Written Answers Nos. 418-436
418. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will expedite a student grant application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38634/13]
View answerOfficials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that the student referred to by the Deputy made an application for the 2013/14 academic year on 30th July, 2013. A document checklist issued to the applicant on 20th August 2013. The application will be further reviewed on receipt of the requested documentation and a decision will issue to the applicant. If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a student grant, or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, she/he 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 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.
419. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills the full year saving to the Exchequer if all Education and Training Board CEOs salaries were reduced by 10%. [38642/13]
View answerThere are three categories of ETBs for the purposes of pay scales for Chief Executives. Based on the mid point of these scales, my Department estimates that the gross annual saving to the Exchequer, were salaries for Chief Executives to be reduced by 10%, is of the order of €173,000.
420. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills the full year saving to the Exchequer if the weekly teaching hours of third level lecturers were increased to 18 per week. [38643/13]
View answerThe Public Service Stability (Haddington Road) Agreement 2013-2016 arose from an intensive and difficult set of negotiations between the Public Services Committee of ICTU and the Government that took place against a backdrop of continuing significant difficulties in the finances of the State. Union members in the Higher Education sector are currently balloting on this Agreement and in my view it is better for us all to allow them time and space to reflect and come to their decision. I therefore do not think that it would be helpful to this process for me to articulate the potential impact of any further measures beyond those outlined in the Agreement. The Deputy may be aware however that the Institute of Technology sector already has a requirement of 18 teaching contact hours per week.
421. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills the full year cost of providing free schoolbooks to primary and secondary school children. [38645/13]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy is not readily available to my Department, however one estimate from publishers' sources suggests that the Irish school book market is worth approximately €60 million per annum. At present, my Department provided approximately €15m in total to first and second level schools by way of book grants in 2012 and the same level of funding was provided in 2013.
422. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills the monetary full year saving to the Exchequer arising from the Haddington Road agreement measure to increase academic staff working hours by an additional 78 hours per annum; if he will provide the monetary full year additional saving if weekly hours were increased by an additional 45 minutes per week on top of the Haddington Road agreement additional hours. [38646/13]
View answerThe Public Service Stability (Haddington Road) Agreement 2013-2016 arose from an intensive and difficult set of negotiations between the Public Services Committee of ICTU and the Government that took place against a backdrop of continuing significant difficulties in the finances of the State. The savings arising under the Agreement have been incorporated in my Department's revised estimate for 2013 which is available on my Department's website and further details for 2014 and 2015 will be incorporated in the vote allocation in the context of the overall estimates process. Union members in the Higher Education sector are currently balloting on this Agreement and in my view it is better for us all to allow them time and space to reflect and come to their decision. I therefore do not think that it would be helpful to this process for me to articulate the potential impact of any further measures beyond those outlined in the Agreement.
423. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that prior to the commencement of the 2013-2014 academic year parents were being asked to borrow sums of up to €800 to fund the purchase of iPads for student's use; his views on whether this promotes unnecessary debt for struggling families; where this arose from in policies made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38782/13]
View answerThe Programme for Government prioritises the integration of ICT in teaching and learning across the curriculum. Where ICT is embedded in the curriculum it can serve to engage and motivate children in the learning process. It has proven to increase students' self-esteem and creates a more positive disposition towards learning as well as providing teachers with more up to date, exciting and relevant ways of presenting and engaging with the curriculum. ICT can act as a catalyst for peer teaching and learning and is hugely powerful in the development of team-work, higher order thinking skills and a collaborative learning and teaching environment.
Since 1998, the national ICT in Schools programme has focused on building capacity across the schools system for integrating ICT into teaching and learning and developing pupils' digital literacy, The ICT in Schools programme must address new policy challenges and opportunities arising from major developments in curricular reform, digital publishing, digital content dissemination tools generally, cloud services, portable computing and student devices, and the deployment of high speed broadband at post-primary level. In relation to curricular reform the new junior cycle in post-primary schools outlines eight key skills required for successful learning by students across the curriculum and for learning beyond school. Among the key skills, one is literacy and numeracy, which includes digital literacy. Planning is underway for the development of a new ICT Plan.
