Michael Healy-Rae
Question:131. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance his views on the cost of fuel (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40700/12]
View answerFuel Prices
Questions (131)
Written answers
Ireland, as with other countries, has experienced an increase in fuel prices. This increase is an international phenomenon. Fuel prices are driven by a number of factors including the price of oil on international markets, exchange rates, production costs and refining costs. The rise in oil prices over recent periods reflected additional factors such as geopolitical uncertainty in Northern Africa and the Middle East with potential supply disruptions. The Exchequer yield from excise, as excise is set at a nominal amount, does not increase as the price of fuels increase. On the other hand, the yield from VAT per litre of fuel, as VAT is set as a percentage of the price, increases as the price of fuels increase. However, in this regard it should be borne in mind that to the extent that spending in the economy is re-allocated to petrol and other oil products, and away from other VAT liable spending, and to the extent that the overall level of economic activity is reduced by higher oil prices, there may be little or no net gain to the Exchequer.
It should also be noted that businesses are of course entitled to reclaim VAT incurred on their business inputs, including VAT incurred on fuel. For example, VAT incurred on auto-diesel and marked gas oil (MGO or green diesel) used in the course of business is a deductible credit for business in the Irish VAT system. VAT on petrol can not be deducted/reclaimed.
There are no plans for temporary taxation adjustments, as to do so, could lead to significant costs to the Exchequer.
Apprenticeship Programmes
Questions (132)
Marcella Corcoran Kennedy
Question:132. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the plans she has to enable FÁS apprentices complete their apprenticeships when they cannot access work experience and complete the required practical experience; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40368/12]
View answerWritten answers
I understand that if a FÁS registered apprentice's employment has been terminated due to insufficient work being available he/she should: Inform FÁS Services to Business immediately of his/her redundant status. Register with the local DSP Employment Services Office for assistance in securing new employment to enable him/her to continue their apprenticeship training. Information regarding employment vacancies can also be accessed by telephoning Jobs Ireland at Freephone 1 800 611 116. Keep FÁS Services to Business informed of all details relating to his/her apprenticeship employment with a FÁS approved employer so that this time may be credited in calculating the finish date of his/her apprenticeship..In addition, in order to assist redundant apprentices to complete their apprenticeships, FÁS has put the following interim measures in place:-1. Apprentices who are made redundant may progress to the next off-the-job training phase of their apprenticeship, in line with current scheduling criteria. 2. FÁS is providing a temporary Redundant Apprentice Placement Scheme, whereby FÁS approved employers in the public and private sectors will provide redundant apprentices with training and assessment on-the-job at Phase 3, Phase 5 and Phase 7 of their apprenticeships. 3. FÁS has introduced a Competency Determination Mechanism (CDM). This mechanism will provide redundant apprentices who have a time deficit in their apprenticeship with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and knowledge against the occupational standard for the specified trade over a number of days in a FÁS Training Centre.
Schools Building Projects Status
Questions (133, 134, 135)
Dominic Hannigan
Question:133. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the purchase of the site for the new permanent Gael Scoil in Ashbourne, County Meath will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40065/12]
View answerDominic Hannigan
Question:134. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the minimum time needed for the planning and construction of a typical eight classroom primary school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40066/12]
View answerDominic Hannigan
Question:135. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has confidence that the new permanent school for the Ashbourne Gaelscoil, County Meath will be completed and opened in time for the start of the September 2013 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40067/12]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 133, to 135, inclusive, together.
My Department has sought the assistance of, and is working closely with, the relevant Local Authority in relation to identifying and acquiring a suitable site for the school to which the Deputy has referred. Due to commercial sensitivities attaching to site acquisitions generally, it is not possible to comment further on the site acquisition aspect of the project at this time. Once a site has been procured, the project will proceed to architectural planning and the appointment of a design team. A building project for an 8 classroom school would be generally expected to take between 30 and 36 months from the time of appointment of a design team to the completion of construction. However, the exact timeframe will be dependent on a number of factors including the granting of planning permission for the proposed building. In the meantime, the school in question will continue to be located in temporary accommodation pending the provision of a new school building.
School Accommodation
Questions (136)
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:136. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Skills the recent correspondence he has had with Kildare Vocational Education Committee in relation to the provision of improved second level accommodation at the Curragh Camp; if he has engaged with the Department of Defence on this matter; his strategy for the long term delivery of education at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40074/12]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to inform the Deputy that my Department has had no correspondence with Kildare Vocational Education Committee or engagement with the Department of Defence in relation to the school to which he refers. There has been a small decrease in enrolments at this school over the past ten years. However, given that the school is in an area which is proximate to areas of growth such as Naas, Kildare, Newbridge and Monasterevin where post-primary provision is being significantly expanded, my Department's Forward Planning Section has been in contact with the school patron to seek their views on projected enrolments at the school.
