primary schools that still had additional posts allocated under disadvantage schemes pre-dating DEIS, was published earlier this week.
The report provides data on 140 DEIS Band 1 and DEIS Band 2 schools who were identified as being impacted by possible loss of posts, over and above their entitlement under DEIS. On foot of analysis of the report, the Government agreed to retain a total of 235 posts, on a concessionary basis, in DEIS Band 1 and DEIS Band 2 schools. The withdrawal of 192 posts from rural DEIS primary schools, non-DEIS primary schools and from DEIS second level schools will proceed.
My Department's Social Inclusion Unit will now be writing to the 140 schools and all other DEIS band 1 schools separately in relation to their staffing allocations for 2012/13 school year. The report and a list of the 140 schools involved is available on my Department's website at www.education.ie.
53 Deputy Jonathan O’Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason, at a time when Ireland is preparing to take over the Presidency of the EU in January 2013, we will not honour our European obligations under the Lisbon Strategy and the Barcelona Agreement by affording children an opportunity to learn additional modern European languages, as is the case in every other member state of the EU. [10022/12]
The Barcelona Conclusions are non-binding and express the views and intentions of the European Council. Individual member states are invited to adopt the approaches set out in the Conclusions insofar as is appropriate to their particular national priorities, circumstances and resources. My Department fully accepts the desirability of this approach as an EU policy direction. This does not mean however that it is necessarily practicable in every Member state. In Ireland, where there are two national languages, Irish and English, given recognition under the Constitution, both of these languages are taught at primary level.
54 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if, in view of the elimination of maintenance payments to postgraduate students from the 2012-13 academic year and considering the recent announcement in the Finance Bill 2012 of a range of fiscal incentives targeted to fostering research and development growth in Ireland, he proposes any measures within his remit to encourage greater participation in postgraduate study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10048/12]
The current economic climate requires difficult decisions to be made across all areas of public expenditure. However, given its centrality to future economic growth, the Government has sought to protect, in as far as possible, investment in research and development. This year my Department is providing some €38 million to support research activities across a range of programmes, including schemes managed by the Irish Research Council for Humanities and Social Sciences (IRCHSS) and the Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology (IRCSET). These schemes specifically focus on providing funding support to postgraduate students and early-career post doctoral fellows. It is anticipated that the Councils will make over 300 new postgraduate awards this year, which is an increase on the previous year. These awards include funding for tuition fees and an annual stipend of €16,000. Funding is also available from other research funding agencies, including Science Foundation Ireland. Additionally, places are being made available free-of-charge on postgraduate courses across the country to unemployed people under my Department's Springboard initiative.
It is also worth noting that the number of postgraduate students has increased from 18,807 in 2007/08 to 21,880 in the 2010/11 academic year. In the context of measures announced in Budget 2012, new students entering postgraduate courses from the 2012/13 academic year onwards will not be entitled to any maintenance payment under the Student Grant Scheme. However, students who meet the qualifying conditions for the special rate of grant will be eligible to have their post-graduate tuition fees paid up to the maximum fee limit under the Student Grant Scheme. The requirement to pay a fee is considered to be a greater obstacle to entry than lack of maintenance support at postgraduate level and this is why I opted to maintain the fee-payment ahead of maintenance payments for postgraduate students. Additionally, a limited number of students who would previously have qualified under the standard grant thresholds will qualify to have a €2,000 contribution made towards the costs of their fees. The income threshold for this level of grant is currently being determined in the context of the formulation of the student grant scheme for the 2012/13 academic year. Tax relief is also available on postgraduate tuition fees. I believe this approach will continue to provide resources for a relatively wide number of post-graduate students.
55 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the plans currently in place to encourage the teaching of languages from BRIC countries, as part of the aim of targeting exports to the emerging markets in these countries. [10013/12]
There are a range of foreign languages available on the curriculum in schools -- French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Japanese and Arabic. Chinese and Portuguese are not on the curriculum. It is not possible in the current budgetary situation to expand the range of languages on the post primary curriculum. 81% of second level pupils study three languages, Irish, English and a continental language, to completion of upper second level, and over 70% of schools offer two foreign languages or more. Russian is offered as a curricular language as part of the Post-Primary languages initiative. It is offered in 20 schools and 625 students are currently studying Russian. The State Examinations Commission also provides examinations in a range of "non-curricular EU languages", including Portuguese. Students at third level have access to a wide range of foreign language courses that can be taken as core subjects or in combination with a range of other disciplines. Details of Portuguese, Russian and Chinese language programmes which are offered both in higher education and adult education settings are available on the Qualifax website www.qualifax.ie. No Indian languages are currently offered. However English is the secondary official language in India.
58 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will examine the urgency of a special needs assistant application made to him on behalf of a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; in view of the needs of this school and the large attendance, if he will examine this application and give it priority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10015/12]
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 now advised all mainstream schools, including the school referred to by the Deputy, of their SNA allocation for the current school year, taking into account the care needs of qualifying pupils attending the school. The NCSE recently published statistical information on SNA allocations on a county by county and school by school basis on its website www.ncse.ie.
The NCSE has retained a number of SNA posts in order to allocate them over the remainder of the school year in respect of emergency cases or new diagnosis. Should a school seek to have their SNA provision reviewed or make a new application, they should contact the NCSE in this regard. It is expected that schools, before requesting any review of their SNA provision, will be in a position to demonstrate that they have made every effort to manage their allocation of SNA posts to best effect.
I have arranged for Deputy's question regarding an individual application for SNA support to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
59 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the progress of the numeracy and literacy strategy. [10037/12]
I published the National Strategy to Improve Literacy and Numeracy among Children and Young People 2011 to 2020 in July 2011. The Strategy contains 41 actions and almost 180 sub-actions across 6 key areas. A high level implementation advisory group has been established to monitor strategy implementation.
There has been significant progress in implementing the early actions of the Strategy and preparatory work is ongoing on medium and longer term actions. Some of the key developments to date are set out as follows:
A team of 19 literacy and numeracy advisors have been appointed to support teachers and schools in implementing the Strategy and a national programme of professional development for primary and second level teachers is underway.
Over 1,250 primary teachers completed summer courses in mathematics in 2011. Programmes in literacy (including Irish) and mathematics accounted for almost half of all attendance at summer courses in 2011. There will be further development in this area in 2012.
Initial proposals on revised entry standards for initial teacher education have been incorporated into the Teaching Council's Initial Teacher Education: Criteria and Guidelines for Programme Providers in relation to mathematics. The criteria also provide for an expansion of the primary Bachelor of Education from 3 to 4 years, and for an expansion of the Professional Diploma in Education to 2 years.
Units on literacy and numeracy are in place within the National Teacher Induction Programme for the 2011/12 school year.
Circular 56/2011 issued to all primary schools asking them to
Increase the time spent on mathematics by 70 minutes per week,
Increase the time spent on literacy by one hour per week,
Introduce a third point of standardised testing in English reading and Mathematics, so that pupils are tested at the end of 2nd, 4th and 6th class. Irish medium schools are asked to also test students in Irish reading,
Report the results of the tests to parents as part of an overall standardised report on their children's learning,
Report the results, in terms of the numbers scoring at particular percentile bands, to the Department and the school board of management,
Provide data on 6th class pupils' progress to their second level school once enrolment has been accepted.
An increased grant is being provided to schools support the increased cost of testing.
60 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he expects to be in a position to maintain the full scale and structure of the educational sector at primary and post-primary level in the wake of the reduction in teacher numbers arising from the memorandum of understanding entered into by his predecessor with particular reference to the need to ensure the continuity of the highest possible quality of education for children at both levels and in anticipation of academic and demographic requirements in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10291/12]
A key part of the Government's overall budgetary strategy is a requirement to reduce the public sector payroll. This will continue to be the case until we close the gap between what we spend as a country and what we take in through taxes. Given that one third of all public sector employees work in the Education sector it is simply not possible to completely exempt staffing levels in education from the Government's need to reduce expenditure. The Government has prioritised, as best as possible, the filling of front-line posts in the Education sector within the constraints of the Employment Control Framework. For example, schools are permitted to fill teaching vacancies that arise within their approved staffing allocations.
At a time of great strain in our public finances, we have to ensure that the very valuable but limited resources available for the education system are used in the best way possible.
61 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to include a reference to the Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union in the forthcoming European Communities Act 1972 Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10342/12]
At its meeting of 13 December 2011 the Government approved the drafting of the European Communities (Amendment) Bill. This Bill would provide for the amendment of the definition of "treaties governing the European Communities" contained in section 1(1) of the European Communities Act 1972 (as amended) to include a reference to the Protocol on Transitional Provisions annexed to the Treaties which contains transitional measures regarding to the composition of the European Parliament until the end of the current parliamentary term (2009-2014); and a reference to the European Council Decision of 25 March 2011 amending Article 136 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union with regard to a stability mechanism for Member States whose currency is the euro.
The Bill will not include a reference to the Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union.
62 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of freedom of information requests received by him in 2011; the number of requests for which a search and retrieval fee was sought; the maximum fee sought by him in respect of a request received; the number of requests not proceeded following the non-payment of the search and retrieval fee sought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10408/12]
There follows in tabular format a statistical breakdown of the Freedom of Information Requests processed by my Department in 2011.
My Department makes every effort to work with requesters to reduce the cost of Search and Retrieval fees, which are generally incurred where the request ranges over a large volume of records or a significant time period. Less than 10 per cent of all requests did not proceed where Search and Retrieval fees were sought.
It is the policy of my Department to make all requests and replies made under the Freedom of Information Act, which are not of a personal nature, publicly available. The Freedom of Information Requests Database is available on the website of my Department and contains copies of the non-personal requests made since April 2004.
|
2011 |
|
|
No. of FOI requests received |
68 |
|
Search and Retrieval fees sought, no. of cases |
13 |
|
Largest S&R fee sought |
€7,961 |
|
No. of requests not proceeded after S&R fee |
6 |
63 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the cost of lump sums, severance payments and pensions of those leaving the public service through retirement or other grounds; the loss of pension levy and superannuation from employees leaving the public service; the numbers of persons who were paid under Vote 12 superannuation and retired allowances in 2011 and his estimate of same for 2012; if he will provide this information in respect of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10424/12]
With regard to staff of my Department, the calculation and payment of superannuation benefits is a matter for the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. Severance payments totalling €316,943.84 were made to former Ministerial Personal Appointees in 2011.
64 Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when it is next envisaged that the Oireachtas will receive a formal report about Ireland’s contribution to achieving the millennium development goals, MDGs, as was previously done in 2004; if he will provide the metrics by which Ireland’s contribution to achieving the MDGs is being measured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10450/12]
The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were agreed by world leaders at the United Nations in 2000 as the framework for international development policy up to 2015. They provide a clearly measurable way to track progress in the fight against global poverty. The Goals are central to Ireland's overseas development programme, and to the Government's development policy. On a global level, progress towards meeting the MDGs is tracked by the United Nations, which reports annually on progress by developing countries in meeting each of the eight Goals, as well as on ODA flows from donor to developing countries, including from Ireland. I am firmly committed to keeping the Oireachtas, as well as the general public, fully informed of the important contribution that Ireland's ODA programme makes to the achievement of the MDGs. Both the Tánaiste and my predecessor as Minister of State for Trade and Development, Jan O'Sullivan T.D. have met the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Joint Committee on European Affairs over the past year and have briefed them in detail on the work of Irish Aid. I look forward to meeting and engaging with the Committees in the near future.
The Irish Aid annual reports, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas library and on the Irish Aid website, provide a detailed overview of the Government's contribution to the achievement of the MDGs, and on the results being achieved by the aid programme. In addition, in preparation for the MDG Review Summit in New York in September 2010, Irish Aid published a series of Fact Sheets which outlined Ireland's work in support of each of the eight MDGs and the challenges remaining to achieve each Goal by 2015. I would hope that we will be in a position to produce a similar set of Fact Sheets in advance of the next MDG Review Summit, which is scheduled to take place in September 2013.
The ongoing Review of the 2006 White Paper on Irish Aid provides a major opportunity to assess in detail how our ODA programme is contributing to eradicating poverty, hunger and exclusion, as well as to consider how effectively we are communicating the results of our work to the wider public. We are consulting widely in the review process, with the public, the Oireachtas, civil society and our partner countries. I would very much welcome the Deputy's engagement with and input into the process.
65 Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views that there is opportunity for Ireland to expand its role in non-aid areas of development co-operation, such as ending harmful fisheries agreements, advocating for fairer trade rules and ending tax avoidance by European companies. [10451/12]
Ireland has a strong and internationally recognised development cooperation programme. This year we are delivering €639 million in Official Development Assistance (ODA) to improve lives in some of the world's poorest communities. This commitment to international development cooperation is central to our foreign policy and strongly reflects the values of the Irish people.
The Government recognises, however, that aid is only one part of the solution to underdevelopment. There is now a renewed effort to ensure that aid provided is complemented by domestic and international policy agreements that can strengthen national revenue collection, utilise natural resources in a fair and just way, and increase trade and private sector investment in developing countries.
This is an important issue for the Review of the 2006 White Paper on Irish Aid, which I am currently leading. This Review is examining the changing context in which our aid programme is being implemented, and recognises that Ireland has an important role to play in the fight against hunger and extreme poverty — not just through the aid funding that we provide, but through a broader, comprehensive and holistic approach to development cooperation. This includes actively engaging across Government Departments, the European Union and other inter-governmental bodies that Ireland belongs to, and ensuring policy approaches adopted are supportive of the interests of developing countries.
A good example of this is the African Strategy which was recently launched by my Department. This Strategy aims to provide a framework for a coherent approach to Ireland's political, development, and business relations with African countries. It articulates the priorities of Ireland in Africa and explores how these can better fit together and reinforce each other. Whilst Ireland will continue to provide development aid to Africa to fight poverty and hunger, there is also a long-term aim to end dependency on aid and to build a new relationship with Africa based on politics, democracy and trade. This is of benefit to our African partners. Closer economic ties and increased trade is also of benefit to Ireland. Through the extensive consultations that are taking place for the Review of Irish Aid, I look forward to discussing these issues both here at home and in the countries where we work. I also look forward to engaging with members of the Oireachtas in the coming weeks, and in particular, to discuss the Review of the White Paper on Irish Aid with the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade.
66 Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade with regard to Ireland’s adherence to the OECD Convention Combating Bribery of Foreign Officials, and the UN Convention Against Corruption, if these conventions have been fully implemented here; if not, the remaining steps to fulfil implementation; and if he will provide a timetable for the taking of these steps. [10452/12]
Ireland signed the United Nations Convention Against Corruption in 2003 and ratified it in November 2011. Ireland deposited the instrument of ratification of the OECD Convention Combating Bribery of Foreign Officials in International Business on 22 September 2003. The Convention came into force on 21 November 2003.
The implementing legislation with regard to the criminal law aspects of both of these international instruments is primarily that contained in the Prevention of Corruption Acts 1889 to 2010. The core offences of active and passive corruption are set out in the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2001.
The most important development in the law in recent years was the enactment of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act 2010, which strengthens the existing legislation relating to the prevention of corruption. Key provisions include the extension of extra-territorial jurisdiction for corruption offences, a revision of the main corruption offence and the provision of whistleblowers' protection.
There are a number of other relevant laws and regulations that are also applicable in the implementation of both of these instruments including legislation dealing with matters such as ethics in public office, money laundering, mutual legal assistance, etc.
The State is also party to the Council of Europe Criminal Law Convention and is an active participant in the Council of Europe Group of States Against Corruption.
It is also worth noting that the heads of a Bill to reform and consolidate the Prevention of Corruption Acts 1889 to 2010 are currently being developed by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence who intends to bring them to Government before Easter. It is his intention to publish the heads of the Bill and to refer them to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality prior to the drafting of the Bill. The objective is to clarify, consolidate and reform the provisions contained in the seven different enactments which make up the Prevention of Corruption Acts 1889 to 2010.
The new Bill will make corruption legislation more accessible by replacing seven overlapping statutes with one. It also affords an opportunity to review the legislation in this area, and to improve it in light of our experience as members of the international anti-corruption groups.
67 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will make representations to the Israeli authorities regarding the human rights of Khader Adnan whose hunger strike is at a critical stage. [10453/12]
As the Deputy will be aware, I had been very concerned that Mr. Adnan's hunger strike was reaching the point where his health was likely to be seriously endangered. I have answered a number of Parliamentary Questions in the last two weeks in relation to our concerns about this case, and the principle of administrative detention. An Irish diplomatic officer was present at the Israeli Supreme Court to attend Mr. Adnan's appeal on Tuesday, and was able to report instead that an understanding had been reached which led Mr. Adnan to immediately end his hunger strike at that point. Under the agreement, time spent earlier in custody will be allowed against the current detention order, which will therefore expire on 17 April, a month earlier than originally ordered. At that point, unless further evidence against Mr. Adnan has been found, the state has undertaken not to seek a renewal of the detention order.
I welcome this outcome to the case. I will continue to make known my concerns about the use of administrative detention in general.
68 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the location and grade of all public servants within his Department or related agencies who while not having reached the minimum retirement age to avail of cost neutral early retirement will benefit from the provisions under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009; his plans to continue the service provided by each of the retiring staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10567/12]
The minimum retirement age under the Cost Neutral Early Retirement Scheme is 50 years. The Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009 came into force on 1 January 2010. Only one officer of my Department aged under 50 years, a part-time Clerical Officer who was serving in the Corporate Services Division, has retired since 1 January 2010 and no further such retirements are anticipated before the end of February 2012. Overall, by the end of February, Departmental permanent staff numbers will have reduced by approximately 180, or almost 12%, since the imposition of the moratorium on recruitment in March 2009.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade performs and provides a very diverse range of people-dependent functions and services: economic promotion; frontline citizen services (passport and consular); policy advice, programme management and representation and protection of the interests of the State and Irish citizens resident abroad through a network of mostly thinly populated offices across the globe. Following a root and branch reappraisal of its operations, the Department is in the process of implementing the most far-reaching reorganisation of its Headquarters structures in more than a generation. A number of our Missions have also been down-sized and, following a fundamental review of the network last year, a total of three offices are being closed this year. Consideration is also being given to e-Government initiatives aimed at further enhancing staffing efficiencies in the Passport Service.
These and other measures will build on the extensive reforms already implemented by the Department over the past three years in an effort to try to ensure that the Department remains in a position to fulfil the many and varied responsibilities conferred on it by the Government.
69 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Finance if the Revenue Commissioners confirmed in 2003 that Campus Stadium Ireland Development’s VAT charge of €10,254,600 was correct. [10506/12]
75 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied that he was aware of the legal position on the economic value test (section 99 of the 2002 Finance Act) between 2002 and 2010 and specifically when his Department discussed the issue of VAT on the lease of the National Aquatic Centre with Campus Stadium Ireland Development; and if he is satisfied that Campus Stadium Ireland Development had met the EVT requirements. [10462/12]
81 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Finance if he advised Campus Stadium Ireland Development that the VAT amount of €10,254,600 had to be included in the Campus Stadium Ireland Development proceedings against Dublin Waterworld as claimed by the Department Secretary General in evidence to the Public Accounts Committee on 8 November 2011. [10510/12]
82 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Finance if he will confirm if the Revenue Commissioner advised him that the VAT amount of €10,254,600 would have to be included in the legal proceedings between Campus Stadium Ireland Development and Dublin Waterworld. [10511/12]
83 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Finance if he will confirm if he gave incorrect advice to Campus Stadium Ireland Development in relation to the issue of VAT on the lease of the National Aquatic Centre. [10512/12]
84 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied that the Valuation Office received the complete and correct lease of the National Aquatic Centre when it provided its valuation for VAT purposes in 2002. [10513/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 69, 75 and 81 to 84, inclusive, together.
