Joan Collins
Question:152. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Finance the total amount spent on outsourced cleaning services in each Department; and if he will provide details of the companies providing these services. [7988/13]
View answerDepartmental Expenditure
Questions (152)
Written answers
In response to the Deputy’s question my Department provides shared accommodation services to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. In respect of the period 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012 €214,309 was spent on outsourced cleaning services in respect of premises occupied in Dublin by both the Department of Finance and Department of Public Expenditure and Reform staff. The costs also include outsourced cleaning services in respect of the Department of Finances decentralized office in Tullamore. Expenditure on outsourced cleaning services in other Departments is a matter for each Department and subject to oversight not by the Department of Finance but rather the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the total spend on the provision of outsourced cleaning services for Revenue in 2012 was €1,842,251. The following companies provided these services:
|
Ailesbury Contract Cleaning |
|
OCS One Complete Solution |
|
Cavan Ind & Cleaning Services |
|
Emerald Contract Cleaners |
|
Grosvenor Cleaning Services |
|
ISS Ireland Ltd |
|
Neylons Maintenance d Ltd |
|
Noonan Services Ltd |
Question No. 153 answered with Question No. 124.
IBRC Staff
Questions (154, 159)
Pearse Doherty
Question:154. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of ex-staff of the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation who have been re-hired by the special liquidator or the National Asset Management Agency. [7992/13]
View answerPearse Doherty
Question:159. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the way the percentages of ex-staff in the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation have been re-hired by the special liquidator or the National Asset Management Agency in the following categories: those who were earning less than €100,000; those who were earning between €100,000 and €200,000; those who were earning between €200,000 and €300,000; those who were earning between €300,000 and €400,000; those who were earning between €400,000 and €500,000; and those who were earning over €500,000. [8048/13]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 154 and 159 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, on 7 February 2013 the Oireachtas passed legislation (Irish Bank Resolution Corporation Act 2013), appointing joint Special Liquidators to IBRC with immediate effect to wind up its business and operations.
Following the liquidation, all employment contracts in the Republic of Ireland have been terminated and the Special Liquidators have confirmed that the majority of staff have been re-employed on short term contracts to assist in the liquidation.
The Bank/Special Liquidator is not in a position to provide further information at this point in time.
I thank the Deputy for his understanding in what is a crucial phase in the liquidation.
IBRC Staff
Questions (155)
Pearse Doherty
Question:155. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the numbers in each grade, clerical, risk officer, executive and so on, of the staff in Irish Bank Resolution Corporation when it was liquidated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7993/13]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will be aware, on 7 February 2013 the Oireachtas passed legislation (Irish Bank Resolution Corporation Act 2013), appointing joint Special Liquidators to IBRC with immediate effect to wind up its business and operations. At this early stage of the special liquidation Special Liquidators are engaged in intensive processes which involve inter alia, asserting control over the businesses, processes, systems and personnel of IBRC. It is important that focus is placed on assessing, reorganising and restructuring the day–to-day activities of the Bank to meet the primary objective of ensuring the purpose of the special liquidation is achieved, as this is key to ensuring that value is extracted from the liquidation.
As such the Bank is not in a position to provide the information requested by the Deputy.
I thank the Deputy for his understanding in what is a crucial phase in the liquidation.
Bonds Redemption
Questions (156)
Stephen Donnelly
Question:156. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a full analysis of the new bonds, which it is proposed to replace the promissory notes, to include the projected annual capital and interest payments from the State for the full life of the bonds; the projected annual cash return to the State from the Central Bank of Ireland associated with these payments, that is, 3% paid on €25 billion in 2014 by the State to the Central Bank of Ireland, which is circa €750 million, and €500 million paid from the Central Bank of Ireland to the State on account of the Central Bank of Ireland paying 1% for the €25 billion to the ECB, or €250 million; the resulting annual change in financing costs, compared to the promissory note structure; the result NPV of the restructuring; any conditions with regard to the bonds being held by the Central Bank of Ireland, for example, maximum length of time; all other financial information associated with the bonds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7994/13]
View answerWritten answers
Eight new Floating Rate Treasury Bonds have been issued to discharge the Promissory Notes liability consisting of:
- a 25 year bond of €2bn maturing in 2038 with an interest rate of 6-month Euribor plus a margin of 2.50%;
- a 28 year bond of €2bn maturing in 2041 with an interest rate of 6-month Euribor plus a margin of 2.53%;
- a 30 year bond of €2bn maturing in 2043 with an interest rate of 6-month Euribor plus a margin of 2.57%;
- a 32 year bond of €3bn maturing in 2045 with an interest rate of 6-month Euribor plus a margin of 2.60%;
- a 34 year bond of €3bn maturing in 2047 with an interest rate of 6-month Euribor plus a margin of 2.62%;
- a 36 year bond of €3bn maturing in 2049 with an interest rate of 6-month Euribor plus a margin of 2.65%;
- a 38 year bond of €5bn maturing in 2051 with an interest rate of 6-month Euribor plus a margin of 2.67%; and
- a 40 year bond of €5bn maturing in 2053 with an interest rate of 6-month Euribor plus a margin of 2.68%.
