Tuesday, 3 Dec 2013

Written Answers Nos. 119-133

School Funding

Questions (119)

Seán Kyne

Question:

119. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views regarding VEC-funded schools and voluntary religious schools, whether VEC schools have a distinct advantage in terms of State funding to the detriment of voluntary religious schools; if he accepts that this is having a negative effect on schools being able to attract pupils equally particularly in areas which have schools in close proximity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51864/13]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The funding arrangements for post primary schools reflect the sectoral division of our second-level system. At the core of these arrangements is reliance upon capitation as the principal determinant of funding. The Department provides funding directly to voluntary secondary schools by way of per capita grants. However, grants for the day-to-day running costs of ETB schools and community colleges are issued to Education and Training Boards, not directly to schools, as part of a block grant. It is important to note that this block grant covers not only the day-to-day costs of schools but also the running costs of ETB head-offices and other activities apart from the second-level programme. Each ETB has a high level of autonomy in the management and appropriation of this grant and may distribute its allocations in line with its priorities and perceptions of need.

I am aware that the JMB's Pre-Budget Submission for 2012 suggested a difference of €212 in funding for each student attending a voluntary secondary school, in comparison to an ETB school or college. The Deputy should note that additional funding has been provided to voluntary secondary schools by way of "equalisation" measures since 2001. It is estimated that up to €21m has been provided in equalisation funding between 2001 and 2009. While the current economic situation has slowed progress in that regard, it remains the Department's aim, depending on resource availability, to addressing anomalies in funding between the post-primary sectors. I do not believe that the funding arrangements for schools has any major bearing on decisions made by parents as to which second level school they will enrol their children.

School Enrolments

Questions (120)

Seán Kyne

Question:

120. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if recognition and extra supports are provided or can be provided for schools which do not have selective entrance policies such as entrance exams and interviews compared with neighbouring schools. [51865/13]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

It is my firm view that all schools should be inclusive. In that regard, the Deputy will be aware that I have recently published a draft General Scheme for an Education (Admission to Schools) Bill, 2013 as well as draft regulations for discussion ahead of enacting legislation. The aim of these proposals is to ensure that the way schools decide on applications for enrolment is structured, fair and transparent.I have referred the draft General Scheme and draft regulations to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education and Social Protection, to allow a full public discussion of the proposed legislative framework, including inputs from parents and the education partners.

I hope the Committee will give this early consideration so that we can proceed to the next stage of legislation as soon as possible.

School Staffing

Questions (121)

Seán Kyne

Question:

121. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether there is a critical number of teachers required to fulfil the full curriculum in secondary schools and if he acknowledges that the future survival of a secondary school in a rural location could be endangered where teacher numbers fall below a critical level. [51962/13]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Teacher allocations to all second level schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. The criteria for the allocation of posts are communicated to school managements annually and are available on the Department website.In accordance with these rules each school management authority is required to organise its subject options within the limit of its approved teacher allocation.

At post primary level and in accordance with existing arrangements, where a school management authority is unable to meet its curricular commitments within its approved allocation, my Department considers applications for additional short term support i.e., curricular concessions. The allocation process also includes an appeals mechanism under which schools can appeal against the allocation due to them under the staffing schedules. The appeal procedures are set out in the published staffing arrangements. The Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decisions is final.

The recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for the individual school authority, subject to procedures agreed under Section 24(3) of the Education Act 1998 (as amended by the Education (Amendment) Act 2012). The deployment of teaching staff in the school, the range of subjects offered and ultimately the quality of teaching and learning are in the first instance a matter for the school management authorities. Preparation for the staffing and redeployment process for the 2014/15 school year is currently underway in my Department. The staffing arrangements for all schools for the 2014/15 school year will be published early in 2014.

Departmental Correspondence

Questions (122)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

122. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a reply will issue to correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51965/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

Changes to the School Transport Scheme have generated an increase in the number of queries and representations to my Department and when combined with the routine administrative work undertaken within my Department in relation to school transport provision generally, regrettably, it was not feasible to deal with the increased volume of representations in a more timely manner. However, I am pleased to advise that the service in question is operating for the current school year.

Valuation Office

Questions (123)

Peter Mathews

Question:

123. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the backlog in the Valuations Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51295/13]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The Commissioner of Valuation is independent in the exercise of his duties under the Valuation Act, 2001 and the carrying out of valuations for rating purposes is his sole prerogative and the Act does not accord me as Minister any function in this regard.

There are two provisions in the legislation governing the assessment of valuations, i.e. revision and revaluation.

Revision of valuation is the mechanism used to maintain existing local authority valuation lists. It is used to add new properties to the list, to amend the valuations of altered properties and to remove demolished or defunct properties from the list. The valuations of commercial properties at revision are determined by reference to the net annual values of comparable properties on the same valuation list. That is to say that they are compared with similar type properties in the same local authority area to ensure, in so far as it is possible, that they are all treated equally. While there are some arrears of casework in this area, they are not significant and in any event, revision applications received from the public are disposed of without undue delay. While there has been a marked decrease in the number of applications for revision of valuation in recent years, mainly due to the economic downturn, the vast majority of applications are from the local authorities with whom the Valuation Office is in close liaison, to ensure that priority cases are dealt with as expeditiously as possible and to agree timelines for the delivery of revisions generally.

