Written Answers Nos. 247 - 261
247. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has considered the possibility of encouraging open days for prospective A-level students from Northern Ireland at Southern Irish universities; if he has considered promoting career libraries in secondary schools here to inform leaving certificate students of courses on offer in Northern universities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1618/14]
View answerUniversities and institutes of technology are autonomous statutory bodies and the recruitment of students, including the provision of open days, are matters for the individual institutions concerned. I am satisfied that existing career guidance resources available to second level students are sufficient to inform them of higher education options available to them on the island of Ireland.
249. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review and reverse the decision not to assist a school (details supplied) in County Cork with funding for additional accommodation under the major capital works scheme; if he will send an inspector from the building unit to assess the classrooms in the building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1684/14]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that the school in question has applied to my Department for large scale funding for major refurbishment of and additional accommodation within an existing building. As the Deputy will be aware, my Department's over-riding objective is the delivery of major school projects so that our school system is in a position to cater for increasing pupil numbers. The Five Year Construction Plan, that I announced on 9 March 2012, outlines the major school projects that will commence construction over the duration of the Plan. In this context, it is not possible to indicate at this point when a building project for the school in question will be progressed.
251. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will extend the application process for funding under the new book rental scheme to include primary schools which already have book rental schemes in operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1715/14]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware from Budget 2014 that additional funding has been provided which will involve an investment of €15m to support the establishment of book rental schemes in primary schools that do not currently operate them. The Department will provide €5m in seed capital per annum over a three year period to such schools. It is my aim to ensure that every primary school in the country has a book rental scheme. Therefore, I am targeting schools with no schemes initially as to include all primary schools would mean that the funding would be so diluted that it would have little impact. However, should more funds become available I would like to extend the grants to others.
The Department will be contacting primary schools that do not currently operate a book rental scheme to advise them of the application process. Following receipt of applications from these schools it will be possible to determine whether any residual funding may be made available to other schools. I can confirm to the Deputy that the Department will continue to provide a book grant to all primary schools. This grant, which provided €7m to primary schools in 2013, can be utilised for the purposes of updating or expanding a school's existing book rental scheme.
252. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the action that can be taken to assist returning emigrants who have difficulty in getting their children back into their local school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1716/14]
View answerThe selection and enrolment of pupils in schools is the responsibility of the authorities of the individual school. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in an area. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice. As schools may not have a place for every applicant, a selection process may be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants.
Under section 15 (2) (d) of the Education Act, 1998, each school is legally obliged to disclose its enrolment policy and to ensure that as regards that policy that principles of equality and the right of parents to send their children to a school of the parents choice are respected. Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 provides for an appeal by a parent or guardian to the Secretary General of my Department, or in the case of an Education and Training Board (ETB) school to the ETB in the first instance, where a Board of Management of a school, or a person acting on behalf of the Board, refuses to enrol a student in a school, expels a student or suspends a student for 20 or more days in any school year. My Department has no authority to compel a school to admit a pupil, except in the case of an appeal under section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 being upheld.
The parents/guardians of the pupil in question may wish to contact my Department at the Section 29 Appeals Administration Unit, Friar's Mill Road, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, (phone 044 9337008) if they wish to take an appeal under section 29 of the Education Act, 1998. The Child and Family Agency is the statutory agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The Child and Family Agency may be able to offer assistance and advice on securing a school placement within the pupil's area. The contact details for the Child and Family Agency is Child and Family Agency, 16-22 Green Street Dublin 7, phone 01 8738700.
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. These are available on my Department's website. I have referred the draft proposals 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, education partners and other stakeholders. I will be reflecting carefully on the views expressed in the consultation process to ensure the legislation strikes the right balance between school autonomy and fairness in our education system.
253. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the schools building programme in respect of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1769/14]
View answerI am pleased to advise the Deputy that a building project for the school to which he refers is currently at an early stage of the architectural planning process. Officials from my Department met with the school Patron's representatives recently regarding the progression of the project. The Patron and their Design Team are currently completing the Stage 2(a) report for submission to my Department. Following satisfactory completion of this report and subject to no issues arising, the project will be authorised to commence the application for statutory approvals, which includes the application for planning permission. The projects included in the 2014 Construction Programme announced on 29th November last are scheduled to proceed to construction in 2014 and are part of the Five Year Plan launched in March 2012. School building projects, including the project referred to by the Deputy, which have not been included in the five year construction programme, but which were previously initiated will continue to be progressed to final planning stages in anticipation of the possibility of further funds being available to the Department in the future.In the meantime, my Department approved funding to the school in February 2013 to provide two additional mainstream classrooms to cater for increasing enrolments. I understand that works are well advanced on site to provide this accommodation. I understand also that the school has recently submitted an application for further accommodation and that the application is currently being assessed. A decision will be conveyed to the school authority when the assessment process has been completed.
254. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the school building project in respect of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1770/14]
View answerThe major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning - Stage 2b - Detailed Design. All statutory approvals have been obtained and the Design Team has recently been authorised to complete the Stage 2b report and submit it to my Department for review. Due to competing demands on the Department's capital budget imposed by the need to prioritise the limited funding available for the provision of additional school accommodation to meet increasing demographic requirements it was not possible to include this project in the 5 year construction programme announced in March 2012.School building projects, including the project referred to by the Deputy, which were not included in the current five year construction programme will continue to be progressed to final planning stages in anticipation of the possibility of further funds being available to the Department in the future.
255. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when it is intended to sell the old Garda Station in Leitir Móir, County Galway; the reason for the delay with the sale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55345/13]
View answerThe Chief State Solicitors Office is currently finalising documentation on this property and, once completed, it is intended to dispose of it by public auction.
256. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of funding he will make available in 2014 to deal with the problem of coastal erosion in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1012/14]
View answerThe investigation and addressing of coastal erosion problems are matters for Kerry County Council in the first instance. It is open to the Council to apply for funding to deal with coastal erosion under the Office of Public Work's (OPW) Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme. Any application received will be assessed under the eligibility criteria, which include a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, and having regard to the overall availability of funding.
The Office of Public Works wrote on 10 January to City and County Managers in coastal areas indicating that it will accept applications under its Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme for funding to assist with repairs to built flood defences and coastal protection structures which have been damaged by the recent storms. This is a once-off measure to reinstate built coastal defences to their pre-storm condition. The specific application form for this entitled Coastal Storm Damage Flooding Questionnaire 2014 is available on OPW's website www.opw.ie under Flood Risk Management. Applications approved under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme will be funded from OPW's overall Flood Risk Management capital allocation, which for 2014 is €44.2m. It is not possible at this point to say how much of the overall capital provision will be allocated for coastal erosion measures in Co. Kerry in 2014.
257. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the details of the applications that have been made from local authorities (details supplied) to the Office Of Public Works in 2011, 2012 and 2013 for projects to alleviate flooding; the amount sought in each application; the status of each application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1108/14]
View answerThe following table outlines the details of the applications made in 2011, 2012 and 2013 to the Office of Public Works by Wicklow County Council under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme on behalf of the local authorities in County Wicklow. In addition to the minor works amounts indicated below, the OPW provided funding to Bray Town Council in the years in question in relation to the River Dargle Flood Relief Scheme as follows: 2011 - € Nil; 2012 - €7.074m.; 2013 - €0.991m.
The OPW also provided funding of €42,797 in 2012 and €5,412 in 2013 to Arklow Town Council in relation to the development of the Avoca River Flood Relief Scheme.
