Written Answers Nos. 240-260
240. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding inclusion for the consideration of the Residential Institutions Redress Board. [12953/13]
View answerThe Residential Institutions Redress Act, 2002 established the Redress Board to make financial awards to people who, as children were resident in specified institutions and who have or have had injuries that are consistent with abuse received while resident in these institutions. The Schedule to the 2002 Act specified 123 institutions and section 4 of the Act enables the Minister for Education and Science to provide for the insertion into the Schedule of "any industrial school, reformatory school, orphanage, children's home, special school which was established for the purpose of providing education services to children with a physical or intellectual disability or a hospital providing medical or psychiatric services to people with a physical or mental disability or mental illness in which children were placed and resident and in respect of which a public body had a regulatory or inspection function." Two Orders have been made specifying 16 additional institutions, in November 2004 and July 2005, bringing the total number of scheduled institutions to 139. The position of the Regina Coeli hostel was considered by my Department but it was not included in the Schedule as hostels did not come within the terms of section 4 of the Act. A request to include an institution at the same address and known as the Morning Star Mother and Baby Home was also refused on the basis that there was no record of State responsibility for it.
Following the publication of the Ryan Report in May 2009, there were a range of demands for the redress scheme to be extended, including demands to include specific institutions and categories of institutions. Having considered these demands, the then Government announced its decision not to revise the arrangements in its press statement of 15th April, 2010.
While the original closing date for receipt of applications by the Redress Board was 15th December, 2005, the Board could accept late applications in exceptional circumstances. The Residential Institutions Redress Amendment Act, 2011 removed the Board's power to accept late applications received on or after the 17th September, 2011. The Board is continuing to finalise the remaining applications before it.
Finally, I wish to clarify that the Bethany Home is not a scheduled institution under the Redress Scheme.
241. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No.113 of 29 November 2012, if the shortfall due to the family (details supplied) has been paid out to the said family; if not, the steps he will take to expedite the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12967/13]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware from my previous reply that the family in question has received payment covering the school years 2001/02 to 2010/11.
The method used to calculate the grant payment due was explained to the family in question.
My Department is satisfied that no further payments are outstanding.
242. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna cé mhéad bunscoil agus iarbhunscoil, faoi seach, atá i gcóiríocht shealadach agus cé mhéad díobh sin gur scoileanna lán-Ghaeilge iad; cad iad ainmneacha agus uimhir rolla na scoileanna sin [13005/13]
View answerFaoi láthair, tá 621 bunscoil agus iar-bhunscoil ann atá ag tógáil cóiríochta sealadaí ar cíos ar fud na tíre, 60 díobh gur Gaelscoileanna iad agus 5 díobh gur Gaelcholáistí iad.
Tá ainmneacha agus uimhreacha rolla na scoileanna lán-Ghaelacha atá ag tógáil cóiríochta sealadaí ar cíos léirithe sa tábla leis seo.
