Written Answers Nos. 218-239
219. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Finance if the tax relief for disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme is planned on being increased from the current figure of €15,875 in line with the increase in purchase costs, conversion costs and maintenance costs (details supplied) and if he will confirm that the tax relief is over two years and will remain so. [1963/13]
View answerI am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that Section 134(3) of the Finance Act 1992 (as amended) and Statutory Instrument No. 353 of 1994 (Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations, 1994) (as amended) provide for permanent relief from the payment of specified maximum amounts of VAT and VRT for persons registered under the scheme. The legislation specifies that, where a person satisfies the Revenue Commissioners that s/he is a Disabled Driver who complies with all the conditions of the Disabled Drivers Scheme, that person shall be entitled to relief in respect of a vehicle with an engine capacity of up to but not greater than 2,000 c.c.
The legislation also specifies that relief will be granted in respect of Value Added Tax (VAT), Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) or residual VRT borne in respect of a vehicle, or in respect of the adaptation of a vehicle, subject to the limit specified in Regulation 9 (Driver) or Regulation 11 (Passenger). There is no restriction on the extent of the adaptations but relief is subject to the specified limits. The specified limit in respect of a disabled driver is € 9,525 and in respect of disabled passenger is €15,875.
Disabled drivers purchasing second-hand vehicles may participate in this scheme provided they comply with all the conditions of the Disabled Drivers Scheme as outlined. Regarding VRT, the legislation specifies that the claimant must have borne the residual vehicle registration tax. In the case of the purchase of a second-hand vehicle, if there is no vehicle registration tax on the second-hand vehicle because it was either remitted or repaid when purchased as new, then there is no residual vehicle registration tax to be borne by anyone on a subsequent purchase and hence there is no amount available for refund.
An individual who qualifies under the scheme has to retain the vehicle for 2 years before it can be replaced under the Scheme.
The legislation does not provide for any exceptions and the provisions of SI 353/1994 must be fully adhered to. I have no plans to increase the relief available.
Some 13,000 people benefited under the scheme in 2011 at an overall estimated cost of €51 million. Given the scale and scope of the scheme, any possible changes can only be made after careful consideration and with regard to the existing and prospective cost of the scheme and the available resources.
220. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Questions Nos 96 and 97 of 17 October 2012, when he intends to forward a response; the reason it has taken him at least three months to respond to questions relating to consultancy and legal expenditure by his Department. [2018/13]
View answerThe two parliamentary questions posed by the Deputy were as follows: PQ 45297/12 - To ask the Minister for Finance if he will provide details in tabular form for the years 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012 the total amount of expenditure on consultancy by his Department, any body under his aegis or State agency for which he has responsibility; the names of the consultancy companies awarded contracts; the nature of the work concerned; the fees paid to each consultant; if the matter was advertised for competitive tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter .
PQ 45314/12 – To ask the Minister for Finance if he will provide details in tabular form for the years 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012 inclusive, of the arrangements entered into by him, any body under his aegis or State agency for which he has responsibility for the obtaining of advice from a senior or junior counsel and or a firm of solicitors; the subject matter for which advice was sought; the names of the barristers' and solicitors' firms concerned and the fees paid; the nature of the work concerned; if in each case the matter was advertised for competitive tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
These questions were not therefore simply confined to information in relation to my Department. Had this been the case a reply would have been available immediately.
The scope of the questions, both in terms of the number of calendar years included in the request, the inclusion of bodies and state agencies under the remit of my Department, and the level of data requested for each item, meant that the compilation of the data in order to provide a full response to the questions was time-consuming and voluminous. Furthermore, the questions were received at a time when staff responsible for compiling the data for their respective Offices were also heavily involved in the Estimates process and subsequently the year end process.
A reply to PQ 45314 was completed last week and has now issued from my Department. A reply to PQ 45297 is expected to issue before the end of this week.
221. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Finance his actions on tackling illegal fuel laundering; his future plans in confronting the problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54525/12]
View answerI am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they are conscious of the threat that fuel laundering poses to legitimate business and the exchequer and that they have adopted a comprehensive strategy to tackle the problem. This strategy includes supply chain controls designed to deny fuel launderers access to marked fuel for laundering and to deny them access to the market for laundered fuel. It also includes close cooperation with Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) in the UK in relation to the policy response to this problem, including the pursuit of a new more effective marker for rebated fuel. In addition Revenue continues to take robust and effective enforcement action against fuel launderers and others involved in this illegal trade. This action involves close cooperation with An Garda Síochána, the Police Service of Northern Ireland, HMRC and other law enforcement agencies. Measures taken to date include the introduction of a stronger licensing regime for the auto-fuel sector in 2011 and, following legislation in the Finance Act 2012, the introduction of a new licensing regime for marked fuel traders in October 2012. From January 2013 new reporting requirements will also take effect, which require all licensed fuel traders to report their transactions to Revenue on a monthly basis. This supply chain data will enable Revenue to identify suspicious or anomalous activity for investigation.
The measures taken to date by Revenue have already provided the basis for a very effective response; in the past two years approximately two million litres of fuel have been seized, 20 oil laundries have been detected and over 70 filling stations have been closed. In addition, Revenue and HMRC signed a Memorandum of Understanding in May 2012 on a joint approach to seeking a new marker for rebated fuel and issued a joint ‘Invitation to Make Submissions’ (IMS) in June 2012 for this purpose. There was a very good response to the IMS and submissions are now being evaluated. It is planned that this process will be completed by mid-2013.
222. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Finance the initiatives he is taking to combat the black market and other illegal activity in the retail sector; if his attention has been drawn to the impact of such activity on the retail business, retail jobs and on the public Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51853/12]
View answerI am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they are very mindful of the unfair competitive advantage to be gained by those businesses that do not fulfil their tax obligations. Revenue’s tax and duty compliance programmes are under constant review to ensure that they are focussed on the areas of greatest risk, including risks from the shadow economy.
Revenue tackles the problem of the shadow economy through a range of compliance and audit interventions including targeted special projects. A variety of methodologies are used by Revenue to identify those who are operating in the shadow economy including covert surveillance, cold calls to businesses and venues as well as pre-arranged aspect queries on specific items. In addition, joint operations are conducted with the Department of Social Protection using Joint Investigation Units and there is a strong focus on cash businesses, given its potential high-risk nature.
I am confident that the Revenue Commissioners are pursuing a programme that is dealing in a very determined way with tax evasion in all its forms:
- In 2012, Revenue carried out more than 537,000 compliance interventions, yielding more than €492 million.
- For the period January to August 2012, specific Shadow Economy Projects carried out by Revenue show that in the cash business, white-collar cash, construction and rental sectors, a total of 1,963 audits were undertaken, with a yield in excess of €62 million.
Considerable success has been achieved in combating the illegal trade in tobacco products. In 2012, Revenue’s Customs Service seized a total of 95.6 million cigarettes from 8,105 seizures. A further 19,676 kilograms of other tobacco products were taken in 2012 from 1,397 seizures.
In addition to the ongoing enforcement action against the illegal fuel trade, steps are being taken to ensure enhanced control and supervision at all stages of the fuel supply chain.
Key actions include a strengthening of the licensing arrangements for businesses selling auto-fuel, and of the enforcement of licensing requirements. As well as these important licensing changes, a requirement operates from 1 January 2013 for all fuel traders to make electronic monthly returns to Revenue on their fuel transactions. This will facilitate Revenue in detecting unusual or anomalous patterns of activity.
Given the links of organised criminality with the illegal fuel trade, Revenue works closely with An Garda Síochána in combating it. Searches undertaken as part of intelligence-led operations have resulted in a considerable number of seizures of diesel and the closure of laundering plants, particularly in border counties.
The Revenue Commissioners advise that in 2012, 11 oil laundries were detected and shut down and 199,000 litres of oil were seized along with 28 vehicles and 5 trailers. There were 10 arrests in the course of these operations. In the period January to November 2012, 56 premises were closed.