The questions raised by the Deputy in relation to the Campus Stadium Ireland Development, the National Aquatic Centre and Dublin Waterworld Ltd. are a matter for the Minister for Transport Tourism and Sport.
With regard to the application of VAT, the Minister for Finance and the Government decide tax policy and the Oireachtas enacts tax policy via the Finance Act process. Administration of enacted tax legislation is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners and I do not have a role in tax administration since this would undermine the independence of the Revenue Commissioners. The matters referred to by the Deputy are ones of tax administration that are exclusively in the remit of Revenue. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that VAT is a self-assessment tax. Persons registered for VAT, who are on the invoice basis of accounting, must issue an invoice in respect of taxable transactions and must remit to Revenue the VAT due on the foot of such invoices within 19 days from the end of the taxable period in which the invoice was issued. The taxable person is required to remit the VAT even if he has not received payment in respect of the invoice.
Litigation in relation to the pursuit of commercial debts, which may include VAT, is a matter for the person who is owed the money and Revenue does not advise litigants in relation to legal proceedings. I am informed that Revenue did not provide advice in the relation to the litigation referred to by the Deputy.
Finally, in relation to the Deputy's question about the Valuation Office, the Valuation Office is the independent State property valuation agency, headed by the Commissioner of Valuation. The Office provides statutory valuations under the provisions of the Valuation Act 2001. It also provides a valuation consultancy service to Government departments and public bodies.
However, I have been informed by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform that on foot of a request from Campus and Stadium Ireland Development Limited (CSID), the Valuation Office provided a valuation for VAT purposes on the National Aquatic Centre, dated 25th October 2002. The valuation for VAT purposes required an estimate of the unencumbered rent and the open market price. The Office did not have all the documents relating to the lease but it was supplied with a considerable amount of information including details of the encumbrances attaching to the lease and it sought and obtained further information it required. The Office is satisfied that it had sufficient information to enable it to decide on the most appropriate methodology to use in preparing the estimates of value to be made under the VAT legislation. The Office has indicated that it stands over its valuations.
70 Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Finance if there are any plans in place to make the facilities contained within commercial properties which have been moved under the control of the National Assets Management Agency available to the community at reasonable rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10352/12]
NAMA has a commercial remit and a statutory objective to generate a return for the taxpayer. However, within the context of its commercial remit and consistent with section 2 of the National Asset Management Agency Act 2009, NAMA is at all times open to considering proposals aimed at contributing to broader social and economic objectives. Thus NAMA is open to facilitating the work of public and community bodies in the creation of vibrant sustainable communities where this is possible. Any local community organization, therefore, which has a proposal that it wishes to put to NAMA should contact the Asset Recovery Team within NAMA.
71 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a list of properties and their values in the Meath County Council area that are assets in loans transferred to the National Assets Management Agency. [10386/12]
72 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a list of properties and their values in the Meath West constituency area that are assets in loans transferred to the National Assets Management Agency. [10387/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 72 together.
Properties under the control of receivers or other insolvency professionals appointed by NAMA are listed on its website at http://www.nama.ie/PropertiesEnforced.php. The site includes properties located in Meath, including Ashbourne, Drogheda, Dunshaughlin, Enfield, Navan, Rathmoylan, Duleek, Kilcock and Trim. In each instance, information about the firm dealing with the insolvency and its contact details are provided. Potential purchasers are encouraged to contact the receivers to obtain additional information on specific properties and to submit expressions of their interest to purchase.
In the case of property under the control of debtors, NAMA is precluded, under Section 202 of the NAMA Act 2009, from disclosing confidential information. Confidential information is specifically defined to include information relating to debtors. Furthermore, Section 99 of the Act provides that, on acquisition of a loan, NAMA takes over the obligations of the participating institution under the loan, one of which is the contractual duty of confidentiality which the debtor enjoyed while still a customer of the participating institution. Information about individual debtors or guarantors is also protected against disclosure by the Data Protection Acts with which NAMA must comply as a data controller.
However, in cases where NAMA receives enquiries from potential purchasers about specific properties under the control of debtors, it can facilitate contact with a view to enabling sales transactions to take place.
73 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Finance the number of freedom of information requests received by him in 2011; the number of requests for which a search and retrieval fee was sought; the maximum fee sought by him in respect of a request received; the number of requests not proceeded following the non payment of the search and retrieval fee sought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10407/12]
My Department received 258 Freedom of Information (FOI) in 2011 and there were 17 cases where a search and retrieval fee was paid. The highest fee paid in 2012 was €83.80.
Unfortunately, we do not currently hold the other information sought by the Deputy in a format which can readily answer the queries, but we are currently in the process of capturing this information so that it can be provided in future.
74 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Finance the cost of lump sums, severance payments and pensions of those leaving the public service through retirement or other grounds; the loss of pension levy and superannuation from employees leaving the public service; the numbers of persons who were paid under Vote 12 superannuation and retired allowances in 2011 and his estimate of same for 2012; if he will provide this information in respect of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10423/12]
Twenty people left the Department of Finance during 2011. The cost of lumps sums in respect of those retirees was €2.2m and of severance payments was €127k. The annual pension cost for these people is of the order of €0.725m. The pension related deduction which was paid by these staff while in employment was approximately €99k per annum and their pension contribution was approximately €22k per annum. Many of these staff may have retired in the normal course of events regardless of the changed arrangements with respect to pay and pensions.
A further nine staff have indicated their intention to retire from my Department this year at an estimated lump sum cost of €660k and an annual pension cost of €205k . The pension related deduction paid by these staff is €40k per annum and their annual pension contributions total €8k per annum. Again, many of these staff may have retired in the normal course of events.
The information requested in respect of Vote 12 is a matter for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
Question No. 75 answered with Question No. 69.
76 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance in view of the fact that it looks like the re-structuring of the promissory notes held by the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation will not be enough to return Ireland to fiscal sustainability, his views that the likelihood of a second bailout being required after the current programme expires in 2013 is becoming more of a reality as each week goes by; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10466/12]
I would not agree with the conclusion outlined above. Ireland's Programme of external support, which is a three year programme designed to return us to market based financing, is on track. We are meeting our targets under the Programme and continuing to do so is the best means of ensuring that we emerge successfully from this programme. A substantial number of actions — over 90 — have already been completed. The Budgetary outturn for 2011 was well within the target set by the Troika. The 5th and most recent EU/IMF review mission of Ireland was completed successfully and I look forward to the successful completion of the overall review process. The purpose of the EU/IMF Programme for Ireland is to provide the space necessary for economic and fiscal adjustment to take place. Based on current projections and assuming no market access, the State has access to sufficient funds for its needs well into the second half of 2013.
As the Deputy is aware I have indicated that I am committed to reviewing the approach to the Promissory notes with a view to reducing the overall cost to the State of correcting the banking system. The Troika have agreed to engage in a process with Irish Officials to produce a common paper which will consider options for re-engineering the notes in terms of the maturity of the notes, the interest rate, the cash flows, etc. Work is on-going on this review. Additional detail on such proposals will be available when the on-going work is further advanced. However, given the nature of advocacy and the decision making process in the EU I would not expect this matter to be concluded in the short term.
Market sentiment toward Ireland has also improved. Irish bond yields have improved considerably. In recent days, the 10-year bond yield has gone below 7% which is a considerable reduction from the 14.1% peak in July 2011. The National Treasury Management Agency has re-engaged with the bond market and extended some €3.5 billion of debt maturing just after the programme ends. This is a significant first step in terms of managing Ireland's post programme funding requirements. The bond switch helps smooth the maturity profile of Irish debt, lessens the refinancing requirement in the immediate aftermath of the conclusion of the EU/IMF Programme and is a reflection of the improved market sentiment for Irish Government paper. These developments can be directly related to our strong programme implementation.
77 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding nationalised banks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10467/12]
The Government is acutely aware of the increasing financial stress that some households are facing arising from difficulty in meeting their mortgage commitments. The Government, therefore, has established a Steering Group to oversee and drive the implementation of the recommendations contained in the report of the Inter-Departmental Working Group on Mortgage Arrears across Government. The Inter-Departmental Group concluded that those people who can meet their mortgage obligations should do so but that appropriate measures need to be developed to assist those mortgage holders who are experiencing real difficulty in meeting their repayments. Significant progress has already been achieved in implementing the Group's recommendations. For example, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence has published a draft Personal Insolvency Bill to provide a framework for the resolution of unsustainable personal debt, including mortgage debt, in a non judicial framework. In addition, the Central Bank, as regulator, has required all mortgage lenders to develop strategies and implementation plans to deal with their individual mortgage arrears situations. The Central Bank is currently reviewing these strategies and examining the plans of lenders to offer appropriate longer term solutions, such as those recommended in the Inter-Departmental Mortgage Arrears Working Group report and other options that banks may develop themselves, for their customers who may have unsustainable mortgages. The Central Bank will continue to engage with lenders on the further development and implementation of these plans.
However, the banks in Ireland, including those in which the State has a significant shareholding, are independent commercial entities and decisions on the handling of their mortgages and other loans, including distressed loans, are, in the first instance, a matter for the Boards and management of individual institutions in the exercise of their commercial and fiduciary responsibilities. However, to the extent that borrowers and lenders are not in a position to reach individual agreements on stressed or unsustainable debt situations, the personal insolvency reforms outlined above will now provide an effective statutory framework for the consideration and resolution of such matters in a manner that will take account of all relevant factors and the legitimate interests of both the borrower and lenders. Of course, to the extent that losses are incurred arising from the provision for or write down of impaired loans, this will deplete the capital base of banks, including the extensive capital provided by the taxpayer to the covered banks, so there is also a requirement to prudently manage that capital and avoid inappropriate write off of loans in the overall interest of the taxpayer.
78 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied that the value of the land assets taken from financial institutions by the National Assets Management Agency is at least equal to the price paid by NAMA for these assets. [10500/12]
I am informed by NAMA that full due diligence and final loan valuations have been completed on the first five tranches of loans to be transferred (with nominal loan balances of €59 billion) and that the due diligence and valuation process is close to completion on the residual tranches. On the first five tranches, NAMA paid consideration of €26.363 billion for loans that are secured by property and other collateral which had a current market value of €26.653 billion using the November 2009 valuation methodology that underpins the value of all assets transferred to NAMA. Information on the final consideration paid for all tranches and on the current market value of associated collateral is expected to be available at the end of the first quarter of 2012.
Since November 2009, property prices have fallen. For 2010, NAMA recorded an impairment provision of €1,485 million against its loans and receivables portfolio. I am informed by NAMA that due to the decline in property values during 2011, it also will have to make an impairment provision for 2011. The size of that impairment provision is not yet calculated as it is a complex exercise which is carried out under International Financial Reporting Rules (IFRS).
79 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied that the normal Government procurement rules have been followed by the National Assets Management Agency in its procurement of professional services and advice. [10501/12]
I am informed that NAMA, as a contracting authority, is subject to EU Directive 2004/18/EC as implemented in Ireland by the European Communities (Award of Public Authorities' Contracts) Regulations 2006 (the "Regulations"), in respect of the procurement of goods, works and services above certain values (the "EU Thresholds"). The principles underpinning the Regulations are equal treatment, non-discrimination, mutual recognition, proportionality and transparency. The results of NAMA's tenders are detailed on its website, www.nama.ie. Where the Regulations do not apply — either because the value of the procurement is below the EU Thresholds or falls outside of the Regulations — NAMA adopts a competitive process designed to obtain the best value for money that can be achieved in a manner that is both fair and transparent.
In light of this advice, therefore, I am satisfied that the Agency complies fully with normal Government procurement rules in its procurement of goods and services.
80 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the moneys paid by the National Assets Management Agency to its professional advisers, companies and individuals; if so, if he will provide the annual moneys paid to such professional advisors in tabular form, data to be provided from the date NAMA was set up to the current date and the total annual amount paid to each professional advisor year on year. [10502/12]
NAMA informs me that it cannot provide all the details requested by the Deputy in the time available. NAMA has undertaken to provide me with this information within the next week and, accordingly, I will issue a reply to the Deputy at that stage.
85 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent of any refund of income tax or universal social charge due in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10533/12]
I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that reviews of the person's income tax and universal social charge for 2010 and 2011 will be carried out shortly. All income tax and universal social charge overpaid will be refunded to him.
86 Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Finance if he will produce in conjunction with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform a simplified set of public accounts in terms of totals, percentages, and per capita for each taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10551/12]
Annual public spending, that is voted and non-voted spending, is set out in summary and aggregate form in the Finance Accounts. Likewise the Accounts show the revenues of the State, which are made up of taxes and non-tax income. Under Section 4 of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act, 1993, the Finance Accounts are compiled annually by my Department, audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General and laid before Dail Eireann before 30 September in the year following the year to which the accounts relate. The Act defines the Finance Accounts as an account showing the payments into and out of the Central Fund and such other, if any, accounts and statements as the Minister for Finance considers appropriate and specifies to the Comptroller and Auditor General. The format of the Accounts was revised substantially in the late 1980s and there have been minor changes in presentation in recent years. The Budgetary and Economic Statistics, published annually on my Department's website, contains data showing the percentage changes in public spending and revenue. They also show GDP and GNP on a per capita basis. I have no plans to include statements, or information, in the Finance Accounts expressing data in terms of population statistics, though it is open to users of the Accounts to apply such statistics in order to derive data on a per capita basis.
87 Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Finance the appeal or redress services if any, available to individuals with good credit ratings and a genuine financial requirement who are declined mortgages or other credit facilities from Irish National Asset Management Agency banks for no genuine or apparent reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10553/12]
The decision on whether or not to grant individual mortgages must remain a commercial decision for individual lending institutions. It is important that each lending institution is allowed to assess properly and independently the individual risks that it is considering accepting. Mortgage lending must be undertaken on a sustainable and prudential basis by financial institutions and conform fully with regulatory requirements both in relation to the financial institution itself and also the safeguarding of the consumer's interests. The Central Bank has in place a Consumer Protection Code. This Code applies to all financial institutions regulated by the Central Bank (regulated entities). If a regulated entity is selling a financial product, including a mortgage, to a person who is a "personal consumer" for the purposes of the Code, then the regulated entity may only sell a mortgage product that is suitable for the consumer based on the information that has been supplied by the consumer. Provision 5.9 of the Code requires that prior to offering, recommending, arranging, or providing a credit product to a personal consumer, a lender must carry out an assessment of affordability to ascertain the consumer's likely ability to repay the debt, over the duration of the agreement.
In the case of all mortgage products provided to personal consumers, the results of a test on the personal consumer's ability to repay the instalments, over the duration of the mortgage agreement, on the basis of a 2% interest rate increase, at a minimum, above the interest rate offered to the personal consumer must be ascertained. This test does not apply to mortgages where the interest rate is fixed for a period of five years or more.
In addition, provision 5.13 requires that a regulated entity must take account of the affordability assessment when deciding whether a personal consumer is likely to be able to repay the debt for that amount and duration in the manner required under the credit agreement. A copy of the Central Bank's Consumer Protection Code is available on the Central Bank's website www.centralbank.ie.
If a consumer feels that he or she has been improperly treated in relation to the processing of the application for a mortgage, or that he or she has grounds for complaint for some other reason, then a complaint may be made directly to the financial institution concerned. If the consumer is not satisfied with the response received from the institution, there may be grounds to forward the complaint to the Financial Services Ombudsman (FSO), who has statutory powers to investigate complaints against financial service providers. The FSO will only consider a case once the internal complaints procedure within the financial institution concerned has been followed. The Deputy should note however that the FSO will not deal with commercial decisions taken by a financial institution.
The Deputy may also wish to note that small and medium sized enterprises, sole traders and farmers can apply to the Credit Review Office for a review where credit is refused, withdrawn or offered on unreasonable conditions by AIB or Bank of Ireland. These banks have set up formal internal review processes, which must first examine an appeal by a customer. Ulster Bank has also set up an internal appeal process.
88 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills with respect to the European Globalisation Fund managing authority report for the period 19 December 2011 to 27 January 2012 and specifically in relation to the issue of specific interventions as detailed on page seven and table 3.1 of the report, if he will provide the following information for each of the five categories listed in the table, the number of each interventions that have commenced; the costs allocated under each intervention heading; the expenditure to date under each intervention heading; the number of unique beneficiaries under each heading; and the number of unique interventions under each heading. [10365/12]
Table 3.1 of the Report on the Implementation of the Three EGF Construction Programme for the Period 19th December 2011 to 27th January 2012 refers to the main actions taken by the EGF Construction Contact Centre in respect of eligible persons accessing its services during the period 19th December 2011 to 27th January 2012.
The EGF Construction Contact Centre was established to support redundant construction workers and apprentices notified of their eligibility for EGF support under the three approved EGF construction programmes through information provision and through referral to access specific interventions provided by a range of service providers including Vocational Education Committees, FÁS, public and private education and training providers, and City and County Enterprise Boards.
A more detailed breakdown of the actions referenced in the table is presented in the document set out below.
With regard to the commencement of specific interventions to which eligible persons were referred by the EGF Construction Contact Centre, Table 4.2 of the current report provides figures on the status of the 452 individuals who contacted the EGF Construction Contact Centre up to the 27th January 2012. This table indicates that, on the 27th January 2012, a total of 38 individuals had either enrolled, started, or completed training courses with EGF support during the period 19th December 2011 to 27th January 2012. It also shows that, on the 27th January 2012, a further 257 individuals were being supported by the EGF Construction Contact Centre to access specific interventions but had, on that date, not yet commenced these interventions.
During the period covered by the current report a total of 452 eligible redundant construction workers and apprentices contacted the EGF Construction Contact Centre and 210 of these individuals received a total of 239 specific actions as identified with reference to Table 3.1. The number of unique beneficiaries and unique interventions is set out above.
The Department is not in a position to provide interim status updates or reports at this time. However, the next scheduled monthly report, which will include a status update with regard, inter alia, to the commencement and completion of specific interventions by this cohort, will be provided to the Department for the period to March 2nd 2012 and will be made public. In relation to the costs allocated under specific EGF measures these are presented in the three EGF applications approved by the EU budgetary authorities. The costing breakdown of each specific programme measure as approved is contained in three separate sets of proposed and final Decisions by the European Commission and these documents are publicly available.