The PDST Technology in Education provided in their summer course programme (2013) for teachers a course 'Active learning in literacy and numeracy using tablet devices'. This five day course was run in 28 different venues around the country with approximately 400 training places. In addition, 48 tutors were trained to deliver the course and it is intended that these tutors will be used during the school year and in summer 2014 to offer the same professional development opportunity to other teachers. In addition PDST Technology in Education have produced an advice sheets for schools and good practice videos specifically relating to the use of tablet devices. I am aware of the fact that parents are being asked to fund the introduction of tablet devices into the classrooms. In relation to the introduction of tablet devices in schools this is an operational matter for the Board of Management of each school and my Department has no role at individual school level in approving such initiatives. I believe it is important that where new technology, is being adopted by schools parents should be consulted prior to the decision being made and that the costs implications are fully considered by the Boards of Managements.
424. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will undertake an assessment of the need for a primary school in an area (details supplied) in Dublin 11, in view of the current age profile of the area. [38785/13]
View answerIn June 2011, I announced that up to 40 new schools are to be established up to 2017 to cater for increasing demographics across a number of locations. These consist of twenty new primary schools and twenty new post-primary schools. This announcement did not include a proposal to establish any new primary school in the area to which the Deputy refers.
The Forward Planning Section of my Department will continue to monitor enrolments in the area to ensure that there is sufficient school accommodation to meet any projected future demands.
425. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline the stage of a school project (details supplied) in Dublin 9 in terms of design; when it is expected to submit a planning application in respect this project; and when construction works will commence. [38797/13]
View answerResponsibility for the delivery of a new 16 classroom school referred to by the Deputy has been devolved to the Office of Public Works. The project is at the early stages of architectural planning and I understand that the OPW is currently liasing with the school authorities to progress the sketch scheme for the school. A site survey has been completed and an Ecological Screening Report required prior to planning has commenced and is due to be completed next week. The school project is included in the 5 Year Construction Programme announced in March 2012 and is scheduled to commence construction in 2014/2015.
426. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a proposed building project for a school (details supplied) in County Cavan; when this project will proceed to the next stage; the likely timescale for construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38802/13]
View answerThe school building project referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. The project was authorised last March to proceed to Stage 2b - Detailed Design, which involves obtaining planning permission, fire certificate and disability access certificate and the completion of tender documents. The planning permission is currently under appeal to An Bord Pleanála. When all of the relevant statutory approvals have been obtained and the Stage 2b report submitted and reviewed, my Department will contact the Board of Management with regard to the potential, at that time, 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. However, 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.
427. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills when funding will be provided for a project (details supplied) in County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38803/13]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the position is as confirmed in my reply to his Parliamentary Question 210 on 18th July last. My Department is awaiting further information from the applicant and the matter can be considered further when this information has been provided.
428. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills the full year saving to the Exchequer if all commercial semi State CEO's pay under the aegis of his Department were reduced by 10%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39261/13]
View answerThere are no commercial semi State companies under the aegis of my Department.
429. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills the full year saving to the Exchequer if all non-commercial State sponsored bodies CEO salaries under the aegis of his Department were reduced by 10%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39270/13]
View answerThe salary scales for posts of chief executive officer (CEO) is calculated in accordance with specific salary scales. Based on these salary scales a notional annual saving in the region of €155,000 would be made if there was a 10% reduction in CEO salaries.
It should be noted that in the recent Haddington Road Agreement, salaries have been cut by 5.5% for those earning between €65,000 and €80,000, 8% for those earning between €80,000 and €150,000, 9% for employees on €150,000 to €185,000, and 10% for those earning over €185,000.
430. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills the full year saving to the Exchequer if all State agency board members fees, non commercial State sponsored bodies and commercial semi State companies, under the aegis of his Department were reduced by 25%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39280/13]
View answerThe table contains information in respect of those bodies currently under the aegis of my Department which are paid fees namely:
- Commission into Child Abuse
- Foras Áiseanna Saothair
- Grangegorman Development Agency
- Higher Education Authority
- Residential Institutions Redress Board (RIRB)
- Residential Institutions Review Committee (RIRC)
- Skillnets Ltd
|
Agency Name (and Website Address) |
Remuneration/Fees Applicable in 2013 |
Remuneration/Fees Applicable in 2013 |
Remuneration/Fees Applicable in 2013 with 25% reduction applied |
Remuneration/Fees Applicable in 2013 with 25% reduction applied |
|
- |
Chairperson |
Ordinary Member |
Chairperson |
Ordinary Member |
|
Commission into Child Abuse www.childabusecommission.ie |
See Note 1 |
See Note 1 |
See Note 1 |
See Note 1 |
|
Foras Áiseanna Saothair www.fas.ie |
€20,520 |
€11,790 |
€15,390 |
€8,843 |
|
Grangegorman Development Agency www.ggda.ie |
€8,978 |
€0 |
€6,734 |
€0 |
|
Higher Education Authority www.hea.ie |
€11,970 |
€7,695 |
€8,978 |
€5,771 |
|
Residential Institutions Redress Board RIRB) www.rirb.ie |
See Note 2 |
See Note 2 |
See Note 2 |
See Note 2 |
|
Residential Institutions Review Committee (RIRC) See RIRB website |
See Note 2 |
See Note 2 |
See Note 2 |
See Note 2 |
|
Skillnets Ltd www.skillnets.ie |
€8,978 |
€5,985 |
€6,734 |
€4,489 |
Note 1: The Chairperson of the Commission to Inquire Into Child Abuse (CICA) is a member of the Judiciary and is not paid by the CICA. The ordinary members of the Commission, who were all salaried are not currently on the payroll.
Note 2: The Chairman of the RIRB is paid an annual salary equivalent to a serving President of the Circuit Court subject to abatement to take account of his pension.
In relation to the RIRC, the Chairman's salary is linked to his former Supreme Court judicial salary subject to pension abatement. Since October 2011, the Chairman has taken a 50% voluntary reduction in his salary.
The other board members of both the RIRB and the RIRC are paid a per diem rate and pension abatement applies in the case of members receiving a pension from the State. The per diem rate from 1st January 2011 is €668.
431. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a full update on the River Dargle flood defence scheme, with specific reference to the delay in underpinning the Bray bridge, the design issue which has led to delayed progress around People's Park; when works in area 5 from the N11 Bridge to Rehills land will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36910/13]
View answerThe River Dargle (Bray) Flood Relief Scheme is being carried out by Bray Town Council, as the Contracting Authority, with funding from the Office of Public Works. The contract is a design-build arrangement, whereby a degree of the detailed design of the works is undertaken by the contractor.
Progress has been made in many areas including on the construction of the new culvert and on the underpinning of Bray Bridge and river regrading, soil nailing and erosion protection in Area 5. This work will be of considerable benefit in reducing flood risk.
Progress in relation to Area 3 (between western end of People’s Park to Bray Bridge) and a portion of Area 4 (between People’s Park and Rehills Lands/the Slang) has been delayed arising out of a fundamental disagreement between the Town Council and the contractor in relation to the latter's design proposals for these areas, which are significantly at variance with the proposals included in the contractor's Works Proposals under the contract. This issue has been referred by the contractor to third party conciliation, as provided for in the contract. The parties subsequently agreed to extend the ambit of the conciliation to encompass issues relating to other areas of the scheme. The conciliation process, which is conducted on a confidential and without prejudice basis, is expected to conclude shortly. The outcome will determine which approach is to be taken to deal with the matters in dispute and, in this context, how the remainder of the scheme will be progressed. It is therefore not possible at this point to give a timescale for completion of the works.
432. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans for a drainage project of the Nanny River in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37075/13]
View answerThe Office of Public Works(OPW) has a statutory responsibility to maintain the part of the River Nanny within the Duleek Drainage Scheme. Works are scheduled under the maintenance programme for this year for that part of the river. The OPW does not have responsibility for and does not have plans to do works on the River Nanny outside of the Duleek Scheme. These parts of the river are in Drainage Districts, which are the responsibility of Meath County Council.
The OPW has not received any application from the Council under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for works on the River Nanny.
The draft Flood Risk Management Plan produced under the Fingal East Meath Flood Risk Assessment and Management Study identified a preferred option for flood protection measures for coastal areas including Laytown and Bettystown alongside the River Nanny estuary. It is a matter for Meath County Council to progress any such measures. Under the draft plan, the OPW is to consider whether an additional standard of protection should be provided at Duleek. This option is for potential longer-term implementation.
433. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the current status of circular number 06/12 regarding public procurement in view of the High Court decision which was delivered by Justice Hogan on 29 May 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37586/13]
View answerAs the judgement referred to by the Deputy is under appeal it would be inappropriate for me to comment directly on it.
