Written Answers Nos. 280-298
280. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the distance from college for students to be considered eligible for the non-adjacent grant to cover a distance less than 45km (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40966/13]
View answerUnder Budget 2011, the qualifying distance criterion for the non-adjacent rate of student grant increased from 24 km to 45 km. The proposal to amend the distance to qualify for the higher non-adjacent rate to 45 km took into account a reasonable radius in which students could be expected to commute on a daily basis. There are no plans at present to revise the distance criteria. The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter for an applicant's grant awarding authority. Where an applicant is not satisfied with the decision of the grant awarding authority, he/she may submit an appeal to have the decision reviewed.
281. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reasons persons earning less than the income allowed for the special college grant rate are penalised and ineligible for that rate if they are not in receipt of a social welfare payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40979/13]
View answerThe Report of the Action Group on Access to Third Level Education made detailed recommendations concerning the introduction of special rates of maintenance grants for disadvantaged students. The target group of "those most in need" was defined in terms of the dependants of people receiving long-term welfare payments, where the necessary conditions are fulfilled.
The qualifying criteria for the special rate of maintenance grant in the 2013/14 academic year as specified under the 2013 student grant scheme is as follows: 1. Student must qualify for the standard rate of grant
2. Total reckonable income net of income disregards and Child Dependant Increase must not exceed €22,703
3. As at 31st December, 2012, the reckonable income must include one of the eligible long-term social welfare payments prescribed in the Student Grant Scheme.
It should be noted that Family Income Supplement (FIS) is a qualifying payment for the Special Rate. FIS is a weekly tax free social welfare payment for families, including one parent families, designed to provide extra financial support to employees who are on low pay and engaged in insurable employment. It is not proposed, at present, to change the current terms and conditions in respect of the special rates of maintenance grant.
282. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 233 of 24 September 2013, if he will confirm the number of students in each classroom in a school (details supplied); and if he considers the current situation satisfactory. [40980/13]
View answerThe context for any discussion about class sizes is that my Department, like all other Government Departments, is operating within a budgetary programme that is designed to return the Government finances to a sustainable basis. My focus is on ensuring we have school places and teachers for all the additional pupils entering our schools each year. There is no scope to give any consideration to the provision of additional teachers in order to reduce class sizes.
Classroom teachers are currently allocated under the published Staffing Schedule on the basis of a general average of 1 teacher for every 28 pupils with lower thresholds for DEIS Band 1 schools. Data on the number of pupils in each class is available in the class size file on the Department's website at the following link: http://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Statistics/Data-on-Individual-Schools/. The configuration of classes and the deployment of classroom teachers are done at local school level. My Department's guidance to schools is that variations in class sizes should be kept to the minimum.
283. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students at third level who, having previously qualified for maintenance grants, no longer qualify as a result of reductions in the income threshold in budget 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40990/13]
View answerThe income thresholds for student grants were reduced by 3% for the 2013/14 academic year. The changes to the income thresholds applies to all students, not just new entrants and existing students will be re-assessed by their grant awarding authority. It was estimated that some 6,400 (8%) of the total estimated grant recipients attending both further and higher education were expected to be affected by this change, and 220 of these, on the lowest level of grant support - 50% Student Contribution only - will lose their current entitlement altogether. The change does not affect Special Rate students, who are the most vulnerable category of students in receipt of grant support. The Deputy will appreciate that it is still very early stages in the application process for the academic year 2013-14 so the actual numbers are not yet available.
284. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills the protection that exists for children and teachers who are regularly in a position where there is only one adult present with a number of young children; whether this is in breach of best practice for child protection and does it leave teachers open to allegations of inappropriate behaviour. [41039/13]
View answerIt is a recognised and fundamental feature of our education system, and of education systems throughout the world, that a teacher, as part of his or her professional duties, will be in sole charge of a group of pupils. In carrying out their teaching role, all teachers have a duty of care to the pupils they teach. All schools and school personnel are also required to adhere to my Department's "Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools" which are based on "Children First – National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2011". These procedures require all schools to have in place a Child Protection Policy. This policy must recognise that child protection and welfare considerations permeate all aspects of school life and must be reflected in all of the school's policies, practices and activities.
