Skip to main content
Normal View

Wednesday, 6 Feb 2013

Written Answers Nos 74-93

Bank Guarantee Scheme Termination

Questions (74)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

74. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a definitive date for the termination of the ELG bank guarantee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6291/13]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy may be aware, when the ELG (Amendment) Scheme 2012 was before the Houses of the Oireachtas late last year, Minister for State at my Department Mr.Brian Hayes, T.D. indicated that it was the Government’s intention to begin winding down the Scheme as soon as was practicable in 2013. This strategy has been agreed with the Troika and its implementation remains my clear objective. It is my intention therefore to announce a definitive date in this regard, at the earliest possible opportunity, subject to the advice of the Irish Authorities on the most appropriate timing and conditions.

Illicit Trade in Tobacco

Questions (75)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

75. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance if he has plans for a new national print media, national radio station and TV campaign reminding members of the public of a hotline to report cigarette smuggling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6314/13]

View answer

Written answers

This is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners who are responsible for the collection of tobacco products tax. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that in the past they have used paid advertising to promote the confidential free phone number. More recently, it is promoted through their website and the phone number is included in press releases relating to cigarette and tobacco seizures which has resulted in the number being referenced frequently in the print media and more recently in social media. In addition, the free phone number is promoted, for example, in radio and television coverage of the illicit tobacco trade and on relevant trade websites and in trade publications.

The Commissioners’ experience with the hotline is that very few calls are specific enough to lead to seizures of tobacco or other successful control interventions. I recently advised the House in reply to a previous question that 431 calls led to just 18 seizures. Assessing these calls absorbs skilled resources with limited evidence of impact and in light of this experience, there are not plans at present for advertising of the type envisaged on the Deputy's question, which can be extremely costly.

Revenue employs a multi-faceted strategy for tackling the illicit trade in cigarettes and other tobacco products. It includes ongoing analysis of the nature and extent of the problem, developing and sharing intelligence on a national, EU and international basis, ongoing review of operational policies, development of analytics and deployment of detection technologies, optimum deployment of resources at point of importation and inland to intercept the contraband product and to prosecute those involved.

Revenue will continue to encourage the public to assist in the fight against the illicit tobacco trade by providing information to Revenue, by means of the confidential freephone or otherwise, on the smuggling and sale of untaxed tobacco products, and will keep the matter of advertising under review.

Excise Duties Reliefs

Questions (76)

Gerry Adams

Question:

76. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider extending the excise rebate on diesel for haulage companies announced in budget 2013 for haulage companies to include passenger transport companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6317/13]

View answer

Written answers

The proposal to introduce an auto-diesel excise duty relief for licensed road hauliers that I announced in the Budget is confined to licensed and tax compliant hauliers. However, I have received a number of submissions from, and on behalf of, private coach operators seeking to have this relief extended to them. I will consider these proposals and the level of the rebate in the context of the Finance Bill. It is worth noting that one of key arguments for introducing a rebate for the haulage industry is the fact that a large quantity of fuel purchased by this industry is purchased abroad thus generating no tax revenue for the State. A rebate should encourage hauliers to start purchasing their fuel in Ireland thus offsetting some of the costs involved. Such an argument does not exist for the most part for the coach industry.

The fuel rebate scheme proposed is governed by the terms of Council Directive 2003/96/EC of 27 October 2003 which limits its application to auto diesel used in defined categories of road vehicles.

Departmental Banking

Questions (77)

Simon Harris

Question:

77. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Finance the amount of money held on deposit or in short-term bank investments by each Government or State agency or body under his Department's remit; the rate of interest at which these deposits are held; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6335/13]

View answer

Written answers

In response to the Deputy’s question I have received the following information in relation to bodies under the aegis of my Department. Irish Bank Resolution Company (IBRC)

At 30 June 2012 IBRC held €0.2Bn of short term interbank placements and nostro accounts of which €0.1Bn is placed with entities covered under the Eligible Liabilities Guarantee (ELG) scheme (see note 17 page 42 of 2012 Interim Report). The weighted average interest rate at 30 June 2012 for these short term deposits was 0.18%.

National Assets Management Agency

I have been informed by the National Asset Management Agency that the information requested by the Deputy is available in National Asset Management Agency’s unaudited quarterly accounts, for the quarter ending 30th September 2012 which were recently laid before the houses of the Oireachtas in accordance with Section 55 of the NAMA Act, this information can also be found on the Agency’s website.