School Staffing
Questions (137)
Brendan Griffin
Question:137. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the replacement of a teacher (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40086/12]
View answerWritten answers
Arrangements are currently being made for the appointment of a teacher to a post in the visiting teacher service in County Kerry to replace a visiting teacher for hearing impairment who recently retired. The teacher appointed to the position will be a fully qualified teacher with appropriate qualifications and experience.
School Transport Provision
Questions (138)
Mattie McGrath
Question:138. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary has been refused a school bus ticket; if he will review this matter based on the fact that no bus travels from the area in which they live into the school within their catchment area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40119/12]
View answerWritten answers
Changes to the School Transport Scheme for Post Primary children were announced in the 2011 Budget and derived from recommendations in the Value for Money Review of the scheme.
From the commencement of the 2012/13 school year, the use of the Catchment Boundary Area (CB) System ceased as a means of determining eligibility for school transport.
This means that from the 2012/13 school year, school transport eligibility for pupils is determined by reference to the distance they reside from their nearest post-primary education centre having regard to ethos and language.
Existing catchment boundary pupils who are not attending their nearest post primary centre retain their transport eligibility for the duration of their post primary education cycle provided there is no change to their current circumstances.
Siblings of these pupils and other pupils who are not eligible for school transport, may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only in accordance with the terms of the Post Primary School Transport Scheme. Bus Éireann has reported that transport on a concessionary basis can be availed of by the pupil referred to by the Deputy on payment of the school transport charge.
The changes to the Post Primary School Transport Scheme are being applied equitably on a national basis.
Adult Education
Questions (139)
Catherine Murphy
Question:139. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if any element of the lifestart project is funded by his Department directly; if so, if he will outline the way it is funded, the locations and the amount of funding provided; if there is scope for any further funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40138/12]
View answerWritten answers
My Department does not provide funding directly to the Lifestart Project.
My Department funds adult and community education through annual grants to Vocational Education Committees (VECs) under the Adult Literacy and Community Education Scheme (ALCES). VECs deliver courses locally and disburse funds to other local bodies to deliver courses. Decisions on the nature, extent, organisation and location of courses is a matter for individual VECs. In relation to this project, I am aware that both County Offaly and Kildare VECs have provided funding to the Lifestart Project under the ALCES for a number of years. Co Offaly VEC ceased funding at the end of 2011 and I understand that County Kildare VEC has decided to cease funding later this year.
Site Acquisitions
Questions (140)
Joe Carey
Question:140. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 31 of 15 March 2012, if he will report on progress on the acquisition of the site as outlined at that time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40170/12]
View answerWritten answers
I can confirm to the Deputy that, further to my earlier reply to him, that the acquisition of a site for a permanent school building for the proposed school referred to by him is currently being progressed by my Department through the Chief State Solicitor's Office in conjunction with the current landowners. When the site has been secured, the building project will be considered for progression in the context of available resources.
School Breaks Standardisation
Questions (141)
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:141. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider reviewing the time-tabling of the primary and post-primary schools' mid-term break to ensure that it doesn't coincide with the annual Halloween celebration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40211/12]
View answerWritten answers
Following extensive discussions, the arrangements for the standardisation of the mid-term, Christmas and Easter breaks for all schools for the school years up to 2013/14 have been agreed with the relevant education partners.
The primary aim of the standardisation of these breaks is to bring certainty and clarity to parents, pupils and schools on the arrangements that will apply for the vacation periods covered by the agreement. Traditionally the week of the mid term break in the first term has been arranged to encompass the October bank holiday Monday. I have no plans to intervene in these arrangements.
Teacher Training Provision
Questions (142)
Michael Creed
Question:142. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will clarify the position regarding the revised arrangements for teacher training and in particular the impact of the announced changes of students currently pursuing or intent on pursuing courses with private teacher training colleges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40224/12]
View answerWritten answers
I have accepted the recommendations set out in a report commissioned by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on the structures of initial teacher education. The purpose of the report, which I requested, was to identify new possible structures to improve initial teacher education in Ireland so that it is comparable with the best in the world. The international panel of education experts who prepared the report recommended that teacher education be provided in six "centres for teacher education". The new collaborations recommended will mean that a smaller number of publicly funded centres for ITE exist, but that they offer education across multiple sectors from early childhood to primary, to post primary to adult education. These centres will also possess a critical mass in terms of research capacity which is not always possible in smaller institutions.
Only publicly funded HEIs are included in the proposed new collaborations. Private providers of ITE exist outside this framework but are subject to the same accreditation requirements by the Teaching Council. There are no immediate impacts for students presently pursuing or intent on pursuing courses with private teacher training colleges. However, the report also makes various comments and recommendations on matters such as overall teacher supply and I intend to explore these further with the HEA, the Teaching Council, and the initial teacher education providers, as appropriate.
School Transport Provision
Questions (143)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:143. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills the financial assistance available for parents towards the cost of transport when they are living in excess of five kilometres from the nearest primary school or from the nearest school transport pick up point; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40237/12]
View answerWritten answers
Under the terms of my Department's Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2 km from and are attending their nearest national school as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
A minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the establishment or retention of school transport services, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits.