The Valuation Office has also been conducting a National Revaluation Programme. In a revaluation the entire commercial valuation list for a local authority is brought up-to-date by reference to values at a specific valuation date and the entire list is published on one date (usually 31 December) and comes into effect for rating purposes on 1 January the following year. To-date, revaluations of the commercial list have been completed in South Dublin, Fingal and Dun Laoghaire County Council areas and the revaluation programme for the Dublin City Council area is currently underway and is expected to be completed by 31st December, 2013. Additionally, the revaluation of properties in all the local authority areas of Waterford and Limerick will be completed in 2013 and 2014 respectively.

The Commissioner is pursuing a balanced programme of revision and revaluation casework and with the completion of the Dublin City and Waterford revaluation programmes imminent, a concentration of effort is being applied currently to the revision work programme in consultation with the local authorities

Conducting a revaluation of all commercial and industrial properties in the State has been the policy of successive Governments since enactment of the Valuation Act 2001. The Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2012 which had its second stage reading in Seanad Éireann on 11th October, 2012 and is currently awaiting Committee stage, provides for a number of initiatives to accelerate the overall revaluation programme, such as the piloting of a self-assessment scheme of valuation in one local authority area, which if it proves successful could be extended to other areas. There is also provision in the Bill to allow for the assessment of valuations by contract valuers under an external delivery scheme which is also being initiated as a pilot project. The Bill also contains provisions to streamline the overall process of revaluation and the appeal mechanisms available to ratepayers subsequent to the revaluation.

Regarding the levying of rates, the position is that under Irish law, there is a distinct separation of function between the determination of valuation of rateable property and the setting and collection of commercial rates. The amount of rates payable by a ratepayer in any calendar year is a product of the valuation of that property determined by the Valuation Office and the annual rate on valuation (ARV) set annually by the elected members of the rating authority. Rates can only be collected by the rating authority on property which has been valued under the Valuation Act, 2001 and there is no mechanism to collect rates, retrospectively or otherwise, pending the determination and issue of the valuation under the Act.

Flood Relief Schemes Expenditure

Questions (124)

Brian Stanley

Question:

124. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the company (details supplied) awarded the contract to carry out Wicklow's River Dargle flood defence scheme has gone into examinership and has proceeded to close down operations; while it appears that the company has received payment, many of the subcontractors have not been paid; if Wicklow County Council is responsible for payment to subcontractors and their employees; the persons now responsible for the completion of this important project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51452/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The Deputy will be aware that fundamental issues of dispute arose between the main contractor and Bray Town Council, which is the Contracting Authority on the project, which were referred by the contractor to third party conciliation. The parties subsequently agreed to extend the ambit of the conciliation to encompass issues relating to other aspects of the scheme.

Several meetings took place between the parties under the auspices of the Conciliator. However, these discussions did not produce a solution that would allow the contract to be fulfilled to the satisfaction of both parties and in a manner that would deliver the level of flood protection the scheme was designed to provide, consistent with the accepted tender sum.

In the course of the conciliation process it emerged that the contractor had entered Examinership. Bray Town Council and the OPW entered into discussions with SIAC and the Examiner, under the aegis of the Conciliator. After intensive negotiations, it was agreed last week that the best option available to the parties would be to terminate the contract with SIAC by mutual agreement. Based on this agreement, SIAC has now left the site, and it will be necessary to procure new contractors to carry out the remaining elements of the scheme.

I understand that under Bray Town Council's contract with SIAC, the Council is not responsible for payment to sub-contractors or their employees.

Bray Town Council and the OPW remain fully committed to completing the scheme to provide the standard 1-in-100 year level of protection. Preparation of the necessary documents required for the appointment of new contractors will commence immediately, with a view to re-commencing works during 2014, having regard to environmental constraints. The OPW has made provision for the project in its profiles of expenditure for each year to 2016.

It is important to point out that the works that have been completed to date will have a significant beneficial affect in alleviating flood risk in the interim period.

Question No. 125 withdrawn.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (126)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

126. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of officials in his Department who receive the cost of club membership fees, including sports clubs and professional bodies, as part of their contract of employment; the total cost per year to his Department of paying these fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51370/13]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The payment of fees for membership of professional bodies for staff in my Department are in accordance with Department of Finance Circular 23/2007: Post-Entry Education – Refund of Fees, Study Leave and Examination Leave and Department of Finance Circular 47/2001 Reimbursement of Professional Membership Fees. The provision of Section 7 of the Finance Act 2011 applies to such payments.

As the Deputy is aware, my Department was established in July 2011 and therefore, the details set out below are from that date. No club or sports club membership fees are paid for staff in my Department.

