Tom Hayes
Question:212. Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a list of student accommodation that was built under section 50 of the Finance Act 1999. [22749/13]
View answerTax Reliefs Application
Questions (212)
Written answers
Section 50 student accommodation is a section 23 type relief given in respect of the provision of certain third level student accommodation. The scheme was introduced on 1 April 1999 and extended a number of times before finally coming to an end on 31 July 2008.
The details of accommodation addresses is not captured as a normal part of individual tax returns, with the result that a list of accommodation, as requested by the Deputy, is not available.
The legislation requires that each project is subject to certification by the relevant third level college in accordance with guidelines drawn up by the Minister for Education and Skills in consultation with the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and with the consent of the Minister for Finance. The guidelines covered key elements of the scheme. These included the institutions that qualified, conditions relating to the standards and location of accommodation and the categories of students whose accommodation was covered.
In addition, the scheme also requires the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to issue either a Certificate of Reasonable Cost or a Certificate of Compliance in respect of every project undertaken. In section 9 of the Indecon Review of Property-Based Tax Incentive Schemes (published by the Department of Finance in February 2006), there is a reference to certificates having been issued in respect of 4,718 units, and included are the counties in which the units were located. This covers units constructed between 1 April 1999 and 18 February 2005.
Mortgage Interest Rates Issues
Questions (213)
Peter Mathews
Question:213. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Finance his plans for Allied Irish Bank and other such banks to either pass on the ECB rate cuts to variable rate mortgage holders or refrain from increasing mortgage rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22753/13]
View answerWritten answers
While the Government is acutely aware of the increasing financial stress that some households are facing in the current environment, ultimately the pricing of financial products, including standard variable mortgage interest rates, is a commercial matter for the management and the Board of the Institution. As the Deputy will be aware the Relationship Framework with AIB provides that the State will not intervene in the day-to-day operations of the bank or their management decisions. This framework is published on the Department of Finance website. I must ensure that the bank is run on a commercial, cost effective and independent basis to ensure the value of the bank as an asset to the State, as per the Memorandum on Economic and Financial Policies agreed with the EU Commission, the ECB and the IMF. Neither the Central Bank nor the Department of Finance has a statutory function in relation to interest rate decisions made by individual lending institutions at any particular time.
It must be remembered that in order to fund mortgages the bank must borrow at current wholesale and deposit rates which are currently higher than the ECB base rate and the bank must ensure that the rate it lends at is economically sustainable and provides a return for the bank and ultimately the State as its shareholder. It would not be fair for 2.1 million taxpayers to subsidise 138,000 owner occupier mortgages, especially when the vast majority of these mortgage holders can afford to pay their mortgages.
I understand that the Central Bank of Ireland pays attention to the effect of any increases in the standard variable rate on mortgage arrears and would no doubt be concerned if banks were exacerbating their arrears problem and as such impairing their on-going viability, from such actions.
Public Sector Staff Remuneration
Questions (214)
Róisín Shortall
Question:214. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the number of personnel in whole-time equivalent terms in his Department and in bodies under the aegis of his Department in each of the following earnings brackets: less than €20,000, €20,001 to €30,000, €30,001 to €40,000, €40,001 to €50,000, €50,001 to €60,000, €60,001 to €70,000, €70,001 to €80,000, €80,001 to €90,000, €90,001 to €100,000, €100,000 to €125,000, €125,001 to €150,000, €150,001 to €175,000, €175,001 to €200,000, €200,001 to €250,000, €250,001 to €300,000, €300,001 to €350,000, €350,001 to €400,000, €400,001 to €450,000, €450,001 to €500,000, and more than €500,000. [22789/13]
View answerWritten answers
The following table sets out the number of personnel in whole-time equivalent terms in respect of my Department in each of the following earning brackets.
|
Earnings Band € |
Number of employees |
|
0-20,000 |
12.9 |
|
20,001-30,000 |
67.36 |
|
30,001-40,000 |
71.2 |
|
40,001-50,000 |
39 |
|
50,001-60,000 |
35.4 |
|
60,001-70,000 |
2.8 |
|
70,001-80,000 |
33 |
|
80,001-90,000 |
33 |
|
90,001-100,000 |
10 |
|
100,001-125,000 |
9 |
|
125,001-150,000 |
6 |
|
150,001-175,000 |
0 |
|
175,001-200,000 |
3 |
|
> 200,001 |
0 |
The Revenue Commissioners have provided me with the following information in relation to the 2012 Revenue earnings of currently serving Revenue staff. The figures are net of any voluntary surrender of salary under Section 483 of the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997.