Office of the Revenue Commissioners

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they do not invest money on deposit or in short term bank investments. Any balances held in Revenue Bank Accounts are amounts held pending completion of processing through Revenue's accounting systems. The amount held varies on a daily basis.

Schools Building Projects Status

Questions (78)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

78. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a new school build (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6255/13]

View answer

Written answers

The school, referred to by the Deputy, has applied to my Department for large scale capital funding for a new school. The current status of all projects on the school building programme, including the school in question, may be viewed on my Department's website at www.education.ie. and this is being updated regularly throughout the year.

The 5 Year Construction Plan that I announced on 9 March 2012 last, outlines the major school projects that will commence construction over the duration of the Plan. The primary aim at the core of the Five Year Plan is focussed on meeting demographic demands to ensure that every child will have access to a physical school place and that our school system is in a position to cope with increasing pupil enrolments. It is not possible therefore at this point to indicate when a project for the school in question will be progressed.

Schools Building Projects Status

Questions (79)

Emmet Stagg

Question:

79. Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the tender has now been awarded to the successful contractor in respect of the completion of a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; when the contractor will be on site; and the timeframe stipulated in the contract for the completion of the work. [6130/13]

View answer

Written answers

The project is at an advanced stage of the tender process. The tender report was recently submitted to my Department for review. Subject to no issues arising, it is anticipated that work will commence on site later this year and will be completed in quarter 2.

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Questions (80)

Pat Breen

Question:

80. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Education and Skills if special provision for an additional resource can be made in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6175/13]

View answer

Written answers

I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports, including the allocation of Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools. SNAs are allocated to schools in order to provide for the care needs of children with special educational needs attending such schools. The policy of my Department in relation to the SNA scheme is set out in Circular 07/02, which also provides details regarding the role and duties of an SNA.

The NCSE operates within my Department's established criteria for the allocation of Special Education supports and the staffing resources available to my Department.

I wish to advise the Deputy that SNAs are not allocated to individual pupils. The NCSE allocates a quantum of SNA support for each school annually taking into account the care needs of all of the qualifying children enrolled in the school, and on the basis of the assessed care needs of the children, rather than solely by reference to a pupils' disability categorisation.

SNAs should then be deployed by schools in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of the children enrolled in the school for whom SNA support has been allocated. It is a matter for schools to allocate support as required, and on the basis of individual need, which allows schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.

All schools have been advised by the NCSE of their SNA staffing allocations for the current school year. Details of the SNA allocations which have been made to each school are available at www.ncse.ie, detailed on a County basis. Where a school considers that they do not have adequate SNA support from within their allocated provision to provide for the care needs of all qualifying pupils, or where schools have enrolled new students with special educational needs, they may apply to the NCSE to have their SNA allocation reviewed and the NCSE has capacity to make additional allocations to schools.

Home-School Liaison Scheme

Questions (81)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

81. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will clarify whether section 21(9) of the Education Welfare Act (2000) (details supplied) allows individual schools the discretion to come to flexi-school arrangements with parents, similar to those operated in some schools in the UK, whereby a child is homeschooled for a portion of the school week, if such an arrangement is authorised by the school principal and the school principal is satisfied with both the curriculum being delivered at home and the records of said curriculum delivery; and if such an arrangement is authorised at the discretion of the school, if he will further clarify if the school is obliged by the Act to report the homeschool days to the NEWB or does it suffice that the school has a record of the homeschool days. [6249/13]

View answer

Written answers

The school system operates under standardised arrangements for all recognised schools aimed at enabling them to deliver education in the most efficient manner possible to over half a million pupils at primary level and over 350,000 at post-primary. Section 21(9) of the Education Welfare Act states that 'for the purposes of this section a student shall be deemed not to be absent from school where any period of absence is authorised by the principal and relates to activities organised by the school or in which the school is involved'. This would cover activities off-site such as a school tour or inter-school competitions. It does not include the type of arrangement suggested by the Deputy which I regard as neither feasible or practical.