The bonds will pay interest every six months (June and December).
This information is set out in tabular form on the NTMA’s website at the following link: http://www.ntma.ie/news/ntma-issues-eight-new-floating-rate-treasury-bonds-in-exchange-for-promissory-notes/
It was also highlighted in this presentation that the interest costs shown were best estimates.
The Deputy has requested the projected annual capital and interest schedules for the portfolio of bonds. With regard to the capital element the €25bn par value will be repaid in line with the schedule given above. With regard to the interest projections, as the Deputy will be aware, the Irish Government Bonds that have been issued in exchange for the Promissory Notes are floating rate bonds. The coupon on these bonds is 6-month Euribor plus a margin ranging from 2.50% to 2.68%. Given the nature of this floating rate it is impossible to be accurate with regard to the exact interest cost in 2013 to 2015.
As part of the explanatory information that was released by the Department of Finance in relation to the transaction last week, estimates were produced which showed an interest expense of €750 million for 2013, €875 million for 2014 and €950 million for 2015. A copy of this presentation is available on the Department of Finance website under the following link: http://www.finance.gov.ie/viewdoc.asp?DocID=7543
With regard to the projected annual cash return to the State from the Central Bank of Ireland this is also impossible to forecast accurately due to the associated cost of funding that the Central Bank of Ireland must pay to the ECB, the floating rate interest that it receives on the bonds that it holds and any mark-to-market implications for valuing the bonds. Again, estimates were produced in the explanatory information that was released by the Department of Finance in relation to the transaction last week. This assumed zero mark-to-market implications for the bond as it was not possible to estimate if the bonds would trade upwards or downwards post issuance.
Under the old financing structure IBRC would have held the Promissory Notes for a weighted average of 7-8 years, whereas under the new structure the Central Bank of Ireland will hold the bonds for a weighted average of 4c.14.3 years.
The net present value of the portfolio of bonds is €25bn which is equal to the par value of the Promissory Notes that they have replaced.
With regard to the net present value gain in this arrangement, as the Deputy is aware, the calculation of a net present value is based on a number of mathematical assumptions, including what discount rate to apply and assumptions around future refinancing rates, all of which will depend upon the outcome of future events. These assumptions can have a material impact on the ultimate valuation which is subject to a wide range of possible outcomes. For that reason, the Department did not produce a net present value figure for publication last week and I am not in a position to give one now. I can assure the Deputy that a key determinant of the value of the new arrangement was debt sustainability.
The Central Bank of Ireland will sell the bonds but only where such a sale is not disruptive to financial stability. They have however undertaken that minimum of bonds will be sold in accordance with the following schedule: to end 2014 (€0.5bn), 2015-2018 (€0.5bn p.a.), 2019-2023 (€1bn p.a.), 2024 and after (€2bn p.a.).
Tax Reliefs Availability
Questions (157)
Brendan Griffin
Question:157. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding mortgage interest supplement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7996/13]
View answerWritten answers
Tax relief is available, at varying rates and subject to certain ceilings, in respect of interest paid by an individual on a loan used for the purchase, repair, development or improvement of his/her sole or main residence or the sole or main residence of his/her former or separated spouse/civil partner. The relief is available up to and including the tax year 2017 on the interest paid on qualifying home loans taken out between 1 January 2004 and before 1 January 2013.
Individuals purchasing their first qualifying residence are eligible for the higher ceiling, known as the ‘first time buyer’ ceiling, for the first seven tax years of entitlement to mortgage interest relief. The maximum amount of interest paid in respect the ‘first time buyer’ ceiling for which tax relief may be claimed is €20,000 for married/widowed persons and €10,000 for single persons.
For tax year eight and subsequent tax years, the ceiling on relief, known as the ‘non-first time buyer’ ceiling is €6,000 for married/widowed persons and €3,000 for single persons. It is the first time buyer ceiling that ceases after seven years and not the tax relief itself. The tax relief continues to apply in tax year 8 and subsequent years up to and including tax year 2017 at the ‘non first time buyer’ ceiling.