Finally, I am further advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they hold regular meetings with trade and representative bodies through The Hidden Economy Monitoring Group where the risks posed by shadow economy activities are discussed. The Deputy should also note that changes are frequently made in tax legislation aimed at counteracting shadow economy activity. Two examples from 2012 include the introduction of the electronic Relevant Contracts Tax regime and an enhanced penalty regime for employers who fail to operate PAYE regulations fully.
223. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance the progress made to date on the New Era project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53261/12]
View answerI informed the Deputy in response to a question from him on progress on the NewERA project on 15 November 2012 that the Government announced the establishment of the New Economy and Recovery Authority (NewERA) within the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) in September 2011. NewERA has a centralised shareholder advisory role from a financial and commercial perspective in respect of corporate governance matters for five commercial semi-state companies: ESB, Bord Gáis Eireann, EirGrid, Bord na Mona and Coillte. This role, based on the Shareholder Executive model already established in a number of developed economies, involves advising on activities such as capital expenditure plans, corporate strategy, acquisitions and disposals. NewERA is already working closely with the relevant Government Departments and companies in this regard. The Shareholder Executive approach is designed to provide the Government with a portfolio view of investment returns from the sector and with a means of assessing the likely impact of commercial developments in the sector on long-term Government investment plans.
NewERA is also charged with assisting the development and implementation of Government plans for investment in energy, water and next-generation telecommunications with the long-term objective of employment creation and has commenced work with the relevant Government Departments in these areas. NewERA is an important element in the Government’s strategy to promote economic growth and create jobs.
Officials of my Department are liaising with the National Treasury Management Agency in preparing proposals for legislation to put NewERA on a statutory footing and I expect to bring forward those proposals as soon as possible once that work is completed.
225. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills following the disbursement of the European Globalisation Fund to workers made redundant from Dell in Limerick in 2009 the number of those workers that benefitted from that fund to the extent of accessing courses and starting new businesses; of those who started new businesses the number they managed to employ and finally the number of the workers that remain on the live register. [1309/13]
View answerSome 2,622 redundant workers at the Dell computer manufacturing plant at Raheen, Co. Limerick and at a number of ancillary enterprises received supports under the EGF co-financed programme of assistance. Of these beneficiaries, 1,583 received supports in the areas of training, third level education or business start-ups. In total, 191 persons who were assisted under the programme moved into self-employment and, at the time of the making of the Final Report on the programme to the European Commission in December 2011 a total of 206 persons were employed in those assisted businesses.
My Department is not responsible for Live Register statistics. However, my Department undertook an exercise in consultation with the Department of Social Protection in order to assess the unemployment rate amongst the cohort of EGF Dell programme beneficiaries as at June 2012, one year after the programme finished. This exercise estimated that, at that time, the number of beneficiaries who were unemployed stood at 812.
226. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of regulatory impact assessments that have been carried out by his Department in the past twelve months; and the list of regulatory impact assessments carried out within his Department in the past twelve months. [57758/12]
View answerIn 2012 my Department carried out a formal regulatory impact assessment on the Education and Training Boards Bill 2012. This regulatory impact assessment has been published and is available to download on my Department's website.
227. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if any impact assessment was carried out prior to announcing the two point increase in post leaving certificate schools in budget 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57816/12]
View answerThe Department had regard to a range of factors in considering the impact of this decision, including the allocation of additional approved PLC places to providers in recent years and the demonstrated capacity of most providers to cater for enrolments above the approved number of places. As is the case in the implementation of such decisions in other parts of the education sector, the precise arrangements for implementation are a matter for local management; in this case, Chief Executive Officers of Vocational Education Committees (VECs) and their Principals and staff.
As the change will not take effect until September 2013, VECs have until then to plan for the reduced allocation across the schools/colleges under their remit and to work with their Principals and staff to ensure they can continue to deliver programmes which closely meet the needs of both students and employers.