Actual expenditure on particular measures, which is dependant on the take-up of measures and so demand led, will be ascertained through the interim and final claims which are duly submitted by service providers to the EGF Managing Authority. To date no claims have been received by the Department.
|
OneIntervention(183) |
TwoInterventions(25) |
ThreeInterventions(2) |
Total |
|
|
Client Referred to VEC |
94 |
14 |
0 |
108 |
|
Client has Completed EGF Training Grant Application Form for FETAC |
60 |
20 |
2 |
82 |
|
Client has Completed EGF Training Grant Reimbursement Form |
7 |
7 |
2 |
16 |
|
Client has Completed EGF Training Grant Application Form for HETAC |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Referred to HEA Institution |
17 |
5 |
0 |
22 |
|
Client Being Assisted to Access FAS Training Course |
5 |
2 |
0 |
7 |
|
Client Referred to CEBs/Enterprise Support |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
|
Number of Unique Interventions |
183 |
50 |
6 |
239 |
|
Number of Unique Beneficiaries |
183 |
25 |
2 |
210 |
89 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the numbers of teaching personnel waiting to be cleared by the Garda vetting unit; the estimated time for when the backlog is due to be cleared; the additional resources, if any, that are being allocated to ensure the swift vetting of teachers; and if delays in the vetting process are preventing teaching posts being filled. [10519/12]
The arrangements for vetting of teaching and non-teaching staff were introduced in September 2006. In late 2010, my Department issued Circular 0063/2010 which updated and clarified the requirements for Garda vetting as part of recruitment procedures for all teaching and non-teaching positions.
Responsibility for complying with the vetting requirements rests with the school authority as employer of school staff. However, as the Teaching Council is the registered organisation that liaises with the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) for the vetting of teachers, an indication of the level of vetting that has been carried out for teachers is that approximately 30,000 of circa 73,000 teachers who are registered with the Teaching Council have been vetted to date.
My Department's circular requires that vetting be completed in advance of appointments being made. However, it also provides that in certain limited circumstances where this is not possible, the prospective employee may, subject to certain conditions, be appointed pending the subsequent satisfactory outcome of the vetting process. The current turnaround time for the GCVU to return a vetting outcome to the Teaching Council is typically less than one month.
Responsibility for the GCVU and the deployment of staff to this unit falls within the remit of my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality. The Deputy will be aware that the Minister last year published the Scheme of the National Vetting Bureau Bill 2011. This legislation will place the vetting of persons working with children or vulnerable adults on a statutory basis and will also set out the statutory requirements for the vetting of persons employed in schools. Officials within my Department will continue to liaise with the Department of Justice and Equality in relation to matters relevant to the education sector arising from this legislation.
90 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of freedom of information requests received by him in 2011; the number of requests for which a search and retrieval fee was sought; the maximum fee sought by him in respect of a request received; the number of requests not proceeded following the non-payment of the search and retrieval fee sought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10405/12]
The Department of Education and Skills received 1,170 requests under the Freedom of Information Acts in 2011. 142 of the requests sought non-personal information. Search and retrieval fees were sought and paid in respect of 4 requests. The largest fee sought in respect of a request was €1,046.82.
91 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of lump sums, severance payments and pensions of those leaving the public service through retirement or other grounds; the loss of pension levy and superannuation from employees leaving the public service; the numbers of persons who were paid under Vote 12, superannuation and retired allowances, in 2011 and his estimate of same for 2012; if he will provide this information in respect of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10421/12]
In 2011 twenty staff retired from my Department. The cost of pension lump sum gratuities amounted to €1.3m. The total cost of pension amounted to €211,665 in 2011. The staff concerned will receive a similar pension payments in 2012 and as such on a full year costing will amount to approximately €400,000.
When the last Government's term of office concluded in 2011 seven ministerial appointees whose tenure of employment was coterminus with the term of Government ended and these staff qualified for severance payments amounting to €297,170. In relation to the Deputy's request for details of the loss of superannuation contributions and the pension levy deductions, I have requested officials at my Department to compile the information and this will be forwarded to the Deputy in due course.
92 Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider allowing schools to select between receiving departmental circulars and publications in either Irish or English, instead of receiving both; if he will provide an estimate of the annual cost savings that would accrue from the reduced requirement for printing and distribution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10436/12]
It is a requirement of the Official Languages Act that documents setting out public policy proposals, annual reports, statements of strategy, and matters considered to be of major public importance, are communicated by Government Departments in both Irish and English. Given this Act, and the obligations under the Education Act to promote bilingualism, to promote Irish as a community language in Gaeltacht areas, and to provide support services through Irish to schools, it is the general policy of the Department to issue circulars to schools in both Irish and English. The exceptions are very large documents or publications, where the Irish version would be sent to Irish medium schools only but also publicised on the internet. Normally, both versions are issued together in the same envelope, so that extra costs are minimised. In addition, my Department's section managers plan the distribution of materials to coincide with other scheduled distributions to either primary or post primary schools in order to keep postage costs to a minimum. It is not possible to identify the costs of Irish publications separately.
93 D’fhiafraigh Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna ag tagairt do fhreagra ar cheist scríofa Uimh. 81 den 19 Aibreán, 2011, an ndéanfaidh sé sonraí an naisc ar shuíomh gréasáin na Roinne a thabhairt, a thugann an t-eolas a d’iarr mé i gceist Uimh. 81; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [10481/12]
Tá na sonraí staitistiúla don scoilbhliain 2010/11 ar fáil anois ar laithreán greasáin na Roinne http://www.education.ie/home/ home.jsp?pcategory=17216&ecategory=47122&language=EN. Tá an fhaisnéis staitistiúil don scoilbhliain reatha á cur le céile sa Roinn agus beidh sé dlite le haghaidh foilseacháin i mí Mheán Fómhair 2012.
94 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide the most up to date figures for payment and collection of the second instalment of third level fees for this academic year, for the country and per relevant institution. [10490/12]
The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available in the Department. The Higher Education Authority has been requested to contact each institution seeking a response and I will forward the available data to you as soon as possible.
95 Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Education and Skills the plans he has to facilitate students to review the work of their lecturers and tutors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10514/12]
The National Strategy for Higher Education recommended the development of an Irish National Student Survey (INNS) as a key tool in the wider performance and quality measurement of Irish higher education. There has been significant progress in its development by a Steering Group comprising institutional research officers and academics from the universities, colleges and institutes of technology along with representatives from USI, HEA, IUA and IOTI. A draft questionnaire is currently under consideration by the higher education community. Following piloting which is scheduled to commence in the current academic year, it is intended to fully implement the INSS from the 2012/13 academic year onwards. The Strategy further recommends that all higher education institutions should put in place robust comprehensive and anonymous student feedback systems to inform institutional and programme management as well as structures to ensure that action is taken promptly in response to student concerns. In the last number of years there has been substantial progress in higher education institutions in establishing feedback mechanisms. This process will be assisted by the implementation since April 2011 of an agreed document under the Public Service Agreement in respect of academic staff in Institutes of Technology including the ability for institutes to use student feedback for purposes of quality assurance.
96 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide details of any new primary schools to be built or extensions to existing primary schools in the Mallow area, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10516/12]
As the Deputy will be aware, the Mallow area has been identified by my Department as one of the areas where, due to demographic changes, it is projected that there will be a requirement for significant additional school provision at both primary and post-primary levels over the coming years.
In this context, it is proposed that one of the twenty new primary schools that I announced in June 2011 last to meet the needs of our growing population will be established in the Mallow area. In addition to this new school, it may be necessary to extend the capacity of many existing primary schools to meet the demand for increased pupil places. In that regard, my Department has been in contact with primary schools in the Mallow area concerning their accommodation position. These developments are expected to cater for the projected growth in the Mallow area at primary level over the coming years.
97 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the expected number of places likely to be made available for retraining or upskilling in the course of the current year with particular reference to the need to meet the skill set requirements in the modern work place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10521/12]
In 2011, the further education and training sectors provided almost 300,000 places. In addition, enrolments in the third level sector reached 161,000 and 5,900 places were offered through the Springboard initiative. At a time of reducing resources the Department of Education and Skills will still maintain this general level of provision in 2012. The 2012 education and training provision will be targeted towards more effective programmes that reflect industry and employer needs and client preferences. The identification of skills needs that is reflected in education and training programmes comes from a number of sources including the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs, direct contact with employers and national and international research on future skills needs.
98 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he expects to be in a position to ensure adequate teacher cover in primary and post-primary schools throughout the country, some of which may have been affected to a greater extent by retirements or early retirements in the context of reduction in public service numbers; if he is satisfied that normal educational requirements can be complied with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10522/12]
I want to reassure the Deputy that no school will be without teachers due to the forthcoming retirement of teachers from the public sector.The Government has prioritised, as best as possible, the filling of front-line posts in the Education sector within the constraints of the Employment Control Framework. For example, schools are permitted to fill teaching vacancies that arise within their approved staffing allocations.
The recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for the individual school authority, subject to procedures agreed under Section 24(3) of the Education Act 1998.
In recognition of the additional pressure of students facing state examinations, and the concerns of teachers who wish to ensure continuity of support for these children, I have made provision, for this year only, to reduce disruption to students undertaking State examinations in June. This is in the form of alleviation measures allowing post-primary schools to re-employ teachers who retire between 1 December 2011 and 29 February 2012 and who, immediately before their retirement, have been teaching students preparing to sit the Junior or Leaving Certificate examinations in 2012.
99 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he is likely to find it possible to provide for the requirements of the school building programme throughout the current year; the number of school building projects likely to be started and completed within the period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10523/12]
Last December I announced details of the education infrastructure plan for 2012. Details of this plan are available on my Department's website at www.education.ie. For the Deputy’s convenience I have provided copies of the announced lists of schools under construction (60 schools) or anticipated to be progressed to construction in 2012 (56 schools).
I have also committed to announcing details of the five year education infrastructure plan in the coming months. This will outline when the major projects needed to cater for demographic growth will be completed.
|
Area |
Roll Number |
School Name and Address |
Brief |
Sector |
|
Carlow |
17127S |
St. Joseph’s NS, Hacketstown |
Extension/Refurbishment |
Primary |
|
Carlow |
17501Q |
Bennekerry NS, Bennykerry |
New School |
Primary |
|
Cavan |
61060M |
St Patrick’s College, Cavan, Co. Cavan |
New School |
Post-primary |
|
Cork |
13450F |
Rushbrooke NS, Cobh |
New School |
Primary |
|
Cork |
16746S |
Ballygarvan NS |
New School |
Primary |
|
Cork |
17667E |
SN Pádraig Naofa, Whitechurch |
Extension/Refurbishment |
Primary |
|
Cork |
18279A |
St. Mary’s NS, Waterpark, Carrigaline |
Extension/Refurbishment |
Primary |
|
Donegal |
17268N |
SN An Br M O Cleirigh, Creevy, Ballyshannon |
Extension/Refurbishment |
Primary |
|
Donegal |
18052S |
Scoil Mhuire gan Smál, Letterkenny |
Extension/Refurbishment |
Primary |
|
Dublin City |
17936F |
Scoil Eoin Baisde Snr, Clontarf (see also 19006Q) |
Extension\refurbishment |
Primary |
|
Dublin City |
19006Q |
Scoil Eoin Baisde B Sois, Clontarf (see also 17936F) |
Extension\refurbishment |
Primary |
|
Dublin City |
19373U |
St. Michael’s House Special School, Kish House, Greendale Road, Kilbarrack, Dublin 5 |
Extension/Refurbishment |
Primary |
|
Dublin City |
60450U |
Coláiste Mhuire, CID campus, Cabra, Dublin 7 |
New School |
Post-primary |
|
Dublin Fingal |
00697S |
St. Brigid’s NS, Castleknock, Dublin 15 |
Extension/Refurbishment |
Primary |
|
Dublin Fingal |
60010P |
Loreto Secondary School, Balbriggan |
Extension/Refurbishment |
Post-primary |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown |
19374W |
Garran Mhuire, Goatstown, Dublin 14 |
Extension/Refurbishment |
Primary |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown |
19474D |
St. Colmcille’s Junior NS, Knocklyon, Templeogue, Dublin 16 (Linked to 19742C) |
New School |
Primary |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown |
19742C |
St. Colmcille’s Senior NS, Knocklyon, Templeogue, Dublin 16 (Linked to 19474D) |
New School |
Primary |
|
Galway |
08512U |
Iomair NS, Killimor |
New School |
Primary |
|
Kerry |
17646T |
O’Brennan NS, Kielduff, Tralee |
New School |
Primary |
|
Kerry |
20197K |
Kenmare NS, Kenmare |
New School |
Primary |
|
Kerry |
61440W |
St Mary’s CBS, Tralee |
Extension\refurbishment |
Post-primary |
|
Kildare |
17674B |
SN Aine Naofa, Ard Cloc, Straffan |
New School |
Primary |
|
Kildare |
18018S |
Scoil Bhride NS, Rathangan |
Extension/Refurbishment |
Primary |
|
Kildare |
20058T |
Sc Uí Fhiach, Maynooth |
New School |
Primary |
|
Kildare |
20114D |
Scoil Brid, Naas |
Extension/Refurbishment |
Primary |
|
Kildare |
61710C |
Meánscoil Iognáid Ris, Naas |
Extension/Refurbishment |
Post-primary |
|
Kilkenny |
61580P |
Loreto Secondary School, Granges Road |
Extension/Refurbishment |
Post-primary |
|
Laois |
07442U |
Convent of Mercy NS, Borris in Ossory |
New School |
Primary |
|
Laois |
17617M |
Scoil Chomhgain Naofa, Killeshin |
New School |
Primary |
|
Laois |
20071L |
Scoil Bhríde, Rathdowney |
Extension/Refurbishment |
Primary |
|
Limerick City |
18991S |
JFK Memorial School, Ennis Road |
New School |
Primary |
|
Louth |
20205G |
St Mary’s Parish School, Drogheda |
New School |
Primary |
|
Louth |
63920A |
Dundalk Grammar School, The Crescent |
Extension\refurbishment |
Post-primary |
|
Louth |
20349H |
Scoil Oilibhéir Naofa |
New School |
Primary |
|
Mayo |
20142I |
Scoil Íosa, Abbeyquarter, Ballyhaunis |
Extension/Refurbishment |
Primary |
|
Meath |
17213L |
SN Mhuire, Ma Nealta, Ceannanus Mór |
New School |
Primary |
|
Meath |
17821L |
Scoil Nais Mhuire Naofa, Enfield, Co Meath |
New School |
Primary |
|
Meath |
63870L |
Drogheda Grammar School |
Extension/Refurbishment |
Post-primary |
|
Meath |
76103M |
Colaiste Na hInse, Laytown |
New School |
Post-primary |
|
Monaghan |
19936P |
Gaelscoil Ultain |
New School |
Primary |
|
Monaghan |
76091I |
Gaelcholáiste Oiriall |
New School |
Post-primary |
|
Monaghan |
76095Q |
Monaghan Institute of Further Education (MIFET) |
New School |
Post-primary |
|
Offaly |
17637S |
SN Sheosaimh Naofa, Beál Átha na gCarr, Tullamore |
New School |
Primary |
|
Offaly |
18267Q |
Croinchoill NS, Birr |
Extension/Refurbishment |
Primary |
|
Offaly |
65610S |
Colaiste Choilm, O’Moore Street, Tullamore, Co Offaly |
New School |
Post-primary |
|
Roscommon |
65100S |
Scoil Mhuire, Strokestown, Co Roscommon |
Extension/Refurbishment |
Post-primary |
|
Sligo |
19495L |
Carbury NS, The Mall |
New 8cr School |
Primary |
|
Sligo |
65170Q |
Summerhill College, Sligo |
New School |
Post-primary |
|
South Dublin |
18324C |
Scoil Bride C, Palmerstown |
Extension/Refurbishment |
Primary |
|
Tipperary NR |
15696B |
Silvermines National School |
New School |
Primary |
|
Tipperary NR |
65470F |
Ursuline Convent, Thurles |
Extension/Refurbishment |
Post-primary |
|
Tipperary NR |
72370P |
Borrisokane Community College, Tipperary |
Extension/Refurbishment |
Post-primary |
|
Tipperary NR |
72440K |
Nenagh VS, Nenagh |
Extension\refurbishment |
Post-primary |
|
South Tipperary |
72430H |
Scoil Ruain, Killenaule |
Extension/Refurbishment |
Post-primary |
|
Waterford City |
64970U |
Coláiste na Maighdine, Presentation Secondary School, Waterford City |
New School |
Post-primary |
|
Westmeath |
63290Q |
Loreto College, Mullingar |
Extension\refurbishment |
Post-primary |
|
Wexford |
17017L |
SN Phádraig, Crossabeg |
Extension\refurbishment |
Primary |
|
Wicklow |
09760V |
Powerscourt NS, Powerscourt, Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow |
New School |
Primary |
|
Wicklow |
61800D |
Presentation College, Bray |
New School |
Post-primary |
|
Area |
Roll Number |
School Name and Address |
Brief |
Sector |
|
Carlow |
20295K |
Carlow Educate Together NS |
New school |
Primary |
|
Cavan |
18857O |
Carraigabruise NS, Virginia |
Extension/Refurbishment |
Primary |
|
Clare |
15042A |
Ennis National School |
New School |
Primary |
|
Cork |
17609N |
Rathcormac NS, Rathcormac |
New School |
Primary |
|
Cork |
19839R |
Gaelscoil Uí Riordán, Ballincollig |
New School |
Primary |
|
Cork |
20006A |
Gaelscoil Chloich na Coillte, Clonakilty |
New School |
Primary |
|
Cork City |
20106E |
Scoil Nioclais, Frankfield, Grange |
Extension/Refurbishment |
Primary |
|
Cork |
20335T |
Scoil Phadraig Naofa, Rochestown (PHASE II) |
Extension/Refurbishment |
Primary |
|
Cork City |
62690E |
Scoil Mhuire, 2 Sydney Place, Wellington Road |
Extension/Refurbishment |
Post-primary |
|
Cork City |
81008W |
Ashton Comprehensive School, Blackrock Road |
New School |
Post-primary |
|
Donegal |
16672P |
St. Patrick’s NS, Lurgybrack |
Extension/Refurbishment |
Primary |
|
Donegal |
19971R |
Gaelscoil Adhamanain, Letterkenny |
New School |
Primary |
|
Dublin City |
20139T |
Inchicore NS, Sarsfield Road, Dublin 10 |
Extension/Refurbishment |
Primary |
|
Dublin City |
09932B |
Stanhope Street Convent Primary school |
New School |
Primary |
|
Dublin Fingal |
16675V |
Mulhuddart National School |
New School |
Primary |
|
Dublin Fingal |
20302E |
Thornleigh Educate Together National School, Thornleigh Green, Swords |
Extension/Refurbishment |
Primary |
|
Dublin Fingal |
20348F |
Holywell ET, Swords |
New School |
Primary |
|
Dublin Fingal |
20269J |
Scoil Chormaic Community Primary School, Clogheder, Balbriggan |
New School |
Primary |
|
Dublin Fingal |
18046A |
Scoil Bhride, Blanchardstown |
New School |
Primary |
|
Dublin Fingal |
18047C |
Scoil Bhride, Blanchardstown |
New School |
Primary |
|
Dublin Fingal |
20383H |
Blanchardstown West ETNS |
New School |
Primary |
|
Dublin Fingal |
76129H |
Ardgillan Community College |
Extension/Refurbishment |
Post-primary |
|
Dublin Fingal |
76130P |
Luttrellstown CC (see also 20241K) |
New school |
Post-primary |
|
Dublin Fingal |
20241K |
Scoil Choilm, Diswellstown,Porterstown (see also 76130P) |
Extension/Refurbishment |
Primary |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown |
70030E |
Senior College, Dún Laoghaire, Eblana Avenue, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin |
Extension/Refurbishment |
Post-primary |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown |
20190T |
Holy Trinity NS |
New School |
Primary |
|
Galway |
20199O |
Scoil Náisiúnta Uachtar Árd, Oughterard |
New School |
Primary |
|
Galway City |
19795A |
Tirellan Heights NS, Headford Road, Galway |
Extension/Refurbishment |
Primary |
|
Galway City |
62970K |
Coláiste Iognáid SJ Bothar na Mara |
Extension/Refurbishment |
Post-primary |
|
Kildare |
17064U |
Scoil Phadraig, Ballylinan, Athy |
New School |
Primary |
|
Laois |
15556I |
Portarlington Convent NS |
Extension/Refurbishment |
Primary |
|
Limerick |
13026P |
Kilfinane National School |
New School |
Primary |
|
Limerick City |
64201T |
Ardscoil Ris, North Circular Rd, Limerick |
Extension/Refurbishment |
Post-primary |
|
Limerick City |
64240G |
St. Munchin’s College, Limerick City |
Extension/Refurbishment |
Post-primary |
|
Longford |
20128O |
St. Matthew’s Mixed NS, Ballymahon |
Extension/Refurbishment |
Primary |
|
Longford |
20124G |
Edgeworthstown NS |
Extension/Refurbishment |
Primary |
|
Louth |
20259G |
St. Francis’ NS, Dundalk |
New School |
Primary |
|
Mayo |
64570E |
Our Lady’s Secondary School Belmullet |
Extension/Refurbishment |
Post-primary |
|
Meath |
18767N |
SN Realt na Mara (Boys) Mornington (joint project with 18762D) |
New School |
Primary |
|
Meath |
18762D |
SN Realt na Mara (Girls) Mornington — joint project with 18767N) |
New School |
Primary |
|
Meath |
71960I |
Dunshaughlin Community College |
Extension/Refurbishment |
Post-primary |
|
South Dublin |
19817H |
St. Mary’s NS, Airlie Heights, Woodlawn, Lucan |
Extension/Refurbishment |
Primary |
|
South Dublin |
20223I |
Gaelscoil Eiscir Riada, Lucan |
New School |
Primary |
|
South Dublin |
19878E |
Ballycragh NS |
New School |
Primary |
|
Waterford City |
20050D |
Gaelscoil na Deise, Grace Dieu Road, Waterford (see also 20160K) |
New School |
Primary |
|
Waterford City |
20160K |
Waterford Educate Together NS (see also 20050D) |
New School |
Primary |
|
Wicklow |
19522L |
St. Catherine’s Special School, Newcastle |
New School |
Primary |
|
Tipperary |
65240L |
Scoil Mhuire Presentation Secondary School, Ballingarry |
Extension/Refurbishment |
Post-primary |
|
Area |
Roll Number |
School Name and Address |
Brief |
Sector |
|
Donegal |
76081F |
Coláiste Ailigh, Letterkenny |
New School |
Post-Primary |
|
Galway |
not yet assigned |
New Primary School in Doughiska |
New school |
Primary |
|
Galway |
not yet assigned |
New Post-Primary school in Doughiska |
New school |
Post-Primary |
|
Leitrim |
91519H |
Ballinamore Community School |
New school |
Post-Primary |
|
Limerick |
Amalgamation — not yet assigned |
Post Primary school in Doon |
New School |
Post-Primary |
|
Waterford |
Amalgamation — not yet assigned |
Post Primary school in Tramore |
New school |
Post-primary |
|
Westmeath |
71410T |
Athlone Community College |
New school |
Post-Primary |
|
Wexford |
76127D |
Gorey Community College |
New school |
Post-Primary |
100 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he has had dialogue with school authorities throughout the country which may be affected by a reduction in teacher numbers, resulting in possible school closures; if provision can be made to retain such schools by way of amalgamation or other processes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10524/12]
102 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which discussion have taken place with the various school authorities throughout County Kildare with a view to ensuring that any reduction in teacher numbers does not materially affect the viability of the schools or quality of education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10526/12]
108 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he can make provision to prevent the closure of smaller schools throughout the country which might be under threat of closure arising from the ongoing economic situation and commitments previously entered into in the memorandum of understanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10532/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 100, 102 and 108 together.
