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Tuesday, 20 Nov 2012

Written Answers Nos. 141-161

School Curriculum

Questions (141)

Michael McGrath

Question:

141. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has concerns regarding the impact that the new junior certificate programme will have on the take up of history and geography; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51321/12]

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Written answers

In the new Junior Cycle all students will be expected to achieve 24 statements of learning over the period of their Junior Cycle. These include valuing local and national heritage and understanding the importance of the relationship between past and current event and the forces that drive change and understanding the origins and impacts of social, economic and environmental aspects of the world around him/her.

It is clear therefore that geographical and historical awareness skills, will be necessary to achieve the required outcomes. Overall, I am in favour of leaving the decisions on what is offered to the discretion of the school, and of students having as broad a range of options to choose from as possible.

Skills Shortages

Questions (142)

Seán Crowe

Question:

142. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to introduce measures that will address the estimated 5,000 job vacancies in IT companies which cannot be filled because of the skills gap and the 2,300 IT experts from outside the EU who had to be hired by multi- nationals based here in the past year. [51351/12]

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Written answers

The joint Government-Industry Action Plan, which I launched in January this year, was developed as a direct response to specific skills shortages in the ICT sector. The Plan outlines a range of short, medium and long term measures to develop a sustainable domestic supply of high quality ICT graduates to support the further expansion and development of ICT sector and support innovation and growth across other sectors of the economy.

As part of the Plan, more than 800 places have been made available from March 2012 on intensive level 8 ICT skills conversion programmes, designed and delivered in partnership with industry. Graduates of the programmes will be available in early 2013. The HEA has just issued a tender for a second phase of the conversion programmes from early 2013. In addition, 1,800 people enrolled on ICT programmes as part of Springboard 2011 and a further 2,200 places have been made available on ICT programmes under the second phase of Springboard 2012.

The Plan has also helped to raise awareness of employment opportunities in ICT and there was an increase of 20% in CAO first preference applications for Computing courses in 2012. There was also an increase of 35% in the numbers of students taking higher level maths in the Leaving Certificate following the introduction of bonus points in 2012.

Other actions provided from in the Plan are also underway including the establishment in January 2012 of a high level Academic Industry Foresight Group, chaired by the Chair of the HEA and with strong industry high level industry membership.

Access to Higher Education

Questions (143)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

143. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if any analysis or assessment has been carried out by his Department which projects the likely impact on access to higher education by persons in lower socio-economic groups as a result of recent cuts to maintenance grants and increases in registration fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51337/12]

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Written answers

The primary motivation for the Government in taking very difficult budgetary decisions is to retrieve our economic sovereignty and put the economy on a road to recovery. In closing the gap between revenue and spending, unpalatable savings measures are necessary and savings for student supports were inevitable as part of that. Given the growth in demand for participation in third level, the Government has endeavoured, to the greatest extent possible, to protect disadvantaged students.

This approach has enabled me to ensure that substantial allocations continue to be made to students from lower income backgrounds to achieve an under-graduate qualification to improve their job opportunities. Undergraduate students who qualify for a student grant have their student contribution paid on their behalf, and therefore the increases in this contribution does not impact on those students. Higher income thresholds exist for the payment of a fee grant towards the student contribution. Students from families with less than 4 children with a gross income of less than €51,380 can qualify for full the student contribution and where the gross income is greater than €51,380 but less than €55,920 they can for 50% of the student contribution. This ensure that students from the lower socio economic groups are not impacted by the increases in the student contribution.

Credit Availability

Questions (144)

Alan Farrell

Question:

144. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education and Skills the research his Department has regarding the current availability of student loans; the engagement his Department has undergone in relation to ensuring colleges offer a direct debit facility for student contribution fees or the plans he may have to follow this strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50882/12]

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Written answers

My Department, with support and advice from the National Treasury Management Agency, met with a number of commercial providers in relation to the provision of credit to enable postgraduate students to pursue their studies. A loan system is now in place for such students by Bank of Ireland which is more flexible and affordable than standard unsecured personal loans as the repayment schedule provides for a significant period of interest-only payments. As the loan is variable, the student can pay off the balance of the loan early, without any fees or charges, to further reduce the overall cost of credit. Further information on the terms and conditions of the loan is available from the bank.

With regards the student contribution, this currently stands at €2,250 and is payable by students who qualify under my Departments free fees scheme. However as the Deputy will be aware the contribution is paid by the Exchequer in respect of students who qualify under my Department's student grant scheme.

