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Thursday, 13 Jun 2013

Written Answers Nos. 71-79

Schools Building Projects Status

Questions (71)

Gerald Nash

Question:

71. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a new school building will be provided at a school (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28465/13]

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Written answers

The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. In May 2013, the Department authorised the project to proceed to Stage 2b which includes applications for Planning Permission, Fire Safety Certificate, Disability Access Certificate and the preparation of tender documents. The project is listed on the five year school building programme to go to construction in 2014/2015.

Schools Building Projects Status

Questions (72)

Brendan Smith

Question:

72. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position on the proposed building project for a school (details supplied) in County Cavan; the current stage of this project; when the project is likely to proceed to the next stage; the likely timescale for construction; if this project will be progressed as quickly as possible in view of the high rental costs for temporary accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28518/13]

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Written answers

The school building project referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. The project has been authorised to proceed to Stage 2(b) - Detailed Design which involves securing planning permission, fire certificate and disability access certificate and the completion of tender documents. When the relevant statutory approvals have been obtained and stage 2b completed my Department will then be in contact with the Board of Management with regard to the potential for further progression of the project. It is not possible to progress all projects within the Department's building programme to construction concurrently due to competing demands on the Department's capital budget. 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 the future.

Schools Building Projects Status

Questions (73)

Andrew Doyle

Question:

73. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide, in tabular form, all new places being made available to both primary and secondary schools in an area (details supplied) in County Wicklow in the coming months and years; if he will outline all the upgrades and emergency works in the area since his appointment; if he will outline new school places and new schools, where prefabs have been replaced; the other beneficial moves he has made for the said area since coming into office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28543/13]

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Written answers

The Deputy will be aware that the Five Year Construction Plan, that I announced on 9 March 2012, outlines the major school projects that will commence construction over the duration of the Plan. The primary aim at the core of the Plan is focussed on meeting demographic demands to ensure that every child will have access to a physical school place and that our school system is in a position to cope with increasing pupil numbers.

I also wish to advise the Deputy that due to additional funding made available for the schools building programme as part of the Government's "Investing in Infrastructure and Jobs" package announced last week, school projects that were not contained in the 5 year programme but have completed extensive architectural planning are now being progressed to tender and construction.

In relation to the areas in Co Wicklow, referred to by the Deputy, the following school projects are being progressed as follows; Wicklow Town: A new 16-classroom primary school is earmarked to proceed to construction under the Plan in 2014/2015. Rathnew: Two 16-classroom primary schools will be in place following completion of building projects for St. Joseph's/St. Ernan's primary schools and Gaelscoil Chill Mhantáin. It is envisaged under the Plan that the projects concerned will proceed to construction in 2015/2016. My Department is currently assessing an application for an additional classroom for Gaelscoil Chill Mhantáin for this September and a decision on the application will be conveyed to the school management when this process has been completed.

The demographic position is considered stable in the other areas, referred to by the Deputy, and accordingly no major building projects are planned for these areas.

Details of all works funded under my Department's Additional Accommodation, Prefab Replacement and Emergency Works Schemes, including works in schools in Co. Wicklow, are available on my Department Website and this is updated on a regular basis.

Schools Building Projects Expenditure

Questions (74)

Andrew Doyle

Question:

74. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of funding that has been allocated for a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow under the investing in infrastructure and jobs package announced last week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28559/13]

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Written answers

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the school building project referred to was included in the €50 million investment in new school building projects recently announced as part of the Government's "Investing in Infrastructure and Jobs" Package. The project is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. Officials from the School Building Unit of my Department will shortly be in contact with the School Authorities in relation to progressing the project to tender and construction. The Deputy will understand that my Department does not disclose the estimated cost of individual projects prior to a tender process due to commercial sensitivities.

Redundancy Payments

Questions (75)

Joe Carey

Question:

75. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 227 of 30 April 2013, if he will process this redundancy payment for a person (details supplied) in County Clare in respect of their employment as a special needs assistant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28568/13]

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Written answers

An application for compensation for loss of hours from the person referred to by the Deputy was received by my Department on 6th December 2012. Applications are processed in date order of receipt and every effort is being made to process these applications as quickly as possible. It is expected that the person referred to by the Deputy will receive payment in August 2013.