IBRC Liquidation
Questions (158)
Michael McGrath
Question:158. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the implications, if any, for the operation of the National Asset Management Agency SPV arising from the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation liquidation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8046/13]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy may be aware, between now and August of this year, the Special Liquidator will seek to value and sell certain IBRC loans. After this sales process has been completed, NAMA will acquire the residual unsold loans in the IBRC loan portfolio at a price which is to be determined by the Special Liquidator. However NAMA’s primary commercial objective, as set out in Section 10(2) of the Act, is to obtain the best achievable financial return for the State having regard to the cost of acquiring and dealing with bank assets and its own cost of capital and other costs.
I have no reason to doubt the Agency’s view that it will achieve its targets over its lifetime.
Question No. 159 answered with Question No. 154.
Capitation Grants
Questions (160)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:160. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an analysis of the per capita spend by his Department on a regional basis with regard to current and capital spends in the area of education . [7882/13]
View answerWritten answers
The expenditure information requested by the Deputy is not available on a regional basis. However, based on the estimated number of full-time students at First, Second and Third Levels in the 2011/12 academic year, and the 2012 provisional outturn of expenditure for my Vote, an estimate of the spend per capita is contained in the following table.
Estimated expenditure per full-time student based on Gross Voted Expenditure
|
Sector |
Estimated No. of Full-Time Students 2011/12 academic year |
- |
- |
2012 Provisional Outturn Gross Voted Expenditure |
- |
- |
Estimated Per Capita Cost |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
€- million |
- |
- |
€-Euro |
|
- |
- |
Current |
Capital |
Total |
Current |
Capital |
Total |
|
Primary |
516,460 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
Second-Level |
322,528 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
Third level |
166,163 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
Total |
1,005,151 |
€8,190.967 |
€409.972 |
€8,600.939 |
€8,149 |
€408 |
€8,557 |
Education Schemes
Questions (161)
Nicky McFadden
Question:161. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of persons in Westmeath who have so far applied for and are taking part in Springboard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7969/13]
View answerWritten answers
Springboard is a specific initiative that strategically targets funding of free part time higher education courses for unemployed people in areas where there are identified labour market skills shortages or employment opportunities. The courses are delivered in public, private and not for profit higher education providers around the country. In addition, many Springboard courses are delivered on line, enabling people to access them regardless of where they reside in the country. A total of 261 people with an address in County Westmeath have applied for a place under the two rounds of the Springboard programme that have issued to date and 138 people with an address in County Westmeath enrolled on Springboard 2011 and Springboard 2012 courses.
Student Grant Scheme Delays
Questions (162)
Patrick O'Donovan
Question:162. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a student grant application will be dealt with in full in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7770/13]
View answerWritten answers
Officials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland that the student referred to by the Deputy has had her application reviewed and she was subsequently awarded the non-adjacent rate. A revised award letter issued on 8th February 2013.
Student Grant Scheme Delays
Questions (163)
Timmy Dooley
Question:163. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive a decision on the outcome of their application to Student Universal Support Ireland for an education grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7774/13]
View answerWritten answers
Officials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland that the student referred to by the Deputy has been awarded a grant and an award letter issued on 12th February, 2013.
State Examinations
Questions (164)
Luke 'Ming' Flanagan
Question:164. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will investigate the requirement of the State Examinations Commission that superintendents of examinations must be registered with the Teaching Council; and his views on the necessity of a retired teacher (details supplied) in County Longford who wishes to superintend at exams, to register with the Teaching Council. [7779/13]
View answerWritten answers
The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.
Retired teachers may apply for the position of superintendent and be appointed in accordance with the terms of the Employment Equality Act, 1998, which prohibits discrimination in employment on a number of grounds, including age. For the 2012 examinations the SEC appointed a total of 4786 superintendents of whom 1311 were retired teachers. To be eligible for appointment applicants must satisfy all of the terms and conditions for appointment set out by the SEC. For the 2013 examinations, this also includes a requirement to be registered on the Register of Teachers maintained by the Teaching Council of Ireland.