2013
|
Countybrook, Bray -Channel works to increase channel capacity. |
€120,000 |
(See also 2012 table below) The application was received in late 2013 and is under consideration. |
2012
|
Avoca (Kilmagig) - Replacement of culvert, replacement of bridge, road works |
€288,000 |
(See 2011 table below) The application is under consideration. (Reply to issue shortly on this) |
|
Avoca (White Bridge) - Removal of a deposit in the Avoca river and use the material to raise the level of the adjacent river bank to form a flood barrier. |
€8,100 |
Funding of €8,100 was approved, fully drawn down and project completed. |
|
Countybrook, Bray - Channel works to increase channel capacity |
€150,000 |
The application was re-submitted in 2013 and is under consideration. |
|
James Connolly Square, Bray - Installation of a proprietary infiltration system & associated works. |
€22,500 |
The application is under consideration. (Reply to issue shortly on this) |
|
Delgany R762 - Road drainage works (remaining works from the 2011 application). |
€48,000 |
(See 2011 table below.) This is a request for approval of additional funding for the same works. Application is under consideration. |
|
Newcourt, Bray - Feasibility Study |
€50,000 |
(See 2011 table below.) The application is under consideration. Drawings and further details are required to assess the application. |
|
Seacrest, Bray - The installation of storm sewer and associated works. |
€88,200 |
The application is under consideration. (Reply to issue shortly on this) |
|
Dargle Catchment Flood Warning System |
€45,000 |
(See 2011 table below) The application is under consideration. Awaiting further information sought from local authority. |
2011
|
Application Description |
Amount Sought |
Status of Application |
|
Dargle Catchment Flood Warning System |
€45,000 |
The application was re-submitted in 2012 and is under consideration. |
|
Arklow, Avoca River - Construction of a flood protection wall. |
€40,000 |
Funding of €40,000 was approved, fully drawn down and works completed. |
|
Season Park, Newtownmountkennedy - Road drainage works |
€133,000 |
Awaiting further details sought from local authority required to assess this application. |
|
Newcourt, Bray - Feasibility Study |
€50,000 |
The application was re-submitted in 2012 and is under consideration. |
|
Parkmore, Baltinglass - The provision of an earth embankment / bund to provide a barrier against flood waters (undertaken in conjunction with works in Town Centre). |
€327,000 |
Funding of €210,000 was approved, fully drawn down and project completed. |
|
R762, Delgany - Road drainage works |
€104,000 |
Funding of €40,000 was approved, drawn down and project completed. |
|
Baltinglass Town Centre (Slaney River) - Accommodation works, installation of flap valves, manhole and embankment. |
€162,900 |
Funding of €100,000 was approved, fully drawn down and project completed. |
|
Avoca (Kilmagig) - Replacement of culvert, replacement of bridge, road works |
€320,000 |
The application was re-submitted in 2012 and is under consideration. |
258. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on the Dargle flood protection scheme in Bray being funded by the Office of Public Works; the current status of the scheme; the works that have specifically been completed to date; the works that remain to be completed; the total budget the OPW has allocated for the project; when he expects the project to recommence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1113/14]
View answerBray Town Council is the Contracting Authority for the Bray flood relief scheme the Office of Public Works (OPW) is the funding Authority. As the Deputy is aware, the contract between the Town Council and the construction contractor for the project was terminated by mutual agreement on 26th November 2013 and the contractor demobilized from the site shortly thereafter. The Council carried out some maintenance and remedial works to secure the site and to make it safe over the Christmas period.
The preparation of necessary documents required for the appointment of new contractors has commenced and detailed design for priority areas is currently being prepared by the Council's consultants. The Council is aiming to be in a position to avail of the 2014 environmental window i.e. May to September to the fullest extent possible for the carrying out of in-river works. The Council is also examining the possibility of carrying out certain advance works prior to the placing of a main contract to complete the remaining works.
The Council's consultants estimate that the works that have been constructed to date, which of themselves have a significant beneficial affect in alleviating flood risk, represent approximately 35% of the entire scheme works. The works carried out, which vary from location to location within the overall site, include strengthening / remedial works to existing structures, strengthening and stabilisation of riverbanks, removal of noxious weeds, excavation, demolition and other works associated with regrading the river bed and widening the channel, construction of flood defence structures and debris traps, demolition and rebuilding of existing walls, cladding / finishing to flood defence structures, diversion of existing services, construction of a 7.4m x 4m culvert at Bray bridge, structural stability works at Bray bridge, blocking of an arch at Ravenswell road and construction of an embankment behind the flood defence structure in the golf club lands.