While it would be preferable not to have to make any changes, it is hard to justify providing a more generous PTR in PLC - which is mainly geared to school leavers and adults returning to education - than second-level schools - which cater for teenagers. This decision is being made at a time when the Government has succeeded in protecting class sizes in primary and free second-level schools for the coming year, ensuring that our limited resources are rightly focussed on the children in our education system.
228. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the full impact of the increase in the pupil teacher ratio in post leaving certificate schools in terms of posts lost, reduced number of places and courses cancelled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57817/12]
View answer229. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the measures he will take to ensure that places are not reduced and important specialist courses are not cancelled as a result of the increase in the teacher pupil ratio in post leaving certificate schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57818/12]
View answer242. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will respond to fears that the increase in the pupil-teacher ratio from 17:1 - 19:1 will result in a 10% cut to staff in the Cork College of Commerce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57904/12]
View answer277. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the impact the recent budgetary decision to increase the pupil teacher ratio in colleges of further education is going to have on the quality and range of educational options provided by such colleges; his plans to review this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1059/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 228, 229, 242 and 277 together.
The pupil-teacher ratio (PTR) for Post Leaving Cert (PLC) - at 17:1 - is more favourable than the PTR in second level schools - 19:1. The Government decided to raise the PLC PTR to the same level as that which applies in all free second-level schools.
While it would be preferable not to have to make any changes, it is hard to justify providing a more generous PTR in PLC - which is mainly geared to school leavers and adults returning to education - than second-level schools - which cater for teenagers. This decision is being made at a time when the Government has succeeded in protecting class sizes in primary and free second-level schools for the coming year, ensuring that our limited resources are rightly focussed on the children in our education system.
The change will take effect in September 2013 and will reduce the overall number of PLC teaching posts by 200 - allocations to individual colleges are a matter for the managing VEC. It may lead to some reduction in subject choices for students but the sector has expanded rapidly over the past few decades, developing many innovative programmes for its students. In the meantime VECs will have an opportunity to plan for the reduced allocation across the schools/colleges under their remit and to work with their Principals and staff to ensure they can continue to deliver programmes which closely meet the needs of both students and employers.
230. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will publish the nature of the reserves that he says are residing with the vocational education committees and which will prevent the €13 million cuts to VEC's in Budget 2013 impacting upon service levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57819/12]
View answerAs I informed the Deputy in my reply of 18th December 2012 , my decision to reduce the VEC allocation for 2013 took account of the capacity of VECs to utilise cash balances on a once off basis.
My Department determines and then communicates to the VECs details of their annual budgets as early as possible in a given year. This year, in accordance with my decision, the cash balances of each VEC will be taken into account in the determination process. I would be happy to provide the Deputy with the outcome of this process, once the budgets have been determined and communicated to the VECs.
231. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the Student Universal Support Ireland have requested the same information on three separate occasions from a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; if he will expedite the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57822/12]
View answer340. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a higher education grant application in respect of a student (details supplied) in County Mayo will be processed; the reason this application has been delayed; and if he will expedite the application in view of the delay experienced to date. [1756/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 231 and 340 together.
Officials in my Department have confirmed with SUSI, the new centralised grant awarding authority, that in the case of the student referred to by the Deputy her application is currently being assessed and a letter will issue shortly directly to the student outlining the position when a decision is made.
232. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will expedite a third level grant application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [57846/12]
View answerOfficials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland that on the 2nd January 2013, a request for further documentation was issued to the student referred to by the Deputy. As soon as the requested documentation is returned the student will be notified directly of the outcome. Where particular financial difficulties arise in the meantime, an application may be made to the Student Assistance Fund through the access office of the relevant college.
233. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to change the criteria (details supplied) for newly qualified teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57852/12]
View answerNewly qualified primary teachers (NQTs) who have completed their initial teacher education in the State are eligible to apply for registration with the Teaching Council. They are registered with the condition of satisfactorily completing probationary requirements and, from July 2012, completion of the National Induction Programme for Teachers.