Gaelscoileanna agus Gaelcholáistí i gCóiríocht Shealadach
|
Uimhir rolla |
Ainm na Scoile |
Contae |
Dáta Tosaigh na Cóiríochta Sealadaí |
|
20026G |
GS Bhreifne |
An Cabhán |
01/09/12 |
|
19849U |
GS Donncha Rua |
An Clár |
01/09/02 |
|
19999Q |
GS Uí Choimín |
An Clár |
01/09/94 |
|
19839R** |
GS Uí Ríordáin |
Corcaigh |
01/09/83 |
|
19851H** |
GS de hÍde |
Corcaigh |
01/09/08 |
|
19881Q** |
GS Charraig Uí Leighin |
Corcaigh |
01/09/05 |
|
19909M |
GS Pheig Sayers |
Corcaigh |
01/09/05 |
|
19993E** |
GS an Ghoirt Álainn |
Corcaigh |
01/01/04 |
|
20006A** |
GS Chloch na gCoillte |
Corcaigh |
01/09/09 |
|
20025E |
GS Droichead na Bandan |
Corcaigh |
01/08/11 |
|
20107G** |
Gaelscoil Mhainistir na Corann |
Corcaigh |
01/09/06 |
|
20151J |
Gaelscoil Mhúscraí |
Corcaigh |
01/09/09 |
|
20239A |
Gaelscoil Ui Drisceoil |
Corcaigh |
01/07/11 |
|
20265B |
Gaelscoil Chionn tSáile |
Corcaigh |
01/09/07 |
|
19971R** |
Gaelscoil Adhamhnain |
Dún na nGall |
01/09/05 |
|
20097G |
Gaelscoil Bhun Chranncha |
Dún na nGall |
01/09/99 |
|
20144M |
Gaelscoil Chois Feabhail |
Dún na nGall |
01/09/03 |
|
20167B |
Gaelscoil Eirne |
Dún na nGall |
02/09/02 |
|
76107U |
Gaelcholáiste Bhun Cranncha |
Dún na nGall |
15/08/07 |
|
19907I* |
Gaelscoil Mologa |
Baile Átha Cliath |
01/09/07 |
|
19926M** |
Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire |
Baile Átha Cliath |
21/12/01 |
|
19991A |
Ghaelscoil na Camoige |
Baile Átha Cliath |
01/07/06 |
|
20043G |
Gaelscoil Chnoc liamhna |
Baile Átha Cliath |
01/09/06 |
|
20047O** |
Gaelscoil Bharra |
Baile Átha Cliath |
01/06/97 |
|
20220C |
Gs Ui hEarcain |
Baile Átha Cliath |
01/09/08 |
|
20334R** |
Gaelscoil Ros Eo |
Baile Átha Cliath |
01/09/08 |
|
76085N |
Gaelcholaiste Reachrann |
Baile Átha Cliath |
01/09/05 |
|
19994G |
GS Mhic Amhlaigh |
Gaillimh |
01/09/06 |
|
19998O** |
GS de hÍde |
Gaillimh |
01/09/98 |
|
20061I** |
GS Iarfhlatha |
Gaillimh |
01/07/12 |
|
20123E** |
Gaelscoil Riabhach |
Gaillimh |
01/07/04 |
|
20237T** |
Gaelscoil Riada |
Gaillimh |
01/09/06 |
|
20264W |
GS na bhFilí |
Gaillimh |
03/09/07 |
|
20013U |
Gaelscoil Lios Tuathail |
Ciarraí |
01/09/04 |
|
20058T |
Gaelscoil Ui Fhiaich |
Cill Dara |
01/09/04 |
|
19856R* |
Gaelscoil Osraí |
Cill Chainnigh |
01/09/05 |
|
15446B |
Gaelscoil Thromaire |
Laois |
23/04/07 |
|
20224K |
Gaelscoil an tSlí Dála |
Laois |
01/07/05 |
|
20212D** |
Gaelscoil Liatroma |
Liatroim |
01/09/05 |
|
20260O |
Gaelscoil Chluainín |
Liatroim |
01/09/07 |
|
19956V |
Gaelscoil Sairséal |
Luimneach |
01/01/00 |
|
20148U** |
Gaelscoil Chaladh an Treoigh |
Luimneach |
01/09/01 |
|
20181S** |
Gaelscoil an Ráithín |
Luimneach |
01/09/03 |
|
76101I |
Gaelscholáiste Luimnigh |
Luimneach |
01/09/10 |
|
20083S** |
Gaelscoil an Longfoirt |
An Longfort |
01/09/05 |
|
19972T |
Gaelscoil Uileog De Búrca |
Maigh Eo |
01/06/97 |
|
20051F |
Gaelscoil na Boinne |
An Mhí |
01/04/06 |
|
20082Q |
Gaelscoil Thulach na nÓg |
An Mhí |
01/09/06 |
|
20382F** |
Gaelscoil na Mí |
An Mhí |
01/07/11 |
|
19936P |
Gaelscoil Ultain |
Muineachán |
28/08/06 |
|
20055N |
GS Eois |
Muineachán |
01/12/97 |
|
20327U |
Gaelscoil Lorgan |
Muineachán |
18/07/08 |
|
20332N** |
Gaelscoil Éadan Doire |
Uíbh Fhailí |
01/09/08 |
|
20126K |
GS de hÍde |
Ros Comáin |
01/09/04 |
|
20044I |
Gaelscoil Chnoc Na Ré |
Sligeach |
01/07/04 |
|
20085W |
GS Charraig Na Siúire |
Tiobraid Árann |
01/09/98 |
|
19885B |
Gaelscoil Philib Barún |
Port Láirge |
10/01/05 |
|
20050D** |
Gaelscoil na nDéise |
Port Láirge |
01/07/08 |
|
68078U |
Gaelcholáiste Phort Láirge |
Port Láirge |
01/08/07 |
|
20238V |
GS an Choillin |
An Iarmhí |
01/09/06 |
|
20057R** |
GS Inis Córthaidh |
Loch Garman |
01/09/05 |
|
20045K** |
Gaelscoil Chill Mhantáin |
Cill Mhantáin |
01/09/05 |
|
20080M** |
GS An Inbhir Mhóir |
Cill Mhantáin |
01/09/98 |
|
20243O |
GS Na Lochanna |
Cill Mhantáin |
01/07/10 |
|
76106S |
Gaelcholáiste na Mara |
Cill Mhantáin |
01/09/07 |
* Included in Prefab Replacement Programme
