Wednesday, 4 Dec 2013

Written Answers Nos 31-55

Tax Exemptions

Questions (31)

Eoghan Murphy

Question:

31. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Finance his views on allowing working parents to claim child care costs in full against their earned incomes for both tax and USC. [52047/13]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

The Government acknowledges the continuing cost pressures on parents, particularly those with young children. In recognition of these cost pressures, a number of support measures are in place to ease the burden on working parents. These include the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme, which funds community childcare services to enable them to charge reduced childcare fees to qualifying parents, the Childcare Education and Training Support (CETS) programme which provides free childcare places to qualifying FÁS and VEC trainees and the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme which provides for a free pre-school year for children in the year before commencing primary school. Generous entitlements to paid and unpaid maternity leave as well as child benefit payments are also provided. The Department of Social Protection provides financial support to families on low pay by way of the Family Income Supplement (FIS) and to one-parent families through the one-parent family payment.

In addition, a One Parent Family tax credit of €1650 is provided. This credit is payable to any single person with a child under 18 years of age or over 18 years of age if in full time education or permanently incapacitated.

The Universal Social Charge (USC) was introduced in Budget 2011 to replace the Income Levy and Health Levy. It was a necessary measure to widen the tax base, remove poverty traps and raise revenue to reduce the budget deficit. It is a more sustainable charge than those it replaced and is applied at a low rate on a wide base with very few exemptions.

In Budget 2012 I announced that those earning less than €10,036 would no longer be subject to the Universal Social Charge. This in itself has removed almost 330,000 individuals from the charge and is of particular benefit to the low paid.

I have no plans to introduce any further tax reliefs for childcare costs.

Tax Exemptions

Questions (32)

Eoghan Murphy

Question:

32. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Finance his views on allowing elderly persons to claim health care costs, including health insurance premiums, against their tax and USC. [52048/13]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

Firstly, I would point out that persons aged 65 and over can avail of the age tax credits or the age exemption limits. For the years of assessment 2013 and 2014, in order to qualify for the income tax exemption a single individual’s income must be less than €18,000 or in the case of a married couple or civil partners, €36,000. These exemption limits are increased by €575 in respect of each of the first 2 qualifying children and by €830 in respect of each subsequent qualifying child living with the claimant.

In addition, section 469 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, provides for income tax relief in respect of qualifying expenses incurred in the provision of health care in a tax year against the income tax paid by an individual for that year.

Health care is defined as the prevention, diagnosis, alleviation or treatment of an ailment, injury, infirmity, defect or disability, and includes care received by a woman in respect of a pregnancy. It does not include routine ophthalmic treatment, routine dental treatment, or elective cosmetic surgery.

Relief at the standard rate of income tax is available to all taxpayers, regardless of age for such expenses where they have not been reimbursed under a medical insurance policy. However, the cost of maintenance or treatment in a nursing home, which provides 24-hour nursing care on-site, is available at the claimant’s marginal rate of income tax.

Further details in relation to relief for health expenses are set out in leaflet IT6 which is available on the Revenue website at http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/it/leaflets/it6.html

Tax relief is also provided at the standard rate of income tax, regardless of age, for medical insurance premiums paid to cover a range of medical expenses. Since 2004, the relief also covers premiums paid on dental insurance policies for non-routine dental treatment. For the payments to qualify for relief, they must be made to an authorised insurer listed in the Register of Health Benefit Undertakings, established under the Health Insurance Act 1994.

Since 2001, the relief is granted under a tax relief at source system to all holders of medical insurance irrespective of whether or not they have a tax liability to offset the value of the relief. The subscriber pays the premium net of tax relief and the insurer obtains a refund of the relevant amount from the Revenue Commissioners.

As you will be aware, from 16 October 2013, tax relief for medical insurance premiums has been restricted to the first €1,000 per adult and the first €500 per child insured. Any portion of premium paid in excess of these ceiling will no longer qualify for tax relief. The new ceilings will ensure continuing support via the tax system for those who purchase standard policies, while reducing Exchequer exposure to more expensive policies.