I have no plans to engage in discussions with regards higher education institutions putting direct debit facilities in place. The HEIs are autonomous bodies and I have no role in their day-to-day operational affairs for which the management authority and governing body are responsible.

Conscious of financial pressures on families, tax relief provisions have been put in place which provide for tax relief at the standard rate of tax for full-time fees in excess of €2,250. In addition, my Department, through the Higher Education Authority (HEA), requested institutions to put arrangements in place whereby a student may pay the contribution in two instalments. I have been assured by the HEA that these arrangements are now in place.

Student Retention Rates

Questions (145)

Michael Colreavy

Question:

145. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether, in order to sustain the current rise in pupil retention rates, current levels of investment in education must be maintained at the present levels; and if adequate resources will be made to fund programmes that target marginalised students. [51349/12]

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Written answers

My Department's recently published Report on Retention Rates of Pupils in Second Level Schools, which shows the highest number of students ever completing second level education, is a welcome development. It does, of course, place pressure on our teacher numbers at a time of increasing enrolments. At this point I do not propose to give any specific commitment on the current levels of investment in education being maintained at present levels. This is a matter that I will have to consider with my colleagues in Cabinet in the context of the next budget.

The Government will endeavour to protect frontline education services as best as possible. However, this must be done within the context of bringing our overall public expenditure into line with what we can afford as a country. The challenge will be to ensure that the resources that can be provided are used to maximum effect to achieve the best possible outcome for pupils.

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Questions (146)

Michael McNamara

Question:

146. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Education and Skills if fee-paying, non-resident, and non-national primary and secondary boarding school pupils from outside of the EU are included in calculating pupil teacher ratios for the purpose of allocating teachers paid by his Department. [50883/12]

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Written answers

My Department calculates the staffing and grant allocations for primary and post primary schools on the basis of the total number of 'recognised' pupils enrolled in the school on 30 September of the previous year. The criteria used for the allocation of teachers to schools is published annually on my Department's website. In accordance with Circular 0057/2011, pupils in post primary schools who are from outside of the Republic of Ireland on short term placement and in attendance on 30 September are not recognised pupils for the purpose of calculating staffing and grant allocations. A 'short term placement' refers to any enrolment which is for a period of less than a full school year.

The issue of pupils from abroad studying in Irish schools on a short-term placement mainly arises at post primary level due to the age profile of the children concerned.

Physical Education

Questions (147)

Martin Heydon

Question:

147. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to include physical education on the school curriculum in view of its health benefits and advantages in the prevention of issues such as obesity and diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51335/12]

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Written answers

Physical education (P.E.) is already included in the curriculum at primary level and it also forms part of the Junior Certificate at post primary level. At primary level, the P.E. curriculum includes six broad strands featuring Athletics, Dance, Gymnastics, Games, Outdoor and adventure activities and Aquatics. A minimum of one hour of P.E. per week is recommended for all primary school pupils.

At junior cycle, P.E. forms part of the new Junior Cycle Framework which I published last month. Promoting physical activity, as well as enabling students to make healthy life choices more generally, are reflected in the 24 'statements of learning' that are at the core of the new Framework. P.E. is also one of the short courses that will be developed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) for use by schools on an optional basis from 2014.

At senior cycle, my Department is currently considering two new curricula for senior cycle P.E. – one for examination and the other a non-examination curriculum framework.

There are other measures both within and outside of schools that complement the aims of the P.E. curriculum. These include the following:

- Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE), which is mandatory at primary and as part of Junior Cycle, and which stresses the importance of regular exercise and the need for a balanced diet as essential to physical and mental well being.

- The Active School Flag, launched by my Department in 2009, which seeks to recognise schools (both primary and post primary) that provide quality P.E., co-curricular physical activity and sports programmes for their students.

- Many schools provide extensive programmes of physical activities outside of school hours in conjunction with sports organisations such as the Gaelic Athletic Association, Basketball Ireland, and the Football Association of Ireland.

- 'Sport for All' Day: my Department promotes the dedication of one day in the school year to encourage greater participation in sport at primary school level.

While schools are playing an important role in promoting physical activity, and thereby contributing to tackling obesity, they cannot be expected to meet this challenge alone. In particular, their efforts must be supported and complemented by parents and the local community, as well as other stakeholders, who have a crucial role to play in promoting health and well being in general at all stages of the life cycle.