A key part of the Government's overall budgetary strategy is a requirement to reduce the public sector payroll. This will continue to be the case until we close the gap between what we spend as a country and what we take in through taxes. Given that one third of all public sector employees work in the Education sector it is simply not possible to completely exempt staffing levels in education from the Government's need to reduce expenditure.
The Government has prioritised, as best as possible, the filling of front-line posts in the Education sector within the constraints of the Employment Control Framework. For example, schools are permitted to fill teaching vacancies that arise within their approved staffing allocations.
The phasing of the budget measure whereby the number of pupils required to gain and retain a classroom teaching post in small primary schools will be gradually increased between September 2012 and September 2014 can provide the schools concerned with time to consider the potential for amalgamation with other schools where this is feasible. However I want to emphasise that no small schools will be forcibly closed by my Department and, if amalgamations do take place, they will be voluntary and follow decisions taken by local communities and not by my Department.
This Government recognises that small schools are an important part of the social fabric of rural communities. They will continue to be a feature of our education landscape. However, this does not mean that small schools can stand still or never have their staffing levels changed to something that is more affordable and sustainable for these difficult and challenging times.
My Department has expanded the existing appeals process so that it is accessible to the small schools that are losing a classroom post as a result of the budget measure. They won't lose their classroom post if any of them are projecting increased enrolments in September 2012 that would be sufficient to allow them to retain their existing classroom posts over the longer term. The detailed arrangements are set out in the Department's Staffing Circular that is now published on my Department's website.
101 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied that the special needs requirements in all schools throughout the country are likely to be met as far as possible for the duration of the current economic downturn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10525/12]
I wish to reiterate for the Deputy this Government's commitment to the provision of resources for children with special educational needs.
As I recently indicated to the Deputy in my response to his question of 19 January 2012, there has been no reduction in the number of Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) which will be available for the next school year, with 10,575 posts remaining available for allocation.
Neither has there been any reduction in the overall number of resource teaching posts which will be available for allocation to mainstream schools for the next year, either through the General Allocation Model or which are available for individual allocation by the National Council for Special Education.
The fact that the number of special needs assistant and resource teaching posts are being maintained at current levels is a reflection of this Government's commitment to prioritising supports for children with special educational needs, at a time when there is a requirement to make expenditure savings across a range of areas. This commitment to protecting front-line services for children with special educational needs will ensure that the requirements of special needs pupils in mainstream education can continue to be provided for on an ongoing basis, despite overall budgetary pressures.
103 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of teachers retiring in the current year at various schools throughout County Kildare, primary and post-primary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10527/12]
The information sought by the Deputy is not compiled in the format sought. Officials in the Pension Unit of my Department are currently fully occupied addressing the pension benefit entitlements for those who are retiring at this time. The number of teachers in Primary Secondary, Community and Comprehensive schools who have applied to retire in the period 1 January to 29 February 2012 is 1166. Information received from the Vocational Education Sector indicates that 220 teachers have applied to retire in that sector during that period.
A circular was issued by my Department, in July, 2011 requesting School Boards of Management to inform all staff in their schools (who are members of an occupation pension scheme) who intend to retire on or before 29 February 2012 that they are required to give 3 calendar months' notice of their date of retirement. The circular also stated that a notification may not be withdrawn on or after the date indicated as the last day of service. It was pointed out in that circular that failure to give the required notice could result in a delay in payment of pension benefits.
Accordingly, the actual number retiring will not be accurately known until after 29 February, 2012. When the work of processing pension benefits for those retiring has been addressed it is intended to commence work on compiling detailed statistical data on the number of teachers who retired and to publish this information on my Departments' website.
104 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if, in the context of the proposed new post-primary school at Maynooth, County Kildare, due regard will be given to the views and concerns of the local community, with particular reference to the management structure likely to emerge; if this is likely to be complementary to the existing and very successful post-primary school under the sponsorship of the vocational education committee; if his attention has been drawn to the strongly held views to the effect that this management structure should continue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10528/12]
In June 2011, I published details of new procedures and criteria for the establishment and patronage of new second level schools. The new arrangements published by my Department, provide a balanced approach to allow for applications to be made from prospective patrons for the establishment of schools. The criteria to be used in deciding on patronage of the new schools place a particular emphasis on parental demand for plurality and diversity of patronage.
The closing date for receipt of applications for patronage for the proposed new post-primary schools to be established in 2013 and 2014, which includes the proposed new post-primary school for Maynooth, is the 24th of February 2012. Full details of the new arrangements for patronage of new schools and the criteria for deciding on patronage of these new schools are available on my Department's website.
105 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills when it might be likely to proceed with the PE accommodation and other facilities required at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10529/12]
I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers has applied to my Department for large scale capital funding for the replacement of the school's Assembly Hall/Gym. In accordance with the published criteria for large scale building projects, the project has been assigned a Band 2 rating.
Information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed applications for major capital works, including this project, is available on the Department's website at www.education.ie.
In view of the need to ensure that every child has access to a school place, the delivery of major school projects required to meet demographic demand will be the main focus for capital investment in the coming years. It is not possible, therefore, to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project, referred to by the Deputy, at this time.
106 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students deemed to have dropped out of third level education in each of the past four years and to date in 2012; if the economic situation was deemed to be a factor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10530/12]
The HEA is responsible for the collection of data on student progression. The most recent report by the HEA entitled ‘A study of Progression in Higher Education' is available on the HEA website. The following table from the report illustrates the non-presence rates of new entrants in their second year of study by sector, NFQ level and course duration. New entrants are classified as ‘not present' if they do not appear in the statistical returns of that institution in the following academic year. The proportion of new entrants in 2007/08 who were not present one year later was 15% on average across all sectors and NFQ Levels. Prior educational attainment is a very significant factor.
|
Sector |
Level |
Most Common Points Attained |
% Not Present |
|
Institutes of Technology |
Level 6 |
250-300 |
25% |
|
Level 7 |
250-300 |
26% |
|
|
Level 8 |
300-350 |
16% |
|
|
L8 3 yr duration |
300-350 |
16% |
|
|
L8 4 yr duration |
300-350 |
16% |
|
|
L8 4+ yr duration |
450-500 |
10% |
|
|
All New Entrants |
300-350 |
22% |
|
|
Universities |
Level 8 |
400-450 |
9% |
|
L8 3 yr duration |
350-400 |
10% |
|
|
L8 4 yr duration |
450-500 |
9% |
|
|
L8 4+ yr duration |
550-600 |
3% |
|
|
Other Colleges |
Level 8 |
450-500 |
4% |
|
L8 3 yr duration |
450-500 |
2% |
|
|
L8 4 yr duration |
400-450 |
7% |
|
|
All Institutions |
Level 8 |
350-400 |
11% |
|
All Institutions |
All New Entrants |
350-400 |
15% |
107 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of places by way of training or social employment available through Solas in the current year; the extent to which this is likely to meet the requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10531/12]
The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs advises the Government on the current and future skills needs of the economy. This advice, together with information for other relevant agencies, both local and national informs course planning and provision.
In 2012, at a time of reducing resources my Department will fund over 450,000 education and training places across the range of provision in the higher education, further education and training sectors.
FÁS plans to deliver up to 75,000 training places in 2012 and will manage the new Education and Training Fund which will provide up to 6,500 places. FÁS plans to provide 50% of its training activities in the demand-led training category, 30% planned to meet client preferences and 20% planned to meet the needs of those who require further supports.
My Department and its agencies will prioritise places, including in the further education and training sector, specifically for those on the Live Register for 12 months or more, and improve data collection and impact evaluation to ensure delivery of this goal.
The establishment of SOLAS, the new Further Education and Training Authority, that will replace FÁS, will ensure the provision of 21st century high-quality further education and training programmes. It is crucial that these programmes will be responsive to the needs of learners and employers.
My Department also has a number of upskilling and reskilling measures under the recently announced "Action Plans for Jobs" initiative. In addition, the "Pathways to Work" initiative will set out the strategy to reform labour market activation policy. My Department will have a significant role in the implementation of that policy. I am also satisfied that this new activation policy will make a very positive contribution to the training, upskilling and re-skilling of those on the Live Register and thereby enhance their employment opportunities.
109 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the location and grade of all public servants within his Department or related agencies who while not having reached the minimum retirement age to avail of cost-neutral early retirement will benefit from the provisions under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009; his plans to continue the service provided by each of the retiring staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10564/12]
I assume the Deputy is referring to the situation whereby officials who retire on or before the 29th, February 2012 will have their pension entitlements calculated at the payscale in place on the 1st January 2010.
The tabular statement below gives details of the number of officials who are expected to retire from the Department by the 29th, February 2012 together with details of retirements from the bodies under the aegis of the Department.
Five officials will retire from the Department on ill health grounds and twelve will avail of cost neutral early retirement. The remainder are officials that are over sixty years of age.
In relation to bodies under the aegis of the Department all the retirements in relation to FÁS are cost neutral. Two officials will retire from the State Examinations Commission and one will retire from the National Council for Special Education on cost neutral grounds as will the official referred to at the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. The remaining staff listed in respect of the bodies will retire on age grounds.
Retirements at the administrative grade levels are rather evenly spread across the grade structure and the Department will try to ensure that all essential services will continue to be carried on. In addition to this the Department will endeavour to reach the Employment Control Framework (E.C.F.) figure assigned to it by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (PER) for 2012.
The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS).
It has been agreed with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (PER) that the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) can have a professional staffing cohort of 173 educational psychologists in 2012. Further recruitment at NEPS will take place throughout 2012 in order to replace any psychologists that retire or resign up to a maximum of 173 whole time equivalents.
Schools Inspectorate
The Department entered into discussions with PER to highlight the staffing situation at the Schools Inspectorate Division as a result of the large number of inspectors opting to retire early. Agreement was reached that key positions that were essential in order to have an effective School Inspectorate could be filled. Some of these were promotions to higher positions and in January 2012 the Department engaged the Public Appointments Service (PAS) to conduct recruitment competitions for primary and post primary inspectors.
The service was reconfigured into an eight rather than a ten region structure. Significant work practice changes have been introduced which has resulted in the organisation being able to maintain a significant level of intensive whole-school inspections despite falling staff numbers.
FÁS
Sanction has been obtained from PER to fill the post of Assistant Director General. The Department is in discussions with PER in relation to filling posts equivalent to Assistant Principal level. The posts at higher Executive officer and Executive officer will be suppressed and the duties associated with the positions will be reorganised.
|
Grade |
Athlone |
Dublin |
Tullamore |
Other |
|
Secretary General |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Principal Officer |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Asst Principal Officer |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
0 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
Executive Officer |
1 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
|
Staff Officer |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Clerical Officer |
2 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Senior Educational Psychologist |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Educational Psychologist |
0 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
|
Divisional Inspector |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Senior Inspector |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Inspector |
0 |
2 |
1 |
5 |
|
Service officer |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Cleaner |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Total |
5 |
18 |
6 |
12 |
|
Grade |
Dublin |
h.q Dublin |
North West |
South West |
|
Assistant Secretary Equivalent |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Assistant Principal Equivalent |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
higher Executive officer Equivalent |
1 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
|
Executive officer Equivalent |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Total |
2 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
|
Grade |
Athlone |
|
Examinations Assessment Manager |
3 |
|
Assistant Principal officer |
1 |
|
Head Services officer |
1 |
|
Total |
5 |
|
Grade |
Dublin |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
1 |
|
Grade |
Dublin |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
1 |
|
Grade |
Trim |
Longford |
|
Assistant Principal |
1 |
0 |
|
Special Education Needs Officer |
0 |
1 |
110 Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will make available to Dáil Éireann details of remuneration paid to both Waterford city and county councillors in respect of both salaries and expenses for the years 2010 and 2011 respectively. [10349/12]
The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has no function in relation to the remuneration of city and county councillors. The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government is responsible for providing, by way of regulations, for the payment by a local authority of remuneration to its members and for the payment of allowances for expenses incurred by its members. I understand from the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government that the Deputy may wish to consult the public register, provided for in section 142(4)(g) of the Local Government Act 2001, maintained by the relevant local authorities by virtue of article 8 of the Local Government (Representational Payment for Members) Regulations 2001 (SI No. 552 of 2001).
111 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans in relation to the reform of the public procurement process specifically in relation to turnover qualification criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10399/12]
The guidelines on public procurement which are issued by my Department to public bodies specifically address the use of turnover as a qualifying criterion for potential tenderers for public contracts. Contracting authorities frequently use the ratio "tenderer's turnover : contract value" as a measure in deciding whether a business has the financial capacity and strength to perform a contract.
Clearly, each project will have different requirements depending on its particular features and the level of risk to the contracting authority arising from non-performance. Therefore, it is not possible to devise exact provisions to be applied to every situation. An appropriate turnover level would depend on the particular features of the project and other potential risks to the contracting authority arising from supplier not having the capacity to fulfil its contractual obligations. My Department's guidelines discuss these matters and advise public bodies on deciding an appropriate approach, including the need to ensure that newly established firms, or firms with no previous experience of public contracts are not excluded from competing for public projects. The key consideration is that the turnover level chosen by a public body is proportionate to and justified by the needs of the contract.
The guidance published by my Department includes Circular 10/10: Facilitating SME Participation in Public Procurement and accompanying guidance, which is available at: www.etenders.gov.ie; and www.constructionprocurement.gov.ie.; and GN 2.3.1.3 Minimum Standards on Suitability Criteria for Works Contractors, which is also available at: www.constructionprocurement.gov.ie.
112 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of freedom of information requests received by him in 2011; the number of requests for which a search and retrieval fee was sought; the maximum fee sought by him in respect of a request received; the number of requests not proceeded following the non-payment of the search and retrieval fee sought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10412/12]
The number of Freedom of Information (FOI) requests received by my Department in 2011 was 61.
My Department has no record of the number of FOI requests for which a search and retrieval fee was sought but we have statistics on the number of fees paid. The total number of search and retrieval fees paid in 2011 was 6.
Again, my Department does not have a record of the maximum fees sought but does have a record of the highest fee received which was €481.85 in 2011.
There is no record of the number of requests not proceeded with following non-payment of search and retrieval fees sought.
113 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the cost of lump sums, severance payments and pensions of those leaving the public service through retirement or other grounds; the loss of pension levy and superannuation from employees leaving the public service; the numbers of persons who were paid under Vote 12, superannuation and retired allowances, in 2011 and his estimate of same for 2012; if he will provide this information in respect of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10428/12]
The estimated public service pension cost for 2011 is €2.75 billion. The reduction in public service numbers will lead to overall payroll savings rather than losses or further expenses. As the pension-related deduction (PRD) is a measure designed to reduce expenditure, it would not be correct to categorise the fact that the PRD will not apply to salaries no longer being paid as a loss.
18,636 persons were paid from Vote 12 last year, including spouses and children as well as occupational pensioners; the estimate for 2012 is 19,448.
Four people retired from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in 2011. Some €510,277 was paid to these staff in lump sums and the annual pension cost for these staff will be circa €160,000. The pension related deduction paid by these staff would have amounted to approximately €23,600 per annum while the pension contributions paid by them would have amounted to approximately €3,600 per annum.
Fourteen people are due to retire from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform before end February 2012, at an estimated lump sum cost of €1.2 million,and an estimated annual pension cost of €400,000.The pension related deduction in relation to these staff is approximately €92,600 per annum and their pension contributions amount to approximately €17,000 per annum.