Both the Department of Education and Skills and the Teaching Council are aware that not all primary teachers will find an immediate teaching position in which to complete the probationary process. In order to facilitate teachers wishing to meet the terms of conditional registration with the Teaching Council, the minimum service requirement for registration probation purposes was decreased from 170 days to 100 days from the beginning of the 2011/12 school year. In addition, the JobBridge scheme and the Work Placement Programme have been available to teachers and are fully supported by the Department of Education and Skills. Department guidelines on JobBridge are set out in Circular 0046/2011 and the Work Placement Programme in Circular 66/2010. These are on my Department's website. A number of teachers have availed of the above schemes and have utilised these placements towards the probation requirements of the Teaching Council. Circular 29/2012 which my Department issued in August 2012 obliges schools to recruit unemployed teachers ahead of retired ones, in an effort to ease the difficulties for those who cannot find work in the profession.
If a teacher is unable to complete the requirements of a registration condition within the specified period, the teacher may apply to the Council for an extension to that period in the year in which it is due to expire. Information on this process is available on the Teaching Council website.
234. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 177 of 11 December 2012; the date of the change in his Departments attitude towards Rush and Lusk Educate Togethers permanent building and the reason it was de-selected vis-a-vie the other schools on that list. [57853/12]
View answerIn determining projects that would be announced to proceed to construction during the 5 Year Plan, my Department prioritised new school buildings and extensions to meet future demographic growth. Other factors that were taken into account in scheduling the projects over the duration of the plan included the stage of progression reached by individual projects in the architectural design process, the availability of sites where appropriate and the technical readiness of projects to proceed to tender and construction. My Department in its examination of the project in the case of the school referred to by the Deputy took into account the fact that as the temporary site of the school had become available as the permanent site, the school's long term accommodation needs could be met through the refurbishment and extension of the current school.
The project is currently being progressed through the architectural planning process and is intended to proceed to construction in 2015/16. My Department met with the school's Board of Management in December in relation to addressing issues with the school project. Proposals with regard to the major project will be progressed by the design team in conjunction with the schools Board of Management and Department officials as the main building project is advanced.
235. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the assistance that can be given to school (details supplied) to assist in meeting the running costs of the school in view of the size of the building which is not yet fully occupied by the full number of classes which would secure an adequate capitation grant. [57856/12]
View answerMy Department provides capitation funding to all recognised primary schools within the free education scheme.
As the Deputy is aware Budget 2012 provided for a 2% reduction in the funding for capitation and related grants to primary and second level schools in both 2012 and 2013 and a further 1% in 2014 and 2015.
Due to my decision of 21st February last, to retain posts from previous disadvantage schemes in DEIS Band 1 and Band 2 primary schools, it was necessary to generate alternative savings within the primary education budget. This has been achieved by bringing forward to this year 1.5% of the 2% reduction in overall capitation funding originally scheduled for 2013.
The Deputy may wish to note that Circular 40/2009 clarifies issues relating to the allocation of funding for primary schools. The circular states that capitation funding provided for general running costs and funding provided for caretaking and secretarial services may be regarded as a common grant from which the Board of Management can allocate according to its own priorities.
I understand that there were 217 pupils enrolled in the school on 30 September 2012. Subject to final verification, capitation funding will be paid on the basis of this enrolment. I am unable to provide any further capitation funding to the school in 2013.
236. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will expedite a third level grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [57857/12]
View answerOfficials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) the new centralised grant awarding authority, that the application of the student referred to by the Deputy will be reviewed shortly in relation to possible inclusion of additional increment for a second child in college. SUSI will notify the student directly of the outcome.
237. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has not yet had their student grant application processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57859/12]
View answerOfficials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland that on the 20th December 2012 a request for further documentation was issued to the student referred to by the Deputy. As soon as the requested documentation is returned, the student will be notified directly of the outcome.
238. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide in tabular form the number of agencies, bodies, boards, quangos or other entities, which are financed from, answerable to or established by his Department that have been abolished, merged or re-organised since this Government took office; the savings that have been realised since the changes were made; the level of staff reduction that has been achieved; if he will provide details of further agency reductions that he intends to pursue in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57876/12]
View answerDetails of agencies under the remit of my Department can be downloaded from the Department's website, www.education.ie. This information is updated when any relevant changes occur.
For the Deputy's information, no agency under the aegis of my Department has been abolished since March 2011.
With regard to the rationalisation of state agencies the Deputy may wish to note the following:
- On 7th November, 2012 the Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), replaced the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI), the Further Education and Training Awards Council of Ireland (FETAC), and the Higher Education Training and Awards Council (HETAC).
Major savings had already been achieved through the administrative preparations for amalgamation through non-replacement of staff retiring or leaving, the consolidation of the CEO role and streamlining of operations across the existing bodies. The 2012 current allocation for the bodies was €7.7 million, compared to an outturn of over €13 million in 2008. Staffing in NQAI, HETAC and FETAC has reduced from 110 to 80 over the same period.
As well as the more general savings arising from organisational efficiencies, specific savings relating to accommodation and staffing arise from the amalgamation. The amalgamating agencies were located in 4 separate locations and this has been reduced to 2. This has realised annual rent savings of approximately €400,000 in a full year. In addition, the reduction in the number of CEOs has resulted in savings of approximately €250,000 per year from 2011 onwards.
It is estimated that the costs arising from the amalgamation in 2012 will be approximately €1.8 million, split evenly between accommodation costs and the integration of ICT infrastructure. However, it should be noted that this has been managed in the context of reduced Exchequer allocations since 2008.
- The Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology and Irish Research Council for Humanities and Social Sciences were merged into a single entity in March, 2012 - the Irish Research Council (IRC).
- In June 2011, the functions of the National Educational Welfare Board transferred to the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.
- Since September 2011, the National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE) is within the remit of Dublin West Education Centre alongside the Department's largest support service, the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST).
The Deputy will also be aware that there are a number of major structural reform projects and other initiatives being progressed in the Education sector (of which some are included in the Public Sector Reform Plan). These include:
- The amalgamation of the 33 Vocational Education Committees (VECs) / establishment of 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs). The ETBs will take over the work of VECs and will have an expanded role in the delivery of further education and training across the country.
It is expected that the Education and Training Boards will be established in early 2013. Consequently, there are no direct savings for 2012. Depending on the date of establishment in 2013, full year savings are estimated at €2.1m. The Education and Training Boards Bill 2012 is currently at Committee Stage.
- A single awarding authority for student grants. City of Dublin VEC will operate as the new single student grant awarding authority to replace the existing 66 grant awarding bodies. Implementation of the new arrangements are being phased in from the 2012/13 academic year.
- The consolidation of Higher Education provision under the Strategy for Higher Education to 2030.
- Following the enactment of the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012, the necessary steps are being taken to establish the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board. This body will be funded from the contributions of the religious congregations offered in response to the request for additional contributions, following the publication of the Ryan Report. The legislation also provides for the dissolution of the Education Finance Board, which has almost exhausted the €12.7 million available to it, and the transfer of any remaining functions of the Education Finance Board to the new Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board.
- As part of the reorganisation of FAS and the creation of the National Employment and Entitlements Service (Intreo) by the Department of Social Protection, FAS Employment and Community Services (approximately 800 staff) was transferred to the Department of Social Protection in January 2012.
The passing of primary legislation is required for the establishment of SOLAS. The Heads of a Bill for the establishment of SOLAS were approved by Government. The Bill will, among other things, provide for the establishment of SOLAS, the dissolution of FAS and the transfer of the FÁS training division to the newly formed Education and Training Boards. It is anticipated that this legislation will be published in the current Dáil session.
239. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will expedite an application for a third level grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57893/12]
View answerOfficials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland that the applicant referred to by the Deputy has been awarded a grant and an award letter issued on 8th January 2013.