Higher Education Courses Deferrals

Questions (82)

Tony McLoughlin

Question:

82. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has considered pushing back the deferral dates for students following the delays around the Student Universal Support Ireland grant application process (details supplied). [6252/13]

View answer

Written answers

Decisions on course deferrals are an issue between the student and the relevant higher education institution. Institutions have different rules on the particular circumstances that may be considered as reasons for a deferral. As the Deputy will appreciate, higher education institutions are autonomous bodies. As such, the governing authority of each institution is responsible for the day-to-day operational affairs, including conditions governing deferral of places. It would not be appropriate for me to intervene in the practice of individual institutions on deferrals. I would however say that individuals, for a variety of reasons and circumstances, consider deferring their courses.

Departmental Staff Rehiring

Questions (83)

Eoghan Murphy

Question:

83. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there are any retired public sector workers from his Department, or any other part of the public sector, currently on his Department's payroll, for example, for sitting on a committee or preparing a report, but not exclusively these two areas; the number on the payroll; the cost to his Department; the services being delivered for this money; and the way that the positions were originally advertised. [6263/13]

View answer

Written answers

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the attached table, which shows payments made from my Department's staff payroll system to retired public servants during 2012, which is the latest period for which payment information is available. My Department additionally maintains details of retired Civil Servants re-engaged, usually on a short-term basis, to carry out specific tasks that require their particular experience and expertise. As appropriate, such engagements are subject to the abatement principle, whereby the fees payable are set at a level that ensure that the individual's pensions plus fees do not exceed the salary level of their positions to retirement. This information is compiled retrospectively on an annual basis. The information for 2012 is not yet available but the attached table includes details in respect of 2011 payments made to individuals from various subheads on my Department's Vote.

Details of retired public servants paid from Department's staff payroll during 2012*

Name

Gross Amount paid in 2012 - €**

Services Delivered

Way in which the positions were originally advertised

David O'Callaghan

11,970

Chairman of the Education Sector Implementation Group for the Implementation of the Public Service Agreement 2010 - 2014 (Croke Park).   

Appointed by the National Implementation body as a Sectoral chair for the Education sector.

Julie O'Neill

3,420

External member of the Department's Audit Committee

Appointed by Department's Accounting Officer in line with Audit Committee Charter.

P Mac Conmhara

2,850

Vice Chairperson Student Grants Appeals Board

Appointed by the Minister

Maureen Waldron

2,700

Chairperson Student Grants Appeals Board

Appointed by the Minister

Eithne Frost

2,550

Member of the Student Grants Appeals Board

Appointed by the Minister

Brenna Clarke

2,400

Member of the Student Grants Appeals Board

Appointed by the Minister

Kevin Ryan

1,950

Member of the Student Grants Appeals Board

Appointed by the Minister

Total

27,840

* Note. Payments in 2012 in respect of some retired persons were made from subheads outside of the Department's staff payroll but consolidated details in this regard are not currently available.

** Note. Payments made in 2012 may in some cases be in respect of periods outside of that year.

Department of Education & Skills 2011 - details of re-engaged retired civil servants

Name:

Grade at Retirement:

Department /Office from which the Officer Retired

Amount Payable in 2011 €

Jim Duffy

Assistant Secretary General

Finance (CMOD)

3,024

Joan Williams

Inspector Post Primary

Education & Skills

2,902

Frank Murray

Principal Officer Higher (equivalent)

Education & Skills  

1,923

Julie O'Neill

Secretary General

Transport

855

Ian Murphy

Assistant Chief Inspector

Education & Skills

22,365

Eamonn Stack

Chief Inspector

Education & Skills

13,000

Sean MacConmara

Divisional Inspector Primary

Education & Skills

1,715

Tadhg O'Ruairc

Assistant Principal Officer

Education & Skills

690

Con O'Caoimh

Assistant Chief Inspector

Education & Skills

928

Sean OCearbhaill

Divisional Inspector Primary

Education & Skills

1,859

Liam O hEigearta

Assistant Chief Inspector

Education & Skills

6,720

Caitlin NiBhraonain

Inspector Post Primary

Education & Skills

3,315

Mícheál Ó Leonáird 

Divisional Inspector Primary

Education & Skills

1,314

David O'Callaghan

Secretary General

Defence

14,395

Michael Kelly

Secretary General

Finance

695

Eddie Bracken 

Divisional Inspector Primary

Education & Skills

655

Dermot Ryan

Principal Officer

State Examinations Commission

230

Torlach O'Connor

Assistant Chief Inspector

Education & Skills

15,088

Lorcan Mac Conaonaigh

Assistant Chief Inspector

Education & Skills

4,572

Total:

96,245

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Questions (84)

Barry Cowen

Question:

84. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly may expect a decision on an application for a student grant. [6287/13]

View answer

Written answers

Officials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland, that on 28th January 2013, a request for further documentation was issued to the student referred to by the Deputy. When the requested documentation is returned the student will be notified directly of the outcome.