114 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the combined total for public sector pay and pensions in each of the past four years; the projected total for each year to 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10433/12]
The figures sought by the Deputy are set out below:
|
Gross ExchequerPay€bn |
Gross ExchequerPensions€bn |
Total Gross ExchequerPay and Pensions€bn |
|
|
2008 |
17.2 |
2.1 |
19.3 |
|
2009 |
17.5 |
2.6 |
20.1 |
|
2010 |
15.9 |
2.7 |
18.6 |
|
2011 |
15.6 |
2.8 |
18.4 |
|
2012 |
15.4 |
3.0 |
18.4 |
|
2013 |
15.0 |
3.0 |
18.0 |
|
2014 |
14.7 |
3.1 |
17.8 |
|
2015 |
14.6 |
3.1 |
17.7 |
2008-2010 figures inclusive are taken from the Appropriation Accounts.
2011 figure is the provisional outturn.
2012-2015 are estimates.
In the period from 2008 to 2015 numbers serving in the public service are expected to decline by 37,500 to 282,500.
As this table shows the Exchequer pay bill is set to decline by over €2.5 billion between 2008 and 2015. (When account is taken of the effect of the Pension Related Deduction, PRD, the net saving will be some €3.6 billion.) It should be noted that the €1 billion increase in Exchequer pension costs represents a pensions liability that was due to mature in any event as a result of the normal retirement of staff recruited 30 to 40 years ago and does not represent a new liability for the Exchequer.
115 Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of new jobs announced by a company (details supplied) since September 2011; the dates of these announcements; if the jobs are full time paid positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10398/12]
The number of new jobs announced by HP in Ireland since September 2011 is 280 jobs. This number is made up of 150 R&D positions that are being supported by IDA together with a further 130 technical and support positions.
The announcement was made on February 9th 2012. All of the jobs will be full time paid positions.
116 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of freedom of information requests received by him in 2011; the number of requests for which a search and retrieval fee was sought; the maximum fee sought by him in respect of a request received; the number of requests not proceeded following the non-payment of the search and retrieval fee sought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10410/12]
A total of 72 requests were received by my Department under the Freedom of Information Act in 2011. Of that number, three requests attracted ‘search and retrieval' fees, in accordance with Section 47 of the FOI Act. It should be noted that under the Freedom of Information Act, decision makers are obliged, except in a few limited circumstances, to charge search and retrieval fees where significant search and retrieval of records is involved. In relation to the three requests, the maximum individual fee sought was €83.80. There were no instances in 2011 that a request did not proceed on the basis of a request for a search and retrieval fee.
117 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will ask the Competition Authority, under section 30(2) of the Competition Act 2002, to carry out a market study or analysis of the cement, concrete and aggregates industry in view of the amount of public money spent on those products, the recent findings by the Office of Fair Trading in the UK and the fact that the industry is being investigated for breaches of competition law in at least ten countries throughout the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10415/12]
I am aware that the Competition Authority, as the statutory independent body responsible for enforcing competition law in the State, has received information relating to alleged anti-competitive behaviour in the concrete industry. Section 29(3) of the Competition Act 2002 provides that the Authority is independent in the performance of its functions. Under section 30(1)(b) of that Act, the Competition Authority is responsible for investigating breaches of the Act. It is the Authority’s policy not to comment on investigations. As investigations and enforcement matters generally are part of the day-to-day operational work of the Authority, I have no direct function in the matter. In light of this, I do not believe that it is appropriate to comment further.
118 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the cost of lump sums, severance payments and pensions of those leaving the public service through retirement or other grounds; the loss of pension levy and superannuation from employees leaving the public service; the numbers of persons who were paid under Vote 12, superannuation and retired allowances, in 2011 and his estimate of same for 2012; if he will provide this information in respect of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10426/12]
The cost of lump sums, severance payments and pensions of those leaving the public service through retirement or other grounds; the loss of pension levy and superannuation from employees leaving the public service was provided to the Deputy in the answer to PQ 8439 on 14 February last. There has been no change in the information in the intervening period. In 2011, Vote 7 related to Superannuation and Retired Allowances. Vote 12 related to the Secret Service. 26 retirees were paid from Vote 7 in 2011 and it is expected that 41 will be paid from the Superannuation and Retired Allowances in 2012.
119 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will set out the hierarchy of creditors in the event of an insolvency, examinership, liquidation or receivership, in particular where employees rank as relative to other creditors in the event of unpaid wages or holiday pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10448/12]
The order of preferential payments in the liquidation of a company is set out at section 285 of the Companies Act 1963 as amended. Section 98 of that Act contains relevant provisions as to the position where a receiver is appointed under a floating charge. There are no specific company law payment provisions in an examinership. The examiner process is conducted under the supervision of the court.
The Protection of Employees (Employers' Insolvency) Act 1984 as amended provides for payment, out of the Social Insurance Fund, to employees of insolvent employers a limited portion [i.e. currently maximum is €600 per week for 8 weeks] of arrears of pay or moneys due as redress for failure to grant statutory rights and protections to the employees concerned. Both that Act and Fund are administered by the Minister for Social Protection.
The Bankruptcy Act 1988 has been amended to include among the priority debts which are, under section 81 of that Act, to be met in the distribution of the property of a bankrupt or arranging debtor, as the case may be, any moneys due as redress for failure to grant statutory rights and protections to the employees concerned. Responsibility for the administration of that Act rests with the Minister for Justice and Equality.
120 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his position on EU reforms aimed at providing for greater transparency and accountability in the oil and gas industry, specifically his statement made to Transparency International Ireland that it is unconvinced that the EU audit and accounting directive proposals for country-by-country and project-by-project reporting are the best way to achieve its overall objective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10495/12]
I welcome the proposal put forward by the EU Commission for a new Accounting Directive on the annual financial statements, consolidated financial statements and related reports of certain types of undertakings. Chapter 9 of the proposed Directive relates to reporting of payments to Governments by companies in the extractive/logging industries. As I have already publicly indicated, I support the overall objectives of this measure, a position that Ireland maintained at the Competitiveness Council on 20 February, when this matter was discussed. The position taken by Ireland in relation to the proposal to apply these requirements to such payments to Member State Governments was that this matter required further discussion and study.
121 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the location and grade of all public servants within his Department or related agencies who while not having reached the minimum retirement age to avail of cost neutral early retirement will benefit from the provisions under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009; his plans to continue the service provided by each of the retiring staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10569/12]
The following table gives the number of civil servants, their grade and location within my Department, who have availed of the Cost Neutral Early Retirement Scheme and to whom the provisions of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009 apply. Considerable readjustments have already taken place within my Department in terms of staff taking on additional duties to continue the service provided by these and other retiring staff. The position will continue to be monitored closely and further actions to address the resulting manpower challenges across the Department will be considered by the Department in consultation with me.
The information sought in respect of the agencies is a day to day matter for them and I have asked them to respond directly to the Deputy.
|
No |
Grade |
|
2 |
Principal Officers |
|
2 |
Higher Executive Officers |
|
3 |
Executive Officers |
|
No |
Grade |
|
2 |
Principal Officers |
|
1 |
Assistant Principal |
|
1 |
Executive Officers |
|
No |
Grade |
|
1 |
Principal |
|
No |
Grade |
|
1 |
Principal |
|
1 |
Higher Executive Officer |
|
No |
Grade |
|
2 |
Assistant Principal |
|
4 |
Higher Executive Officers |
|
1 |
Executive Officers |
|
1 |
Service Officer |
122 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will not cut the rent supplement in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin [10391/12]
Rent supplement provides short-term support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation, whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. Since 2005, rent supplement expenditure has increased from €369 million to a provisional outturn of €503 million in 2011.
As the Department currently funds approximately 40% of the private rented sector it is essential that State support for rents are kept under review, reflect current market conditions and do not distort the market in a way that could increase rent prices for others, such as low paid workers and students. New maximum rent limits came into force on 1 January 2012. These new limits are in line with the most up to date market data available. The emphasis of the rent limit review was to ensure that maximum value for money for tenants and the taxpayer was achieved whilst at the same time ensuring that people on rent supplement are not priced out of the market for private rented accommodation.
All new rent supplement applications are subject to these limits. As existing claims come up for review, or when an existing lease expires, they will be reassessed using the new limits. The person concerned has been advised that she should renegotiate her rent with her landlord at the end of her current lease, which is due to expire on 6 March. Where a landlord does not agree to reduce the rent to the new rates departmental officials will discuss the options open to the tenant, up to and including seeking alternative accommodation.
123 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection when she expects the establishment of the new mortgage support and advice function as recommended by the Keane report on mortgage arrears which envisaged the recruitment of approximately 100 advisers with financial, accounting and legal expertise to help borrowers in mortgage arrears in discussions and negotiations with their banks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10447/12]
My Department participated in the Interdepartmental Mortgage Arrears Working Group (referred to as the Keane group) and is currently a member of the Steering Group set up by the Minister for Finance to oversee and drive its overall recommendations. My Department provides a number of supports for those in mortgage difficulty, particularly through the Mortgage Interest Supplement scheme which aims to provide short term support to eligible people who are unable to meet their mortgage interest repayments. In 2011 some 19,000 people benefitted from this scheme at a cost to the Exchequer of almost €68 million.
The Interdepartmental Mortgage Arrears Working Group recommended that an independent Mortgage Support and Advice Service be established to advise mortgage holders in arrears or pre arrears in assessing their options. The report stated that the need for this service would be time limited to approximately 3 years.
The publication of the heads of the Personal Insolvency Bill in January 2012, proposes the introduction of a four step process to address personal insolvency issues with the first three steps involving non-judicial debt settlement arrangements. This is a new arrangement and was not envisaged when the thinking in support of a Mortgage Advisory Service was originally proposed. Therefore, my Department is examining the role envisaged for the Personal Insolvency Trustee to ensure that there is no conflict with or duplication of Government supported services. From the customers perspective for example, the target group and complexity of the problems that need to be addressed appear to be similar and from the advisory perspective, the skills and expertise required would also appear to be similar for both services.
My Department is chairing a Working Group as part of the Implementation Steering Group to examine the issues relating to the establishment of the Mortgage Advice Service, and as part of its remit it is examining the efficiency, necessity and governance arrangements of potentially two separate services. The needs of the customer, the importance of ease of access and information on services and the way in which the services will be made available must be to the fore. My Department will be consulting with all relevant groups as part of its work in this area.
124 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection if rent allowance will be restored to a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow. [10346/12]
The person concerned made an application for rent supplement on 9 of December 2011. He moved into accommodation that was far in excess of the prescribed rent limits applicable to his circumstances. The person concerned has recently been contacted by an official from the Department and asked to renegotiate his rent to a suitable amount. The Department is prepared to allow him a rent higher than the single limit up until the expiration of his current lease based on his medical circumstances.
125 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on the appeal against the disallowance of a claim for domiciliary care allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 17. [10356/12]
136 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on an appeal against the disallowance of a claim for domiciliary care allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 17. [10458/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 125 and 136 together.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in this case.
There has been a very significant increase in the number of appeals received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office since 2007 when the intake was 14,070 to 2010 and 2011 when the intake rose to 32,432 and 31,241 respectively. This has significantly impacted on the processing time for appeals which require oral hearings and, in order to be fair to all appellants, they are dealt with in strict chronological order.
While every effort is being made to deal with the large numbers awaiting oral hearing as quickly as possible, it is not possible to give a date when the person's oral hearing will be heard, but s/he will be informed when arrangements have been made.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
126 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on an invalidity pension appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [10358/12]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 8th November 2011. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When received, the appeal in question will be referred in due course to an Appeals Officer for consideration.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
127 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in finalising a disability allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo whose application has been with her for over a year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10364/12]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 21st July 2011. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 6th February 2012 and the appeal was assigned to an Appeals Officer on 16th February 2012 who will decide whether the case can be decided on a summary basis or whether to list it for oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
128 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an appeal of an illness benefit application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10367/12]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was examined by a Medical Assessor of the Social Welfare Services who was of the opinion that she was capable of work. She appealed this decision and in that context she was examined by another Medical Assessor who also expressed the opinion that she was capable of work.
In the light of this, it was decided to afford the person concerned an opportunity of setting out the complete and up to date grounds of her appeal and to furnish any further medical evidence that she wished to submit in support of her appeal. She did this and, on 6th January 2012, the Social Welfare Services were requested to submit relevant documents to this office on her case. On receipt of their response her appeal will be referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration.
129 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an appeal of an application for rent supplement in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10374/12]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 24 October 2011. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 06th January 2012 and the appeal will, in due course, be assigned to an Appeals Officer for consideration.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
130 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason an invalidity pension appeal has not been processed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; the reason for the delay in processing the claim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10378/12]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned has not been received by that office. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
131 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive a decision on their invalidity pension appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10396/12]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 23rd January 2012. In accordance with statutory requirements, the Appeals Office has contacted the person concerned requesting her to set out the complete grounds of her appeal. On receipt of a response the appeal will be processed.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
132 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection when the Social Welfare Bill will be published. [10397/12]
The Social Welfare Act 2011, which was enacted on 19 December 2011, gave legislative effect to a number of social welfare measures arising from Budget 2012.
It will also be necessary to bring forward a further Social Welfare Bill to enact a number of other measures announced in Budget 2012, which are due to take effect early in 2012. This Bill will also provide for a range of other amendments to the social welfare code arising from policy, administrative or operational matters.
Work is currently underway on drafting the required legislative changes and it is envisaged that this Bill will be published towards the end of March 2012.
133 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of freedom of information requests received by her in 2011; the number of requests for which a search and retrieval fee was sought; the maximum fee sought by her in respect of a request received; the number of requests not proceeded following the non-payment of the search and retrieval fee sought; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10413/12]
The number of Freedom of Information requests received by my Department in 2011 was 1,106. This included the following numbers received by FOI agencies of the Department:
|
Table |
|
|
Comhairle |
5 |
|
Pensions Board |
1 |
|
Pensions Ombudsmans Office |
1 |
|
SW Appeals Office |
178 |
A large percentage of FOI requests received by my Department are personal requests. As personal requests are normally for relatively concise files of claims made under the Social Welfare Acts, very often no search and retrieval fees are raised when these records are issued under FOI.
A total of 40 non-personal requests were received in 2011 to which statutory fees apply. The current rate for the statutory fee is €15 reduced to €10 for medical card holders. The total value received amounted to €590 (38 at €15 each and 2 at €10 each). There were no requests for which a consequent search and retrieval fee was sought in 2011.
Question No. 134 withdrawn.
135 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection, further to Question No. 141 of 15 February 2012, her views on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10457/12]
The purpose of Tús is to focus on those people who are long-term unemployed. For this reason, eligibility for both participatory and supervisory positions on Tús is at present confined to those on the Live Register for 12 months and in receipt of jobseeker's allowance. These provisions are to ensure a targeted approach to those currently affected by long-term unemployment.
A review of Tús will be initiated over the coming months to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the initiative. This review will allow for changes to be made to the initiative where these are considered necessary.
137 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of community employment schemes in counties Cavan and Monaghan that are having their training and materials grant allocations reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10473/12]
There are 11 Community Employment (CE) projects in Co. Cavan and 13 projects in Co. Monaghan. I have requested a financial review of all CE projects and I am advised by Department officials in Cavan and Monaghan that the CE Sponsors in both counties have fully engaged in the review process.
As already stated we will be ceasing the current practice of allocating the same level of training and materials grant to all projects. It is anticipated that CE projects will see a reduction in the level of grant aid allocated in 2012 as funding will be allocated according to the needs of the participants and the project circumstances. The purpose of the financial review is to establish the level of need and this review should be completed by the end of March 2012.
138 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the basis on which carer’s allowance has been refused in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10537/12]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 20th August 2011. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 19th December 2011 and the appeal was assigned to an Appeals Officer on 14th February 2012 who will decide whether the case can be decided on a summary basis or whether to list it for oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
139 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when one-parent family payment is likely to be awarded in the case of a person (details suppled) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10538/12]
An inspector from the Department will complete her report on the one-parent family payment application of the person concerned in the coming week and a decision will be made on her application as soon as possible thereafter.
140 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will indicate the basis on which disability and jobseeker’s allowance were refused in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10539/12]
The person concerned applied for disability allowance on 6 July 2010. The medical evidence supplied with his claim was referred to one of the department's medical assessors who was of the opinion, based on the information supplied, that the person was not medically suitable for disability allowance. The deciding officer accepted this opinion and the claim was refused and the person was notified in writing of this decision on 2 November 2010. Further medical evidence received was referred to one of the department's medical assessors who was also of the opinion, based on the information supplied, that the person was not medically suitable for disability allowance. The deciding officer accepted this opinion and the original decision to refuse the claim remained unchanged. The person was notified in writing of this outcome on 30 December 2010. If the person's circumstances have changed it is open to him to re-apply for disability allowance.
The person applied for jobseeker's allowance on 24 February 2009. This application was disallowed as the person failed to fully disclose his weekly means. The person was notified in writing of this outcome. The person's spouse is currently in receipt of a qualified adult allowance in respect of him on her jobseeker's allowance claim.
141 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if reduction or deduction of rent support in respect of any previous overpayment has been made in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10540/12]
Deductions of €40 per month are being made from the monthly rent supplement payable to the person concerned in respect of overpayments which occurred during the periods October 2004 to May 2006 and September 2009 to September 2010.
142 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if partial rent support or family income supplement is available in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10542/12]
A number of factors are taken into account, including household income, in establishing entitlement to rent supplement and family income supplement. The person concerned should apply to the department's representative at Clonskeagh Health Centre, Vergemount Hall, Clonskeagh, Dublin 14 (opening hours 10.00 am to 11.30 am Monday, Tuesday and Thursday) to establish if she has an entitlement to rent allowance.
In relation to family income supplement, an information leaflet giving full details of the qualifying conditions and an application form has been posted to the person concerned.
143 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason carer’s allowance is being refused in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if this inquiry will be used as a basis for appeal or grounds for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10543/12]
The person in question was refused carer's allowance on the grounds that he is self employed outside the home for more than 15 hours per week. This decision was based on the social welfare investigative officer's findings following interview with the claimant at his home address on 20 December 2011 and on 30 January 2012. He was notified of this decision on 9 February 2011. If the situation has changed, the person concerned may furnish relevant details outlining the hours he is self employed on his farm on a daily basis and, additionally, how his farm is managed in his absence. On receipt of this information his file will be returned to the social welfare investigative officer for review and confirmation that all conditions for receipt of carer's allowance are satisfied. Alternatively, he may appeal the decision directly and in writing to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
144 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding social welfare cuts and retained fire-fighters; when a decision on the review of this particular situation will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10548/12]
Taking account of the circumstances of retained fire brigade personnel and general efforts to develop and standardise our jobseeker schemes, a departmental group was established in late 2011 to examine the position of these workers vis-à-vis jobseeker's benefit and jobseeker's allowance. Deliberations on this issue are currently being finalised. My officials will be in touch with relevant deputies in this regard in due course.
145 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection the location and grade of all public servants within her Department or related agencies who, while not having reached the minimum retirement age to avail of cost-neutral early retirement, will benefit from the provisions under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009; her plans to continue the service provided by each of the retiring staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10572/12]
Civil servants can retire under the Cost Neutral Early Retirement Scheme once they reach fifty years of age. There were no retirements in my Department of staff who were less than fifty years of age during 2011. Two Clerical Officers based in local offices outside of Dublin have retired from my Department in 2012 without reaching the minimum retirement age of fifty. Both officers retired under the Ill Health Retirement scheme under the provisions of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009.