Teacher Recruitment

Questions (148)

Alan Farrell

Question:

148. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline his Department's forecast in relation to the recruitment of teachers between now and 2016 when an extra 80,000 pupils will be in the system; when this recruitment will commence; if these posts will be of a permanent stature irrespective of the recruitment embargo; the effect this will have on public service reduction in the medium term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51214/12]

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Written answers

I agree with the Deputy about the challenges faced with rapidly increasing enrolments in our schools. This is why certain budgetary measures regarding teacher allocations have been introduced and further measures will be required in future years in order to manage teacher payroll costs. Teaching resources are allocated to schools on a school year basis. Unlike most other areas of the public service, teaching vacancies are being filled in accordance with published Department criteria.

The number of teaching posts that we can afford to fund in schools in the coming years is a matter that I will have to consider with my colleagues in Cabinet in the context of budgetary requirements and meeting our obligations under the EU/IMF Programme.

Access to Higher Education

Questions (149)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

149. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to follow up on previous landmark reports on access to and participation in higher education such as the 2001 Report of the Action Group on Access to Higher Education in terms of assessing current participation rates in higher education across all geographic areas and socio-economic backgrounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51212/12]

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Written answers

Monitoring of access and participation in higher education is ongoing by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) as part of work on the current National Access Plan (2008-2013). Every year, 'Equal Access' data on the socio-economic background of entrants to higher education is gathered by each higher education institution as part of the student registration process.

The HEA are also progressing work on a new study of participation in higher education, including further analysis of participation by students from different social backgrounds. The outcome of this study will advise a review of performance on the targets for access for 2013 and the development of a new national access plan and targets from 2014.

Special Educational Needs Services Provision

Questions (150)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

150. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the provision of special needs resources in primary schools; his plans to maintain such resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51332/12]

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Written answers

I wish to advise the Deputy that this Government is committed to the provision of resources for children with special educational needs. The Programme for Government sets out that education will be a priority for this Government and that we will endeavour to protect and enhance the educational experience of children, young people and students. Approximately 15% of the entire budget of my Department – some €1.3 billion – was spent in support of children with Special Educational Needs in 2011. The provision for the current year is in line with expenditure last year and shows that despite the current economic difficulties, the overall level of funding for special education has been retained.

In line with this Government's commitment to frontline services for pupils with special educational needs:

- 10,575 whole time equivalent (wte) Special Needs Assistant (SNA) posts are being provided for primary, post-primary and special schools for the coming school year in order to support the care needs of pupils with disabilities, of which 8,306 WTE SNAs have been allocated to Primary and Special Schools for the 2012/13 school year.

- Approximately 9,950 learning support/resource teacher posts, including those provided under the General Allocation Model, are also being provided in primary and post primary schools in order to provide additional teaching support to pupils with special educational needs,of which over 7,100 WTE posts are being provided in Primary schools.

- Approximately €1.3m is also provided annually to schools for assistive technology support, of which almost €1m is provided for Primary and Special schools.

- Over 1,100 teachers are also being provided for in special schools providing teaching to pupils with various disabilities at much reduced pupil teacher ratios, for example the autism PTR is 6:1 and the moderate general learning disability PTR is 8:1.

- Early educational intervention is provided for children with autism from 2½ years of age. There are now 76 early intervention classes for children with autism attached to mainstream schools that are funded by the Department. Funding is also provided through the home tuition programme for children with autism who are unable to access placement in an early intervention class.

This is in addition to funding provided by my Department in respect of school building adaptations, special School Transport arrangements and enhanced capitation rates which are payable to most special schools and special classes.

The continued commitment of this Government to special education provision, at a time when savings are being required across a range of expenditure areas, has ensured that children with special educational needs can continue to have access to educational facilities in line with their requirements. While it is not possible to anticipate future budgetary decisions, my Government is committed to the protection of frontline services for pupils with special educational needs.

Special Educational Needs Staffing

Questions (151)

Mick Wallace

Question:

151. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will remove the cap on the number of special needs assistants in order to allow resources to be allocated on the basis of need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51334/12]

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Written answers

I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports, including Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support. The NCSE operates within my Department's established criteria for the allocation of such supports and the staffing resources available to my Department.