Apprenticeship Programmes

Questions (85)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

85. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide statistics in tabular form on the number of apprenticeship registrations with FÁS in each of the past three years per training category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6311/13]

View answer

Written answers

FAS have provided the statistics as requested by the Deputy in the attached document.

Apprentice Registrations by Trade by Family of Trade 2010 to 2012

Sector

Trade

2010

2011

2012

National Total

Jan.-Dec.

Jan.-Dec.

Jan.-Dec.

2010 - 2012

Construction

Brick & Stonelaying

10

11

6

27

Cabinetmaking *

9

3

1

13

Carpentry & Joinery

96

72

91

259

Floor & Wall Tiling

4

1

1

6

Painting & Decorating

8

18

11

37

Plastering

12

5

4

21

Plumbing

91

146

97

334

Wood Machining *

1

0

1

Wood Manufacturing & Finishing

13

12

11

36

Total

244

268

222

734

Electrical

Aircraft Mechanics

18

35

36

89

Electricical

373

355

397

1,125

Electrical Instrumentation

15

18

24

57

Electronic Security Systems

11

8

7

26

Instrumentation

2

4

8

14

Refrigeration & Air Conditioning

26

29

34

89

Total

445

449

506

1,400

Engineering

MAMF

65

101

110

276

Farriery

3

9

5

17

Industrial Insulation

5

1

6

Metal Fabrication

57

60

103

220

Sheet Metalworking

10

8

11

29

Toolmaking

31

42

57

130

Total

171

220

287

678

Motor

Agricultural Mechanics

26

21

19

66

Construction Plant Fitting

30

32

45

107

Heavy Vehicle Mechanics

65

59

74

198

Motor Mechanics

191

221

253

665

Vehicle Body Repairs

28

32

23

83

Total

340

365

414

1,119

Printing

Print Media

4

5

5

14

Total

4

5

5

14

National Total

1,204

1,307

1,434

3,945

* Cabinet Making and Wood Machining amalgamated into a new trade of Wood Manufacturing & Finishing

Schools Building Projects Status

Questions (86)

Jack Wall

Question:

86. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Education and Skills when tender documents for a school building project (details supplied) in County Galway will be issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6322/13]

View answer

Written answers

I wish to advise the Deputy that tenders for the appointment of the contractor for the school building project in question issued on 11 January 2013. Subject to the normal statutory approvals and no issues arising the project will proceed to construction once the contractor is appointed.

Departmental Banking

Questions (87)

Simon Harris

Question:

87. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of money held on deposit or in short-term bank investments by each Government or State agency or body under his Department's remit; the rate of interest at which the deposits are held; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6333/13]

View answer

Written answers

Details relating to banking and investments in respect of bodies/institutions under my Department's remit are a matter for each body/institution. However, if the Deputy has a specific interest in a particular Body/Institution I will have my officials follow up with the relevant organisation. The Office of the Paymaster General, which operates under the auspices of the Department of Finance, provides a banking service to all Government Departments/Offices.

My Department operates a number of commercial bank accounts which are principally used to facilitate the making of payments or the collection of receipts. In the case of payments, my Department instructs the Office of the Paymaster General to transfer specific funds to these commercial bank accounts to meet the value of electronic funds transfer payments, which are issued on a regular basis from the Department. In the case of receipts into the commercial bank accounts, these funds are transferred onwards at short intervals to the Exchequer account held in the Central Bank. While interest accrues on certain bank accounts operated by my Department the Department does not routinely hold money on deposit in commercial bank accounts nor does it hold money in short term bank investments.

My Department operates a single interest bearing account in the Central Bank, to bring to account cash contributions from the religious congregations towards the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund. The balance on that account at 31 January 2013 was €41.315 million. These sums are held pending the establishment of the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board and the transfer of these sums to the NTMA for deposit in the investment account to be established by the Agency pursuant to Section 29 of the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act, 2012. My Department has regard to the terms of the Public Financial Procedures relating to the issue of funds. Care is taken to avoid over-issue of funds, particularly at year end.