With regard to the agencies under the auspices of my Department, there were no retirements of staff who were less than fifty years of age in 2011 or 2012. The staffing needs of all areas within my Department are continuously reviewed, having regard to workloads, management priorities and competing demands in order to ensure that the best use is made of available resources and an efficient service is provided to customers.
146 Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider revising the medical evidence sections of social protection application forms to encourage general practitioners and medical personnel to give a more complete medical report to ensure that all medical information is taken into account; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10575/12]
It is the policy of my Department to standardise and simplify its application forms as much as possible. However, the design and layout of application forms must also have regard to the particular requirements of individual schemes. Application forms are reviewed on a regular basis including those parts of forms that relate to the provision of medical evidence. The design of the medical evidence part of application forms is undertaken in consultation with the Department's own medical doctors. Any specific suggestions to improve forms would be welcomed and considered in any subsequent design review.
147 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of freedom of information requests received by him in 2011; the number of requests for which a search and retrieval fee was sought; the maximum fee sought by him in respect of a request received; the number of requests not proceeded following the non-payment of the search and retrieval fee sought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10401/12]
As the Deputy will be aware, my Department was established on 2 June 2011. I am advised that 27 requests for information were submitted under the Freedom of Information Acts to my Department between 2 June 2011 and the end of that year. Section 47 of the Freedom of Information Acts provides for fees to be charged, as appropriate, for the process of searching for, retrieving and making copies of the records that are to be released. I am advised that, of the 27 requests submitted to my Department during 2011, such fees were considered applicable in two cases and that fees were charged of €157.87 and €22.99 respectively. No cases arose whereby a request was not completed following non-payment of the search and retrieval fee sought.
148 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the cost of lump sums, severance payments and pensions of those leaving the public service through retirement or other grounds; the loss of pension levy and superannuation from employees leaving the public service; the numbers of persons who were paid under Vote 12 — superannuation and retired allowances — in 2011 and his estimate of same for 2012; if he will provide this information in respect of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10417/12]
152 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the location and grade of all public servants within his Department or related agencies who while not having reached the minimum retirement age to avail of cost-neutral early retirement will benefit from the provisions under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009; his plans to continue the service provided by each of the retiring staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10560/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 148 and 152 together.
With respect to the cost of lump sums, etc, arising in respect of those leaving the public service from my Department and from bodies within its ambit, the position is as set out in my reply to the Deputy on 14 February last (Question No. 385). I understand that my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, is supplying the Deputy with the information being sought relating to Vote 12 — Superannuation and Retired Allowances.
As the Deputy will be aware, 50 is the minimum retirement age required for staff to avail of the Cost Neutral Early Retirement provisions under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009. I am advised that all staff who retired in 2011, or who will retire before 29 February 2012, from my Department or its agencies will have met this requirement. A breakdown of retirements between 1 January and 29 February 2012 in my Department and in relevant bodies within its ambit is set out in the table. Arrangements are being out in place to ensure continuity of service in all cases.
|
Grade |
Department |
National Concert Hall |
National Library |
National Museum |
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
Waterways Ireland |
|
Clerical Officer |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
||
|
Staff Officer |
1 |
|||||
|
Executive Officer |
1 |
|||||
|
Higher Executive Officer |
2 |
1 |
||||
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
3 |
1 |
||||
|
Principal Officer |
1 |
|||||
|
Assistant Secretary |
1 |
|||||
|
Engineer |
1 |
2 |
||||
|
Conservation Ranger |
2 |
|||||
|
Wildlife Ranger |
2 |
|||||
|
General Operative |
3 |
|||||
|
Craft Chargehand |
2 |
|||||
|
Storekeeper Clerk |
2 |
|||||
|
Miscellaneous grades |
4 |
4 |
149 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the Irish film industry [10440/12]
The Deputy will appreciate the constraints in replying in specific terms to a ‘details supplied' Question of this nature. I can say, however, that I understand negotiations are ongoing between the relevant parties under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission and it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the matter.
150 Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the options available to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare under the voluntary bog purchase scheme and the new compensation schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10461/12]
The individual referred to in the Deputy's question has applied to sell his interest in land in a raised bog special area of conservation under the Voluntary Bog Purchase Scheme, which is administered by my Department. A letter of offer for the purchase of the land has issued from my Department. However, no contracts for sale have been signed. I am advised that processing of applications on hand under this scheme has been slower than anticipated, due to capacity constraints in undertaking the work involved.
In 2011, the Government announced a compensation scheme for those affected by the cessation of turf cutting on raised bog special areas of conservation. This Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme consists of a payment of €1,000 per year, index linked, over 15 years or, where feasible, relocation of turf cutters to non-designated bogs, where they can continue to cut turf. Those wishing to relocate can avail of the financial payment or the delivery of cut turf while relocation sites are identified and prepared. The cost of acquiring and preparing relocation sites will be met by the State. Where applicants under the Voluntary Bog Purchase Scheme have not received a letter of offer, or have received a letter of offer but contracts have not been signed, my Department will write to them to outline their options under the Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme.
151 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide a list of the affected bogs that fall under the categories of special areas of conservation and national heritage areas in Longford-Westmeath. [10496/12]
The following table lists those bogs in Longford and Westmeath which are affected by the cessation of turf cutting. It should be noted that no further turf cutting can take place in the candidate Special Areas of Conservation (cSACs) raised bogs. The position in respect of the Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs) is under review. It should be noted that some sites listed in the table traverse the boundaries of counties other than Westmeath or Longford.
|
Code |
Name |
Counties |
|
000679 |
Garriskil Bog |
Westmeath |
|
001818 |
Lough Forbes Complex |
Longford and Westmeath |
|
Code |
Name |
Counties |
|
002336 |
Carn Park Bog |
Westmeath |
|
002337 |
Crosswood Bog |
Westmeath |
|
002340 |
Moneybeg and Clareisland Bogs |
Meath and Westmeath |
|
002341 |
Ardagullion Bog |
Longford |
|
002342 |
Mount Hevey Bog |
Meath and Westmeath |
|
002346 |
Brown Bog |
Longford |
|
002348 |
Clooneen Bog |
Longford |
|
000440 |
Lough Ree |
Roscommon, Longford and Westmeath |
|
Code |
Name |
Counties |
|
000422 |
Aghnamona Bog |
Leitrim and Longford |
|
000565 |
Clonydonnin Bog |
Offaly and Westmeath |
|
000674 |
Ballynagrenia and Ballinderry Bog |
Westmeath |
|
000677 |
Cloncrow Bog (New Forest) |
Westmeath |
|
000684 |
Lough Derravaragh |
Westmeath |
|
000691 |
Rinn River |
Leitrim and Longford |
|
000694 |
Wooddown Bog |
Westmeath |
|
000985 |
Lough Kinale and Derragh Bog |
Cavan, Longford and Westmeath |
|
001423 |
Cloonageeher Bog |
Leitrim and Longford |
|
001448 |
Forthill Bog |
Longford |
|
001450 |
Mount Jessop Bog |
Longford |
|
001725 |
Nure Bog |
Westmeath |
|
001812 |
Lough Garr Bog |
Westmeath |
|
002323 |
Milltownpass Bog |
Westmeath |
Question No. 152 answered with Question No. 148.
153 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of freedom of information requests received by him in 2011; the number of requests for which a search and retrieval fee was sought; the maximum fee sought by him in respect of a request received; the number of requests not proceeded following the non-payment of the search and retrieval fee sought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10403/12]
I can advise the Deputy that 54 requests under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Acts were received by my Department in 2011.
In respect of that total number of requests, search and retrieval fees were sought in 4 cases. The maximum fee sought was €1,487.45. There were no requests not proceeded with under the terms of the FOI Acts.
In the case of one of the 4 requests identified above no further contact was received from the requestor following the identification, in correspondence, to him of an estimate of fees and an opportunity to refine the request.
The request was closed in line with the provisions of the Acts following the period for response, provided for in the FOI implementation guidelines, by the requestor to the correspondence. The request was proceeded with to the fullest extent provided for in the Acts.
154 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the cost of lump sums, severance payments and pensions of those leaving the public service through retirement or other grounds; the loss of pension levy and superannuation from employees leaving the public service; the numbers of persons who were paid under Vote 12 superannuation and retired allowances in 2011 and his estimate of same for 2012; if he will provide this information in respect of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10419/12]
It is not possible to provide the information requested in the timeframe allowed but my Department will provide it together with the information being supplied in reply to Parliamentary Question No. 406 of 14 February 2012.
Information in respect of bodies and agencies under the aegis of my Department is a day to day matter for those organisations and my Department does not have the information sought by the Deputy. I will, however, request relevant Agencies and bodies under aegis of my Department to respond directly to the Deputy in the matter.
155 Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 392 of 4 October 2011, the reason the work has not been carried out yet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10499/12]
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers Better Energy: Warmer Homes on behalf of my Department. The energy poverty strand of Better Energy aims to provide energy efficiency improvements to low-income homes unable to afford the cost of implementing such measures.
The SEAI advises that the person referred to has had all of the currently available measures which are appropriate to their home (draught proofing, CFLs, attic insulation, hot, cold and storage tank lagging, as well as energy advice) installed on 17th October last, in line with my reply to the Deputy's Parliamentary Question of 4 October 2011.
Queries in relation to individual applications are an operational matter for the SEAI and a dedicated hotline can be reached at 1800 250 204. In addition, the SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members which can be sent to oireachtas@seai.ie and will be dealt with promptly.
156 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to parliamentary Question No. 19 of 19 October 2011, the progress made by him in supporting the development of electricity production from wave energy technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10517/12]
Wave energy technology is still at the research, development and demonstration stage globally. The Ocean Energy Development Unit (OEDU) in the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is working to take forward Ireland's ocean energy programme, in line with the Government's commitment to realise the long term economic potential of Ireland's wave and tidal energy resources. In that context SEAI is working closely with the Marine Institute and my Department as well as the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government.
SEAI's Prototype Development Fund supports the development of wave and tidal device prototypes and associated supporting technologies. A total of 32 projects have been funded to date. Of these 21 projects have been completed and 11 are in the process of completion. New guidelines for the Prototype Development Fund are currently being developed.
Work is also continuing on the pre-planning stages for the potential development of a grid connected pre-commercial full scale prototype test site. An application for an exploration foreshore lease was submitted in December 2011 and environmental monitoring on the proposed site is being carried out. An electricity grid connection offer in respect of the site has been received. The options for future funding of the test site will be the subject of detailed assessment in the context of 2013 and subsequent year budgets.
The IDA and Enterprise Ireland are also involved in developing and assisting the ocean energy sector as part of their clean technology development drive, working with SEAI, my Department and the sector itself.
My Department is finalising an offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan underpinned by a Strategic Environmental Assessment of Irish waters, which is due to be completed shortly.
157 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the location and grade of all public servants within his Department or related agencies who while not having reached the minimum retirement age to avail of cost neutral early retirement will benefit from the provisions under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009; his plans to continue the service provided by each of the retiring staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10562/12]
I can inform the Deputy that no staff of my Department, who have not reached the minimum retirement age to avail of the Cost Neutral Early Retirement Scheme, have retired with pension entitlements.
Information in respect of bodies and agencies under the aegis of my Department is a day to day matter for those organisations and my Department does not have the information sought by the Deputy. I will, however, request relevant Agencies and bodies under aegis of my Department to respond directly to the Deputy in the matter.
158 Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there is a recognition within his Department that those paying the non-principal private residence tax are also paying the household charge; his plans to alter the taxation policy on second homes in order that persons are not charged two flat rate taxes; his plans in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10434/12]
The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 and the Local Government (Charges) Act 2009, as amended, set out the legislation underpinning the household charge and the charge on non-principal private residences respectively.
Under the legislation, owners of residential property are liable to the household charge, including those persons with a liability to pay the charge on non-principal private residences, unless otherwise exempt.
The Government has established an Inter-Departmental expert Group to consider the structures and modalities for an equitable valuation based property tax. This Group will complete its work and make recommendations to me by end April 2012. Following consideration of the Group's recommendations, I will bring proposals to Government on the property tax as soon as possible. It will then be a matter for the Government to decide on the modalities of the property tax.
159 Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the exemption from liability to pay the household charge when a person has had to vacate their home due to long-term infirmity may be extended to apply to those who have not been absent from their property for the full period of 12 months prior to the liability date of 1 January 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10343/12]
The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 and the Local Government (Household Charge) Regulations 2012 provide the legislative basis for the household charge. Under the legislation, an owner of a residential property on the liability date of 1 January 2012 is liable to pay the household charge by 31 March 2012, unless otherwise exempted or entitled to claim a waiver.
There are a number of exemptions and waivers from payment of the household charge under the legislation. In particular, section 4(2) of the Act provides an exemption from liability to pay the household charge for the year in which that liability date falls if, on that date, the owner of a residential property, which was that person's main or sole residence, is not residing in that property by reason of his or her having had to vacate the property due to long term mental or physical infirmity and that person is residing in another property that he/she does not own.
Section 4(6) of the Act defines the meaning of "long term mental or physical infirmity" as that which required the person to vacate the property in which he/she had been dwelling for a continuous period of more than 12 months and provides that such an infirmity must be certified by a registered medical practitioner. I have no proposals to amend this definition.
160 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the new household charge and the septic tank registration (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10363/12]
The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 provides that income from the household charge is to be paid into the Local Government Fund. The proceeds from the household charge will be re-distributed on an equalised basis to local authorities within the context of the annual allocations of General Purpose Grants, ensuring that those local authorities with lower populations than others do not suffer unduly as a result. In this way, the proceeds from the household charge will go towards the provision of essential local services, including public parks, libraries, open spaces and leisure amenities, planning and development, fire and emergency services, maintenance and cleaning of streets and street lighting.
The Government has indicated its intention to commence the installation of water meters in households connected to public water supplies later in 2012. There are no plans to install meters in households that supply their own water.
The registration fee for septic tanks and other domestic waste water treatment systems will be a once-off charge. Registration will be valid for 5 years and there will be no charge for re-registration. The national inspection plan, to be drawn up by the EPA, will form the basis for a risk-based inspection system which is to be implemented by the local authorities.
The basic standards to be met by all domestic waste water systems are set out in the new legislation and require systems, irrespective of age, not to cause a risk to public health or the environment. I will shortly be undertaking a public consultation process on draft guidance for the proper operation and maintenance of domestic waste water systems. A public information campaign regarding the new registration system will also take place.
I have stated on a number of occasions that I will keep under review the need to provide financial support to households whose systems are deemed, following inspection, to require substantial remediation. The need for any such support will be only become clearer when inspections are being carried out.
161 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the recourse a person or group has if they are of the view that a company, which is opening a contract awarded to them by a county council, is not carrying out the terms of the contract. [10366/12]
The first recourse such a person or group would have is to the relevant county council and to their Customer Service Plan, or similar document. My Department has issued guidelines to local authorities for dealing with customer complaints. A copy of these guidelines can be downloaded from www.environ.ie.
Some local authorities have put in place a multiple stage procedure for dealing with customer complaints, the first of which is discussing the complaint at the point of service, as it is usually the quickest and most efficient way to address the matter. If a complainant is unhappy with the outcome of the first stage a formal complaint can be made to the Authority's Customer Services Officer. If the matter is not resolved following engagement with the local authority, it is open to the complainant to bring the matter to the attention of the Office of the Ombudsman.
162 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will confirm, with regard to the proposed European citizens’ initiative, that Irish citizens living in the North of Ireland will be treated equally and will be counted as part of the 9,000 minimum figure for Ireland and that no extra verification will be required from these citizens. [10369/12]
The European Citizens' Initiative, which comes into operation in the European Union on 1 April 2012, will enable all citizens of the Union to participate equally in the promotion of citizens' initiatives for consideration by the European Commission.
For an initiative to be considered by the Commission, it must get the support of at least one million eligible signatories, with a minimum number of signatories in at least seven of the States involved, corresponding to the number of members of the European Parliament elected in those Member States, multiplied by a factor of 750. Thus, in the case of Ireland's participation in this capacity, the minimum number of statements of support required would be 9,000. Regulation (EU) No 211/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 on the citizens' initiative sets out the requirements on Member States in relation to implementation of the initiative. Article 3(4) of the Regulation provides that in order to be eligible to support an initiative, signatories are required to be citizens of the European Union and of an age to be entitled to vote in elections to the European Parliament. Annex III to the Regulation sets out the form of the statement of support that intending signatories in respect of any initiative are required to complete if they wish to support an initiative. Article 8 and Annex III of the Regulation set out the requirements in relation to the subsequent verification and certification by Member States of these statements of support. These provisions require that signatories of statements of support who are resident in Ireland should be submitted to the Irish competent authority for certification and verification. This will be done on the basis of such persons being entered in the Irish Register of European Electors or having an entitlement to be so entered. Statements of support signed by European Union citizens resident in Northern Ireland cannot, therefore, be taken into account in determining the number of statements of support from European Union citizens resident in this jurisdiction.
163 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has, or intends to seek redress from the engineers or architects who certified the Priory Hall apartments on behalf the banks owned by the Minister and who subsequently gave mortgages to the residents. [10376/12]
Redress along the lines proposed in the question is a matter for the parties, including Dublin City Council, their agents and insurers, to contracts relevant to the sale of the apartments at Priory Hall. Where disputes arise which cannot be resolved among the parties themselves, the contract terms may be enforced through the courts by way of civil action.
164 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding Pallasgreen sewerage scheme, County Limerick. [10388/12]
The Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library, provides for the development of a comprehensive range of new water services infrastructure in County Limerick. The Programme includes contracts under construction and to commence to the value of some €29 million in Limerick during the period of the Programme. However, the Pallasgreen Sewerage Scheme was not amongst the priority contracts and schemes selected for inclusion in the current Programme.
The Programme aims to prioritise projects that target environmental compliance issues and support economic and employment growth. A key input to the development of the Programme was the assessment of needs prepared by local authorities, including Limerick County Council, in response to my Department's request to the authorities in 2009 to review and prioritise their proposals for new capital works in their areas. These were subsequently appraised in the Department in the context of the funds available and key criteria that complemented those used by the authorities. Inevitably, through this process, certain projects that had been proposed had to give way to others that were more strategically important at that time.
Progress under the Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012 was reviewed in mid-2011 and through this process, consideration was given to any newly emerging priority contracts and schemes submitted by local authorities for addition to the Programme. No proposal for the Pallasgreen Sewerage Scheme was received from Limerick County Council in response to the review process.
165 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of freedom of information requests received by him in 2011; the number of requests for which a search and retrieval fee was sought; the maximum fee sought by him in respect of a request received; the number of requests not proceeded following the non-payment of the search and retrieval fee sought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10406/12]
The information requested in the question is as follows:
|
Table |
|
|
No. of FOI requests received in 2011 |
100 |
|
No. of requests for which Search and Retrieval fees were sought |
26 |
|
Maximum Search and Retrieval fee sought |
€3,142.50* |
|
No. of requests not proceeded with following the non-payment of the Search and Retrieval fee |
8 |
*By agreement with the requestor this request has been resubmitted, identifying more precisely the records required. While the search and retrieval fees applicable to the revised request have not yet been calculated, it is anticipated that the total will be considerably lower than that which applied to the original request. My Department's policy with respect to charges applied to requests for information under FOI is set out on it's website, www.environ.ie.