10,575 Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) SNA posts have been made available for allocation to schools by the NCSE throughout the current school year, subject to qualifying applications being received. The NCSE allocates a level of SNA support for each school annually, taking into account the assessed care needs of all of the qualifying children enrolled in the school. The NCSE initially allocated 10,311 WTE SNA posts to schools for the 2012/13 school year in June of this year, based on the number of valid applications received and the extent of the care needs of qualifying children. A further 103 WTE SNA posts have since been allocated to schools which leave 161 posts available for allocation throughout the school year for new assessments of disability, new entrants, or emergency or late applications, in accordance with the terms of the SNA scheme. The NCSE has estimated that based on the experience of last year, these posts should be sufficient to meet demand during the school year.

The NCSE has also advised that every child who has met the criteria for access to SNA support in the current school year to date is in receipt of such support.

Finally, I wish to confirm to the Deputy that this Government remains committed to protecting services for children with special educational needs. The number of SNA posts available for allocation to schools for the 2012/13 school year has been maintained, at a time when there has been a requirement to make savings across a range of expenditure areas.

Departmental Contracts

Questions (152)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

152. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way his Department's competitive tendering process for departmental contracts is designed and implemented; if there is a process as part of the competitive tendering process for construction and ICT projects to ensure that the maximum number of domestic suppliers-contractors are engaged and domestic jobs created; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51267/12]

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Written answers

School building projects are tendered in line with public procurement procedures. There are two methods of tendering (the Restricted procedure and the Open procedure). In both procedures there are minimum standards for participation (including previous experience, turnover, insurances, capacity to obtain a bond etc). The minimum standards for participation are stated in the Contract notice/eTenders advertisement.

For less complex projects of a small to medium scale, the open procedure is generally used and all contractors meeting the minimum standards are entitled to submit a tender (thus facilitating the inclusion of small to medium enterprises and those with no experience in educational projects). For larger or more complex projects, where it is considered that pre-qualification of contractors is warranted, the Restricted procedure is normally used. In the Restricted procedure, there is an intermediary qualification stage during which the numbers of applicants is reduced (or restricted) to a specified amount (normally 10). The criteria for suitability assessment, which are taken from the Department of Finance Capital Management Works Framework, include company turnover, insurances, capacity to obtain a bond, personnel for the project, previous experience, and Health and Safety competence. Guidance on this process and standard questionnaires used by the Department are available on my Department's website.

In any procurement process, my Department adheres to the rules and guidelines set down by the Department of Finance and the EU Commission in relation to public procurement. This includes the Department of Finance Circular 10/10, which aims to remove obstacles to SMEs in tendering for public sector contracts. There is a dedicated website for Irish public tenders (http://www.etenders.gov.ie). This website has been developed as part of the Irish Government's Strategy for the Implementation of eProcurement in the Irish Public Sector. The site is designed to be a central facility for all public sector contracting authorities to advertise procurement opportunities and award notices. Contractors seeking to tender for public works contracts in Ireland are advised to register with this website and monitor it for tendering opportunities.

School Curriculum

Questions (153)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

153. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills if external examiners will still be used in the new junior certificate cycle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51323/12]

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Written answers

Over time the external Junior Certificate examination is to be phased out and externally set, administered and marked examinations will no longer be a feature of the final asessment at Junior Cycle. During the transition period, elements of the external examination will continue to be in place until they are fully phased out. Assessment in the new Junior Cycle will be supported by my Department, the State Examinations Commission (SEC) and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) in consultation with Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI).

My Framework for Junior Cycle provides information on how I envisage school based assessment to work in the new context for our schools. It also highlights the many aspects of quality assurance that will be put in place since building a successful school-based assessment system, which is professionally engaging for teachers and has the confidence of the general public, including students and their parents, will involve a significant period of transition and require both quality assurance and support.

School Accommodation

Questions (154)

Clare Daly

Question:

154. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the nature of the inspection carried out on the prefabs purchased for a school (details supplied) in County Dublin in December 2010 and the subsequent works carried out on them; and his future plans regarding same. [51213/12]

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Written answers

A technical inspection of the prefabricated accommodation in the school, referred to by the Deputy, was carried out by my Department in October 2010. According to the report provided by the Technical Team, the prefabs were found to be in good condition and well maintained with no major defects or barriers to purchase. A decision was made to purchase the rented accommodation as it provided better value for money for my Department. In the period since the purchase, my Department has been advised by the school of issues with the accommodation requiring remedial works, which my Department has addressed. My Department will continue to liaise with the school with regard to any issues identified and seek appropriate remedial action where necessary. The Deputy will also be aware that the school concerned has an application with my Department for a major school project involving school refurbishment and the replacement of temporary accommodation. 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 financial constraints imposed by the need, as outlined in the Five Year Plan, to prioritise available funding for the provision of essential school accommodation to meet demographic demand, it is not possible to indicate at this point when a further project for the school in question will be progressed.