Schools Building Projects Status

Questions (88)

Pat Breen

Question:

88. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 96 of the 10 October 2012, if he will report on the status of a project (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6344/13]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy is aware, a process is underway in relation to the request for permanent recognition from the school referred to by the Deputy. This process is based on ten undertakings committed to by the school's Patron in 2007 in accordance with the requirements of the Education Act 1998 and the Rules for National Schools. My Department met with the school authorities in October last to discuss the school's current position in relation to the undertakings and with a view to enabling the school to meet the permanent recognition criteria as soon as possible. I understand substantial progress has been made, however, significant issues do remain to be resolved. In that regard, further correspondence has been received recently in respect of the school which are under consideration. It is important to note that the decision regarding full recognition depends upon the satisfactory implementation of all the undertakings.

Emergency Works Scheme Applications

Questions (89)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

89. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for emergency works for a school (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6356/13]

View answer

Written answers

Co. Wexford VEC submitted applications in 2010, 2011 and 2012 on behalf of the school referred to by the Deputy for funding under my Department's Emergency Works Scheme for roof works, demolition of old boys NS, upgrade Home Economics Room, universal access, extraction system in Metalwork Room, Ventilation in Science Laboratory, Fire Door, Gas Works and Chemical Storage Cabinet in Woodwork Room.

All of these works, with the exception of the upgrade of the Home Economics Room, were approved for funding under the Emergency Works Scheme.

As the scope of works for the upgrade of the Home Economics Room is outside the terms of the scheme it cannot be considered for funding. Co. Wexford VEC has been informed of this decision.

School Accommodation

Questions (90)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

90. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding funding for a school (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6357/13]

View answer

Written answers

The school referred to by the Deputy was approved grant aid for the replacement of prefabs under the Prefab Replacement Initiative which I announced in 2012. The Board of Management sought additional funding for the provision of a lift and this was approved.

The school authority have been advised that the original grant sanction included funding for the removal of prefabs and my Department is satisfied that the grant allocation is sufficient to provide the level of accommodation approved.

Schools Building Projects Status

Questions (91)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

91. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a new school (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6358/13]

View answer

Written answers

The building project referred to by the Deputy is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. The Design Team are currently working on Stage 2b of the project which includes application for Planning Permission, Fire Certification, Disability Access Certification (DAC) and the preparation of tender documents. The project is listed on the five year school building programme to go to construction in 2014/15.

Schools Building Projects Status

Questions (92)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

92. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a new school building-extension (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6359/13]

View answer

Written answers

The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. The Stage 2b Submission (Detailed Design) was approved by my Department's School Building Unit on 30th January 2013.

Due to competing demands on my Department's capital budget, imposed by the need to prioritise the limited funding available for the provision of additional school accommodation to meet increasing demographic requirements, it was not possible to include this project in the five year construction programme announced last March.

Schools which have not been included in the five year construction programme, but which were announced for initial inclusion in the building programme continue to be progressed to final planning stages in anticipation of the possibility of further funds being available to my Department in future years. The project referred to by the Deputy remains available to be considered for further progression in that context.

Garda Stations Closures

Questions (93)

Willie Penrose

Question:

93. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will indicate, the policy of the Office of Public Work regarding Garda stations that have been closed in recent weeks; if, in this context, he will take steps to have a barracks, at a location (details supplied) in County Westmeath, handed over to the local development association who wish to acquire same in order to utilise it for community purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6110/13]

View answer

Written answers

The Office of Public Works is required to manage its property portfolio in the most efficient and effective manner that provides the optimum value to the taxpayer.

The policy with regard to closed Garda stations is as follows:

1. Identify, in the first instance, if other State Bodies, including government departments and the wider public sector has a use for the property.

2. If there is no other State use for a property the OPW will then consider disposing of the property on the open market, if and when conditions prevail, in order to generate much needed revenue for the Exchequer.

3. If no State requirement is identified or if a decision is taken not to dispose of a particular property the OPW would consider, community involvement subject to the receipt of an appropriate business case which would indicate that the community/voluntary group has the means to insure, maintain and manage the property.

Top
Share