|
Earnings band in 2012 |
Number of employees (WTE)* |
|
<20,000 |
222.4 |
|
20,001 - 30,000 |
807.8 |
|
30,001 - 40,000 |
1,453.7 |
|
40,001 - 50,000 |
1,444 |
|
50,001 - 60,000 |
893.7 |
|
60,001 - 70,000 |
409.3 |
|
70,001 - 80,000 |
180.8 |
|
80,001 - 90,000 |
142.9 |
|
90,001 - 100,000 |
38 |
|
100,001 - 125,000 |
60 |
|
125,001 - 150,000 |
12 |
|
150,001 - 175,000 |
0 |
|
175,001 - 200,000 |
3 |
|
200,001 - 250,000 |
0 |
|
250,001 - 300,000 |
0 |
|
> 300,000 |
0 |
Number of employees (WTE)*
*the WTEs provided are based on salary multipliers which take account of worksharers, staff on special unpaid leave and half-pay
The table for the Appeals Commissioners is as follows:
|
Earnings band in 2012 |
Number of employees |
|
<20,000 |
|
|
20,001 - 30,000 |
1 |
|
30,001 - 40,000 |
|
|
40,001 - 50,000 |
1 |
|
50,001 - 60,000 |
|
|
60,001 - 70,000 |
|
|
70,001 - 80,000 |
|
|
80,001 - 90,000 |
|
|
90,001 - 100,000 |
|
|
100,001 - 125,000 |
|
|
125,001 - 150,000 |
|
|
150,001 - 175,000 |
2 |
|
175,001 - 200,000 |
|
|
200,001 - 250,000 |
|
|
250,001 - 300,000 |
|
|
> 300,000 |
Details for the Disabled Drivers Scheme are as follows:
1 WTE earns between €150,000 - €200,000
1 WTE earns between €40,000 - € 60,000
Details for the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council are as follows:
Number of persons between €100,000 – €80,000: 1 person
Number of persons between €60,000 – €40,000: 2 people
National Treasury Management Agency
The National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) provides asset and liability management services to Government. Businesses managed by the NTMA include borrowing for the Exchequer and management of the National Debt, the State Claims Agency, the New Economy and Recovery Authority, the National Pensions Reserve Fund and the National Development Finance Agency. It assigns staff to the National Asset Management Agency and also provides it with business and support services and systems. All NAMA staff are employees of the NTMA.
The NTMA business model is specifically designed to carry out commercial and market-facing functions while being funded from the Exchequer (except in the case of NAMA which reimburses the NTMA from income generated). Under the NTMA business model, its remuneration structure is such that there are no general pay grades and no pay scales and all staff are on individually-negotiated contracts.
The NTMA publishes information on salaries by salary band in its Annual Report. The 2012 Annual Report is scheduled for publication in July 2013. Salary band information was updated by the NTMA in information provided to the Dáil Public Accounts Committee last December. That information is set out below.
|
- |
NTMA (excluding NAMA) |
NAMA |
Total |
|
Up to €50,000 |
92 |
26 |
118 |
|
€50,001 to €100,000 |
122 |
108 |
230 |
|
€100,001 to €150,000 |
34 |
71 |
105 |
|
€150,001 to €200,000 |
14 |
18 |
32 |
|
€200,001 to €250,000 |
3 |
1 |
4 |
|
€250,001 to €300,000 |
5 |
1 |
6 |
|
€300,001 to €400,000 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
|
€400,001 to €500,000 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Total |
273 |
227 |
500 |
Notes: The public service pension deduction is applied to NTMA employees.
All fifteen NTMA employees whose salaries exceeded €200,000 agreed to the Minister for Finance’s request of December 2011 that they waive 15% of salary or such amount of salary as exceeds €200,000 if application of the full 15% reduction would bring their salary to below €200,000. These reductions are reflected in the above table.