The requirement to be a registered teacher with the Teaching Council arises from the recent passing of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 which was signed into law on the 26th December 2012. The Act obliges employers to only employ people who have been vetted by the National Vetting Bureau of An Garda Síochaná to work with children and young people. Under the terms of Part 3, Section 12.4 of the Act, this obligation is regarded as being satisfied in the case of the State certificate examinations if the person so employed is a registered teacher. In order for SEC to be in a position to complete the appointment and assignment of superintendents nationwide in advance of the commencement of the written examinations in June the SEC requires that it receive confirmation of registration with the Teaching Council by the end of March 2013.
Applicants for superintending at the 2013 examinations could apply without being registered and have until the 31st March 2013 to complete the registration process. Applicants not on the Register of Teachers as at 31st March 2013 will not be deemed suitable for appointment as superintendent at the 2013 examinations.
The requirement to register has been introduced so that the SEC, as an employer of persons working with children and young people at the certificate examinations, can comply with its legislative obligations.
Student Grant Scheme Delays
Questions (165)
Timmy Dooley
Question:165. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive a decision on their application to Student Universal Support Ireland for an education grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7783/13]
View answerWritten answers
Officials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland that the student referred to by the Deputy has been awarded a grant and an award letter issued on 7th February, 2013.
Schools Building Projects Status
Questions (166)
Niall Collins
Question:166. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will confirm plans for a new school building (details supplied) in Dublin 24; if he will detail schedules being followed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7787/13]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy is aware, I announced in June 2011 that forty new schools comprising of twenty new primary schools and twenty new post-primary schools, were to be established up to 2017 across a number of locations. The Department subsequently invited patron bodies to make applications for patronage of the new primary schools to be established in 2012 and 2013. Following the assessment process of the applications concerned, approval was conveyed in March 2012 last for the establishment in September 2013 next of two primary schools in the area referred to by the Deputy. My Department is working closely with the Local Authority to acquire a suitable site for the construction of permanent accommodation for both schools. A major building project for the provision of this accommodation was included in the five year construction programme announced in March 2012, and is scheduled to proceed to construction in 2014/2015. The current status of all projects on the school building programme may be viewed on my Department's website at www.education.ie and this is updated regularly throughout the year.
Education Schemes
Questions (167)
Brendan Griffin
Question:167. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the counselling and addiction studies course at ICHAS Limerick is not recognised for social protection entitlement purposes in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7797/13]
View answerWritten answers
The entitlement to social welfare allowances is a matter for the Department of Social Protection.
Back to Education Allowance Eligibility
Questions (168)
Brendan Griffin
Question:168. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the system of grant-back to education and free fee entitlement for mature students (details supplied) who want to retrain in lower or equal level disciplines different to their original qualification in an effort to improve their chances of employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7798/13]
View answerWritten answers
Eligibility for the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) and associated payments is determined and administered by the Department of Social Protection. Any changes to the qualifying criteria for the Back to Education Allowance Scheme are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Social Protection.
In general, under the student grant scheme students who previously pursued a course of study are not eligible for grant assistance for a second period of study at the same level, irrespective of whether or not a grant was paid previously. Subject to the conditions of the student grant scheme, grants are available where students are progressing to a course at a higher level. The objective of this policy is to assist as many students as possible in obtaining one qualification at each level of study. Similarly under the free fees scheme, free fees are not payable for a second period of study at the same level. There are no plans at present to change the arrangements currently in place for these schemes.
However, as part of the joint Government-Industry ICT Action Plan, earlier this month I launched more than 750 free places on level 8 ICT graduate skills conversion courses, targeted at graduate jobseekers who want to reskill for the expanding employment opportunities in the ICT area. Further information on the courses, which are available in higher education institutions are around the country, is available at www.ictskills.ie.
In addition, the Springboard programme targets funding of free part time higher education courses for unemployed people in areas where there are identified labour market skills shortages, such as ICT, Medical Devices and Pharmachem. Springboard places are open to unemployed people who have a previous history of employment and there is no requirement that a person be progressing on the National Framework of Qualifications. More than 10,000 places have been provided under the two rounds of the programme to date. An expansion of the Springboard initiative was announced in Budget 2013 and it is expected that a new call for proposals for courses to be run under the programme will issue in the coming weeks. Further information is available at the dedicated information and applications website: www.springboardcourses.ie.
Education and Training Provision
Questions (169)
Pearse Doherty
Question:169. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a list of all local training initiatives in tabular form broken down by local authority area; the location of the initiatives; the number of staff; and the number of training places. [7810/13]
View answerWritten answers
The information the Deputy sought is not readily available. I have asked FÁS to collate this data as soon as possible. When received I will forward directly to the Deputy. I am informed by FÁS that it will not be possible to break down this data by Local Authority.