Written Answers Nos. 179 - 194
179. Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Finance his views on allowing, in Budget 2014, persons access up to 30% of their pension scheme akin to the AVC measure adopted in Budget 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33453/13]
View answerFinance Act 2013 was passed into law on 27th March and section 17 of the Act, which makes provision for pre-retirement access to AVCs, has effect from that date. Section 17 introduces a new section 782A into the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 which provides members of occupational pension schemes with a three-year window of opportunity to draw down, on a once-off basis, up to 30% of the accumulated value of certain AVCs made by them, including additional voluntary PRSA contributions made to AVC PRSAs. This is a restricted measure which enables rather than incentivises individuals to access part of their pension savings beyond their regular or compulsory pension contributions. I do not wish to damage future pension provision and it is important that individuals continue to provide for their retirement. For these reasons, I have no plans to extend the measure beyond AVCs.
180. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Finance his views on the recent vote of the European Parliament that voted against curbing fund managers bonuses; the way this move affects Ireland's position on Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities Directives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33461/13]
View answerThe recent vote in the European Parliament on aspects of the UCITS V proposal has no immediate effects. The UCITS V proposals will be determined by the co-decision process between the Council and the European Parliament and the shape of any final UCITS V Directive remains to be seen. Discussions within the Council on the proposal are still at a relatively early stage and it would not be appropriate for me to pre-empt those discussions or future negotiations between the Council and the European Parliament on this issue.
181. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Finance if he has given consideration to some type of reduction in the property tax for residents who are paying management company fees as recognition of the fact that they are paying for some services privately which others receive from the council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33474/13]
View answerThe Government decided that a liability to the Local Property Tax (LPT) should apply to all owners of residential property with a limited number of exemptions. Limiting the exemptions available allows the rate to be kept low for those liable persons who do not qualify for an exemption. A requirement to pay management fees is not relevant in determining liability to the LPT. Accordingly, whilst those who are liable for management fees to property management companies may be exempt from LPT for another reason, or may be entitled to avail of a deferral arrangement under the provisions contained in the legislation, there is no specific reduction in LPT for the payment of management fees.
Generally, properties in managed estates, to which such fees apply, would have been purchased by their owners in the knowledge that they would be taking on commitments to partake in and to fund the management of the estate, and that it was the intention that many such estates would not be taken in charge by local authorities, nor would it be appropriate for local authorities to do so. Management fees in these estates may, in some instances, include services such as refuse collection, maintenance of common areas and a sinking fund for certain repairs to the buildings. These are costs which homeowners in many other developments would have to fund themselves for their own properties.
Revenue from the LPT will accrue to local authorities, and will support the provision of local services. Local authorities provide a broad range of services in the public realm which benefit the wider community and the proper functioning of which are important for the wellbeing of every community and household. These include fire and emergency services; road maintenance and cleaning; street lighting; spatial and development planning and other similar services; regulatory and inspection functions and business support services, as well as libraries, parks, and other recreation and cultural public amenities.
182. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify which Department and what level of the Civil Service is currently handling the Anglo Irish Bank banking situation; if he will confirm if the Secretary General is involved in the investigations of the actions of those involved with the blanket guarantee of the bank previously known as Anglo Irish Bank and the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33538/13]
View answerThe Department of Finance is not conducting an investigation into Anglo Irish Bank as they have no statutory responsibility to do so. As the Deputy is aware the Garda Síochána are the body responsible for criminal investigations in the State. I understand that the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation have requested access to various documents/materials in the banks, including audio recordings, and that the banks have fully complied with these investigations to date. It would be completely inappropriate for the Department of Finance to act outside of its legal powers and interfere with any investigation that could compromise potential future criminal or civil investigations by the bodies responsible under statute. As described above, I am advised that tapes have previously been provided by Anglo/IBRC to the Gardaí and a number of other authorities involved in investigations relating to Anglo Irish Bank and it is now up to those authorities to determine how they will proceed with action on foot of these tapes.
183. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the formal papers confirming the completion of an apprenticeship as a mechanic have not issued to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny in view of the fact that they registered and commenced their course in August 2008; and if he will expedite the matter. [33020/13]
View answerThis is a day to day operation matter for FÁS. I have made enquires of FÁS and I understand that to qualify for the Craft Certificate an apprentice must complete all 7 training phases and assessments and be employed as an apprentice with a FÁS approved employer for a minimum period of 4 years (208 weeks).