Illicit Trade in Tobacco
Questions (215)
Seán Kenny
Question:215. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Finance the steps the Revenue Commissioners are taking to monitor fairs, markets and so on in order to crackdown on the illegal sale of cigarettes and tobacco products being sold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22804/13]
View answerWritten answers
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that combating the illegal tobacco trade is, and will continue to be, a high priority for them. Their “Strategy on Combating the Illicit Tobacco Trade (2011-2013)” includes a wide range of measures designed to identify and target those engaged in the supply or sale of illicit tobacco products, with a view to seizing the illicit products and prosecuting those responsible. This multi-faceted strategy includes ongoing analysis of the nature and extent of the problem, developing and sharing intelligence on a national, EU and international basis, ongoing review of operational policies, the development of analytics and detection technologies and ensuring optimum deployment of resources at both point of importation and within the country.
A key element of Revenue’s work against the illicit trade within the country is targeted action in relation to markets, fairs and other locations where illicit products are known to be sold. This includes high visibility patrols aimed at disrupting the sale or supply of illicit tobacco products at those locations. In addition, covert surveillance and test purchasing are carried out to gather intelligence, with a view to identifying and prosecuting the suppliers and sellers of illicit products in the areas concerned.
This ongoing work is complemented each year by a number of countrywide “blitz” operations, focused on particular aspects of the illicit trade. Four operations of this kind were carried out during 2012, resulting in the seizure of 1.9 million cigarettes and over 1 tonne of tobacco, 17 vehicles were also seized in the course of those operations, and 2 arrests were made.
There is extensive co-operation with An Garda Síochána in combating the illicit trade, and the relevant agencies in the State also work closely with their counterparts in Northern Ireland, through a cross-border group on tobacco enforcement, to target the organised crime groups that are responsible for a large proportion of the illegal tobacco market.
Considerable success is being achieved against the selling of illicit cigarettes and other tobacco products. During 2012, there were 75 convictions, resulting in the imposition of 21 custodial sentences, some of which were suspended, and fines amounting to €153,050. In addition, there were 57 convictions for smuggling of illicit products, which led to the imposition of 26 custodial sentences, some suspended, and fines totalling €93,550.
The Revenue Commissioners are committed to maintaining their extensive programme of action against all stages of the supply chain for illicit tobacco products, and action against the selling of such products, wherever it occurs, will be a particular focus of attention in this work.
Tax Yield
Questions (216)
Alan Farrell
Question:216. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Finance the annual value of income tax paid by employees of multinational companies that have invested here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22818/13]
View answerWritten answers
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that statistics on the amount of income tax, including Universal Social Charge (USC) paid by the employees of multinational companies that have invested in Ireland are not separately available.
However, the amount of income tax, including USC, paid in 2012 by the 50 companies, managed in Revenue’s Large Cases Division, which manages the tax affairs of most multinational companies that have invested in Ireland and that deducted the largest amounts of income tax, including USC, from the wages and salaries of their employees, and which appear to be multinational companies, was €1.1 billion.
Property Taxation Exemptions
Questions (217)
Finian McGrath
Question:217. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if there is any exemption on the property tax for persons who bought their homes in 2008 and paid huge stamp duty, and for those whose property has had extensive flooding damage and cannot get their home valued as it cannot be sold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22819/13]
View answerWritten answers
The Government decided that a universal liability to the Local Property Tax (LPT) should apply to all owners of residential properties with a limited number of exemptions.
The Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012, as amended, does not contain an exemption related to the previous payment of Stamp Duty. The Inter-Departmental Expert Group on the Design of a Property Tax (the “Thornhill Group”) recommended against allowances for Stamp Duty because such allowances would not be targeted at need, and this recommendation was accepted by the Government. The LPT legislation provides for a system of deferrals which is targeted at cases of need. There is provision for deferral of LPT for income stressed households who are meeting high levels of mortgage interest. Full details of the LPT deferral options can be found in the answer to Parliamentary Question No. 69 of 25 April (Reference No. 19631/13) and on www.revenue.ie.
This Government is committed to helping address the problems faced by those that bought homes at the height of the property boom between 2004 and 2008. In this regard, in Budget 2012, I fulfilled the commitment in the Programme for Government to increase the rate of mortgage interest relief to 30 per cent for first time buyers who took out their first mortgage in that period. Mortgage holders will qualify for the increased rate if they made their first mortgage interest payment in the period 2004 to 2008 or if they drew down their mortgage in that period. 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.