Reform of public procurement is one of the major projects of key strategic importance in the Government’s Public Service Reform Plan, which was published in November 2011. Procurement of supplies and services accounts for around €9 billion of current spending by the State per annum. This represents a very significant portion of overall spending and it is, therefore, essential that the Public Service achieves maximum value for money and operational efficiency in its approach to public procurement.
In this regard, the National Procurement Service (NPS), which will be transferring into the new Office of Government Procurement (OGP), has put in place a number of national arrangements designed to secure better value for money from leveraging the public service’s buying power in relation to a range of goods and services that are commonly purchased across the public service.
In some instances the take up of the NPS arrangements has been low. In order to increase the usage of the NPS arrangements and thereby secure best value for money, the Government decided that it should be mandatory for public service bodies to use specified national procurement arrangements. Last year my Department issued Circular 06/12 which implements the Government decision by making it a mandatory requirement that public service bodies avail of specified national arrangements put in place by the NPS.
While the key purpose of Circular 6/12 is to enable the State to do more with less by aggregating procurement to secure better value for money, it is worth noting that such aggregation arrangements can be implemented in a manner that achieves value for money with a minimal negative impact, or indeed a positive impact, on SMEs. While a number of the categories of goods and services mandated under the Circular are suited to single supplier national arrangements, these need not be accepted as the norm. The greater use, where appropriate, of multi-supplier frameworks can address local supplier issues while also ensuring on-going cost competitiveness of the framework itself. Such multi-supplier frameworks may also offer SMEs the opportunity to participate in national level contracts, thereby offering valuable reference work when competing for public procurement contracts in other jurisdictions.
As Circular 6/12 has served its initial purpose, in that it has highlighted the exceptional value for money available to public bodies that use the limited number of framework arrangements referred to in Circular 6/12. I will shortly issue a new Circular that will replace 6/12.
As public bodies are now better informed of the wide range of goods and services available for purchase under national arrangements, the new Circular will inform public bodies of the continued need to secure best value for money through the use of national contracts, put in place by the Office of Government Procurement (formerly the National Procurement Service), when procuring a range of commonly acquired goods and services. The benefits arising from these central arrangements include: cash savings; administrative savings from reduced duplication of tendering; greater purchasing expertise; improved consistency; and enhanced service levels.
434. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the flood relief programme on the Clare River at Claregalway, County Galway; the amount of funding for this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37819/13]
View answerThe Claregalway Flood Relief Scheme is at an advanced stage of development. A Public Exhibition of the proposed flood relief measures was held in late 2012 and stakeholders were afforded an opportunity to send in their observations on the scheme proposals. The observations received, some of which were quite detailed, have been considered and addressed where appropriate. The scheme, which is expected to cost in the region of €7 million, will be submitted to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for Confirmation (i.e. statutory approval) in the next few weeks and it is expected that construction will commence later this year, subject to approval being given by the Minister.
435. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans for Kill O' the Grange Garda station; and if he will consider it being used by local community and or sporting groups. [38442/13]
View answerThe OPW is currently assessing the property options arising in respect of all closed Garda Stations including the former Garda Station at Kill of the Grange, Co. Dublin. The stated policy is to identify if other State Bodies, including government departments and the wider public sector has a use for the property. If there is no other State use for a property the OPW will then consider disposing of the property on the open market, if and when conditions prevail, in order to generate much needed revenue for the Exchequer. If no State requirement is identified or if a decision is taken not to dispose of a particular property the OPW would consider, community involvement subject to the receipt of an appropriate business case which would indicate that the community/voluntary group has the means to insure, maintain and manage the property.
No proposal has been received for the use of this property.
436. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the use of a Garda station (details supplied) in County Kerry. [38626/13]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) is currently assessing the property options arising in respect of all closed Garda Stations including the former Garda Station in Kilgarvan, Co. Kerry.
The stated policy is to identify if other State Bodies, including government departments and the wider public sector has a use for the property. If no State requirement is identified or if a decision is taken not to dispose of a particular property the OPW will consider community involvement subject to the receipt of an appropriate business case which would indicate that the community/voluntary group has the means to insure, maintain and manage the property.
No business case has been received from the Community Group in question.