According to the information on record on the FÁS Apprenticeship Database, the individual in question, was registered as an apprentice in January 2009 and is currently employed with Dooley's Garage, Jenkinstown, Co. Kilkenny. His records show that he has successfully completed 6 of the 7 phases of the apprenticeship and has a total of 145 weeks in employment as an apprentice. In order to complete his apprenticeship it will be necessary for him to complete the following:- Undertake his phase 7 'on-the-job' assessments and his employer submits the results to FÁS and complete a further 63 weeks in employment as an apprentice with a FÁS approved employer to satisfy the 4 year time requirement ( 208 weeks – 145 weeks = 63 weeks).
This information is based on the details currently recorded on the FÁS database.
184. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of training/up-skilling or further educational places being provided by his Department with a view to addressing the unemployment situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33533/13]
View answerMy Department will fund over 430,000 part time and full time education and training places across the range of provision in the higher education, further education and training sectors in 2013. Unemployed participants are prioritised for places in further education and training. In line with commitments under the Pathways to Work initiative, over 51,000 places across this provision will be targeted specifically at the long-term unemployed in 2013.
1) Further Education provision
The main providers of FE programmes are Vocational Education Committees (VECs). Programmes are usually certified by the Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC) and certification is available for all FE learners. Full-time programmes are:
- Youthreach, for early school leavers between 15 – 20 years of age;
- Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) for unemployed adults over 21 years of age;
- Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) for learners over 16 years of age who have completed the Leaving Certificate (LC) or who are adults returning to education.
Part-time programmes are provided under:
- The Back to Education Initiative (BTEI), free for adults with a less than upper second level education;
- Adult Literacy (AL) for adults with specific needs in basic skills areas and includes English as a Second Language (ESOL) provision;
- Community Education (CE) providing informal and non-formal education for hard-to-reach adults.
2) FAS/SOLAS Training services
FÁS Training Services will facilitate unemployed individuals through a range of training programmes that provide industry/occupational specific skills as well as preparatory type training, to enable a diverse range of unemployed individuals referred to FÁS through "Intreo", to gain a recognised qualification, access job opportunities or progression opportunities to further/higher education/training.
3) Redundant Apprentice Placement Scheme (RAPS)
FÁS the National Training and Employment Authority introduced the Redundant Apprentice Placement Scheme in 2011 (RAPS) to provide redundant apprentices with the opportunity to complete the minimum on-the-job training with assessments for Phase 3, Phase 5 and Phase 7 of the Standard Based Apprenticeship Programme. This Programme was extended in 2012 and there were over 2,200 beneficiaries. RAPS will continue in 2013.
4) Skillnets
Skillnets which is an enterprise-led body funded through the National Training Fund (NTF) to provide companies with new opportunities to develop relevant, effective answers to their training and development needs was set ambitious targets for 2013 to train 40,000 persons, of which up to 8,000 will be unemployed.
5) Momentum
"Momentum" has been designed to provide targeted interventions to tackle the skills shortages in particular sectors of the Irish economy where vacancies have been identified and will provide up to 6,500 training places for the long term unemployed. Some of the places have been targeted specifically at young unemployed people. Momentum will be co-financed by the European Social Fund.
6) National Strategy for Higher Education
National Strategy for Higher Education is a detailed framework and range of recommendations that ensures the system continues to respond to enterprise needs. This includes structured employer surveys and interaction, increased work placement opportunities, staff mobility into enterprise and a renewed focus on generic skills. The Higher Education Authority has also published guidelines for the establishment of higher education institutional clusters at a regional level to support enterprise development and employment needs.
7) Springboard
Springboard is a new funding stream that has been introduced since 2011 to address the specific skills needs of enterprise and to support jobseekers to re-skill in areas where employment opportunities are emerging as the economy is recovering. To date more than 10,000 unemployed or previously self employed people have been provided places under Springboard and a further 5,000 places are expected to be delivered in 2013.
8) ICT Skills
A joint Government-Industry ICT Action Plan, which has been developed as a direct response to identified ICT skills shortages, contains a comprehensive range of measures to build the domestic supply of ICT graduates.
185. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for a new school building (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32878/13]
View answerThe major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning, stage 2b. This stage includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Safety Certificate, Disability Access Certificate 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 construction programme. School building projects, including this project, which have not been included in the 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.
186. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the time new applications for redundancy payments for special needs assistants are currently taking to process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32886/13]
View answerIn accordance with my Department's recently published Circular on Supplementary Assignment Arrangements for Special Needs Assistants (Circular 37/2013), all SNAs who received notification of the termination of their employment due to redundancy from 1st May 2013 are deemed to be members of a Supplementary Assignment Panel for SNAs. As a result, unless an SNA opts out of this Panel, the processing of new applications for redundancy payments will not commence until after 1st June 2014. To date, no applications to opt out of the Panel have been received by my Department.
187. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a student who has applied for registration with the Teaching Council of Ireland and who commenced their teacher education qualification outside of Ireland, holds a recognised and approved teaching qualification from the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland and meets the terms of the EU Directive 2005/36/EC has been advised that they do not have confirmed EU directive status from the Teaching Agency in England and is prevented from being assessed for the purpose of regulation 4, post-primary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32912/13]
View answerThe Teaching Council is the designated authority for the recognition of professional qualifications of teachers in Ireland under Council Directive 2005/36/EC. The Council is obliged under the terms of the Directive to grant registration (or freedom of establishment) to teachers who have completed 'regulated education and training' and are deemed fully qualified as a teacher under the terms of the Directive in another EU/EEA Member State. The Council publicised requirements in this area in a notice of compliance with the Directive in May 2010. Decisions under the Directive are a matter for the Council and neither I, nor my Department, have a direct role in the process, nor would it be appropriate for me to intervene in individual cases. Should a person have a query relating to their application or wish to appeal a refusal to register they should contact the Teaching Council in the first instance.
188. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an appeal to Student Universal Support Ireland in respect of a person (details supplied); when a decision is expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32917/13]
View answerOfficials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland that in the case of the student referred to by the Deputy, his student grant application was appealed to the appeals officer in SUSI on 19th June, 2013. On that basis, the application is currently being reassessed and the student will be notified directly by SUSI of the outcome. Where an appeal is turned down in writing by SUSI and the applicant remains of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in his or her case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board.
189. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application to Student Universal Support Ireland in respect of a person (details supplied); when a decision may be expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32918/13]
View answerOfficials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that the applicant referred to by the Deputy was issued with a decision on the 4th July 2013 advising her that she was deemed ineligible to receive a grant. If the applicant considers that she has been unjustly refused a student grant, or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, she may appeal, in the first instance, to SUSI. Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down, in writing, by SUSI, and remains of the view that SUSI has not interpreted the scheme correctly in her case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to the Student Grant Appeals Board. The relevant appeal form will be available on request from SUSI.
190. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position in regard to a student grant application to Student Universal Support Ireland in respect of a person (details supplied); when a decision may be expected following receipt of additional information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32919/13]
View answerOfficials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that the applicant referred to by the Deputy has been awarded a grant and an award letter issued on 1st July, 2013. SUSI also confirmed that they are awaiting an invoice from the applicant's college for the fees. Regarding the payment of fees, where a student has informed the institution that a decision is awaited from the grants system, I understand that SUSI has a facility in place allowing institutions to liaise with it directly to confirm the status of an individual application, so that students can access their examination results.
191. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position in regard to an appeal to Student Universal Support Ireland in respect of a person (details supplied); when a decision may be expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32921/13]
View answerOfficials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that, in the case of the student in question, her grant application was refused. The student appealed this decision to the appeals officer in SUSI and the original decision was upheld. A letter outlining the position issued to the student on the 27th June,2013. Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down, in writing by SUSI, and remains of the view that SUSI has not interpreted the scheme correctly in his/her case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to the Student Grant Appeals Board. The relevant appeal form will be available on request from SUSI.
192. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position in regard to a payment from Student Universal Support Ireland in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32922/13]
View answerOfficials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that the student referred to by the Deputy was awarded the special rate of maintenance grant and all maintenance payments have issued to the student for the 2012/2013 academic year. SUSI have confirmed that an invoice for Student Contribution was received from Waterford Institute of Technology and a payment was made on the 28th January 2013 to the Institution. I have been informed by SUSI that it has been in contact with the college to clarify the situation and that confusion arose over the use of different forenames by the student. This has now been rectified and SUSI was informed that the student's results have been released.
193. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position in regard to an application to Student Universal Support Ireland in respect of a person (details supplied) following receipt of requested information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32923/13]
View answerOfficials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that the student referred to by the Deputy was issued a provisional award letter on the 5th July 2013.
194. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position in regards to an application to Student Universal Support Ireland in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32925/13]
View answerOfficials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that, in the case of the student referred to by the Deputy, her grant application was refused. The student appealed this decision to the appeals officer in SUSI and on review the original decision was upheld. A letter outlining the position was issued to the student on the 21st June 2013. Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down, in writing by SUSI, and remains of the view that SUSI has not interpreted the scheme correctly in his/her case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to the Student Grant Appeals Board. The relevant appeal form will be available on request from SUSI.