There are no specific exemptions from LPT for those whose properties are susceptible to flooding. The LPT is a self-assessed tax and therefore it is a matter for the property owner to calculate the tax due based on his or her assessment of the market value of the property. Issues such as a potential liability to flooding would be one of the factors that a property owner would take into account in valuing their property. Where a property owner makes a valuation in an honest and reasonable manner, that valuation will not be challenged by Revenue in accordance with its normal Customer Service Charter.
Departmental Expenditure
Questions (218)
John McGuinness
Question:218. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance the individual amount of overtime paid in the case of each political-ministerial appointee for the period 2007 to date in 2013 relative to his office and the office of the Minister of State; if such payments were made to the Secretary General and advisors, and if so, the amounts for the same period. [22875/13]
View answerWritten answers
In response to the Deputy's question the following table outlines details in respect of the individual amount of overtime paid in the case of each political/Ministerial appointee for the period 2007 to date in 2013.
|
Minister |
No. of Political Appointees |
Amount € |
Total € |
|
Brian Cowen |
1 |
15,274 |
15,274 |
|
Brian Lenihan |
2 |
35,020 40,773 |
75,793 |
|
Michael Noonan |
1 |
19,859 |
19,859 |
In relation to the three Secretaries General covered by the period in question, no overtime was paid.
Question No. 219 answered with Question No. 176.
Banking Sector Issues
Questions (220)
Michael McGrath
Question:220. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide details, for each of the covered institutions, the number of rent receivers appointed to date in 2013 in respect of buy to let properties; the number of buy to let properties affected by such appointments; the number of rent receivers expected to be appointed over the remainder of 2013; if he will provide details of the operation of the rent receivers; the impact of the tenants concerned; if he has any policy on the appointment of rent receivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23007/13]
View answerWritten answers
I can inform the Deputy that under the terms of the Relationship Frameworks that govern the relationship between the Minister for Finance and the covered institutions, the Board and Management team retain responsibility and authority for determining the banks’ strategies and commercial policies and conducting their day-to-day operations. The appointment of rent receivers to buy to let properties is a day-to-day operational decision for the Boards and Management teams of the covered institutions.
The covered institutions have provided me with the following details regarding their use of rent receivers.
PTSB
- Permanent TSB has appointed 1 Receiver of Rent (Receiver) in the year to date in respect of Buy-to-Let (BTL) properties.
- 10 BTL properties (on 1 account) have been affected by this appointment in the year to date.
- The bank’s Receiver Strategy for its BTL portfolio is centred on a case by case analysis. Appointments are made where it is deemed to be the most appropriate outcome for both the customer and the bank. The appointment of a Receiver is currently pending on 29 BTL properties (14 accounts). A forecast for 2013 is not advisable.
- A Receiver is appointed by the bank and operates as an agent of the borrower, assuming the role of property landlord in many respects. The Receiver collects rent from the tenant(s) and passes it to the bank, together with attending to any property related issues the tenant may have (in accordance with the Lease Agreement). The appointment of a Receiver should not negatively impact the tenant(s) as the Receiver effectively steps into the shoes of the landlord. The appointment is more likely than not to benefit a tenant as maintenance issues/concerns are more likely to be attended to in a timely manner.
AIB
In the year to date 2013 the number of rent receivers appointed by AIB in respect of buy to let properties is in the low single digits. The number of properties affected by these appointments is not tracked as rent receivers are appointed at a customer level rather than on a property basis. Currently, AIB has no specific targets for the number of rent receivers expected to be appointed over the remainder of 2013. The appointment of a rent receiver has no impact on the tenants.
BOI
In our 2012 Annual Report we disclosed a number of 1,100 rent receiver cases. This included formal appointments in place and appointments pending at end December 2012. We will give a market update on numbers at the time of release of our interims and cannot speculate for the remainder of 2013.
- The receiver notifies the tenant of their appointment and requirement to pay rent to the receiver.
- Any issues relating to the property, e.g. repairs will be dealt with by the receiver.
- The tenant is not required to leave the property unless the minimum notice period based on their rights as tenants has been provided.