** Included in 5 Year Programme
243. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline secondary school options available for children in Ashbourne, County Meath; if he will detail plans for the new secondary school; the pupil capacity and enrolment procedure for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13070/13]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, in June of 2011, I announced that 20 new post-primary schools are to be established up to 2017 across a number of locations to cater for increasing demographics. This announcement included a proposal to establish a new post-primary school in Ashbourne. The new school will commence operation in September 2014 under the patronage of County Meath VEC and will cater for 1000 pupils in the long term. My Department is currently working with the Local Authority to identify a suitable site for the new school. The enrolment policy for the new school will be developed by the school's management authorities in due course.
244. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline primary school options available for children in Ashbourne, County Meath; if he will outline the measures he is taking to ensure appropriate and adequate access to primary school places for all children in the locality into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13071/13]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, in March 2011 approval was given for a number of new primary schools to commence operation in September 2011 and 2012 to cater for demographic needs. To cater for the demographic demand in the Ashbourne area, approval was granted to open two new primary schools, one under the patronage of An Foras Pátrúnachta which commenced operation in September 2011, and the second under the patronage of Educate Together which commenced operation in September 2012.
The 5 Year Construction Programme that I announced in March 2012, together with my recent announcement of the 50 school projects which are scheduled for construction in the current year as part of a €2 billion capital investment programme, outlines the major school projects that will commence construction over the duration of the Plan (2012-2016). Three of these projects, two primary schools and one post-primary school are located in Ashbourne.My officials have been in direct contact with the existing primary schools in Ashbourne regarding the availability of primary school accommodation in the area for September 2013. My Department will be in further contact with these schools on this matter shortly.
245. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13072/13]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, a project for the school to which she refers is included in the 5 Year Construction Programme that I announced in March 2012. It is my Department's intention that this project will proceed to construction in 2014/15.
The Schedule of Accommodation is currently being finalised and my Department will be in contact with the school authority as soon as this process has been completed. The architectural planning process for the project can be initiated thereafter which includes the appointment of a design team.
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.
246. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the free fees scheme application in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13074/13]
View answerUnder the terms of my Department's Free Fee Initiative the Exchequer meets the cost of tuition fees in respect of eligible students who are pursuing full-time undergraduate courses of study which are a minimum of two years duration in an approved higher education institution. The main conditions of the scheme are that students must be first-time undergraduates, hold inter alia EU/EEA/Swiss nationality in their own right, and have been ordinarily resident in an EU/EEA/Swiss state for at least three of the five years preceding their entry to an approved third level course.
The position is that the assessment of eligibility in individual cases is a matter for each higher education institution to determine within the terms of the scheme. I understand from clarification received by my officials that in this case the relevant higher education institution has advised the student of their eligibility status.