It should be noted that there is no relief against Universal Social Charge for either health expenses or medical insurance premiums. However, it should be noted that payments from Department of Social Protection such as the State Pension are exempt from the Universal Social Charge (USC). In addition, individuals aged 70 and over, provided their total income does not exceed €60,000, are not liable to the top rate of charge and payments from the Department of Social Protection will not be taken in to account in determining if an individual has exceeded the €60,000 threshold.

Public Procurement Contracts

Questions (33)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

33. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 188 of 26 November 2013, if it is usual for contracts as large as the one awarded to a company (details supplied) for €17.7 million, to be novated from other institutions rather than tendered; if there is a precedent for this and if so, to state examples of when it happened and the companies that were involved and for what purposes; if the Comptroller and Auditor General has ever commented on large contracts such as this being awarded either by novation of direct award and on this contract in particular; the work the company was undertaking for the National Treasury Management Agency prior to the novation; the amount the previous contract was worth; and when it was due to expire. [52054/13]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

In March 2010, the Government delegated to the NTMA certain banking system functions of the Minister for Finance related to the oversight and management of the State’s interest and holdings in those financial institutions covered by the 2008 Government guarantee. Following this the NTMA established a specialist Banking Unit and a small number of skilled professionals were recruited from the private sector to create a team capable of dealing with the very significant banking sector challenges facing the State. In March 2011, following a competitive tender process, the NTMA appointed a panel of legal firms (A&L Goodbody, Arthur Cox and Matheson) under a framework agreement to provide legal services to the NTMA Banking Unit. As part of the same competitive tender process, the NTMA also entered into a general agreement with Arthur Cox to provide general legal services on an ad hoc basis to the NTMA Banking Unit. The appointments were made on the basis of agreed discounted hourly rates and/or fixed fees where appropriate. The agreements were awarded for a period of three (3) years and services were drawn down as and when required – accordingly, there was no contract value specified.

In April 2011, the Minister for Finance announced the creation of a stand-alone unit accountable to him through the Department of Finance to provide State oversight of the banking system and drawing on the resources of the NTMA to carry out its work. The delegation of banking system functions to the NTMA was revoked with effect from 5 August 2011 and the NTMA Banking Unit has since then been seconded to the Department of Finance where they form part of the Department’s Shareholder Management Unit. The agreements referred to above were subsequently novated to the Department of Finance with effect from January 2012 to support the performance of the Department’s banking functions. The agreements explicitly provided for the novation of the agreements to other State entities; this possibility was explicitly provided for when the agreements were entered into.

The work the various legal firms undertook for the NTMA Banking Unit prior to the revocation of the NTMA’s banking functions on 5 August 2011 was principally as follows:

i) banking and financial services advice,

ii) capital markets including advice regarding bond issuances,

iii) private and public company merger and acquisition advice,

iv) EC and competition advice including State aid issues and general competition law compliance,

v) insolvency and corporate recovery advice including liquidation, examination, and receiverships,

vi) regulatory advice including advice on the licensing of credit institutions, categorisation and treatment of regulatory capital,

vii) Employment law advice and

viii) Litigation and dispute resolution advice including advice regarding corporate litigation.

The agreements are due to expire in March 2014 and the Department of Finance will therefore be requesting tenders for a panel of legal firms to replace the existing panel in advance of that date.

In the report into the Department of Finance’s appropriation accounts for 2012 the C & AG commented as follows:

“The Minister for Finance delegated a number of banking system functions to the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) under Statutory Instrument (S.I.) no. 115 of 2010. This delegation was revoked with effect from 5 August 2011 under S.I. no. 395 of 2011 and the NTMA banking unit has since then been seconded to the Department of Finance. At the direction of the Minister, the costs of the unit, comprising staff costs and certain consultancy costs, continue to be met by the NTMA.”