- The main impact on a tenant is that they pay their rent to the receiver and not to the landlord. The receiver will write to them to make that clear. In general the rights of the tenant under his or her lease and under legislation are not affected.
Banking Operations
Questions (221)
Finian McGrath
Question:221. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Finance his views regarding Bank of Ireland not issuing bankers' drafts of less than €500 in view of the fact that this is an issue with senior citizens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23043/13]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy is aware, I have no statutory function in relation to banking decisions made by individual lending institutions at any particular time. This is ultimately a commercial decision for the management team and board of each bank, having due regard to their customers and the impact on profitability. Notwithstanding the fact that the State is a minority shareholder in Bank of Ireland, I must ensure that the banks are run on a commercial, cost effective and independent basis to ensure their value as an asset to the State, as per the Memorandum on Economic and Financial Policies agreed with the EU Commission, the ECB and the IMF. A Relationship Framework has been specified that defines the nature of the relationship between the Minister for Finance and each bank. These Frameworks were published on 30 March 2012 and can be found at:http://banking.finance.gov.ie/presentations-and-latest-documents/.
The Central Bank in conjunction with my Department and others has launched a National Payments Plan (NPP) aimed at increasing the efficiency of Ireland’s payments infrastructure. While the plan envisages a move away from less efficient methods of payment such as cheques and bank drafts to EFT and greater use of electronic banking. At all times the NPP will be mindful of the needs of all users of the payments systems and especially the needs of the marginalised in society such as senior citizens. All options will remain available to consumers but those who need help moving to more efficient methods will be supported.
Property Taxation Application
Questions (222)
Tom Fleming
Question:222. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify the position regarding houses that were exempt from the household charge in 2012 by county councils as these homes were subject to inspection in many cases by independent engineers on behalf of owners and were verified as being unfit for human habitation or declared not feasible to carry out a complete overhaul to restore them to a standard to live in and these same houses are now subject to registration of the property tax and assessed for category of charge on notification registration form; if he will give clarity regarding this anomaly which is currently a tax on a vast amount of homes that are worthless; and if will he review the cases with a view to applying an exemption as of the previous tax in 2012. [23052/13]
View answerWritten answers
For Local Property Tax (LPT) purposes, a residential property is defined as any building or structure (or part of a building) which is used as, or is suitable for use as, a dwelling. This is similar to the position for the Household Charge, which applied to a building (including a house, flat, maisonette, or apartment) which was occupied or suitable for occupation as a separate dwelling.
If a residential property is suitable for use as a dwelling but is unoccupied, it is still liable to LPT, which will be calculated based on the valuation of the property. However, if the property is not suitable for use as a dwelling, it is not liable for LPT. Where a property owner considers her/his property is not suitable for use as a dwelling, s/he is obliged to notify the Revenue Commissioners as soon as possible after receiving her/his LPT Return. The owner must also include relevant supporting documentation; for example, an engineer’s report. Based on the information provided by the property owner, Revenue will consider the claim and make a decision on the matter.
Section 10(2) of the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012 (as amended) provides that a residential property shall be exempt from LPT where it is situated in an unfinished housing estate. Section 10(1) of the Act defines an “unfinished housing estate” as a development of two or more buildings that is specified in a list prescribed under section 10(3) of the Act by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government for the purposes of the Act. Section 10(4) of the Act prescribes a range of circumstances to which that Minister shall have regard for the purposes of that section.
The Minister for the Environment Community and Local Government has prescribed and published this list, which is set out in the schedule to the Finance (Local Property Tax) Regulations 2013 and was compiled by local authorities utilising the categorisation employed for the purposes of the National Housing Survey 2012. The Survey was carried out over the course of summer 2012 by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government in conjunction with local authorities and the Housing Agency.
The categorisation methodology for the survey was different to that which was used in 2011 and which provided the basis for the waiver from the Household Charge. That earlier categorisation related largely to the level of on-site activity at the time the 2011 survey was carried out and had less to do with the physical character of a development. The 2012 survey was based purely and objectively on the actual state of completion of a development. Only developments that were deemed by local authorities to be in a “seriously problematic condition”, regardless of whether a developer was on or off site, were included.