Year	Numbers of Staff	Total Cost of Professional Fees Paid or Reimbursed
2011	14	€5,037.09
2012	24	€8,194.24
2013	28	€9,192.22

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (127)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

127. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department pays for any of its employees to receive third level qualifications; if so, the annual cost for each of the past five years; if the employee will receive a financial bonus as a result of receiving this qualification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51384/13]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The arrangements governing Refund of Fees in respect of further education including third level education are set out in Department of Finance Circular 23/2007: Post-Entry Education – Refund of Fees, Study Leave and Examination Leave. The purpose of the Circular is to facilitate Departments in building appropriate skill and expertise by supporting employees’ efforts in self-development and life-long learning.

As the Deputy is aware, my Department was established in July 2011 and therefore, the details provided below are from that date, and are in respect of each academic year. Upon completing academic qualifications, staff do not receive a financial bonus.

Academic Year	Number of Staff Participating	Total Cost
2011/12	10	€42,118
2012/13	15	€61,723
2013/14	42	€162,055

Public Sector Pensions

Questions (128)

Martin Heydon

Question:

128. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the terms of the public service pension reduction; the timeframe it remains in place; if it is paid by both public servants and civil servants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51407/13]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2010 imposed a Public Service Pension Reduction (PSPR) with effect from 1 January 2011. It affects public service pensioners (including civil servants) on pensions of €12,000 and upwards. A further reduction on public service pensions over €32,500 was imposed by the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2013. Further details are set out in the legislation. Section 10 of the 2013 Act makes provision for a yearly review of the relevant legislation which, among other things, has to consider whether any of its provisions continue to be necessary and for a written report of this review to be prepared and laid before each House of the Oireachtas.

Labour Court Recommendations

Questions (129)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

129. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when he will implement the Labour Court recommendation for community employment scheme supervisors and assistant supervisors; the reasons this has not been implemented to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51553/13]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The issue raised by the Deputy is not in the first instance the responsibility of my Department. The particular issue in question was however previously addressed by my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection, in reply to Parliamentary Question No. 576 on 6 November 2012.

Public Sector Pensions Data

Questions (130)

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

130. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total annual cost in 2012 of public service pensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51758/13]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

I would refer the Deputy to Table 5 (page 22) of the 2013 Revised Estimates for Public Services publication from my Department.

Freedom of Information Remit

Questions (131)

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

131. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will include semi-State bodies such as Coillte and Bord na Móna in the Freedom of Information Bill 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51765/13]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The Freedom of Information Bill 2013 is in the course of its passage through the Houses of the Oireachtas.

Where it is proposed that a body should be exempt in full from the freedom of information legislation, that body is included in Schedule 1 Part 2 of the Bill. Both Bord na Mona and Coillte Teoranta are included in Schedule 1 Part 2.

I believe that commercial state bodies should not, in general, be subject to FOI requirements because of the uneven competitive playing field that would be created in circumstances that commercial state bodies operating in a competitive market were subject to FOI but their privately-owned market competitors were not. This would be expected to have an adverse impact on the commercial position of the state body in question, which would not be in the public interest or consistent with the need to safeguard the State’s economic and financial interests.

It is on that basis that both Bord na Mona and Coillte Teoranta are proposed for exclusion from the application of FOI under the new legislation.

Sale of State Assets

Questions (132)

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

132. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total number of staff within his Department or NewERA who have been working on the sale of Bord Gáis Energy; the total cost to his Department for any third party service that was engaged in the context of preparation for the sale of Bord Gáis Energy; if he will publish any third-party reports advising on the sale of Bord Gáis Energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51772/13]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

A total of six officials from my Department were involved to varying extents in the work of the Working Group and Steering Group overseeing the sale process for Bord Gáis Energy, in addition to their other duties. No external resources were retained by the Department for the purpose of the transaction process. Nor did the Department directly engage or incur any expenses in respect of third party services relating to the process. This was undertaken by the NewERA shareholding unit of the NTMA, which operates under the aegis of my colleague the Minister for Finance. The reports prepared by third party advisors for the Working and Steering Groups are commercially sensitive and I do not propose to publish them.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (133)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

133. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of officials in his Department who receive the cost of club membership fees, including sports clubs and professional bodies, as part of their contract of employment; the total cost per year to his Department of paying these fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51368/13]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Contracts and terms and conditions for all officials of the Department are as agreed by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

There are no officials in my Department receiving the cost of club membership fees as part of their contract of employment.

Subject to budgetary constraints, professional membership fees may be paid by the Department to a professional body or affiliation fee to an affiliation group for a member of staff where the staff member concerned is serving in a grade for which entry to the grade is contingent on valid membership of a specified professional body/affiliation group, for example professionally qualified accountants. Professional/affiliation fees may also be paid where the work of a staff member directly relates to the activities of the professional body and there is a consequential benefit to the Department, therefore, arising from membership.

For 2013 the total amount paid in professional/affiliation fees was just under €1,700.