166 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the cost of lump sums, severance payments and pensions of those leaving the public service through retirement or other grounds; the loss of pension levy and superannuation from employees leaving the public service; the numbers of persons who were paid under Vote 12 superannuation and retired allowances in 2011 and his estimate of same for 2012; if he will provide this information in respect of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10422/12]
Vote 12 — superannuation and retired allowances — deals with the entire Exchequer pension liability and as such is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
The information requested in relation to employees who retired from my Department in 2011 and so far in 2012 is set out in the table. Information in relation to the loss of the pension levy and superannuation contributions from employees who have retired from my Department is not available.
|
Year |
Lump Sum |
Pension |
|
2011 |
€3,205,170 |
€696,737 |
|
2012 to date |
€460,752 |
€80,321 |
Public Service Pension Reduction is not included.
167 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the principles raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding the purchase or sale of houses in estates not taken in charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10441/12]
Section 180 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 applies to estates which have been granted planning permission and include the construction of two or more houses (which as defined in the Act includes apartments) and the provision of new roads, open spaces, car parks, sewers, watermains or drains. In relation to estates which have been completed to the satisfaction of the planning authority in accordance with the permission, section 180 provides that the planning authority must if requested to do so by the developer or by the majority of the qualified electors who are owners of the houses involved, initiate the procedures in section 11 of the Roads Act 1993 for declaring the road(s) to be public roads, for whose maintenance the local authority will then be responsible.
Section 11 of the Roads Act empowers a local authority to, by order, declare any road over which a public right of way exists to be a public road. Before making an order the local authority must be satisfied the road is of general public utility, consider the financial implications of taking the road in charge and consult with the public/consider any objections received. The consideration of the objections and the making of the order declaring the road to be a public road is a reserved function, so that the decision whether to take the road in charge is ultimately one for the discretion of the elected members.
In relation to estates which have not been completed to the satisfaction of the planning authority and enforcement proceedings have not been commenced within the relevant period section 180 also provides that the planning authority must, if requested to do so by the majority of the owners, initiate the procedures in section 11 of the Roads Act. However, in this case the section provides that the provision in section 11 of the Roads Act requiring the authority to consider the financial implications of taking the road in charge shall be disregarded.
Section 180 also provides that where a planning authority, in complying with the section, makes an order under section 11 of the Roads Act, it must also take in charge any open spaces, car parks, sewers, watermains, or drains within the attendant grounds of the development. Section 180 was amended in the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010 to provide that a planning authority may take in charge an unfinished estate, at the request of the owners of the housing units, at any time after the expiration of the planning permission, in situations where enforcement actions have commenced or where the planning authority consider that enforcement action will not result in the satisfactory completion of the estate by the developer. Planning authorities have also been empowered to take in charge part of an estate or some, but not all, of the facilities in an estate.
168 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will review the criteria covering the issuing of local authority mortgages and shared ownership schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10442/12]
170 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will review the criteria covering the issuing of local authority mortgages in view of the fact that they are now as inaccessible as a bank or building society mortgage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10444/12]
171 Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there is any State supported scheme which enables a person to purchase a home that they are renting; the criteria to qualify for any such programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10446/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 168, 170 and 171 together.
In advancing loans for house purchase by lower income borrowers it is of critical importance that local authorities make such funding available on the basis of sound lending criteria. My Department and individual local authorities have a responsibility to ensure that the borrower can sustain the loan over the full term. Of equal importance, in view of recent developments in the domestic property market, is the imperative for a local authority to ensure that prudence and pragmatism are applied to all aspects of the management of its housing loans book. In a time of limited resources, deploying those resources in a focused and effective manner ensures the management of its loans portfolio can be achieved as efficiently as possible.
The current credit policy has been in effect since 2009. It was deemed appropriate at that time to update the elements associated with local authority lending and to have a homogenous regime in place that ensured best practice was followed across the sector. All applicants are now assessed according to the same criteria, and their applications subjected to the same independent scrutiny. It is desirable to make adequate lending provision available to local authority tenants who wish to avail of the tenant purchase schemes, while also adhering to prudent lending practices, and the current guidelines achieve equitable consideration of all applications.
While it is the case that the rate of refusal of applications has increased it is also clear that the loans issued since the introduction of the revised credit policy are more likely to be fully performing. I am happy that the current mortgage loan model is fair and adequately meets the needs of prospective borrowers and facilitates participation in housing acquisition initiatives such as the tenant purchase schemes.
These schemes include the 1995 tenant purchase scheme for existing local authority houses which offers discounts up to 30% plus €3,809 off the market value, depending on length of tenancy; the incremental purchase scheme for certain new local authority houses, and the recently-introduced scheme for the tenant purchase of apartments in designated local authority complexes offer discounts of 40% to 60% off the all-in cost or market value respectively, depending on income. It is the intention to replace the 1995 tenant purchase scheme with a new scheme based on the incremental purchase model when the necessary amending legislation is in place.
169 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the progress made to date on addressing the issue of funding food projects under the Leader programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10443/12]
I refer to Question No. 47 of 2 February 2012 which sets out the current position in this matter.
Questions Nos. 170 and 171 answered with Question No. 168.
172 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has received a letter recently from the South West Inner City RAPID Area Implementation Team; if he has replied to this letter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10485/12]
I have not received any recent correspondence from the South West Inner City RAPID Area Implementation Team.
173 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a person who is not the registered owner of their house due to a title issue on the dwelling is liable for the household charge 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10498/12]
The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 and the Local Government (Household Charge) Regulations 2012 provide the legislative basis for the household charge.
While the Act places the household charge under the care and management of the local authorities, and application in particular circumstances is a matter for the relevant local authority, the household charge is on a self assessment basis, and interpretation of the legislation is a matter for legal advice in individual cases and ultimately a matter for the Courts.
Under the legislation, an owner of a residential property on the liability date of 1 January 2012 is liable to pay the household charge by 31 March 2012, unless otherwise exempted or entitled to claim a waiver.
Section 1 of the Act provides a definition of "owner" for the purposes of the Act which, in relation to a residential property, means—
(a) a person (other than a mortgagee not in possession) who—
(i) in the case of a residential property that is let under a lease or held under a tenancy for a term not exceeding 20 years, is entitled to receive the rent under that lease or tenancy whether in his or her own right or as trustee or agent for another person, or
(ii) in the case of a residential property that is not so let or so held, would, subject to paragraph (b) , be so entitled if the residential property were so let or so held, whether in that person’s own right or as trustee or agent for another person,
or
(b) where the property is let under a lease or held under a tenancy for a term exceeding 20 years, the person (other than a mortgagee not in possession) who is the lessee under that lease or tenant under that tenancy.
Section 2 of the Act specifies what is residential property for the purposes of the legislation.
As with all legislation, it is for each person to determine (with legal advice, if considered necessary) whether, and to what degree, he or she is affected by the legislative provisions concerned, and thus, in the present instance, to determine whether he or she is an ‘owner' of a ‘residential property' within the meaning of the household charge legislation; it is a matter for a person who is such an owner to assess his or her liability for the household charge, and, where there is a liability, to so declare and to pay the household charge.
174 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if, under section 108 of the EPA Act 1992, Iarnród Eireann are a prescribed undertaker for the purposes of construction and maintenance work; and in the event of a permit being granted or a company availing of an exemption if that company must adhere to environmental noise regulations and if these can be enforced. [10549/12]
Iarnród Eireann has not been prescribed as a statutory undertaker under the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992.
Although Section 108 of the Act provides an exemption for such statutory undertakers as may be prescribed, no such exemption is provided under Section 107 of the Act, which allows local authorities to initiate proceedings on grounds of noise nuisance. Section 107 of the Act also provides that a person who is allegedly causing a noise nuisance can put forward a ‘good defence' in Court if they can prove they took all reasonable care to prevent or limit the noise by using facilities, practices and methods of operation that are suitable for that purpose. However, it is ultimately a matter for the Court to decide if the noise gives reasonable cause for annoyance.
175 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a person with an intellectual disability and in the care of State psychiatric services and is living in their own house is liable to pay the household charge. [10555/12]
The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 and the Local Government (Household Charge) Regulations 2012 provide the legislative basis for the household charge. Under the legislation, an owner of a residential property on the liability date of 1 January 2012 is liable to pay the household charge by 31 March 2012, unless otherwise exempted or entitled to claim a waiver.
176 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the location and grade of all public servants within his Department or related agencies who while not having reached the minimum retirement age to avail of cost neutral early retirement will benefit from the provisions under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009; his plans to continue the service provided by each of the retiring staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10565/12]
A person who has not reached minimum retirement age or the minimum age to avail of Cost Neutral Early Retirement cannot benefit from the provisions under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009 other than if they were to retire on grounds of ill health.
The impact of the 2012 retirements is being dealt with in the context of my Department's overall workforce planning agenda. My Department is currently undergoing significant internal redeployment and streamlining of business areas to ensure optimum staffing in priority business areas including having regard to retirements by end February 2012.
177 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason he has not given the go-ahead to the Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption to publish its third round compliance report on Ireland, which focuses on criminalisation of corruption and transparency of party funding and was adopted on 9 December 2011; and when he intends to allow it to be published. [10445/12]
I am making arrangements to bring the Council of Europe's (Group of States against Corruption — Greco) Third Round Compliance Report on Ireland to Government, and expect that the Report will shortly be published in the usual way.
178 Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the future plan for Mosney, County Meath, and its residents. [10392/12]
The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) is charged with responsibility for the accommodation of asylum seekers while their application for protection is being processed. As of 12/02/2012, there were 5,313 accommodated in RIA centres located throughout the State with a total of 573 persons living at the Mosney centre.
The number of asylum seekers requiring accommodation now and the likely number in the future are under constant review and it is not possible at this stage to predict what particular accommodation facilities will be required in the short or medium term future. There are no immediate plans to change existing arrangements at the Mosney Centre. In accordance with standard procedures RIA will shortly be entering into discussions with the contractor at Mosney in the context of the expiry of the current contract in June this year.
RIA will continue to have regard for the recommendations contained in the ‘Value for Money Report and Policy Review — Asylum Seeker Accommodation Programme' (May 2010), which is available on RIA's website (www.ria.gov.ie) and the general economic constraints, which apply to all public spending and which will continue to apply in management of the direct provision budget.
179 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of freedom of information requests received by him in 2011; the number of requests for which a search and retrieval fee was sought; the maximum fee sought by him in respect of a request received; the number of requests not proceeded following the non-payment of the search and retrieval fee sought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10411/12]
My Department received a total of 597 Freedom of Information requests during 2011. Of this figure, 6 requests incurred search and retrieval fees, totalling €756.83. The maximum fee sought by my Department for processing a Freedom of Information request was €15,664. Only one request did not proceed as a consequence of non payment of the search and retrieval fee.
180 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the cost of lump sums, severance payments and pensions of those leaving the public service through retirement or other grounds; the loss of pension levy and superannuation from employees leaving the public service; the numbers of persons who were paid under Vote 12 superannuation and retired allowances in 2011 and his estimate of same for 2012; if he will provide this information in respect of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10427/12]
In general the costs associated with staff leaving my Department, including any retirement lump sum and ongoing pension payments, are incurred from Vote 12 (formerly Vote 7) Superannuation and Retired Allowances of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Budgetary provision has also been made centrally within the same Vote for retirements in 2012. As a result, the information sought is not available directly from my Department.
181 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans in respect of the Equality Authority in view of the fact that an advance party has been decentralised to Roscrea, County Tipperary; if he will give a commitment regarding the continued local employment of these staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10432/12]
The future of the Equality Authority's Roscrea office is being considered by a working group set up to advise me on issues relating to the amalgamation of the Human Rights Commission and the Equality Authority. A decision on its future will be taken once the working group has reported with its recommendations. I expect that the working group will shortly complete its work.
182 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will review a matter (details supplied) regarding communication methods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10469/12]
The provision of Garda information technology resources is a matter for the Garda Commissioner. I am informed by the Garda authorities that currently there are 421 Garda stations which are connected to the Garda Network. These stations account for over 90% of Garda personnel and the Garda authorities have stated that the current arrangements meet their operational requirements. I am also advised that the general Garda policy is to expand the number of stations attached to the Network. This is a process which is being undertaken in the light of overall operational requirements and the availability of financial resources.
The Garda authorities have also reported that a 112 SMS Emergency service was introduced in January 2012. This facility enables members of the public to text requesting the assistance of an emergency service and it is available to anyone who registers for the service.
183 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will clarify the position regarding the new investment and enterprise visa scheme (details supplied). [10491/12]
The specific application procedures including application forms, other supporting documentation and other requirements of the programmes are currently being drafted and will made available at the formal launch in March. I would also hope to have detailed ‘frequently asked questions' material available at the launch which will address the issues referred to by the Deputy. In the meantime, the Deputy is free to contact my private office which can arrange for a briefing for him on the programme. Such an arrangement, of course, can also be made available to any Member of the House should they wish to avail of it.
184 Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding a naturalisation application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin who has requested three updates in the past couple of years and has been told every time that the process would take a few months; if he will examine this case and give a more detailed breakdown of the length of time this process will take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10503/12]
I am advised by the Citizenship Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that valid application for certificates of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy in May 2009.
The application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible. As the processing requirements and time taken to complete necessary checks vary from case to case, it is not possible to provide a specific date for determination of an individual application. I can inform the Deputy that good progress continues to be made in reducing the time taken to process the generality of applications.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
185 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if an appointment will be made to meet the relevant immigration officer in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10544/12]
I am informed by officials in the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person referred to by the Deputy (and his spouse) were granted permission to remain in the State pursuant to the provisions of the Immigration Act, 2004, for the purpose of further education (Stamp 2). Pursuant to Section 9 of the Immigration Act, 2004, such persons are required to register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau/Divisional Immigration Officer, for the purpose of complying with an obligation to register as a non-national. It is advised that the most recent permission to remain in the State issued to the person referred to by the Deputy expired on the 31 December, 2011.
An appointment has been made for the person referred to by the Deputy and his spouse to attend Maynooth Garda Station on Thursday 23 February, 2012. Records indicate that no attempt was made by the person referred to by the Deputy to contact the Immigration Officer to make an appointment, pursuant to the requirements under the Immigration Acts prior to this.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
186 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current or expected residency status in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10545/12]
The persons concerned, a husband and wife, entered the State on 27th July, 2004, the husband on student conditions and his wife as his dependant, and they were granted permission to remain in the State on those bases until 10th May, 2007. They were subsequently granted extensions of their respective permissions to remain up to 13th January, 2010, and then again for a further four months up to 13th May, 2010, to enable a prospective employer to apply for a Work Permit on behalf of the husband. My Department's records indicate that his efforts to obtain a Work Permit at that time were unsuccessful.
The first named person concerned had no legal basis to remain in the State beyond 13th May, 2010, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), he was notified, by letter dated 16th June, 2011, of the proposal to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against them.
The position in the State of the first named person concerned now falls to be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. All representations submitted will be considered before a final decision is made. Once a decision has been made, this decision, and the consequences of the decision, will be conveyed in writing to the first named person concerned.
In relation to the second named person, she was granted permission to remain in the State on the 13th January 2010 on Stamp 3 conditions until the 13th May 2010. In the event that her spouse was issued with a work permit she was advised to contact the General Immigration Division in order to have her permission to remain extended. She was also advised that should her spouse not be issued with a work permit she was required to leave the State and provide evidence to the Division by the 13th June 2010 that she had done so. I am informed by my officials in INIS that they will be in touch with her shortly.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
187 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress made to date in the determination of eligibility for naturalisation in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10546/12]
Valid applications for a certificate of naturalisation from the persons referred to by the Deputy were received in the Citizenship Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) in April 2010.
The applications are at an advanced stage of processing. The persons concerned will be informed of my decision on their applications in due course.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
I shouldremind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.
188 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current position in relation to the determination of naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10547/12]
I am advised by the Citizenship Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy in August, 2010.
The application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
189 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will indicate the reason visitors visas were not approved for persons (details supplied) notwithstanding that family members in this country would provide accommodation for their two month visit and therefore they would not represent a burden on the State in any shape or form; if this application can be reviewed in this context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10557/12]
The visa applications referred to by the Deputy were received in the Visa Office, Abu Dhabi in or around the 15 January 2012. They were refused on the 29 January 2012 for the following reasons:
1. The evidences of finances were deemed to be insufficient or incomplete;
2. There was insufficient documentation submitted in support of the application (applicants should refer to the link to "Documents Required" as displayed on the website of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service —www.inis.gov.ie). The visa officer noted that documentation provided had not been translated. Letters of undertaking from the applicants, confirming that the conditions of the visas would be observed, if visas were to be granted, were not provided. Furthermore, no marriage certificate for the married applicant was provided;
3. The visa officer noted inconsistencies in the information supplied, specifically the source of family income. This reason is essentially linked to the first refusal reason;
4. The obligations of the applicants to return to their home country were not deemed to be sufficient;
5. It was the opinion of the visa officer that the applicants may not observe the conditions of the visa and may overstay following the proposed visits;
6. There was no clear link to reference shown. A suggested way in which a link to a reference may be shown (in cases of family members) is by way of birth certificates for all of the parties concerned.
The Deputy may wish to note that the second visa application number provided by him was incorrect. In case of future enquiries the correct reference number for the person concerned is 8282122.
As is the case with all refused visa applications, the refusal decision and the reasons for that decision were sent by way of letter to the applicant. It is open to the person concerned to submit an appeal within two months of the date of refusal, in this case before the 29 March 2012. Guidelines on the visa appeals process is available on www.inis.gov.ie.
Queries in relation to general immigration matters may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
190 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the location and grade of all public servants within his Department or related agencies who while not having reached the minimum retirement age to avail of cost neutral early retirement will benefit from the provisions under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009; his plans to continue the service provided by each of the retiring staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10570/12]
There are no staff in my Department or related agencies retiring under Cost Neutral Early Retirement (CNER) who, while not having reached the minimum age to avail of the CNER Scheme, will benefit from the provisions under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009.
In order to avail of the terms of the CNER Scheme an employee must have reached the minimum age of 50 in the case of staff who have a minimum preserved pension age of 60 or the minimum age of 55 in the case of staff with a minimum preserved pension age of 65. All staff who are availing of the terms of the CNER scheme have reached the required minimum age of 50 or 55 as appropriate.
I refer the Deputy to Question No. 378 of 7th February 2012 which sets out details of the number of public servants in my Department and the agencies under my remit who, in the period 1 January 2010 to 29th February 2012, have retired or indicated their intention to retire under CNER and otherwise.
In the context of the numbers retiring, my Department's strategy has been to protect the front-line services as far as possible by deployment of resources from support and ancillary areas to critical front-line areas. My Department is also actively engaged in the public services reform process so as to make the best use of reducing human and other resources in the context of reducing numbers.