Question No. 155 answered with Question No. 125.

Seanad Referendum

Questions (156, 158)

James Bannon

Question:

156. Deputy James Bannon asked the Taoiseach when it is planned to hold a referendum on Constitution Day at which the people will be asked to approve the abolition of Seanad Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51192/12]

View answer

Catherine Murphy

Question:

158. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach when he expects the proposed referendum on the abolition of Seanad Éireann to take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50860/12]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 156 and 158 together.

No decision has been taken about the date of the referendum on abolition of the Seanad. However, I have already made clear to the House that given Ireland's Presidency of the EU in the first six months of next year and the amount of work and attention that this will require, it would not be practical to focus on the referendum until after the Presidency has concluded.

Public Service Reform Plan Update

Questions (157)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

157. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Taoiseach the number of bodies that have been abolished or amalgamated by his Department out of the list of bodies listed in the Public Service Reform Document of 17 November 2011; the savings or cost in 2012 and the projected savings or cost of this programme in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50859/12]

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Written answers

The National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) is the only State body under the aegis of my Department. The National Economic and Social Development Office/National Economic and Social Council (NESDO\NESC) was listed for critical review as part of the programme of rationalisation of State agencies, announced by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on 17 November 2011. My Department carried out the review. The review concluded that the NESDO was no longer required and should be abolished and that the NESC should be maintained as the statutory body. Primary legislation will be required to put these recommendations into effect.

The 2012 allocation to the NESDO/NESC is €2.22 million; which represents a 59% reduction in funding since 2008 and a 19% reduction since 2010.

Question No. 158 answered with Question No. 156.

Companies Statistics

Questions (159)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

159. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Taoiseach the number of companies operating here that have 500 employees or more; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50861/12]

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Written answers

The latest time period for which data is available is 2010. In that year there were 204 enterprises operating in Ireland that had 500 persons engaged or greater. Of these, 162 were public or private limited companies and 42 were other legal forms of ownership.

These figures are based on the CSO's Central Business Register and the following definitions apply:

1. Persons engaged include employees, proprietors and family members. Employees are persons who are paid a fixed wage or salary. Persons at work or temporarily absent because of illness, holidays, strike etc. are included in the definition while persons working on a labour-only subcontract basis are excluded. Proprietors and family members are those proprietors, partners and members of their families who work regularly in the firm and are not paid a definite wage or salary.

2. A public or private limited company is a private or publicly quoted joint stock company with limited liability for those owning shares.

3. Other legal forms of ownership include a) personally owned limited and unlimited liability partnerships, b) individual proprietorships which are personally owned and have no limit to personal liability and c) other legal forms such as cooperatives, associations etc.

Departmental Staff Promotions

Questions (160)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

160. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Taoiseach the number of promotions made in his Department to principal officer higher scale, principal officer standard scale, assistant principal officer higher scale, assistant principal officer standard scale, higher executive officer scale, executive officer scale and staff officer scale; the total for all of his Department; if he will provide a breakdown for 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51027/12]

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Written answers

Since January 2009 the number of staff in my Department has reduced from 211 (wte) to 198 (wte), i.e. 6% reduction. The number of staff will further reduce substantially at the end of the EU Presidency when a number of temporary staff will no longer be employed. My Department's budget has reduced by 28% since 2009.

There were few promotions to higher grades in my Department since the introduction of the moratorium by the Government with effect from 27 March 2009. The breakdown of these promotions is set out in the following tables.

Year: 2009

Number

From grade

To grade

1

Administrative Officer

Assistant Principal Officer

Year: 2010

Number

From grade

To grade

1

Assistant Principal

Principal Officer

1

Higher Executive Officer

Assistant Principal Officer

Year: 2011

No promotions took place in my Department to the grades of Principal Officer, Assistant Principal Officer, Higher Executive Officer, Executive Officer or Staff Officer.

