Written Answers Nos. 69 - 79
69. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline the deferral arrangements that are in place for persons who have less than €25,000 per year in income, mainly comprised of invalidity or disability payments and who wish to defer the payment of the local property tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19691/13]
View answerI am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that for individuals on low incomes or those whose only income source is from the Department of Social Protection, the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012 (as amended) provides for a system of deferral arrangements for owner-occupiers where there is an inability to pay the tax and certain specified conditions are met. A person who qualifies for full deferral can opt to defer 100% of the LPT liability. A person who qualifies for part deferral can opt to defer 50% of the liability and must pay the balance of LPT.
Deferral based on income threshold is available as follows:
|
Condition Number |
Condition |
|
|
Full Deferral |
1 |
Gross income for the year is unlikely to exceed €15,000 (single or widow/er) and €25,000 (couple) |
|
Full Deferral |
2 |
Gross income for the year is unlikely to exceed the adjusted income limit. This adjusted income limit is calculated by increasing the thresholds of €15,000 (single or widow/er) and €25,000 (couple) by 80% of the expected mortgage interest payments for the year 2013. This applies until 31 December 2017. |
|
Partial Deferral |
3 |
Gross income for the year is unlikely to exceed €25,000 (single or widow/er) and €35,000 (couple). |
|
Partial Deferral |
4 |
Gross income for the year is unlikely to exceed the adjusted income limit. This adjusted income limit is calculated by increasing the thresholds of €25,000 (single or widow/er) and €35,000 (couple) by 80% of the expected mortgage interest payments for the year 2013. This applies until 31 December 2017. |
To determine whether they qualify for deferral for 2013, liable persons are required to estimate on 1 May 2013 what their total gross income for 2013 is likely to be. Gross income from all sources consists of the total income before any deductions, allowances or reliefs that may be taken into account for income tax purposes and includes income that is exempt from income tax and income received from the Department of Social Protection but excludes Child Benefit. Where a deferral is being claimed on this basis, the LPT1 Return must be completed and the relevant deferral selected.
Interest will be charged on LPT amounts deferred at a rate of 4% per annum. The deferred amount, including interest, will attach to the property and will have to be paid before the property is sold or transferred. I am advised by the Commissioners that full details of all deferral options are outlined in the Guidelines on Deferral or Part Deferral of Local Property Tax, which are available on Revenue’s website www.revenue.ie.
70. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if the European Central Bank has requested that his Department not release any documentation concerning the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation liquidation under the Freedom of Information Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19693/13]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate the commercially sensitive nature of the discussions with the ECB in relation to the promissory notes and the liquidation of the IBRC and that such discussions are part of a wider deliberative and confidential process. Throughout the period of the discussions between the Irish Authorities and the ECB the confidentiality of matters discussed was emphasised between the parties. However, the ECB has not been approached in relation to documentation requested under specific FOI requests relating to the liquidation of IBRC nor has the ECB requested the Department not to release any such documentation. The ECB has informed my Department that they will not be releasing any information in relation to these discussions.
In normal course my Department will examine all requests received for information under the FOI Acts and assess whether specific information can be released. While the overall aim is to release the information requested the FOI Acts do list specific provisions under which records can be deemed to be “exempt records” for the purposes of the Acts. The decisions of the Department/public body, in this regard, are subject to a right of appeal by the requester. One such exemption [section 24(2)(e) 1997 Act] refers specifically to information communicated in confidence from, to, or within an international organisation, including an organisation or an institution or body of the European Union. Other exemptions provided in the legislation include; meetings of Government; information received in confidence; commercially sensitive information; deliberations of public bodies; functions and negotiations of public bodies; financial and economic interests of the State; etc.
As part of this process my Department will communicate with third parties if consideration is being given to releasing information/documentation received from those parties. In the event that third parties object to information being released the Department will take a view on the nature of the information, the basis on which the information was received or acquired and the views of the third party etc. The Department will then decide whether the information should be released under the FOI Acts having regard to particular circumstances and the requirements of the public interest. Any decision, therefore as to whether information is released or not by Irish authorities under Freedom of Information legislation enacted in this jurisdiction is a matter for the Irish authorities. While the ECB or other third parties may have a view on the release of particular information the ECB has not and would not seek to influence the proper operation of national legislation.
My Department is committed to the spirit and proper operation of the Freedom of Information Acts 1997-2003.
71. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the value of the discretionary portfolio in the National Pension Reserve Fund; his plans for its use; the timetable over which this will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19694/13]
View answerI am informed by the National Treasury Management Agency, as manager of the National Pensions Reserve Fund (NPRF), that as at 29 March 2013 the Fund’s total value stood at €15.2 billion, of which the Discretionary Portfolio comprises €6.4 billion. With regard to the future plans for the NPRF, the Cabinet agreed at its meeting of 16 April to the drafting of a Bill to reorient the National Pensions Reserve Fund into the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund which will invest in the Irish economy on commercial terms in support of jobs and economic growth. It is my intention that the details of the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund will be announced shortly.
72. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether the rules governing employees who leave the Central Bank to take up employment in financial institutions regulated by the bank are adequate to protect the public interest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19695/13]
View answerI am informed that the Central Bank has relevant policies and procedures in place to deal with this potential matter and the Bank believes that its current policies and procedures are appropriate. Specifically, this potential issue is taken into account when drafting new contracts for certain roles or reassigning staff to other duties if a potential for conflict arises.
The Central Bank Code of Ethics requires that in the event of an employee intending to leave the employment of the Central Bank to take up alternative employment, self-employment or business, there is an obligation to provide early notification to line management when a conflict of interest exists, or perceived to exist, between those duties held in the Central Bank and those to be undertaken with the new employer, self-employment or business. In such circumstances, the Central Bank may assign alternative tasks to the individual while their notice period is being served. The notice period may be lengthened in excess of the contractual or statutory notice period, by mutual agreement, where it is considered to be in the best interests of the Central Bank and the employee.
73. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide in tabular form the number of civil and public servants under the remit of his Department who earn more than €500,000, between €400,000 and €500,000, €300,000 and €400,000, €250,000 and €300,000, €200,000 and €250,000, €150,000 and €200,000, €100,000 and €150,000, €80,000 and €100,000, €60,000 and €80,000, €40,000 and €60,000, €30,000 and €40,000 and less than €30,000. [19496/13]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is not readily available on an up to date basis and I have asked my officials to compile the data and will provide it as soon as possible.
74. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason medical card holders are exempt from paying exam fees in secondary schools; if he is considering amending this to include persons with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19533/13]
View answerState Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
75. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline the approach taken by his Department regarding special needs units in both new and existing secondary schools in an area (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19550/13]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the policy of my Department is to ensure that a continuum of special educational provision is made available, as required, for children with special educational needs, including those attending secondary schools. This includes making provision for special school placements and special class places where required.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible for the planning and provision of a range of educational services at local and national level for students with special educational needs. The NCSE, through the local special educational needs organisers (SENOs), co-ordinates special needs education provision, including the establishment of special needs units in various geographical areas as required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. The NCSE is currently liaising with schools to establish new special classes for the coming school year, taking into account the requirement for such classes in any given area. All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.
76. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question of 11 March 2013, the position regarding a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19575/13]
View answerThe introduction of the new salary scale and its impact on people with previous service has proven to be a complex task which has required a detailed implementation process. My Department, in consultation with VECs and the teacher unions, has been working through the operational aspects of these changes as they affect existing teachers and their pay. That process is almost concluded and I expect my Department to be in a position to respond to this query in the very near future.
77. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that FÁS has commenced a tendering process for vocational training services for persons with disabilities; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that most European countries have excluded these services from the public procurement process in order to meet the support needs of persons with disabilities who are very distant from the labour market; if he supports this decision by FÁS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19591/13]
View answerTendering guideline documents for specialist training provision are currently being developed by FÁS to enable a procurement pilot to take place. The pilot is being undertaken as a result of a policy decision in 2010, on foot of legal advice from the Office of the Attorney General that in view of the large value of the contracts involved, they should be advertised and a public tendering process should be put in place.
78. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Skills his approach to attracting foreign students to Ireland; the estimated monetary benefit to third level institutions and the State's economy of that sector. [19644/13]
View answerEnterprise Ireland estimates that the international education sector is worth €1.025 billion annually to the Irish economy. The Government is pursuing a range of actions to implement the International Education Strategy and to position Ireland as a top-quality destination for study. At present around 32,000 students are registered in Irish higher education institutions, including 7,000 studying on Irish programmes overseas. Around 100,000 students come to Ireland to study English every year.
Recent progress on implementation of the strategy includes:
- Continued development of the Education in Ireland brand in our priority markets including the USA, China, India, Brazil and the Gulf. This has included a particular focus on social media, and the use of student ambassadors and alumni.
- The launch last week of a new Government of Ireland International Scholarships aimed at attracting top students from priority and emerging markets.
- The strengthening of inter-governmental relationships, including Ministerial-level contacts. In recent months, I led a significant education mission to the People's Republic of China and the United Arab Emirates and Minister of State Ciarán Cannon has visited the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, India, Malaysia and Vietnam.
Ongoing progress on the strategy is monitored by the High Level Group on International Education which is chaired by my Department
79. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the proposed building project at a school (details supplied) in County Cavan; when this project will proceed to the next stage; the likely timescale for construction work to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19682/13]
View answerThe major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. The Design team are currently working on the completion of stage 2(b) which includes the preparation of tender documents. Due to competing demands on the 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 5 year construction programme announced in March 2012.
School building projects, including the project referred to by the Deputy, which have not been included in the five year construction programme, but which were previously initiated will continue to be progressed to final planning stages in anticipation of the possibility of further funds being available to the Department in future years. However, in light of current competing demands on the Department's capital budget, it is not possible to indicate at this time, the timeframe for the progression of this project to construction stage.