The C & AG also commented in the C & AGs 2009 report, prior to the novation of the contracts, as follows:

“Administrative costs incurred by State agencies in relation to banking stabilisation measures have been substantial in absolute terms, but are small relative to the scale of the costs, financial commitments and risks associated with the banking stabilisation measures. Access to timely and professional advice is a vital input to decision making in this context. At the same time, it is important to ensure that sound procurement and contracting practices are followed to ensure that the expenses being incurred are no more than is warranted in the circumstances.”

Departmental Contracts Data

Questions (34)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

34. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the total number of contracts and their total financial cost awarded to companies (details supplied) in each of the years 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013 or whatever years practicable; if all the contracts were winning public tenders; and if he will provide a breakdown of the contracts by date, purpose and individual value. [52056/13]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

I have been advised by the institutions in question that in line with normal practice and for commercial reasons, the institutions do not publicly disclose the details of contracts with individual external service providers. Neither institution is required to undertake public procurement as part of the process of appointing advisors. In the case of the individual institutions auditors fees paid are disclosed in their published annual reports and the procurement of the auditors was subject to a procurement process.

Property Taxation Administration

Questions (35)

Dan Neville

Question:

35. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding payment of the local property tax in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52062/13]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

I am advised by Revenue that it recently wrote to property owners who paid their 2013 Local Property Tax (LPT) by lump sum or regular cash payments through an approved payment service provider to request that they confirm their payment method for 2014. This confirmation is necessary to ensure Revenue has adequate time to set up any alternative phased payment mandates that property owners might wish to avail of for 2014, which is the first full year of the tax. Revenue also advised me that it did not write to property owners who paid their 2013 LPT by direct debit or by deduction at source from salary/occupational pensions or from certain Government payments, because such options automatically apply in 2014. The case to which the Deputy refers falls into the latter category as the person opted to pay his 2013 liability by deduction at source and this will automatically continue in 2014.

The person declared in his 2013 LPT Return that his property was valued within Band 3 (€150,001 to €200.000). If he now wishes to change his declared valuation, he should write to LPT Branch, PO Box 100, Ennis, Co Clare, setting out how the over-valuation arose. He should also provide relevant supporting documentation in respect of his claim, which can either be a copy of a professional valuation as at 1 May 2013 or details of sales/advertised prices of equivalent properties in his area around that date. Revenue will review the valuation of the person’s property once it receives the relevant documentation.

Revenue informs me it has tried to contact the person in question by telephone to explain why he did not receive written correspondence in respect of LPT for 2014 but has not been able to speak to him. Revenue will write to the person in the coming days to clarify how the deduction at source payment option works and will also set out the steps required to amend valuations.

Tax Compliance

Questions (36)

Finian McGrath

Question:

36. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if a company (details supplied) in Dublin 17 is operating under the tax code with employees under the community employment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52128/13]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that they are prevented from making any comments in relation to specific cases on the grounds of taxpayer confidentiality. Section 851A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (inserted by the Finance Act 2011) placed on a formal statutory basis the long-standing and accepted obligation on the Revenue Commissioners to treat all taxpayer information confidentially. The general position is that all taxpayer information is confidential, and may only be disclosed in accordance with the terms of that provision or under any other statutory provision that allows the disclosure of such information.

I can assure the Deputy that the Revenue Commissioners take appropriate action in any case where concerns regarding the tax compliance of individuals or companies are reported to them.

Pension Provisions

Questions (37)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

37. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance in a case where an individual in a private sector defined benefit pension scheme has elected, prior to retirement, to commute a portion into a lump sum, if he will confirm that the age-related valuation factor is only applied to the residual amount of the pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52142/13]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the basis for calculating the capital value of pension rights under the Standard Fund Threshold (SFT) regime is set out in Schedule 23B to the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. In the case of defined benefit arrangements, the schedule provides a formula for determining the capital value of uncrystallised rights (that is rights being built up but which have not yet been drawn down) with a view to establishing if an individual can apply to Revenue for a Personal Fund Threshold (PFT). Where an individual’s uncrystallised pension rights on the specified date (which for the purposes of the latest revision to the SFT regime, contained in Finance (No.2) Bill 2013, will be 1 January 2014) exceed the new lower SFT of €2m, the individual may claim a PFT from Revenue in order to protect or “grandfather” those rights against any risk of chargeable excess tax when the pension is eventually drawn down. Under the current Finance Bill changes, a PFT may in no case exceed €2.3m, the level of the existing SFT. Schedule 23B also provides a formula for determining the capital value of defined benefit pension rights at the point of retirement.