Year: 2012

Number

From grade

To grade

2

Assistant Principal Officer

Principal Officer

1

Administrative Officer

Assistant Principal Officer

1

Executive Officer

Higher Executive Officer

3

Clerical Officer

Executive Officer

There were a number of up-grading to higher scales in line with the terms of agreements between the various unions representing the staff in my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Full details are set out in the tables below. Staff Officer grade is only at standard scale, higher scales does not apply to this grade. No up-grading to higher scales took place in my Department in 2009 and 2010.

Year: 2011

Number

From grade

To grade

2

Principal Officer (s/s)

Principal Officer (h/s)

5

Assistant Principal Officer (s/s)

Assistant Principal Officer (h/s)

Year: 2012

Number

From grade

To grade

2

Principal Officer (s/s)

Principal Officer (h/s)

Departmental Strategies

Questions (161, 163)

Gerry Adams

Question:

161. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach the progress he has made in the implementation of the action plan which was developed in response to the Organisation Review Programme report which was completed in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51451/12]

View answer

Gerry Adams

Question:

163. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach the steps he has taken to make improvements in strategic thinking and planning as envisaged in his Departments Strategy Statement 2011-2014 [51453/12]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 161 and 163 together.

My Department has made significant progress in implementing the Organisational Review Programme Action Plan since its publication in late 2011.

In line with commitments in the ORP Action Plan, my Department published a Strategy Statement in April 2012 and a Human Resources Strategy in May 2012. The Strategy Statement sets out eight strategic priorities for the period 2011-2014: Jobs and Growth, Europe, Programme for Government, Service, Reform, Trust, Fairness and Peace. It also identifies horizontal action areas including policy capacity, implementation, communications, strategic thinking, working with others, incubation and innovation, changing the culture and rebuilding trust, and developing our internal capacity.

The Strategy Statement also reflects the significant restructuring of the Department following the election of the new Government in 2011, including establishment of the Economic Management Council, a new Cabinet Committee structure, a Programme for Government Office, an Office of the Tánaiste, a new integrated European Affairs Division, and transfer of staff and functions relating to public service reform to the new Department of of Public Expenditure and Reform.

The HR Strategy sets out a range of actions to support the achievement of the Department's strategic priorities in the areas of Organisational Structure, HR Planning, Upskilling our Staff, Leadership Development, Communication and Consultation, Performance Management and Development, and Corporate and Legal Responsibilities.

Through ongoing implementation of the Strategy Statement and the Human Resources Strategy, both of which cover the period up to 2014, my Department is responding comprehensively to the issues raised in the Organisational Review Programme. Specific measures taken to date include:

- weekly meetings of the Management Advisory Committee (MAC)

- regular meetings of the MAC with Prinicipal Officers

- quarterly general staff meetings

- new ICT shared services initiative with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

- completion of a skills availability and needs survey

- increasing policy analysis capacity available within the Department

- use of flexible arrangements such as secondments and internships, including for the EU Presidency

- new grade-based and skill development programmes

- a leadership development programme for senior management

- occasional 'lunch and learn' events for staff

- improved implementation of PMDS

- completion of a review of the National Economic and Social Council

- publication of an annual progress report on implementation of the Programme for Government

My Department has also taken a number of steps to date in response to the commitment in the Strategy Statement relating to strategic thinking and planning. The Department's capacity in this area has been increased through the secondment of staff with relevant skills from the National Economic and Social Council and Forfas, as well as the recruitment of a number of staff who are part of the new Government Economic and Evaluation Service. This has enhanced the Department's capacity to support the Taoiseach and the Cabinet Committee system in dealing with strategic policy challenges facing the country.

The Department also organised a seminar in May 2012 entitled Perspectives on the Role of a Prime Minister’s Department which considered how the Department could best perform as a ‘strategic centre’ ensuring delivery of the Government’s priorities. Speakers and participants gave an international and external perspective on how to develop the Department's role in this area. Copies of the presentations are available on the Department's website.

Specific recent initiatives include the work which the NESC is currently completing on a long-term socio-economic vision to underpin effective national transition to a low-carbon future by 2050, and the recent visit by former US Congressman Bruce Morrison to advise on future immigration and integration issues.

The Department's Management Advisory Committee regularly reviews progress against the commitments in the Strategy Statement and will be leading further initiatives in this area over the period up to 2014.

The Department's Annual Report for 2012 will give an overview of progress on all aspects of the Strategy Statement.

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