Written Answers Nos. 345-367
345. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of State owned schools that are supplied with mains water; the cost of providing same on an annual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8772/13]
View answerMy Department does not maintain a database of State owned schools that are supplied with mains water. The matter of utility supplies and costs to schools is a matter for individual school authorities and the utility provider. It is expected that schools prioritise the use of school funds to finance the cost of their water supply. Accordingly, the information sought by the Deputy is not available.
346. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a policy exists within the school buildings unit regarding the provision of rain water harvesting systems in new school builds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8773/13]
View answer347. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has carried out any research and or cost benefit analysis in any school here using a rain water harvesting system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8774/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 346 and 347 together.
A number of test projects, the first in 2004 were completed to establish the opportunity and associated issues with the use of rainwater recovery systems in schools. Following the evaluation of these schemes, rain water harvesting systems were introduced for major school building projects in 2008. Since then all major school building projects, where site conditions and circumstances allow and where economically viable to do so, can incorporate a rainwater harvesting system into their brief.
While fitting the systems in new schools during construction is relatively straightforward, retrofitting them in existing schools is much more difficult and expensive because of the various dedicated pipe work systems both within the building and externally underground and the amount of making good work that is required in each instance.
For existing buildings it is more cost effective to minimise the demand for water firstly through installing measures to reduce water usage such as push type spray taps, low flushing toilets, urinal controls, repairing leaks etc. To this end, as part of the Summer Works Scheme 2010, schools were invited to apply for Water Conservation measures. A list of schools whose applications under this scheme were successful is available on my Department's website at www.education.ie.
In terms of research my Department is at the forefront of design with respect to sustainable energy efficiency (including water conservation and efficiency) in school buildings and this performance has been recognised at both National and International level with sustainable energy awards for excellence in Design and Specification.
The overall Energy Research Programme won a Taoiseach Public Service Excellence Award in 2008. My Department won the Energy Sustainability in the Built Environment Award for 2012 for Coláiste Choilm, Tullamore, at the SEAI Sustainable Energy Awards 2012. My Department also won the Green Building of the Year award at the Green Awards 2012 and the Overall Green Award, based on the same project and for my Department's continued work in developing low energy sustainable schools.
The Department's Technical Guidance Documents set the benchmark for sustainable design in school buildings with a clear focus on energy efficiency and they are based on solid energy research projects. The Department's policy is supported by a strong research programme with forty research projects at various stages including its energy website at www.energyineducation.ie.
Schools that are designed and built in accordance with the Department's schools technical guidance documents must achieve an A3 Building Energy Rating and are capable of being more than twice as energy efficient that schools built to best International Practice.
348. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive the outcome of their appeal to Student Universal Support Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8800/13]
View answerThe appeal from the student referred to by the Deputy was considered by the appeals officer in Student Universal Support Ireland and the outcome issued to the student by letter dated 21st January 2013.
349. Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if it will be possible to include a school (details supplied) in Dublin 8 in the school building programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8801/13]
View answerThe proposed building project referred to by the Deputy is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning.
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 those increasing demographic requirements, it was not possible to include this project in the five year construction programme announced last year.
350. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if entitlement to panel rights as a teacher will be re-examined in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8818/13]
View answerI have arranged for officials of my Department to make direct contact with the teacher referred to by the Deputy in relation to the application for panel rights.
351. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide the guidelines and rules governing matters relating to school transport (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8820/13]
View answerUnder the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. Where there is more than one school in a Post Primary Education Centre, eligibility is determined by measuring the distance from a child's home address to a central measuring point (CMP). CMPs are a feature of the school transport scheme and have assisted in the smooth operation of services for many years. The use of CMPs benefits families by ensuring that children of the same family, who are attending different schools in the same education centre, are eligible for school transport provided they satisfy the distance criterion to the CMP rather than the individual school. In general, where queries arise regarding distance, recourse is had to the fundamental principle of the scheme – eligibility for school transport is determined by the distance children reside from their nearest school as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann.
352. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is in a position to offer support and assistance to the Coder Dojo movement; if he is will he encourage the schools under the Department's remit to be more proactive in promoting the coding classes being run throughout the country on a voluntary basis; if he recognises the value of such a movement to the future educational needs of this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8868/13]
View answerI am aware of the excellent work of the Coder Dojo movement. Through this initiative young people learn how to code, develop websites, applications, programs and games. One of my Ministers of State has established a Coder Dojo in his constituency. I have no plans to introduce Coder Dojo into the curriculum at present. The overall approach to ICT, based on the advice of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment is that ICT is not a subject, but rather a tool to be integrated into all aspects of teaching and learning. The Council has published a curriculum framework for ICT setting out the range of skills and learning outcomes which students should achieve. This work is supported by professional development for teachers, by digital content on the Scoilnet website, and by investment in ICT infrastructure in schools. In addition, a summer course will be offered by the Professional Development Service for Teachers to interested Primary teachers where the use of Scratch (one of the introductory programming languages used in Coder Dojos) to develop literacy and numeracy will be explored. The forthcoming reforms in junior cycle will allow for the introduction of short courses. In fact the NCCA is developing its own short course on programming/ coding which will be available for schools from September 2014. Schools, following the NCCA short course template, will be able to develop their own short courses of 100 hours duration as an option. This option could provide schools with the opportunity to develop a short course along the lines of the Coder Dojo programme, if they wish to do so.
353. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on their application to Student Universal Support Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8882/13]
View answerOfficials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland that it is awaiting the final course acceptance form from the student in question to enable his grant application to be processed to finality. This has been requested of the student.
354. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason VAT is charged on ebooks for use in schools, when no VAT is charged on school books; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8883/13]
View answerIn relation to the VAT rate charged on the purchase of e-books, this matter has been raised with the Department of Finance and I am advised that the VAT rating of goods and services is subject to the requirements of EU VAT law with which Irish VAT law must comply. The general position is that school books are zero-rated. The zero rate applies to printed books. All digitised publications are treated as the supply of a service liable at the standard rate of VAT. The EU position is that digital information services are not the direct equivalent of traditional printed products, including books. Even where the content is similar, the additional functionality (e.g. search facilities, hyperlinks, archives, etc) associated with electronic content produces a fundamentally different product.
355. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a Student Universal Support Ireland grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24. [8887/13]
View answerOfficials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland that requested additional supporting documentation has been received from the student and an outcome to his application will issue directly to him shortly.
356. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when he will amend the Valuations Act to ensure that the calculation of rates will be done in a fairer and more equitable manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8052/13]
View answerThe Government published the Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2012 on 3rd August, 2012 as part of its legislative programme. The Bill proceeded through its second stage in Seanad Éireann on 11th October 2012. I wish to advise the Deputy that officials in my Department are currently engaging with a wide range of stakeholders and other interested parties and I will be considering potential amendments which may be introduced at Committee Stage in the very near future. However, it is not possible for me to advise the Deputy as to the likely date for enactment of the Bill, as this depends on a number of factors which are outside my control, including the passage of the Bill through the Oireachtas.
At the outset, let me say that the Bill will not change the basis of valuation for rating purposes. This will continue to be “net annual value” which is the hypothetical rental value of a property as assessed by reference to a specified date. This is a long standing principle of the rateable valuation system in Ireland and ensures equity and fairness in relation to the values of commercial and industrial properties across a local authority area.
The primary purpose of the Bill is to accelerate the national programme of revaluing every commercial and industrial property in the country which is being undertaken by the Valuation Office. The Bill amends several provisions contained in the Valuation Act 2001. These amendments include a number of technical changes to Part 5 of the 2001 Act which deals with how valuations, including revaluation of entire rating authority areas, are carried out. The Bill also proposes to amend Part 6, which deals with the carrying out of revisions of the rateable valuation of individual properties within rating authority areas between revaluations. In both instances, it is envisaged that the Commissioner of Valuation will appoint officers to carry out the tasks in question and the Bill makes specific provision for the appointment of “revision managers”. Section 6 of the Bill proposes to amend Section 19 of the Valuation Act 2001 by enabling the Commissioner to appoint persons to carry out the revaluation of entire rating authority areas. Such persons may be an officer of the Commissioner. However, provision is also made for the Commissioner to enter into an arrangement with a person or persons (other than officers of the Commissioner) to assist in the performance of the revaluation function. The effect of this provision is to enable the Commissioner to contract out some of the revaluation work, in order to augment the in-house capacity of the Valuation Office. This is one of the express provisions intended to assist the acceleration of the national revaluation programme. I understand that, following enactment of the Bill, the Commissioner intends running a pilot revaluation project which will utilise such external resources.