In establishing the capital value of uncrystallised defined benefit pension rights for PFT purposes, the formula in schedule 23B distinguishes between defined benefit arrangements that provide for a separately accrued lump sum and those that permit a lump sum to be taken by way of a discretionary commutation of part of the pension. In the former case, the capital value is determined by establishing the annual amount of pension that the individual would receive under the rules of the scheme on the specified date (i.e. 1 January 2014) on the assumption that he or she retired on that date at their salary and service on that date and on the assumption that they had attained normal retirement age on that date. The gross annual pension so determined is then multiplied by 20 (the standard valuation factor) and added to the cash value of the separately accrued lump sum, calculated on the same assumptions, to arrive at the overall capital value of the pension rights. In the case of defined benefit arrangements with a discretionary lump sum commutation option, the capital value is determined solely by multiplying the gross annual amount of pension, determined on the same assumptions as above, by the standard valuation factor of 20.

In order for the SFT regime to operate as intended, it is necessary for the capital value of defined benefit pension rights at the point of retirement to be determined in the same manner as the corresponding PFT calculation. In the case of a defined benefit arrangement with an option to commute part of the pension for a lump sum, this means that the capital value at retirement is the annual amount of pension multiplied by the appropriate valuation factors without having regard to any commutation decision that the individual may make.

This ensures that the administrator of a defined benefit scheme, when measuring the capital value of an individual’s retirement benefits from a defined benefit arrangement against, for example, the individual’s PFT, is comparing like with like, as both the capital value of the PFT and the retirement benefits will have been calculated in the same fashion. Only in this way can any chargeable excess arising be correctly determined. The same approach to the calculation of the capital value of defined benefit pension rights at the point of retirement applies where an individual does not have a PFT, as clearly it would be incongruous if the method of calculation in respect of similar defined benefit arrangements were to vary depending on whether an individual had a PFT or not.

It had come to the attention of the Commissioners that pension advisors and administrators had been interpreting the legislation in a manner that allowed the capital value of defined benefit pension arrangements with discretionary lump sum commutation rights to be calculated, at the point of retirement, on the basis of the annual amount of pension, after commutation for a lump sum, multiplied by the relevant valuation factor, plus the cash value of the lump sum so commuted. In light of that, I am putting it beyond doubt, by way of an amendment in Finance (No.2) Bill to the relevant formula in Schedule 23B, that this approach is incorrect and that, in such cases, the capital value calculation must be based on the annual amount of pension that would have been payable if no commutation of the pension had taken place.

IBRC Loans

Questions (38)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

38. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance if the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation special liquidator has considered offering to sell loans to the original borrowers at a 10% margin, or any other margin figure, over the price sought from overseas financial institutions; if he will estimate the additional income which would be accrued for the State in such a scenario; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52144/13]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

I have been advised by the Special Liquidators that they have corresponded with all IBRC borrowers providing them with an opportunity to make written representations on the method of disposal of their loans and the criteria for determining who may bid for loan assets. Consideration was given to Borrower representations and the Special Liquidators have responded to those Borrower representations. The Special Liquidators are under instruction from the Minister to ensure that the valuation of all IBRC assets is completed by 30 November 2013 and that the sale of all IBRC assets is agreed or completed by no later than 31 December 2013 or as soon as practicable thereafter.

The Special Liquidators have engaged specialist advisors who are providing advice as to whether a loan should be sold individually or as part of a portfolio in the context of the Special Liquidators’ objectives to achieve maximum value for the assets within the instructed timeframe.