The Springboard programme provides free part time higher education courses for unemployed people in areas where there are identified labour market skills shortages, such as ICT, Manufacturing and International Financial Services. 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. A new call for proposals for Springboard courses was issued to higher education providers at the end of February and is expected to provide for an additional 5,000 places in 2013. Further information is available at the dedicated information and applications website: www.springboardcourses.ie.
247. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the pension related deduction is ever going to be refunded to those with salaries of less than €30,000 as originally stated when the pension related deduction was introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12595/13]
View answerThe pension-related deduction (PRD) was introduced by the previous Government and I am not aware of any commitment about refunds to those on less than €30,000.
However, I am pleased to state that the Government has agreed to the Labour Relations Commission proposals, currently under consideration by the trade unions, which include an undertaking to reduce the rate of PRD on the band from €15,000 - €20,000 of relevant earnings from 5% to 2.5%.
The PRD was introduced by way of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009 and section 13 of that Act provides that I must review the Act each year and cause a written report of my findings to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas, which I have done and will continue to do.
248. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in view of the severity of the Croke Park II proposed cuts to low and middle income pay, following significant reductions in take home pay for public sector workers since 2009, and his decision to implement the new cuts in pay and pensions eight months before the Public Service Agreement 2010 concludes, his views that the LRC sought and agreed by management proposals in effect enact Clause 1.28 of the Croke Park agreement which states the implementation of this agreement is subject to no unforeseen budgetary deterioration. [12351/13]
View answerAt the instigation of Government, discussions took place between public service employers and the Public Services Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions regarding the Government’s stated intention to reach agreement on securing a €1bn overall saving from the public service pay and pensions bill by 2015. Following intensive engagement between the parties, which was facilitated by the Labour Relations Commission (LRC), the LRC has developed and recommended a set of proposals for consideration and agreement. These proposals represent a balanced and integrated set of proposals and avoid the imposition of basic pay cuts to the 87% of public servants on low and middle incomes. As these proposals are intended as the basis for a new Agreement between the Government and the Unions and Associations representing public servants, the issue of Paragraph 1.28 of the earlier Public Service Agreement does not arise.
249. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide in tabular form, the number of public sector employees who will be subject to the provisions of the Croke Park II agreement whose salary and allowances fall into the following bands less than €65,000; €65,000 to €150,000; €150,000 to €185,000 and more than €185,000 together with the estimated pre-Croke Park II 2013 gross salaries and allowances, 2013 net salaries and allowances after tax and deductions and the post-Croke Park II 2013 gross salaries and allowances, 2013 net salaries and allowances after tax and deductions. [12352/13]
View answerThe closest data currently available within the Department to those sought by the Deputy are the estimated breakdown of employee numbers on a whole time equivalent basis (based on a whole time equivalent figure of 292,000) by salary range within the public service is set out in Table 1. The impacts of Income Tax, Universal Social Charge, Pension Related Deduction, Employee P.R.S.I. and Pension Contributions have been based on the mid point of the relevant salary range and are included in the Table also. Estimates are based on a single individual subject to social insurance deductions under Class A.
|
Salary Range |
Numbers |
Gross Pay Mid Point in Range |
Net Pay Mid Point in Range |
Gross Pay after proposed pay reduction on Mid Point in Range |
Net Pay Mid Point in Range |
|
0 to 65,000 |
252,767 |
32,500 |
€24,187 |
*32,500 |
€24,187 |
|
65,000 to 150,000 |
36,512 |
107,500 |
€53,391 |
100,900 |
€50,884 |
|
150,000+ |
2,721 |
175,000 |
€79,020 |
162,750 |
€74,369 |
|
292,000 |
*The proposed Pay Reduction does not affect salary rates below €65,000 per annum.
250. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will estimate by year in each of 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 the gross savings arising from changes in the Croke Park II to overtime arrangements whereby overtime will be paid at time and half at the first point of the scale for those on less than €35,000; time and a quarter at the individual’s scale point for those over €35,000 and those public servants currently on 39 hours will provide an unpaid hour of overtime. [12354/13]
View answer251. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will estimate by year in each of 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 the gross savings arising from changes in the so-called Croke Park II to twilight payments and reduced rate of time and three quarters for Sunday pay. [12355/13]
View answer252. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will estimate by year in each of 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 the gross savings arising from changes in the Croke Park two from freezing increments for those earning more than €65k; between €35k and €65k; and less than €35k. [12356/13]
View answer253. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will estimate by year in each of 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 the gross savings arising from changes in the Croke Park II to those at the maximum of their scales from measures intended to balance with changes to increments for those who are not at the maximum of their scales. [12357/13]
View answer254. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will estimate by year in each of 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 the gross savings arising from changes in the Croke Park II from the elimination of supervision and substitution payments in the education sector. [12358/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 250 to 254, inclusive, together.
In relation to estimates of savings arising from the LRC proposals, it is intended to publish the Revised Estimates Volume for 2013 before end March 2013. This document will set out the revised allocations for Votes arising from the proposals made and will include an overall savings provision on the pay and pensions bill of some €300m for 2013. My Department will be contacting Departments shortly with the final pay allocations for 2013 including Employment Control Framework staffing ceilings which will include savings arising from the LRC proposals. This will have implications for the overall allocations for Votes. The Revised Estimates Volume for 2013 will be submitted to the Oireachtas for consideration in due course.
Following the publication of the 2013 Revised Estimates Volume, Departments will be contacted regarding their overall allocations for the period 2014-2016, including the ongoing effect of the pay proposals and staffing ceilings.
255. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the costs of providing hardware and software to his home and the home of Ministers of State in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12372/13]
View answerICT is provided on a shared services basis by the IT Unit in my Department to both the Department of Finance and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
My Department has incurred no costs in relation to the provision of hardware or software in my home or the home of the Minister for Finance.
I am awaiting information from the Office of Public Works in relation to the provision of hardware and software to the home of Minister of State Hayes. I will forward this material to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
256. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the costs of providing telephone in the homes of Ministers and Ministers of State in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12390/13]
View answerIn response to the Deputy’s question I can confirm that no telephones were provided in my home or that of the Minister of State Brian Hayes.
257. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the cost of telephones and ICT provided to constituency offices including monthly phone bills of Ministers and Ministers of State in his Department since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12409/13]
View answerIn response to the Deputy’s question I can confirm that there were no costs borne by my Department for providing telephones and ICT to my Constituency Office since March 2011.
Provision of PCs, laptops and other computer-related equipment to the Minister of State and his three staff amounted to €3,905.46.
258. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if any additional costs other than telephones, ICT and monthly phone bills are being paid to constituency offices by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12427/13]
View answerIn response to the Deputy’s question I can confirm that a Shredder, Fax Machine, Dictation Transcriber and Photocopier costing €5,275.60 have been loaned out to equip my Constituency Office in Wexford but remain the property of the Department and will revert back accordingly in due course. There were no additional costs in the Constituency Office of Mr. Hayes.
259. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of mobile phones in use by him, Ministers of State and politically appointed staff; the total costs of the mobile phones since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12445/13]
View answerIn response to the Deputy’s question I can confirm that there are three mobile phones in use by myself and two other politically appointed staff which has cost €3,572.70 since March 2011.
The mobile phone costs incurred by Minister of State and his Personal Assistant since March 2011 are €4,521.90.
260. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the cost of drivers of each vehicle assigned to him and Ministers of State in his Department since March 2011; the mileage and other costs claimed in respect of each since March 2011; the overall yearly costs of ministerial cars in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12463/13]
View answerIn response to the Deputy’s question the following is a list of costs regarding Ministerial cars from March 2011:
|
Type of Expenditure |
Number of Staff |
Amount |
|
Minister |
||
|
Mileage |
1 |
€24,148.31 |
|
Expenses |
2 |
€45,483.18 |
|
Salaries |
2 |
€141,295.18 |
|
Total |
€210,926.67 |
|
|
Minister of State |
||
|
Mileage |
1 |
€36,754.62 |
|
Expenses |
3 |
€8,921.21 |
|
Salaries |
3 |
€139,694.52 |
|
Total |
€185,370.35 |
The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform did not exist in 2010.