For purposes of preparing the final list of developments to which the exemption from the LPT would apply, local authorities were asked by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government to confirm or update the then existing list as appropriate. I stress that the decision as to whether an estate is on the list of unfinished estates is in the ambit of local authorities and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and not in the ambit of the Department of Finance or the Revenue Commissioners.
In addition to the above, section 10A of the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012 as amended provides for a temporary exemption of at least three consecutive years from the charge to Local Property Tax (LPT) for residential properties that have been certified as having “significant pyritic damage”.
The Finance (Local Property Tax) (Pyrite Exemption) Regulations 2013, which were signed earlier this month by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, set out the methodology for the assessment of dwellings to establish significant pyritic damage. The Regulations require that homeowners demonstrate significant pyritic damage in accordance with the recently published standard by the National Standards Authority of Ireland, I.S. 398 – Reactive Pyrite in sub-floor hardcore material – Part 1. This standard provides guidance on the building condition assessment, as well as on the sampling and testing to be carried out to establish the presence of significant pyritic damage.
To be eligible for an exemption from the LPT, a homeowner must obtain a certificate, from a competent person, confirming the presence of significant pyritic damage on the basis of a building condition assessment in accordance with I.S. 398-1:2013 and having regard to the outcome of the testing and classification of the sub-floor hardcore material carried out in accordance with I.S. 398-1:2013. Eligibility for an exemption will be determined by reference to the presence of significant pyritic damage in the relevant property concerned.
Conscious of the need to reduce costs to affected homeowners, the regulations provide for the use, where feasible, of the results from testing of the sub-floor hardcore undertaken prior to the publication of I.S. 398-1:2013, to classify the hardcore material if the testing that has already been carried out is in accordance with, or equivalent to, the test methods provided in I.S. 398-1:2013, and this has been validated as such by a competent person.
A Building Condition Assessment in accordance with I.S. 398-1:2013 will be required to be carried out by a competent person irrespective of when the testing is, or was, carried out.
A homeowner cannot claim the exemption until the relevant certificate has been issued in respect of the residential property. He or she should notify the Revenue Commissioners at that stage to claim the exemption. Special arrangements will apply in respect of 2013 and 2014 to facilitate homeowners in claiming an exemption. While homeowners who do not have the relevant certificate on the first liability date of 1 May 2013 (liability date for 2013), or by 1 November 2013 (liability date for 2014), will be required to pay LPT for those periods, they will be able to reclaim the tax paid if they obtain the certificate by 31 December 2013 and notify the Revenue Commissioners in writing on or before 31 January 2014. As an alternative to such retrospective treatment they can opt to start the period of exemption from the liability date following the issue of the certificate.
For those properties that are not exempt, LPT is a self-assessment tax so it is a matter for the property owner to calculate the tax due based on his or her assessment of the market value of the property. The condition of the property would be one of the factors that a property owner would take into account in valuing her/his property.
Public Sector Staff Redundancies
Questions (223, 232)
Seán Fleming
Question:223. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if persons in the public service who are employed in more than one location are eligible for the enhanced redundancy payment in respect of one of their locations of work while continuing in the education system while working at another location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22168/13]
View answerSeán Fleming
Question:232. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if teachers who have teaching hours in more than one location are eligible to obtain the enhanced redundancy package in respect of one of their locations while continuing to teach for other hours at a different location and still continue to work in the education system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22170/13]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 223 and 232 together.
The collective agreement on enhanced redundancy payments to public servants provides that public servants who accept an ex-gratia redundancy payment will not be eligible for re-employment in the public service for a period of two years from termination of the employment. Therefore, an ex-gratia redundancy payment would not be payable in either of the scenarios described by the Deputy, should the individual continue to work in the public service.
It should be noted that a claim for a variation to the terms of the collective agreement has been referred to the Labour Court by unions representing teachers and academic staff in Universities and Institutes of Technology and a Labour Court hearing is scheduled to take place in the coming weeks.
FÁS Local Training Initiatives Eligibility
Questions (224)
Finian McGrath
Question:224. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will advise on further training skills in respect of a person (details supplied). [22198/13]
View answerWritten answers
FÁS administer the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) which includes twenty one different regulated programmes. These programmes are mostly intended for trained workers and are provided by private approved training organisations. However, I understand that there are twelve construction plant programmes included in CSCS which also have New Entrant CSCS programmes. These programmes are intended for beginners and are available from private approved training providers and the FÁS Mount Lucas training facility in Daingean County Offaly, who provide these courses to unemployed workers. The New Entrant programmes are 3-4 days duration.