The Special Liquidators do not intend to disclose the valuation of IBRC assets as it is commercially sensitive information which could potentially have a detrimental impact on asset recovery from the impending sales process.

Credit Unions Regulation

Questions (39)

Dara Calleary

Question:

39. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Finance the supports that will be available to credit unions who are being requested to employ managers and other support staff as a result of recently published legislation; his views on whether these requirements will place an added burden upon some struggling credit unions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52213/13]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

The Report of the Commission on Credit Unions recognised that the issue of governance of credit unions is at the core of strengthening the regulatory framework and set out detailed governance requirements for credit unions. The Credit Union and Co-Operation with Overseas Regulators Act 2012, sets out comprehensive governance requirements for credit unions which are designed to provide a framework to improve governance standards in credit unions, with a particular focus at board of directors and management level. The 2012 Act inserts a new section 63A into the Credit Union Act, 1997 requiring that the board of directors of a credit union shall appoint an individual to the role of manager of the credit union.

Credit unions are not required to employ a manager but must ensure that an the individual appointed to the role of manager is capable of performing the functions of the manager set out in section 63A(4) of the Credit Union Act, 1997.

The guidance on the fitness and probity regime for credit unions, which currently applies to all credit unions with assets of greater than €10m, provides guidance to assist credit unions in ensuring that individuals taking up key positions, including the position of manager, are among other things competent and capable to take up the role.

The Central Bank has developed a Credit Union Handbook to assist credit unions with the implementation of the new regulatory framework. The Central Bank also undertook a series of information seminars for credit unions in advance of the implementation of the new framework. Fourteen seminars where held in 7 locations around the country in July. In addition the Central Bank has issued a FAQ document which provides answers to questions relating to the implementation of the new governance and prudential requirements for credit unions and which is available on its website at www.centralbank.ie.

Individual credit unions with queries can contact the Central Bank on an on-going basis.

Roadworthiness Testing

Questions (40)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

40. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if Bus Éireann engages the services of the UK-based association (details supplied) to conduct inspections on school buses; if this service is tendered for; and if so, if any Irish companies have put forward a tender for this operation. [52134/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

I am informed by Bus Éireann that the Company tendered for this service in October 2010. Three companies applied two UK companies and one Irish company. All three were invited to tender but only the one Irish and one UK company actually submitted tenders. Following the tender evaluation of both submissions received, the UK company the Freight Transport Association (FTA) was the successful tenderer and was awarded the contract.

Roadworthiness Testing

Questions (41, 42)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

41. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will clarify a matter (details supplied) regarding Bus Éireann inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52152/13]

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

42. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding vehicle inspections in the Limerick area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52153/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 42 together.

As I explained to the Deputy in my reply of 22nd October, the inspections referred to in the questions are an operational matter for Bus Eireann. I have requested that Bus Éireann forward the further information sought directly to the Deputy.

Education and Training Boards Staff

Questions (43)

Joe Higgins

Question:

43. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of newly appointed resource persons employed in Youthreach Centres of Education since 2005 to date by the City of Dublin ETB; the number of these newly appointed resource persons during this period who started on point 1 of the resource persons incremental scale; the number of newly appointed resource persons during this period who started above point 1 of the resource persons incremental scale; and the highest increment awarded to a newly appointed resource person during this period by the City of Dublin ETB. [51980/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

The Youthreach programme is operated by Education and Training Boards (ETBs) from funding provided by my Department. All ETB staff including Youthreach Resource Persons, are recruited and employed by each individual ETB. My Department does not hold any records on the information requested by the Deputy.

Home Tuition Scheme Administration

Questions (44)

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

44. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Skills the rationale behind the decision to confine early intervention services for children aged between two and four years with a diagnosis of autism, including the home tuition scheme, to primary school teachers registered with the Teaching Council to the exclusion of psychologists with specific training and experience in working with early childhood autism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51983/13]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Deputy's question appears to relate to the administration of my department's Home Tuition Scheme. The purpose of the Home Tuition scheme is to provide a compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of reasons such as chronic illness, are unable to attend school or for children with a special educational need who are awaiting an educational placement and also to provide early educational intervention for pre-school children with autism.