Following enactment of the Bill, it is envisaged that revaluation projects can be conducted through the normal direct assessment methodology. However, the Bill (Section 11, inserting a new Part 5A into the 2001 Act) also provides for the Commissioner to conduct a revaluation using elements of self-assessment by ratepayers. This provision is also intended to assist the acceleration of the national revaluation programme and I understand that, following enactment of the Bill, the Commissioner intends running a pilot project which will utilise self-assessment principles. Finally, I wish to draw the Deputy’s attention to Section 22 of the Bill which proposes to amend Section 48 of the 2001 Act by providing for the use of general market data or aggregated data (including statistical and computer-aided techniques) in determining valuations, where the Commissioner considers it appropriate to do so.
357. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on the progress made to date in relation to dealing with flooding problems on the properties of a number of householders and farmers in the Clondra area, County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8623/13]
View answerThere is on-going progress in respect of the River Shannon Catchment Flood Risk Assessment & Management Study which will provide a comprehensive review of flooding problems within the River Shannon catchment. A total of 66 areas along the Shannon, including Cloondara/Clondra have been designated as Areas for Further Assessment under the Study.
That assessment is being carried out by Jacobs Engineering, consultants for the Shannon CFRAM Study. Detailed flood hazard maps will be prepared and these will be made available for public consultation. Details of the Study and regular updates can be found on www.cfram.ie. or http://shannoncframstudy.ie.
At the Office of Public Work's (OPW) request Jacobs Engineering undertook a review of the operating regulations and procedures of the control structures along the river Shannon with the purpose of identifying potential improvements with respect to flood risk management that could be introduced in the short term. This review was carried out in advance of the detailed hydrological analysis and hydraulic modelling which is being addressed within the overall Shannon CFRAM Study.
That report and a non-technical summary of the Report - ‘Understanding Water levels on the River Shannon’ was circulated to all public representatives in the region, last autumn. The OPW has also facilitated presentations by Jacobs Engineering on its report to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht and to the Irish Farmers Association.
Arising from those consultations, it was agreed to explore the possibility of carrying out a water level monitoring exercise, involving controlled raising and lowering of weir boards at selected locations, subject to favourable hydrological conditions. It has been agreed to involve the expertise of Jacobs Engineering, in order to advance the water monitoring proposal.
358. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide in tabular form, the figures for pay and pensions to the Public Service for the year, 2011 and 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8730/13]
View answerThe Gross Public Service pay and pensions figures for 2011 and 2012 are provided in the table below. The 2011 figures are extracted from the audited 2011, Appropriation Accounts, while the 2012 figures are the forecast outturns, as notified by Departments and Offices and published in the Expenditure Report 2013.
|
2011 Pay (€,millions) |
2011 Pension (€,million) |
2012 Pay (€,million) |
2012 Pension (€,million) |
|
15,682 |
2,871 |
15,392 |
3,182 |
359. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the details of all appointments made by him to all State agencies, commercial bodies and all other appointments made by him since taking office, including the State owned banks and the judiciary. [8124/13]
View answer360. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the details of the qualifications of all the appointees made by him to all State agencies, commercial bodies and all other appointments made by him since taking office including the State owned banks and judiciary for the appointments they have accepted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8142/13]
View answer361. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of appointees and the percentage of appointments made by him to all State agencies, commercial bodies and all other appointments made by him since taking office including the State owned banks and the Judiciary that were subject to a public applications process. [8160/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 359 to 361, inclusive, together.