Questions (76)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

76. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason gross capital spending was 15% less than profiled as per the end of May Exchequer statement. [28402/13]

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Written answers

The end May Exchequer returns showed that €751m was drawn down by Departments and Offices. This is €108m (12.6%) behind the level that had been profiled in the period. However, taking account of expenditure of €63m in capital carryover, total expenditure to date amounts to €814m. A variance of between 10% and 12% is not unusual and there can be variations in spending patterns between Departments with some ahead of target. Departments have indicated that they do not expect any significant savings by year end and so expenditure is expected to return to profile at that stage.

As you know, capital spending has general characteristics which influence the allocation drawdown pattern. Expenditure on capital projects typically occurs in large tranches at fixed milestones, unlike current expenditure which is generally continuous throughout the year. This will, of course, affect the phasing and profiling of capital expenditure.

National Lottery Licence Sale

Questions (77)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

77. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the reduction in money granted to good causes under the terms of the new 20-year licence for the national lottery will have a negative impact on the community sector, especially in view of cuts to funding from a number of other funding avenues; if he intends to adjust this reduction once the new operator shows signs of improved profit margins; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28407/13]

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Written answers

Under the next licence, the National Lottery operator will be in a position to increase significantly the level of sales of National Lottery tickets. This increase will be partly facilitated by the provision, under the National Lottery Act 2013, for the sale of tickets through interactive channels. In addition, the formula provided for in the next licence regarding returns to Good Causes will offer the holder of the next licence greater flexibility and scope for the growth and development of lottery games and distribution channels. This formula provides that 65% of Gross Gaming Revenues (defined as sales less prizes) will be allocated to Good Causes during each year of the licence.

I am confident that under these new arrangements, the level of annual returns for Good Causes under the next licence will grow significantly from the 2012 amount of 225 million euro. The new licence provides for an alignment of interests between the next operator and the State, which will result in enhanced revenues for the beneficiaries of Good Causes.

Architectural Heritage

Questions (78)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

78. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 144 of the 16 of May 2013, in relation to stonework belonging to the Office of Public Works left on Coillte lands near Tintern Abbey, the original provenances of the material in question; if the material was assessed after coming into the possession of the OPW; the person who authorised its removal from its original locations and its transfer to the OPW depot in Kilkenny; the qualifications this person had to assess the archaeological and architectural significance of the stonework; the person who authorised its transfer to its present location and details of the regulations that cover such removal and re-use of architectural fragments; if the appropriate statutory authorities were notified of the original removal of this material from its original context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28536/13]

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Written answers

The Stonework in question was, as indicated in a PQ Reply dated 16 May 2013, drawn from a number of different sources, including Kilkenny Co. Council and various non-conservation sections within OPW itself. This stone was offered to OPW National Monuments Service as a building materials resource having regard to its ongoing work in relation to National Monuments in State care.

The assessment of the stone and its possible value in terms of its use in future heritage projects was made by experienced staff working in OPW's National Monuments District, Kilkenny and by OPW's Senior Conservation Architectural staff in Dublin. Ultimately, the decision to accept the stone was based on a judgement of its value to the OPW National Monuments Service in the context of its work on the portfolio of National Monuments in State care and on the economic saving that would be gained by recyling the stone and thus avoiding the necessity of buying from commercial providers to fulfil needs for conservation projects.

The decision to transfer the stone from OPW's Kilkenny National Monuments Depot to its current location on Coillte lands adjacent to Tintern Abbey in Wexford was made by National Monuments conservation staff on the grounds of economy and on the logistical efficiency of maintaining a store of good quality stone in a safe location close to sites where conservation works were likely to require recourse to such stocks.

The material in question does not, in the opinion of professional OPW staff, contain any fragments related to any National Monument site and the appropriate statutory provisions relating to the treatment of such material in the various National Monuments Acts do not therefore apply.

National Lottery Licence Sale

Questions (79)

Andrew Doyle

Question:

79. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on whether the national lottery is in breach of EU competition law, occupying a dominant position; his views on whether this will affect the sale of the lottery licence, where the expressions of interest deadline has recently expired; the number of expressions of interest his Department has received for the lottery licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28457/13]

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Written answers

I have received a letter on behalf of an organisation which has given notice of its intention to challenge the State regarding the establishment and operation of the National Lottery on competition grounds. The Attorney General has replied stating that the organisation’s assertion is unfounded and that in the event of proceedings being issued they will be vigorously defended by the State.

The deadline for receipt of Expressions of Interest in participating in the competition expired on Friday, 7th June 2013. The deadline for receipt of applications for the next licence is 16th September 2013. The Deputy will appreciate that it would not be prudent of me to disclose, in advance of the conclusion of the competitive process, the number of parties who have expressed an interest in the process.

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