Wednesday, 18 Dec 2013

Written Answers Nos. 83-89

Property Taxation Exemptions

Questions (83)

Andrew Doyle

Question:

83. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Finance if he has considered allowing an exemption to the local property tax for an estate (details supplied) in County Wicklow in view of the serious failures by the local authority as revealed by a 2007 fire and safety audit that it conducted; if his attention has been drawn to the upgrades being made by the local authority to all local authority-owned properties on the estate but have refused to do so for privately owned properties and will not provide details of the 2007 report to residents; if this matter has been previously raised with him, highlighting the disparity between public and privately owned homes in the estate; if, given the above, he will allow an exemption to be made to this estate for the tax in view of the serious fire and safety problems along with dangerous building materials and electrical problems that have culminated in fires claiming several people's lives since the estate was built in 1972 as temporary housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54735/13]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

I am advised by Bray Town Council that the estate in question was built in 1972 by Wicklow County Council, but not as temporary housing, and the houses were built to the standards of the day. A refurbishment programme was carried out in the late 1980s by Wicklow County Council. I understand that prior to 2007 there were a number of fatal fires in the estate but I am advised that none of the fires was attributable to electrical problems in the properties. Nonetheless, at the request of elected members of the council it was agreed to engage consultants to survey and report on the properties. Following a selection process from an independent interview board, consultants were selected to carry out a survey and report on fire safety of local authority houses in the estate. The survey involved a visual inspection of an agreed number of houses and an "opening up" survey of some houses. Details of the report were not released as it refers to specific properties. I am advised the report is the subject of an appeal under the Freedom of Information Acts.

The issues raised by the Deputy are primarily a matter for the local authority concerned and housing policy generally is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. I can confirm that the estate in question has not been previously raised with me.

Issues relating to fire safety are not relevant in determining liability to the LPT. Accordingly, whilst homeowners or properties in this estate may be exempt from LPT for another reason, or may be entitled to avail of a deferral arrangement under the legislation, there is no specific reduction in or exemption from LPT in the circumstances outlined. However, the condition of a residential property is relevant to its valuation for LPT purposes.

Charities Regulation

Questions (84, 85)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

84. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance the regulatory and oversight function the Revenue Commissioners have regarding companies with charitable status. [54737/13]

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

85. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance the date on which the Revenue Commissioners became aware of irregularities-malpractice in the charitable status sector; and the actions they took regarding same. [54738/13]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

I propose to take Questions Nos. 84 and 85 together.

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that it has no regulatory role in relation to charities. Its role is confined to administering the tax exemption scheme, which includes vetting and processing applications from bodies claiming exemption from tax on the basis that they are charities. The role also includes monitoring such bodies once they have been granted the exemption to ensure that the relevant terms and conditions continue to be fulfilled.

Revenue has also advised me that because of its obligation to observe confidentiality it is precluded from commenting on the tax affairs of individual bodies.

However, it has assured me that procedures are in place to ensure that bodies that are granted charitable tax exemption are subject to reviews to ensure that the terms of the exemption continue to be fulfilled. These reviews are carried out on an on-going basis throughout the sector and all matters which come to the attention of Revenue are taken into consideration in the context of such reviews. Where a body is found not to be complying with the terms of its exemption, appropriate remedial action is taken. Depending on the nature of the non-compliance this can involve sanctions up to, and including, withdrawal of the tax exemption.

Ministerial Advisers Remuneration

Questions (86)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

86. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Finance the names and amount by which each programme manager-special adviser in his Department has exceeded the relevant pay guidelines as laid down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54751/13]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

Neither of the two special advisors appointed to my Department have salaries that exceed the relevant pay guidelines. Their salaries are in line with guidelines issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on the appointment of Ministerial staff.

SOLAS Training and Education Programmes Certification

Questions (87)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

87. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if FÁS has ever certified someone as being qualified in a trade despite them not having completed an apprenticeship programme due to their practical experience; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54605/13]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

This is a day to day operational for SOLAS.SOLAS has introduced the following assistance for Redundant Apprentices who have a time deficit in their apprenticeship:1. A Competency Determination Mechanism (CDM), this mechanism will provide redundant apprentices with the opportunity, subject to demand, to demonstrate their skills and knowledge against the occupational standard for the following specified trades over a number of days in a Training Centre:

- Brick & Stonelaying;

- Cabinet Making;

- Carpentry & Joinery;

- Electrical;

- Metal Fabrication;

- Motor Mechanics;

- Plastering;

- PlumbingThose who successfully pass the Competency Determination Mechanism will be progressed for the award of the FETAC Level 6 Advanced Certificate – Craft. 2. Eligibility for Competency Determination MechanismTo be eligible for the Competency Determination Mechanism redundant apprentices must meet the following criteria:-Be redundant as an apprentice as notified by their employer and be registered with the Department of Social Protectionandhave successfully completed all Phases 1 – 7 inclusive, reaching the minimum standard,andhave not completed 4 years in employment as an apprentice in the trade.Redundant apprentices will receive a letter from SOLAS inviting them to register their interest in participating in CDM.3. Redundant apprentices registered for 4 years who have successfully completed all Phases 1-7 but have not completed the required 4 years in employment as an apprentice in the trade, (excluding Air Craft Mechanic) may submit a portfolio of evidence to SOLAS of related education, training and work experience under Recognition of Prior Learning for consideration by the National Apprenticeship Advisory Sub-committee for the award of the Level 6 Advanced Certificate – Craft.

Question No. 88 withdrawn.

Educational Disadvantage

Questions (89)

Martin Ferris

Question:

89. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of DEIS schools in County Kerry; and the qualifying criteria for DEIS schools. [54486/13]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The underlying criteria for participation in DEIS is a school's relative level of disadvantage against all other schools therefore those schools with the highest concentration of disadvantage were selected for participation in the DEIS programme. The identification process for DEIS was in line with international best practice and had regard to, and employed, the existing and most appropriate data sources available. It was managed by the Educational Research Centre (ERC) on behalf of the Department and supported by quality assurance work co-ordinated through the Department's Regional Offices and the Inspectorate. The choice of variables included in the assessment of disadvantage was guided by the definition of disadvantage in the Education Act, (1998) which refers both to learning outcomes and to social and economic factors.

In the primary sector the identification of primary schools, for participation in DEIS, was based on analysis of a survey which identified the socio-economic variables that collectively best predict achievement, and these variables were then used to identify schools for participation in the School Support Programme. The variables involved were:

% unemployment

% local authority accommodation

% lone parenthood

% Travellers

% large families (5 or more children)

% pupils eligible for free books

In the case of post-primary schools, the Department supplied the ERC with centrally-held data from the Post-Primary Pupils and State Examinations Commission databases. Based on an analysis of these data, the variables used to determine eligibility for inclusion in the DEIS were as follows:

- Medical card data for Junior Certificate candidates (including Junior Certificate School Programme candidates);

- Junior Certificate retention rates by school;

- Junior Certificate exam results aggregated to school level (expressed as an OPS – "Overall Performance Scale" - score). This was based on each student's performance in the seven subjects in which s/he performed best;

- Leaving Certificate retention rates by school.

Details on the number of DEIS Schools in County Kerry are as follows:

There are 28 DEIS schools in County Kerry which are categorised as follows:

5 DEIS Primary Urban Band 2

18 DEIS Primary Rural

5 DEIS Post Primary

Further details of the DEIS Action Plan can be located on my Department's website at the following link- http://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Services/DEIS-Delivering-Equality-of-Opportunity-in-Schools-/