In response to the Deputy’s questions the following is a list of all appointments made by me to all State agencies and commercial bodies under the remit of my Department since taking office:
|
Office/Board |
Name |
Date Appointed |
Qualifications |
% of Appointments to Board/Office |
|
An Post National Lottery Board * |
Mr. Donal Connell (CEO of An Post) |
6/11/11 Re-appointed 29/2/12 |
C Eng. F.I.E.I. BE |
57% |
|
- |
Mr. Peter Quinn (CFO of An Post) |
16/2/12 |
B Comm, F.C.A., MBA |
57% |
|
- |
Mr. Dermot Griffin (CEO of National Lottery Company) |
Re-appointed 6/11/12 |
B Comm, F.C.C.A. |
57% |
|
- |
Mr. Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh |
Re-appointed 6/11/12 |
N.T. BA, B Comm, HDE, DPA |
57% |
|
Public Appointments Service Board ** |
Mr. Eddie Sullivan |
01/09/2011 |
Chairperson |
100% |
|
- |
Mr. Des Dowling |
01/09/2011 |
Member |
100% |
|
- |
Ms. Deirdre O’Keeffe |
01/09/2011 |
Member |
100% |
|
- |
Ms. Patricia Coleman |
01/09/2011 |
Member |
100% |
|
- |
Ms. Judith Eve |
01/09/2011 |
Member |
100% |
|
- |
Mr. Eddie Molloy |
01/09/2011 |
Member |
100% |
|
- |
Mr. Dan Murphy |
01/09/2011 |
Member |
100% |
|
- |
Ms. Fiona Tierney |
20/03/2012 |
Member |
100% |
|
- |
Mr. Barry O’Brien |
01/09/2012 |
Member |
100% |
|
Valuation Tribunal |
Mr. John O’Donnell |
17/04/2012 Temporary extension of term. |
Senior Counsel |
50% |
|
- |
Ms. Sasha Gayer |
01/08/2012 Following appointment as Ord. Member on 31/07/2012. |
Senior Counsel |
50% |
|
- |
Mr. Maurice Ahern |
Re-appointed 29/07/2011 |
Valuer, IPAV |
50% |
|
- |
Mr. Niall O’Hanlon |
29/07/2011 |
Barrister |
50% |
|
- |
Mr. Thomas Collins |
29/07/2011 |
PC, FIPAV, NAEA, MCEI, CFO |
50% |
|
- |
Mr. Michael Lyng |
Re-appointed 29/07/2011 |
Valuer |
50% |
|
- |
Mr. Frank O’Donnell |
Re-appointed 29/07/2011 |
FRICS, B Agri Sc, MIREF |
50% |
|
- |
Mr. Tom O’Driscoll |
29/07/2011 |
IPAV |
50% |
|
- |
Mr. Pat Riney |
Re-appointed 29/07/2011 |
FSCSI, FRICS, ACI Arb |
50% |
|
- |
Mr. Brian Larkin |
Re-appointed 17/04/2012 |
Barrister |
50% |
|
- |
Mr. Rory Haniffy |
17/04/2012 |
Barrister |
50% |
|
- |
Mr. Aidan McNulty |
Re-appointed 17/04/2012 |
Solicitor |
50% |
|
Valuation Office |
Mr. Dermot Quigley |
13/01/2012 – 30/04/2012 |
Former Revenue Commissioner & Principal Officer at D/PER with exceptional managerial & organisational ability. |
Temporary Appointment |
|
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform |
Mr. Ronán O’Brien Special Adviser |
31/05/2011 |
Suitably qualified for the position. |
100% |
|
- |
Ms. Anne Byrne Special Adviser |
10/03/2011 |
Suitably qualified for the position. |
100% |
|
- |
Ms. Frances Kelly Parliamentary Assistant – Constituency Office |
10/03/2011 |
Suitably qualified for the position. |
100% |
|
- |
Ms. Marion Doyle Constituency Secretary |
10/03/2011 |
Suitably qualified for the position. |
100% |
|
- |
Mr. Eugene O’Sullivan Civilian Driver |
01/05/2011 |
Suitably qualified for the position. |
100% |
|
- |
Mr. Tony Brennan Civilian Driver |
01/05/2011 |
Suitably qualified for the position. |
100% |
|
Local Government Computer Services Board |
Mr. Enda Holland |
20/02/2012 – 31/07/2012 |
Assistant Principal at D/PER |
9% |
* In light of the proposed sale of the National Lottery licence this year, I accepted a recommendation in these particular circumstances that an exception should be made to the general policy on appointment of directors via a public applications process and approved the reappointment of two existing directors from November last for the expected remaining term of the licence.
** The Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act, 2004 states that the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (in consultation with Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, the Minister for Health and the Minister for Justice and Equality) should appoint members of the Board of the Public Appointments Service. The CEO is appointed to the Board on an ex officio basis.
The Public Appointments Service Board is meant to be representative of its client base so the majority is therefore civil or public servants, nominated by the relevant Minister. There is also a union representative nominated by ICTU. The outgoing Chairman was reappointed by me and the two external members were appointed because of their expertise in strategic change and public service recruitment respectively.
362. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when he envisages the next voluntary redundancies that will be offered to public sector workers; who will be eligible to apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8199/13]
View answerThe Government has decided that Voluntary Redundancy will be introduced in certain targeted sections of the Public Service where staff surpluses are identified by management and where redeployment is not suitable.