The Construction Industry Federation offer a five day Managing Safely in Construction course which is approved and validated by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), this certificate in Safety and Health is specifically designed for project managers, as well as for safety officers, project supervisors and site managers.
Third level colleges such as University College Dublin also offer a range of courses at Certificate, Higher Diploma and Degree level in Occupational Safety and Health.
The person in question would be best advised to contact his Local Employment Office to discuss his options.
FÁS Safe Passes
Questions (225)
Seán Fleming
Question:225. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason safe pass tickets for various courses on construction and other sites do not last for up to three or four years as is the case in many other countries in view of the fact that it is putting an undue burden on people who are not in employment to continue to pay to have these updated on a more regular basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22264/13]
View answerWritten answers
I am informed that the FÁS Safe Pass registration cards are valid for four years. Applicants must retake the one-day programme to renew their card.
Proposed Legislation
Questions (226, 254)
Joe McHugh
Question:226. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Skills with reference to the draft SOLAS Bill's definition of further education and training, if he will consider broadening the definition to include other systematic and deliberate learning undertaken by adults in a wide variety of settings and contexts, both formal and non-formal, in particular community education; if he will consider specifically naming Independent Community Education as a provider group within the legislation; if there is scope for modification of Section 7(h) and Section 7(h)2 to expressly address the training and upskilling needs of persons within and outside the labour market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22702/13]
View answer
Ciaran Lynch
Question:254. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure that the position of community education is secured under the provision of the SOLAS Bill (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22359/13]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 226 and 254 together.
I recognise that further education and training as it is currently delivered covers a broad spectrum that ranges from basic adult literacy and numeracy courses to courses that are certified at level 6 and above on the National Framework of Qualifications. It also spans the generations of learners from adult learners to early school leavers. It is delivered in formal classroom settings and in less formal settings based in the community. It is essentially a flexible form of education that can meet the diverse needs of learners in the most appropriate setting.
Since the publication of the Bill a number of concerns have been raised regarding the definition of further education and training and the matter is being dealt with in the context of the passage of the Bill.
Special Educational Needs Services Provision
Questions (227)
Dara Calleary
Question:227. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider having Down's syndrome listed as a complex, low incidence disorder, in order that all children with Down's syndrome are entitled to educational resource hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22748/13]
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The Deputy will be aware of this Government's ongoing commitment to ensuring that all children with special educational needs, including children with Down syndrome, can have access to an education appropriate to their needs. The policy of my Department is to secure the maximum possible level of inclusion of students with special educational needs in mainstream primary and post-primary schools, or where a special school or special class placement may be required to ensure such placements are provided for.
Pupils with Down syndrome attending mainstream schools may receive additional teaching support in primary schools, either under the terms of the General Allocation Model (GAM) of teaching supports, if the pupil's educational psychological assessment places the pupil in the mild general learning disability/high incidence disability category, or through an allocation of individual additional resource teaching hours which are allocated by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), if the child is assessed as being within the low incidence category of special need, as defined by my Department's Circular Sp Ed 02/05.
Pupils with Down syndrome may be allocated resources under the category of mild general learning disability, or under the categories of moderate general learning difficulty or Assessed Syndrome, in conjunction with another Low Incidence disability. There is not presently a distinct disability category of Down syndrome for resource allocation purposes.
I have asked the National Council for Special Education to provide me with policy advice on the issue of whether Down syndrome should be reclassified as a low incidence disability in all instances, regardless of assessed cognitive ability. This advice will be included in the NCSE's comprehensive policy advice on how the education system can best support children with special educational needs which is currently in preparation and which is expected in the coming weeks.
School Transport Applications
Questions (228)
Michael McCarthy
Question:228. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will advise on an application for concessionary school transport in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22811/13]
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The child in question is not attending her nearest post primary school and is therefore not eligible for school transport.
However, children who are not eligible for school transport under the terms of the scheme may apply to Bus Éireann for transport on a concessionary basis subject to a number of conditions including the availability of spare seats on an existing service and the payment of the annual charge.