191 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Defence the number of freedom of information requests received by him in 2011; the number of requests for which a search and retrieval fee was sought; the maximum fee sought by him in respect of a request received; the number of requests not proceeded following the non payment of the search and retrieval fee sought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10404/12]
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below:
|
Department of Defence |
Defence Forces |
|
|
Total number of FOI requests received in 2011 |
40 |
120 |
|
Number of requests which search and retrieval fee was sought. |
4 |
5 |
|
Maximum fee sought in respect of search and retrieval. |
€523.75 |
€426.47 |
|
Requests not proceeded with following the non payment of the search and retrieval fee. |
3 |
4 |
192 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Defence the cost of lump sums, severance payments and pensions of those leaving the public service through retirement or other grounds; the loss of pension levy and superannuation from employees leaving the public service; the numbers of persons who were paid under Vote 12 superannuation and retired allowances in 2011 and his estimate of same for 2012; if he will provide this information in respect of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10420/12]
It has not been possible in the time available to compile all the necessary information requested by the Deputy. The information will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
193 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Defence the location and grade of all public servants within his Department or related agencies who while not having reached the minimum retirement age to avail of cost neutral early retirement will benefit from the provisions under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009; his plans to continue the service provided by each of the retiring staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10563/12]
It has not been possible in the time available to compile all the necessary information requested by the Deputy. The information will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
194 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of freedom of information requests received by him in 2011; the number of requests for which a search and retrieval fee was sought; the maximum fee sought by him in respect of a request received; the number of requests not proceeded following the non payment of the search and retrieval fee sought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10400/12]
The following table detailing requests received under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Acts in 2011 sets out the information requested for my Department.
|
Total FOI Requests 2011 |
No. for which a Search and Retrieval Fee was Sought |
Maximum Search and Retrieval Fee |
No. of FOI Search and Retrieval Cases which did not proceed |
|
243 |
8 |
€301.34 |
Nil |
195 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cost of lump sums, severance payments and pensions of those leaving the public service through retirement or other grounds; the loss of pension levy and superannuation from employees leaving the public service; the numbers of persons who were paid under Vote 12 superannuation and retired allowances in 2011 and his estimate of same for 2012; if he will provide this information in respect of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10416/12]
The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available and will take some time to collate. Available information will be provided as soon as possible.
196 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10460/12]
The person named commenced REPS 4 in June 2009 and received payments for the first two years of their contract.
REPS 4 is a measure under the current 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before any payments can issue. Following the administrative check an area discrepancy was discovered between the Single Farm Payment application for 2011 and the REPS Agri-Environmental Plan which has resulted in the necessity for further investigation. This issue is currently being investigated with the intention of an early resolution and payment in respect of 2011.
197 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason payment has not issued to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10463/12]
An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 9 May 2011.
This application was selected for a Ground Eligibility/Cross Compliance Inspection. During the course of this inspection discrepancies were recorded in relation to a number of parcels. These discrepancies resulted in a claimed area of 33.15ha being reduced to a found area of 25.43ha. If the total area found is not sufficient to support the number of entitlements held penalties will be applied per the Terms and Conditions of the scheme. In this case the number entitlements held by the person named is 32.98. As the difference between the area declared and the area found is greater than 20%, under EU Regulations, no payment will issue. The person named was informed of this decision on 11 of January 2012 and of her right to seek a review. She was also informed of her right to appeal the outcome of any such review to the Independent Agriculture Appeals Office. Such a review was requested on 30 of January 2012 and is currently being considered. A decision on the matter will issue to the person named as soon as it is available.
198 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of freedom of information requests received by her in 2011; the number of requests for which a search and retrieval fee was sought; the maximum fee sought by her in respect of a request received; the number of requests not proceeded following the non-payment of the search and retrieval fee sought; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10402/12]
Since my Department was established on 2 June, 2011, 10 requests under the Freedom of Information Act have been received. Four of these requests were processed on behalf of my Department by the Department of Health, as the Freedom of Information Unit had yet to be set up within my own Department.
No search and retrieval fees were sought in relation to the 10 requests.
199 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the cost of lump sums, severance payments and pensions of those leaving the public service through retirement or other grounds; the loss of pension levy and superannuation from employees leaving the public service; the numbers of persons who were paid under Vote 12, superannuation and retired allowances in 2011, and her estimate of same for 2012; if she will provide this information in respect of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10418/12]
A total of 4 people retired from either my Department or one of its agencies during 2011 with an associated cost of €279,778 in lump sums and €86,903 in pensions. A further 11 people from across the Department and its agencies are due to retire before the end of February 2012. The final cost of these lump sums and pensions is not yet available. The figures requested regarding loss of pension levy and superannuation from these employees are being collated and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy when available.
Vote 12 relates to Superannuation and Retired Allowances under the Superannuation Acts 1834 to 2004 and is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
200 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the location and grade of all public servants within her Department or related agencies who while not having reached the minimum retirement age to avail of cost-neutral early retirement will benefit from the provisions under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009; her plans to continue the service provided by each of the retiring staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10561/12]
Of the 11 people due to retire before the end of February 2012, 7 are retiring without having reached minimum retirement age as follows:
|
Department/Agency |
Grade |
No. |
|
Department of Children and Youth Affairs |
Principal Officer |
1 |
|
Assistant Principal |
1 |
|
|
Higher Executive Officer |
1 |
|
|
Family Support Agency |
Assistant Principal |
1 |
|
Adoption Authority of Ireland |
Principal Officer |
1 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
1 |
|
|
Clerical Officer |
1 |
My Department is working with the agencies in identifying and addressing the staffing implications of these retirements and assessing options for managed movement of remaining resources to achieve optimum deployment. This involves looking at internal structures and becoming more aware of, and planning for current and future work-force needs over and above the imminent departure of these particular staff.
201 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on their medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10368/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
202 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if he has any plans to restructure the local drugs task forces to make them more answerable to him and the communities that they serve; the steps he has taken to ensure the drugs task forces operate in an open and transparent manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10482/12]
In late 2011, I initiated a review of the future direction and role of Drugs Task Forces and the national structures that underpin the general drugs area. As part of the review, I consulted with the relevant funding Departments and Agencies, the Community and Voluntary Sectors and the Drugs Task Forces. The review will consider, in particular, the accountability and reporting arrangements of Drugs Task Forces and the projects they support.
The review will take account of the final report, due shortly, of the High Level Steering Group, appointed by Minister Hogan, to examine the potential for aligning local development and local government structures.
When I have completed my deliberations, I will bring a report on the review to the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy.
203 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10340/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
204 Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Limerick will receive a medical card. [10360/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
205 Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card application appeal in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10362/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
206 Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the differences in figures for revenue grants included in the Health Service Executive annual report 2010 for an organisation (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10394/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
207 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of freedom of information requests received by him in 2011; the number of requests for which a search and retrieval fee was sought; the maximum fee sought by him in respect of a request received; the number of requests not proceeded following the non payment of the search and retrieval fee sought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10409/12]
My Department received 150 freedom of information requests in 2011 — several of which were administratively split into further separate requests to aid processing. A search and retrieval fee was sought in respect of 20 requests. The highest fee sought for search and retrieval was €1,676. You might note that the next highest fee was for €251.40. Three requests were not proceeded following the non payment of the search and retrieval fee sought.
208 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the cost of lump sums, severance payments and pensions of those leaving the public service through retirement or other grounds; the loss of pension levy and superannuation from employees leaving the public service; the numbers of persons who were paid under Vote No. 12 superannuation and retired allowances in 2011 and his estimate of same for 2012; if he will provide this information in respect of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10425/12]
The following is a breakdown of the information requested:
|
2011 € |
2012 € |
|
|
Lump sums |
541,370 |
1,500,000 (Provisional figure as final amounts still being calculated) |
|
Severance payments |
0 |
107,795 |
|
Pensions |
158,929 (annual total) |
450,000 (Provisional figure as final amounts still being calculated) |
|
Loss of Pension Related Deduction |
351.70 |
79,809.21 |
|
Superannuation Contributions |
296.70 |
19,116.02 |
209 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if he will direct the Health Service Executive to contract for the provision of hyperbaric chamber treatment for cancer sufferers from MS societies where the facility is available. [10431/12]
The Deputy's question relates to service delivery matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.
210 Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health in respect of circular 20/2005 and the revised method of calculation of pension entitlements for public servants whose pensions are integrated with social welfare benefits, if this revised scheme has been implemented by the Health Service Executive throughout the country to former employees; if this scheme has not been implemented, when the pensioners in question can expect to be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10435/12]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
211 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 463 of 6 December regarding newborn screening, if he will provide an update on the progress made to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10455/12]
In late 2009, the Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) received a complaint from a member of the public in relation to the retention of Newborn Screening Cards (NSCs). The basis of the complaint (which was upheld by the Data Protection Commissioner) was that the NSCs should not be retained indefinitely without consent as this constituted a breach of the Data Protection Acts 1998 and 2003. During 2010, a number of meetings were convened with the Deputy Data Protection Commissioner and representatives of the HSE, the DoH and CUH and Temple Street Hospital. A policy was agreed in conjunction with the DPC to address both the legislative and ethical requirements of the National Newborn Screening Programme, which included disposal of archived NSC older than ten years.
Following receipt of representations concerning the proposed destruction of archived Newborn Screening Cards, I requested the HSE to conduct a review of this decision. The review examined both the legal and ethical basis for retention of NSCs and their potential use for secondary purposes, including research. The report and recommendations of the review group were submitted to my office in January 2012. Having carefully considered the issue, I have informed the HSE of my decision in relation to this matter earlier this week. Further, I have requested that the HSE inform those interested parties of that decision in the coming week.
212 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when he intends to publish a national action plan for rare diseases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10459/12]
Ireland has been supportive of the EU proposals on rare disease which concluded with a council recommendation in June 2009. The end point is that countries are recommended to develop plans or strategies preferably by the end of 2013. We are now well advanced in developing this work.
In April 2011, I established a National Steering Group to develop a policy framework for the prevention, detection and treatment of rare diseases based on the principles of high quality care, equity and to be patient centred. The policy will operate over a 5 year period, take account of the Council Recommendation on Rare Diseases (2009) and define priority actions subject to resource availability.
The National Steering Group is working on many areas relevant to the issue of rare diseases. It is also considering how best to consult with patients and key stakeholders on the broad proposals and recommendations that will emerge. It is expected that the group will submit a plan to me during the latter half of this year following which a decision to publish will be made.
213 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason that when an applicant now applies for home help, he or she has to wait up to seven or eight months for the application to be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10464/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
214 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding an air ambulance service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10465/12]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
215 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health the reason there is a delay in reaching a decision on an application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10470/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
216 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding assistance dogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10471/12]
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
217 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the proposal to provide a medical assessment unit in Monaghan General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10472/12]
The Government intends to publish a framework for the development of smaller hospitals, which will set out the way these hospitals provide services to patients and how they work within their regional hospital networks. The framework and its implementation is a priority of the Government.
In developing the framework, the Government is clear that:
there is an important future role for smaller hospitals, in which they will provide services for more patients, not fewer,
no acute hospital will close, and
safety issues in all acute hospitals, large or small, must be fully addressed, by providing the right type of services in the right settings.
We also need to take into account the individual circumstances of each hospital, to recognise the need for regional solutions and, within the excellent context provided by the HSE's clinical programmes, to encourage local innovation in response to service issues that arise locally or regionally. The best solutions will vary between regions and within the overall context referred to there is no question of a ‘one size fits all' approach.
In relation to the detailed information sought by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
218 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Health in regard to the recommendations made by the steering group report on the national substance misuse strategy, if he will clarify where the report states, “Commence Section 9 (Structural Separation) of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008”, this refers to section 9(1)(a) or (1)(b). [10492/12]
At the end of paragraph 35 on page 18 of chapter 2, the Steering Group of the National Substance Misuse Strategy recommended as follows:
Commence Section 9 (Structural Separation) of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008.
At paragraph 32 of the same chapter, the Steering Group wrote that ‘Section 9 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008 provides for the structural separation of alcohol from other products in mixed trading outlets'; and hence what was mainly contemplated by the Steering Group were the substantial provisions on structural separation in Section 9(1A) of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008 — though the powers of commencement of these provisions are vested in the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence.
219 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he has considered banning the retailing of alcohol at below invoice cost price to ensure that retailers cannot reclaim 23% of the cost of the loss leader in their VAT return, thus saving the State an average of €21 million each year. [10493/12]
In its report on alcohol, the National Substance Misuse Strategy Steering Group recommended — among other things — the introduction of a legislative basis for minimum pricing per gram of alcohol. As minimum pricing is a mechanism of imposing a statutory floor in price levels for alcohol products that must be legally observed by retailers, its primary function would be thus to discourage at risk levels of alcohol consumption. This recommendation is being actively considered as part of the development of an Action Plan in advance of proposals being drafted for Government.
220 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card application in respect of an autistic child (details supplied). [10494/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy. Eligibility for domiciliary allowance is a matter for the Department of Social Protection.
221 Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Health the reasons for the delay in payments outstanding from the Health Service Executive in respect of staff of a nursing home (details supplied) in County Waterford; when the matter will be concluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10504/12]
On Monday 12th December the District Court in Carrick-On-Suir, Co. Tipperary, granted a Court Order to the Health Information and Quality Authority to cancel the registration of the nursing home referred to by the Deputy, which is a private nursing home. Under Section 64 of the Health Act 2007 and pursuant to the Court Order, the Health Service Executive was directed to take charge of the Nursing Home and make arrangements for alternative accommodation for the residents, which the Executive arranged accordingly.
Any outstanding payment due to staff is therefore a matter for the private provider in the first instance. The Minister for Health has no function in this matter.
222 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10534/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
223 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10535/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
224 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if he will indicate the qualifying criteria for school going children to enable them to receive orthodontic treatment; if in this context a young person of 15 years of age is eligible to receive such treatment pending assessment and evaluation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10556/12]
All children are targeted for preventative measures under the school dental programme. These children are screened and referred for treatment as necessary and retain eligibility up to their 16th birthday. The Health Service Executive provides orthodontic treatment to patients based on their level of clinical need. An individual's access to orthodontic treatment is determined against a set of clinical guidelines called the Modified Index of Treatment Need (IOTN).
225 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the location and grade of all public servants within his Department or related agencies who while not having reached the minimum retirement age to avail of cost neutral early retirement will benefit from the provisions under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009; his plans to continue the service provided by each of the retiring staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10568/12]
The following is a breakdown of the grades availing of Cost Neutral Early Retirement before 29 February 2011, under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009, in my Department:
|
2011 |
2012 |
||
|
Grade |
No. |
Grade |
No. |
|
Assistant Principal |
1 |
Principal Officer |
3 |
|
Assistant Principal |
3 |
||
|
Pharmacist |
1 |
||
|
Higher Executive Officer |
2 |
||
|
Staff/Executive Officer Level |
3 |
A Sub Committee of my Department's Management Advisory Committee (MAC) has been convened to manage the reconfiguration of staff resources remaining after these retirements so as to maintain our capacity to deliver our business objectives. The information in relation to the Non-Commercial State Agencies and the Health Service Executive is currently being collated and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
226 Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the recent events which we saw unfolding in Union Hall, County Cork, if he will confirm the total cost which was incurred during the search and rescue mission; the number of fishermen currently registered to operate here; the steps, if any, that have been taken to make mandatory the issuing of each fisherman with a personal GPS beacon; if the costs and benefits associated with such a move have been investigated by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10350/12]
The cost for the recent search and retrieval mission in Union Hall was in the region of €250,000. This cost covers helicopter flying hours, volunteer incident allowances and fuel costs and the attendance of an incident manager. The costs are estimated as not all relevant claims have been processed to date. It should be noted that about 30% of these costs would have been incurred as a matter of course as both helicopter and volunteer training would have taken place during the period involved.
In relation to the number of fishermen registered in Ireland, some 2,300 Certificates of Competency have been issued to fishermen including Skippers/Second Hand and engineers at this time by my Department.
I consider that it is prudent to await the outcome of the Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) investigation into the tragedy at Union Hall and I would not wish to prejudice that. However, I have asked officials from my Department to examine issues relating to the carriage of Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) by fishermen and to report to me as soon as possible on the matter. Currently all Irish registered fishing vessels are required to be fitted with Emergency Indicating Position Beacons, EPIRBs. All fishing vessels over 12m must carry an automatically activating float-free automatic EPIRB and vessels less than 12m LOA (length over all) only have to carry a manually activated EPIRB.
227 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in 2004 and 2005 the Valuation Office report has been withheld from Dublin Waterworld Limited on the instructions of a company (details supplied). [10509/12]
231 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Campus Stadium Ireland Development received written instructions from a company (details supplied) that Dublin Waterworld Limited and its advisor was not to be provided with the VAT valuation of the National Aquatic Centre; and if he considers this appropriate. [10507/12]
232 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the advice Campus Stadium Ireland Development received from its tax advisers on the Valuation Office report in 2002. [10508/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 227, 231 and 232 together.
The National Sports Campus Development Authority Act, 2006, provides for the establishment of the National Sports Campus Development Authority (NSCDA), which succeeds Campus and Stadium Ireland Development Limited (CSID) in function and responsibility and continues the role of overseeing, planning and developing a National Sports Campus at Abbotstown (Blanchardstown).
This question relate to instructions and advices received by CSID from their advisers and are a matter for the National Sports Campus Development Authority. I have referred the Deputy's Question to the agency for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
228 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of freedom of information requests received by him in 2011; the number of requests for which a search and retrieval fee was sought; the maximum fee sought by him in respect of a request received; the number of requests not proceeded with following the non payment of the search and retrieval fee sought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10414/12]
In 2011 there were 87 Freedom of Information requests received in my Department. In 7 cases the decision maker sought search and retrieval fees. All but one were fully processed and decisions issued with records to the requesters. The remaining request was not processed to decision stage due to the requester not paying the deposit for search and retrieval.
The maximum fee that was sought was €414. This fee was reduced from an original figure of €828 on the request of the applicant that the request be narrowed down.
229 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost of lump sums, severance payments and pensions of those leaving the public service through retirement or other grounds; the loss of pension levy and superannuation from employees leaving the public service; the numbers of persons who were paid under Vote 12 superannuation and retired allowances in 2011 and his estimate of same for 2012; if he will provide this information in respect of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10430/12]
As previously advised on 14th February 2012 the cost of lump sums, pensions and severance payments for 2011 and anticipated to end February 2012 is set out in Table 1. The severance payments in 2011 were as a result of cessation of employment due to the change in Government.
Twenty one staff retired in 2011 and it is anticipated that twenty four staff will retire by 29th February 2012. The associated pension levy and superannuation for these staff in each year payable from Vote 7, the superannuation Vote for my Department, is set out in Table 2.
|
Year |
Lump sum cost |
Gross annual Pension cost |
Cost of Severance Payment |
|
2011 |
€1,550,960 |
€494,500 |
€33,543 |
|
1/1/12-29/2/12 (anticipated) |
€1,688,020 |
€530,472 |
nil |
|
Year |
Pension Levy |
Superannuation |
|
2011 |
€65,000 |
€9,400 |
|
1/1/12-29/2/12 (anticipated) |
€93,000 |
€17,000 |
230 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied that the Department of Finance issued instructions that the VAT amount of €10,254,600 be included in the legal proceedings between Campus Stadium Ireland Development and Dublin Waterworld Limited. [10505/12]
The Deputy will be aware that the Secretary General of my Department, Mr Tom O'Mahony, addressed this matter at hearings of the Public Accounts Committee on 10 November 2011 and 16 February 2012. Mr O'Mahony provided the Committee with a series of documents including a copy of an internal memo dated 15 February 2005 from an official of the then Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism which states that the Department of Finance had indicated that "it could not consent to abandoning the attempt to recover the VAT because of the existing legislation".