Children with autism between the ages of 2.5 and 3 are eligible for home tuition. The home tuition continues from their 3rd birthday if no placement in a school based autism early intervention class is available for them. The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has a national network of Special Educational Needs Advisors who can assit parents in identifying school placements for their children, if required. As home tuition takes place outside the usual school structure it is important that home tutors are qualified to provide an educational programme. It is appropriate therefore that the qualification standard in the Home Tuition Scheme generally reflects that required in a school environment.

The qualification requirements for tutors providing home tuition to children have not changed. It remains the case that home tutors should be fully qualified teachers. When it is not possible to recruit a fully qualified teacher then alternative appropriate third level qualifications may be acceptable. However, from this year my Department has also required that, in addition to being qualified teachers, tutors must be registered or have applied for registration with the Teaching Council of Ireland. Tutors with acceptable third level qualifications will be eligible to apply for registration. Qualifications in psychology at the required level are acceptable for this purpose. Accordingly, those whose qualifications were acceptable in the past remain eligible, provided they have applied for registration with the Teaching Council.

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Questions (45)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

45. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a student grant application in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52001/13]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Officials in my Department have been informed by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that the student referred to by the Deputy applied as a mature independent student and was subsequently identified as a mature dependent. Documentation was recently received and will be reviewed by SUSI and the student will be notified shortly of the outcome.

School Enrolments

Questions (46)

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

46. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the regulations governing secondary school enrolment fees/voluntary contributions; his plans to introduce any changes to the current situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52002/13]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Apart from the recognised fee-charging second level schools, recognised primary or post-primary schools are not permitted to charge school fees. This is an issue that is addressed in the recently published draft regulatory framework for school enrolment. This framework also seeks to improve the admissions process and ensure that the way schools decide on applications is structured, fair and transparent.

Voluntary contributions by parents are permissible provided it is made absolutely clear to parents that there is no question of compulsion to pay.

Student Grant Scheme Administration

Questions (47)

Paul Connaughton

Question:

47. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason that although details from an accountant are sufficient for the Revenue Commissioners, such details provided by an accountant regarding the amounts and times a particular employee was paid are not sufficient in terms of proving holiday earnings for students under the Student Universal Support Ireland grant scheme; if his attention has been drawn to the difficulty facing students in providing all payslips from 2012 holiday earnings when they were not aware at the time that the payslips would be needed at a later date; if his attention has also been drawn to the difficulty that this requirement is placing on small businesses and which could be a disincentive to providing holiday employment for future third level students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52009/13]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The assessment of means under my Department 's student grant scheme is based on gross income from all sources of the applicant and his/her parent(s)/legal guardian, where applicable, with certain social welfare and health service executive payments being exempt.It is necessary, therefore, that information regarding all income, including that from after school/weekend employment, is accounted for when completing the grant application form. However, in the assessment of means, allowance is made for "holiday earnings" on the part of the applicant and accordingly a deduction is allowed for reasonable holiday earnings i.e. income earned by the applicant from employment outside of term time but within the reference period.

I am informed by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that as a result of their data sharing facility with the Revenue Commissioners they now receive data on any applicant earnings as part of the household income.

I am informed by SUSI that only where the applicants earnings would take the household income above a threshold level for a grant that SUSI actually requests confirmation, via the applicant, of the amounts earned in the relevant periods in order to reduce the household income and consequently consider that applicant for a grant. Evidence of the amount earned can be provided in the form of payslips for the term time periods or confirmation P35 listings from the employer covering the earnings for the relevant period.

Physical Education

Questions (48)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

48. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to require all primary and post-primary students to undertake instruction in swimming and life saving; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52036/13]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

At primary level, the curriculum in Physical Education includes six broad strands featuring Athletics, Dance, Gymnastics, Games, Outdoor and adventure activities and Aquatics. While five of the strands are designed to be implemented each year where possible, the Aquatics strand is outlined for implementation at any level, depending on the availability of facilities in the area.