The allocation of seats for transport on a concessionary basis is made by Bus Éireann in early August. As requested in the letter from Bus Éireann, referred to in the details supplied, the family should complete and return the application for concessionary transport to their local Bus Éireann office immediately.
Special Educational Needs Staffing
Questions (229)
Finian McGrath
Question:229. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the major collective effect of the cuts to special needs assistants for children with a disability; and if he will reverse these cuts. [22823/13]
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The National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports, including Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.
I wish to advise the Deputy that there has been no reduction to the total number of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) posts which were available to the NCSE to allocate to schools this year. 10,575 whole time equivalent SNA posts are available for allocation, which is the same amount as in recent years and which represents an increase in the number of posts which were allocated in 2009 and 2010.
Details of all of the SNA allocations which have been made to schools by the NCSE are available at www.ncse.ie.
All schools were asked by the NCSE to submit their applications to the NCSE for SNA support for the 2013/14 school year by 15th March, 2013, and schools will be advised of their new allocations in advance of the coming school year.
Graduate Support Schemes
Questions (230)
Seán Kyne
Question:230. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of citizens who have graduated from the ICT skills conversion courses which began from March 2012 and are supported by her Department. [23058/13]
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Over 700 people have been supported under the first phase of the ICT graduate skills conversion courses rolled out from March 2012. A total of 423 people are due to graduate from these programmes by the end of May 2013 and the remainder will complete their programmes before the end of the year. Arrangements for an evaluation of the first phase of the initiative to be carried out over the coming months are being finalised. This will include inputs from participants, providers and enterprise stakeholders.
More than 760 new places are also being rolled out under the second phase of the conversion programmes. Graduate jobseekers can apply for the programmes online on the dedicated information and applications website www.ictskills.ie.
The programmes are free of charge to participants and all suitably qualified jobseekers are eligible to apply regardless of their employment status. While participation on the programmes does not create an entitlement to receive any income support payment, participants who are in receipt of a jobseekers payment may be able to maintain their income support provided they meet the criteria set by the Department of Social Protection.
Teaching Council of Ireland
Questions (231)
Seán Fleming
Question:231. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason new entrants into the teaching profession have to pay a teacher registration fee of €90 whereas the fee for existing teachers is €65; if this is not placing an unfair burden on new entrants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22169/13]
View answerWritten answers
The Teaching Council's fee for renewal of registration was reduced from €90 to €65 from 1 January 2013. The fee for initial registration remains at €90; I am advised by the Teaching Council that this reflects the greater administrative costs associated with initial registration as opposed to annual renewal of registration. These include acting as a conduit for the Garda Vetting process and determining that applicants' qualifications meet the Council's standards for entry into the profession. Both fees, as the Deputy may be aware, are substantially lower than for many other professions.
The Teaching Council keeps all matters concerning registrants, such as fees, under review.
Question No. 232 answered with Question No. 223.
Teacher Redeployment
Questions (233)
Seán Fleming
Question:233. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a person on a teaching panel in second level education and waiting to be redeployed to an alternative location is being paid the normal salary during these periods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22171/13]
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The core function of the redeployment arrangements is to facilitate the redeployment of all surplus permanent and CID holding teachers to other schools that have vacancies. The redeployment of all surplus permanent teachers is key to the Department's ability to manage within its payroll budget and ceiling on teacher numbers. The objective of the redeployment arrangements is that all surplus permanent/CID holding teachers are redeployed by the start of the new school year.
Schools Building Projects Status
Questions (234)
Seán Fleming
Question:234. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding school building projects (details supplied) in County Laois; when this is expected to go to construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22180/13]
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The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning. The design team is currently working on the preparation of the Stage 2(a) submission.
When Stage 2(a) is approved, the project will then progress to stage 2(b) which includes applications for planning permission, Fire Safety Certification, Disability Access Certification and the preparation of tender documents.
Due to competing demands on my Department's capital budget, imposed by the need to prioritise the limited funding available for the provision of additional school accommodation to meet increasing demographic requirements, it was not possible to include this project in the five year construction programme.
Schools 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 my Department in future years. The project referred to by the Deputy will remain available to be considered for progression in that context when it has reached the completion of the design stages.