An eligible child for whom no transport service is available may, following an application for transport within prescribed time limits, receive a Remote Area Grant towards the cost of private transport arrangements. This grant is also payable for eligible children who may have to travel 3.2 km or more to or from a designated pick up/set down point.
This grant is payable annually at a fixed daily rate, to each eligible family, regardless of the number of children from the same family, travelling to a particular school. The grant amount, which is distance related, ranges from some €200 to €850 per annum.
Vocational Education Committees Amalgamation
Questions (144)
Noel Harrington
Question:144. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline the new structures for the proposed vocational education committees; if he will list the designated chief executive officers for each of the committees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40350/12]
View answerWritten answers
In June of 2011, I announced that the Government had approved a revised reconfiguration of the Vocational Education Committees system. The Government decision confirmed that the number of VECs would be reduced to 16 but involves different mergers to those announced by the previous Government. In October 2011 the General Scheme of an Education and Training Boards Bill was referred to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Jobs, Social Protection and Education. The General Scheme was also published at that time. Following discussions with this Department and relevant stakeholders, the Committee prepared a report which I responded to at a meeting of the Committee on 25 January 2012. The General Scheme was then referred to the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to the Government for formal drafting. It is hoped that the Bill will be published in the very near future. Also in October 2011, my Department concluded an agreement with SIPTU, the trade union representing the Chief Executive Officers of VECs, on a redeployment scheme for CEOs in the context of the Croke Park agreement. This scheme is being used, in the first instance, for determining the appointment of CEOs to the new Education and Training Boards, following the enactment of the relevant legislation. Arising from the implementation of the scheme, CEO Designates have been assigned to 14 of the 16 new Education and Training Boards. Each CEO Designate will be tasked, in addition to performing the functions appropriate to the grade of CEO within the VEC in which s/he is currently employed, with liaising with the CEOs and Vocational Education Committees of each of the constituent VECs in the proposed new body to maximise cohesion between the constituent VECs prior to establishment day and to facilitate the merger. No additional allowance will be paid for the duration of assignment as CEO Designate. Appointments of CEO of the proposed Education and Training Boards will occur following enactment of the relevant legislation. No assignment of CEO Designate has been made for the Co. Kerry Education and Training Board. Ms Jacinta Stewart, the current CEO in the City of Dublin VEC will be appointed as the CEO of the City of Dublin Education and Training Board following the establishment of the new Board. A list of the education and training boards together with the assigned CEO Designates is contained in the table.
CEOs Designate assigned
|
Education & Training Board |
CEO Designate |
|
- |
(Name of CEO) |
|
City of Cork and Co. Cork |
Mr. George O'Callaghan |
|
Co. Dublin and Dun Laoghaire |
Mr. Paddy Lavelle |
|
Co. Kildare and Co. Wicklow |
Mr. Sean Ashe |
|
City of Limerick, Co. Limerick and Co. Clare |
Mr. Sean Burke |
|
Co. Louth and Co. Meath |
Mr. Peter Kierans |
|
City of Waterford, Co. Waterford and Co. Wexford |
Ms. Clare McMahon |
|
Co. Cavan and Co. Monaghan |
Mr. Martin O'Brien |
|
Co. Donegal |
Mr. Shaun Purcell |
|
City of Galway, Co. Galway and Co. Roscommon |
Mr. David Leahy |
|
Co. Kerry |
No Assignment |
|
Co. Kilkenny and Co. Carlow |
Ms. Cynthia Deane |
|
Co. Laois and Co. Offaly |
Ms. Anne O'Keeffe |
|
Co. Longford and Co. Westmeath |
Mr. Colm McEvoy |
|
Co. Mayo, Co. Sligo and Co. Leitrim |
Mr. Seosamh MacDonncha |
|
Co. Tipperary North and South |
Ms. Fionnuala McGeever |
Student Grant Scheme Applications
Questions (145)
Jack Wall
Question:145. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the up to date position regarding an application for an education grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40353/12]
View answerWritten answers
The decision on eligibility for new student grant applications from the 2012/13 academic year is a matter for the new centralised grant awarding authority, SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland).
The Deputy will appreciate that in the absence of all of the relevant details that would be contained in an individual's application form and supporting documentation, it would not be possible for me to say whether or not a student should qualify for a maintenance grant.
Officials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that documentation was requested from the student on 20 September last. When this documentation has been received, the student will be notified directly of the outcome.
School Textbooks
Questions (146)
Terence Flanagan
Question:146. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will deal with the following matter regarding school books; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40360/12]
View answerWritten answers
I am very conscious that the cost of textbooks is a considerable burden on families. I have met with members of the Irish Educational Publishers' Association and impressed on them the need to limit the cost of textbooks and to avoid placing schools and families in a position where textbooks are altered unnecessarily. The Association agreed a voluntary Code of Practice among their members, which commits them to limiting the publication of new editions and to maintaining editions in print unchanged for at least six years. The publishers also gave assurances that they will sell textbooks to schools at substantial discounts so schools can purchase in bulk to stock textbook rental schemes.