Works of a similar nature to those listed above remain to be carried out at other locations along the river, along with the demolition of the existing riverwall and excavation of a section of the People's Park, removal of the weir downstream of Bray bridge, construction of an emergency flood relief channel in the golf club lands, works at the railway bridge and general landscaping. Based on the original contract amount, the total estimated cost of the project, comprising costs of construction, fees, site supervision, compulsory acquisition and maintenance, is approximately €28m. Bray Town Council and the OPW remain fully committed to completing the Bray flood relief scheme to provide the standard 1-in-100 year level of protection and every effort is being made to achieve this objective as soon as possible. The cost of completing the project is provided for in the OPW's projections of capital expenditure to 2016.
259. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Civil Service Commission will consider applicants residing in the proximity of vacancies when recruiting for positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1518/14]
View answerSince 2004, recruitment to the civil service has taken place under the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004. This legislation abolished the Civil Service Commission and established a new body, the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA), which licences, regulates and audits recruitment processes. Processes are governed by the provisions of the Act as applied under Codes of Practice prescribed by the CPSA. The Codes of Practice provide for appointment in accordance with the principle of Merit:
"Appointment on merit means the appointment of the best person for any given post through a transparent, competitive recruitment process where the criteria for judging suitability of candidates can be related directly to the qualifications, attributes and skills required to fulfil the duties and responsibilities of the post."
The Codes of Practice also require that processes are open to all eligible applicants. Typically this means that applicants from anywhere within the European Economic Area are entitled to apply where they meet minimum entry criteria. Under such an open and merit based appointments protocol, it is not possible to factor residential location into the selection process.
The 2004 Act also established a central agency, the Public Appointments Service (PAS), to handle recruitment on a shared service basis, although departments/offices are entitled to secure a licence in their own right. The Deputy may wish to note that in running large scale recruitment PAS may be in a position to take some account of proximity to residence in placing successful candidates from the order of merit. On occasion, this may involve the establishment of regional panels.
260. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to the proposal by the Office of Public Works to erect a fence around all or part of Castletown demesne, Celbridge, County Kildare (details supplied); if he will provide details of any plan or proposal for the future development of Castletown demesne to control or restrict 24 hour access to the immediate environs of Castletown, including an intention to develop Castletown House, or Castletown demesne, or parts of that demesne along the lines of the development of Farmleigh; if he will provide details of the OPW proposal to put a fence around all or part of Castletown demesne, including the locations and lines of such a fence, including maps; the height and construction of such a fence; the estimated cost of installation of such a fence; the estimated annual cost of maintenance of such a fence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55316/13]
View answerCastletown House demesne is open to the public every day of the year by way of the Celbridge gate between 6.45 a.m. and 19.45 p.m. from October to March, between 6.45 a.m. to 21.15 p.m. in the months of April and September and between 6.45 a.m. and 22.15 p.m. from May to August. These opening hours are displayed on the gate.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) has confirmed publicly that the desmesne is open to the public all year round. Reference has been made in correspondence to Farmleigh but only for comparison purposes as it is a similar State owned asset. There are no plans to replicate at Castletown the property improvements undertaken at Farmleigh over the past number of years.
There are no detailed current plans to erect fencing at Castletown. However entry onto the desmesne outside the times referred to above, which essentially means the hours of darkness, by persons intent on anti-social behaviour, is of great concern and it is the primary objectives of the OPW to protect the already considerable State investment at Castletown and the health and safety of members of the public entering onto the property. It is entirely impractical from a financial perspective to provide sufficient warden service on a 24 hour basis to this end. The OPW concerns are shared by Kildare County Council and discussions are ongoing between both organisations on how best these concerns can be addressed. Appropriate measures may include fencing proposals but no decision has as yet been taken in this regard.
261. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of persons who have been enrolled to date in the single public service pension scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55424/13]
View answerThe Single Public Service Pension Scheme was launched on 1 January 2013. It is the default pension scheme for persons commencing employment in the public service from that date onward. The Single Scheme is administered at workplace level in a large number of "relevant authorities", which equate to individual employments or sectors. Because of this dispersed membership, a figure for the total number of members of the Single Scheme across the entire public service is not at present to hand. However my Department plans to conduct a survey of all relevant authorities in respect of the end-2013 Single Scheme outturns, to include the total number of Single Scheme members at the end of 2013.