As announced recently, Voluntary Redundancy will first be rolled out in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and parts of the Health and Education Sectors. These Departments estimate that there could be scope to effect about 2,000 exits over time, mainly from back office and support areas and management and administrative grades. In time, Voluntary Redundancy may be rolled out to other sectors of the Public Service where Departments identify staff surplus to their long-term requirements. Obviously, as Voluntary Redundancy is being targeted at areas with identified staff surpluses, there will not be replacement of the departing staff.
It is important to highlight that there will be no automatic right to redundancy and all applications will be considered in the context of ongoing business needs and service provision priorities.
363. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will allocate money to renovate Castlepollard Garda Station, County Westmeath, in view of the fact that it is currently a health issue. [8201/13]
View answerThe Commissioners of Public Works undertake refurbishments and routine maintenance to Garda Stations on foot of requests by An Garda Síochána. The Commissioners do not currently have a request for such works at Castlepollard Garda Station. If such a request is made, due consideration will be given at that stage, subject to the funding available and competing priorities.
364. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Office of Public Works has assessed the suitability of Killala Garda Station for accessibility to persons with disabilities; the conclusion of any assessment; if any refurbishment work to improve access has been costed by the OPW; when such works will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8315/13]
View answerThe Commissioners of Public Works undertake works such as the improvement of access facilities at Garda Stations in line with priorities set by An Garda Síochána, subject to available funds. The Commissioners do not currently have a request from An Garda Síochána for such works at Killala Garda Station. If such a request is made, due consideration will be given at that stage, subject to the funding available and competing priorities.
365. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of public sector workers as of the 31 January 2013. [8425/13]
View answerI can confirm that the latest available data shows that, measured on the basis of whole time equivalents (WTEs), there were just under 290,900 public sector workers at the end of 2012. The data on serving numbers is collected and tracked on a quarterly basis. The next update will show the position at end March 2013.
Historical data on public service numbers is available at (http://databank.per.gov.ie/) from 1994 to Quarter 4 2012.
366. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his role in ensuring that the revised estimates for his Department and all Government Departments are approved by Dáil Éireann as soon as possible and if he will provide the date by which these estimates will be passed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8439/13]
View answerIt is my intention to publish the revised estimates for all Government Departments as soon as possible. However, as the Deputy is aware, negotiations are ongoing regarding the extension of the Croke Park Agreement and the revised estimates cannot be finalised until the negotiations have been completed, and the precise effects on the pay allocations for 2013 can be determined. Once agreement has been reached, the revised estimates will be presented to the House in the normal way and as soon as possible.
As the Deputy is no doubt aware, all Government Departments have legal authority under the Central Fund (Permanent Provisions) Act 1965 to spend funds up to the value of four-fifths of the previous year’s allocation on an interim basis until the revised estimates have been approved.
367. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will outline the public service's procedure, terms and conditions for offering employees access to the redeployment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8526/13]
View answerThe Public Service Agreement 2010-14 (Croke Park Agreement) provides for agreed redeployment arrangements to apply in the Civil Service and in other parts of the public service. Under the Agreement, redeployment generally takes precedence over all other methods of filling a vacancy and supersedes any existing agreements on the deployment of staff. It sets out the agreed redeployment arrangements within the Health, Education and Local Authority sectors and within and between the Civil Service and Non-Commercial State Sponsored Bodies (NCSSB). It also provides that cross sectoral redeployments will follow the arrangements agreed for the NCSSBs.
The Public Appointments Service (PAS), which has day-to-day operational responsibility for the implementation of redeployment, has put in place a system of Resource Panels of Civil Service and State Agency staff to support the redeployment processes in those sectors agreed under the Croke Park Agreement. Posts to be filled by redeployment are offered in the first instance to the relevant panel or panels. It is a matter for the employer to identify the number and grades of posts to be redeployed in the first instance and to upload the posts onto the PAS panels. Employers can do this early in the redeployment process to maximise the opportunities to place their staff. There is no set time-limit within which individuals awaiting redeployment must be redeployed.
A "Redeployment Toolkit" which gives full details on each stage of the redeployment process has been agreed with the staff unions. It includes a section setting out responses to Frequently Asked Questions and is available on my Department's website at http://hr.per.gov.ie/files/2011/09/here28.doc.