The "Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post- Primary Schools" also include the procedures that schools and school personnel must follow when dealing with child protection concerns, including where an allegation is made against a school employee. The child protection procedures are clear that in all cases, the most important consideration to be taken into account is the protection of children, and their safety and well-being must be the priority.
285. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will pursue all possible avenues to avoid increasing the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in budget 2014 due to, for example, the fact that such a mooted change would see a six teacher school reduced to a five teacher school with teachers shared between eight classes, meaning class sizes increasing from the mid-20s to an average of 31 or 32 children per classroom, which would have a significant impact on such students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41095/13]
View answerThe budget for education, including the number of teaching posts that we can afford to fund in schools is a matter that I will have to consider with my colleagues in Cabinet in the context of the forthcoming budget. The decisions in relation to such matters will be announced at budget time. The Government will endeavour to protect front-line education services as best as possible. However, this must be done within the context of bringing our overall public expenditure into line with what we can afford as a country. The challenge will be to ensure that the resources that can be provided are used to maximum effect to achieve the best possible outcome for pupils.
286. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there has been an increase in the past 12 months in the contributions being made by the 18 religious orders to the statutory fund designed to make restitution to the victims of abuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41106/13]
View answerTotal contributions amounting to €48.787m have been received from the religious congregations towards the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund (RISF) in the past year. When added to the €22m previously received in contributions, a total of €70.787m has been deposited in the special investment account opened by the National Treasury Management Agency in accordance with the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act, 2012. Additional deposits of €1.099m and €0.283m have been lodged, representing the interest earned by congregations on contributions prior to their transfer and the interest earned on the earlier temporary Central Bank deposit account respectively. An overall total of €72.169m has been deposited in the RISF special investment account to date.
287. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a national school sports module (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41112/13]
View answerIt is important to note that primary schools are required to deliver a broad and balanced P.E. programme that enables students to achieve the learning outcomes associated with this subject area. This involves primary schools providing at least one hour a week for P.E. There is therefore no scope for accommodating new initiatives that will encroach on the time that is currently allocated for P.E. or for other curricular areas.
There are also other measures both within and outside of schools that complement the aims of the P.E. curriculum. These include the following: - All primary schools are required to deliver the Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) Programme which provides students with an awareness and understanding of the importance of regular physical exercise, the need for a balanced diet and the consequences of drug and alcohol abuse. - The Active School Flag, launched by my Department in 2009, seeks to recognise schools (both primary and post primary) that provide quality P.E., co-curricular physical activity and sports programmes for their students. To date, more than 1,000 primary schools and 128 post-primary schools have registered for the programme. - Many schools already provide extensive programmes of physical activities outside of school hours in conjunction with sports organisations such as the Gaelic Athletic Association, Basketball Ireland, and the Football Association of Ireland. - 'Sport for All' Day: my Department promotes the dedication of one day in the school year to encourage greater participation in sport at primary school level.
A 'Get Active' Guiding Framework was launched last month by the Taoiseach. This Framework was developed by my Department, in conjunction with the Departments of Health, Children and Youth Affairs, and Tourism, Transport and Sport. It provides for a co-ordinated approach to physical education, physical activity and sport in school and community settings for children and young people. The aim is to ensure that all children are supported to fulfil their potential in terms of physical activity and to live an active, healthy lifestyle.
This proposal for a national sports module for primary schools has been brought to the attention of my officials.
288. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration is being given to the restructuring of the Irish language curriculum at senior cycle with a view to introducing a more conversationalist focus or a separate subject which would emphasise oral skills and ability. [41115/13]
View answerA revised Leaving Certificate curriculum in Irish began in all schools in September 2010, and the first examination took place in June, 2012. The revised programme provides for an increase in the proportion of marks available for oral assessment to 40% (up from 25%), and is aimed at promoting a significant shift in emphasis towards Irish as a spoken language, where students can communicate and interact in a spontaneous way, and where Irish is spoken every day in schools. This revised programme places greater emphasis and provides rewards to students who acquire proficiency in conversation skills. The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment has been asked to review the implications of this change. The review is well underway. It should be noted that the number of students taking Higher Level Irish has increased from 14,358 in 2011, pre the change, to 15,937 in 2012 and 16,669 in 2013.
289. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on all regulatory impact statements carried out on Bills in his Department since this Government took office to date; if he will list these Bills in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41592/13]
View answerMy Department has carried out the following Regulatory Impact Assessments since the 9th March 2011:
- The RIA for the Education (Amendment) Bill 2012 was finalised in December 2011 and is available to download from my Department's website
- The RIA for the Qualification and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Bill 2011 was published at the same time as the Bill in July 2011. The RIA is also available on my Department's website
- The RIA on the Education and Training Boards Bill 2012 was carried out in 2012 and is available to download on my Department's website.
- A RIA was carried out for the Education (Admissions to School) Bill in February 2013
290. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if there are any public sector employees earning less than the minimum wage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40447/13]
View answerI refer to my reply to Parliamentary Question No: 37609 of 18 September 2013.
291. Deputy Dara Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the mechanism available to a person (details supplied) in County Cork to receive a more realistic and sustainable rate valuation on a property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40712/13]
View answerThe Valuation Act, 2001 provides for the valuation of all commercial and industrial property and the Commissioner of Valuation is independent in the performance of his functions under the Act. The making of valuations for rating is his sole prerogative and I, as Minister, have no function in decisions in this regard.
Under section 28 (4) of the Act, a Revision Officer of the Commissioner may carry out a revision of valuation in relation to a particular property only if a material change of circumstances (MCC) has occurred since the property was last revised. MCC is defined in section 3 of the Act as a change of circumstances, which consists of a new building, a change in value due to structural alterations of an existing building, total or partial demolition of a building or a sub-division or amalgamation of relevant property. The definition does not allow for a revision of valuation where the change in value is due to economic factors, differential movements in property values or other external factors such as roads or other infrastructural development in the vicinity of a property.
I am informed by the Valuation Office that an application for a revision of valuation has been received from the occupier of the subject property and the Commissioner will appoint a Revision Officer in due course to consider the case and issue a determination in relation to the valuation. A notice of the decision will issue to the applicant, who, if dissatisfied with the decision, will have the right to make representations in respect of the proposed revision and will have 28 days to do so, from the date of issue of the certificate. The occupier will have a further statutory right to make an appeal to the Valuation Tribunal, if dissatisfied with the outcome of their representations. The Valuation Tribunal is an independent body set up to settle disputed valuations between the Commissioner of Valuation and individual ratepayers.
292. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the budgeted cost for the two forthcoming referendums with a breakdown regarding the staff costs and other costs and to state the budgeted and actual cost of the children's referendum with a breakdown in costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41099/13]
View answerThe actual cost of the Children’s Referendum 2012 is broken down as follows:
|
- |
Euro |
|
Staff Costs and other costs |
9.6 |
|
An Post Costs |
1.5 |
|
Referendum Commission Costs |
1.7 |
|
Total |
12.8 million |
The budgeted cost of the Children’s Referendum 2012 was as follows:
|
- |
Euro |
|
Staff Costs and other costs |
13.6 |
|
An Post Costs |
2.0 |
|
Referendum Commission Costs |
3.0 |
|
Total |
18.6 million |
The budgeted cost of the Referendum on the abolition of Seanad Éireann and the Referendum on the Court Appeal, to be held on 4th October, 2013, is as follows:
|
- |
Euro |
|
Staff Costs and other costs |
13.6 |
|
An Post Costs |
2.0 |
|
Referendum Commission Costs |
3.6 |
|
Total |
19.2 million |
The actual cost of a referendum becomes available when final accounts are received from Returning Officers. The cost of the two forthcoming referendums is expected to be higher due to longer polling hours and the taking of two polls. The Children’s Referendum 2012 came in under budget as there was a shorter polling day. The budget for the Children’s Referendum was based on the actual cost of previous referendums with a provision for contingency included.
293. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when a decision will issue to a community (details supplied) in County Cork regarding the handing over of a disused Garda station to the community project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40534/13]
View answerThe OPW is currently assessing the property options arising in respect of all closed Garda Stations including the former Garda Station in Castletownshend Garda Station, Castletownshend, Co. Cork. 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. The OPW have received a business case for the use of this Garda Station from the Community Group mentioned in this question and they are engaging with the group at present. The OPW is considering the viability of the proposal and will respond to the group once a decision has been made.
294. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the arrangements put in place by his Department to ensure compliance with the Official Languages Act, specifically requirements for signage in departmental offices, schools, third level institutions; details of any assessments undertaken by departmental staff to assess requirements; the number of signs assessed; when any corrective actions were put in place; if any or all of the actions taken by his Department were within the designated timeframes set out in legislation, and if not the reasoning for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40551/13]
View answerIn response to the question from the Deputy, my Department has signage in all its buildings in both the Irish and English language. This applies to both internal and external signs. The signage was in place within the designated timeframe set out in legislation.
The Office of Public Works is currently overseeing a survey of signage in OPW offices and heritage sites providing guided tours to the public to establish whether it is fully in compliance with S.I. No. 391 of 2008. A database of photographs of signs in our offices is being examined centrally to establish compliance and to address any areas of non-compliance. The OPW is also finalising a comprehensive Standards and Policies Guide to sustainable building design which will include standards on signage which will be cognisant of the requirements of the Official Languages Act.
There are no schools or third level institutions within the remit of my Department.
295. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a list of the Acts or specific provisions of Acts under his Department that have not yet been commenced; if it is intended to commence the provision in each case; if so, when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40604/13]
View answerIn response to the Deputy’s question the following is a list of Acts under the remit of my Department that have not yet commenced:
|
Name of Act |
Provisions not yet commenced |
|
National Lottery Act 2013 |
None of the Act’s provisions have yet commenced. It is intended that the entire Act will commence shortly. |
|
Construction Contracts Act |
The entire Act is subject to a Commencement Order as it provides for the development of a Code of Practice for the adjudication of payment disputes in the construction sector. After the Code of Practice has been developed, the Act will be commenced. |
296. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the level of compliance with European Union directives within his ministerial areas of responsibility; the current fines resulting from non-compliance and potential fines resulting from present non-compliance to which the State is or may be exposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40640/13]
View answerIn response to the Deputy’s question I can confirm that all relevant European Union directives under my area of responsibility have been complied with and this Department has not been subject to any fines and there are no potential fines pending.
297. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total salary cost for each Department for the most recent five years for which data is available. [40679/13]
View answerI refer the Deputy to the Analysis of Exchequer Pay and Pensions Bill 2007 – 2012, published by the Central Pay Policy Section of the Remuneration and Industrial Relations Division of my Department. This publication presents a detailed breakdown of both gross and net pay and pension expenditure in aggregate terms, by sector and by individual Vote and is available on my Department’s website at www.per.gov.ie under the Reports tab. Data on pay costs can also be obtained from my Department’s databank website http://databank.per.gov.ie/ and from the Appropriation Accounts published annually by the Comptroller & Auditor General.
298. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total amount of capital spending incurred directly across all Departments as a results of measures undertaken as part of the 2011 Jobs Initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40934/13]
View answerThe capital expenditure measures contained in the 2011 Jobs Initiative formed only part of a much wider set of measures included in the Initiative which were aimed at generating employment and kick-starting economic activity. The aim of the capital measures was to accelerate capital works that are shovel ready, have a local focus and are labour intensive. Schools, secondary roads works and retrofitting were identified as being the most appropriate for such purposes, while also representing areas where investment has broader benefits to society and the economy. Under the 2011 Jobs Initiative, an additional €40 million was provided for labour intensive school works with €30m of this profiled and spent in 2011. At the end of December 2012, €39.3m had been spent with the balance of €0.7m due to issue in 2013.
The Jobs Initiative also provided for an additional €60 million to be reallocated from within the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport's overall allocation to invest in our regional and local roads to carry out much-needed surface restoration and road reconstruction works. A further €15m was allocated to smarter travel and traffic management schemes around the country. Of this, €5m was allocated to the National Transport Authority for the Regional Cities programme. I understand from my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, that €69.2 million has been spent by his Department under the Jobs Initiative to date. As the NTA administers the Regional Cities programme on behalf of the Department of Transport, queries in relation to spend under that programme should be directed to the NTA.
An additional €19 million in Exchequer funding was allocated to the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, for the national energy retrofitting programme, to be supplemented by €11 million savings from that Department’s allocation. This doubled the funding for the Retrofit home energy efficiency and renewable energy programmes in the second half of 2011. This allocation has also been spent in full.