The Physical Education curricula at both primary and second level have been developed on the understanding that facilities available to schools vary. Consequently, they offer a level of flexibility that allows each individual school to design a programme that can be delivered using the resources and supports available to it.

Student Grant Scheme Appeals

Questions (49)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

49. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills whether a person (details supplied) in County Mayo can submit an appeal to the student grants appeal board when there is a review of the Student Universal Support Ireland grant application ongoing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52040/13]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Officials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland that in the case of the student referred to by the Deputy that a fees only grant was awarded on 25th November, 2013 and that her college has been informed.

Student Grant Scheme Payments

Questions (50)

Tom Fleming

Question:

50. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an award of a full 100% non-adjacent rate maintenance grant and 100% fees and student contribution will be honoured in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52064/13]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Officials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that the student referred to by the Deputy has been awarded the full non-adjacent maintenance grant. She is not eligible for a fee grant as she is studying in a college outside the State.

It appears that the original grant award letter was sent in error. The Deputy will appreciate that some errors may inevitably arise when handling a high volume of applications within a relatively short timeframe.

SUSI has also confirmed that it is awaiting hardcopy confirmation of registration, which must be stamped and signed by an official at the institute attended by the student, to enable payment of grant to proceed.

Public Sector Pensions

Questions (51)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

51. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to a parliamentary question of 23 October 2013, when a reply will issue to a query (details supplied) raised with his Department on 23 September 2013; the reason for the delay with the response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52135/13]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The query to which the Deputy refers in being addressed in the Pension Unit of my Department. The matter is being investigated in order to establish the facts and this investigation includes engagement with the employer, the school board of management. The matter is receiving attention and officials will respond to the query as soon as the required information is collated and considered.

Departmental Agencies Staff Remuneration

Questions (52)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

52. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total salary of the chief executive officer of the Teaching Council; and if they receive more than one salary for the role, that is, from his Department and the Teaching Council. [52138/13]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Director of the Teaching Council was appointed for a 5 year terms in 2014 following a publicly advertised competitive interview process. The sanctioned salary for the Post is in line with the civil service Principal Officer (Higher) Scale. The current Director is on secondment to the Teaching Council from the Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht. That Department continues to pay the salary linked to his substantive grade, which is civil service Director. The Teaching Council reimburses that Department in accordance with the approved level for the post of Director the Teaching Council which is aligned with the civil service Principal Officer (Higher) Scale. No additional cost arises to the Council or my Department from this arrangement. The Director's and other staff salaries are funded from within the Teaching Council's own resources.

School Accommodation

Questions (53)

Niall Collins

Question:

53. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will confirm plans for the future accomodation needs of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52155/13]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has been working with the relevant Local Authority in relation to identifying and acquiring a suitable site for the provision of permanent accommodation for the school to which he refers. I can confirm to the Deputy that a suitable site has been identified and negotiations are ongoing. Due to commercial sensitivities attaching to site acquisitions generally, I am not in a position to comment further on the matter at this time.

Schools Building Projects Status

Questions (54)

Niall Collins

Question:

54. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will confirm plans for the management of a proposed second level school (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52156/13]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I can confirm to the Deputy that, in accordance with my announcement of 28 November 2013, the new post-primary school for Dublin 24 will operate under the patronage of the Dublin and Dun Laoghaire Education & Training Board. The new school is scheduled to commence operation in 2016.

Schools Building Projects Status

Questions (55)

Simon Harris

Question:

55. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills when he expects a new school (details supplied) in County Wicklow to open; when a site for this new school will be confirmed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52161/13]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that the new school to which he refers is planned to open in September 2016. My officials are working closely with officials from Wicklow County Council in relation to identifying and acquiring a suitable site for this school. However, given the sensitivities associated with land acquisitions generally, I am not in a position to comment further on the site acquisition at this time.