Written Answers 226-249
226. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if a person (details supplied) is currently listed a director of Irish Bank Resolution Corporation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4314/14]
View answerI have been advised by the Special Liquidators confirm that the person in question remains listed as a director of Irish Bank Resolution Corporation Limited. However, the Special Liquidators assumed the authority and powers of the Board of Directors on their appointment on 7 February 2013.
227. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an outline of the legal case taken by several supposedly-former directors and executives (details supplied) of Irish Bank Resolution Corporation, against IBRC in October 2013; if he will detail the outcome of these proceedings. [4315/14]
View answerI have been advised by the Special Liquidators that the former senior staff who issued proceedings against IBRC Limited (in Special Liquidation) for payment of their notice entitlements have withdrawn their legal actions voluntarily.
228. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance with regard to the two missing documents from FOI 176/2013, if any comments were in the comments field or elsewhere on the tracking file system for these two documents; and if so what those comments were. [4318/14]
View answerThe tracking system included the following comments in relation to the letter from Mr Burrows to Noel M Corcoran & Associates dated 28th January 2009:
Letter dated 28/01/2009 received from Richard Burrows, BOI addressed to Noel M Corcoran and Associates, Taxation Consultants and copied to the Minister for Finance- content of his letter as follows:
"Dear Mr Cocoran,
Thank you for your letter of 27 January and for meeting today with our advisor, Tom Godfrey of IBI. As I have explained to you we believe that Bank of Ireland has an independent future and that the best interests of our stockholders lie in the Bank remaining independent and being in a position to make a recovery when market conditions improve over time . In the circumstances we are not contemplating the cession of control to a new investor at this time. It is very clear that your proposal would require an immediate surrender of control to Jupiter together with further dilution as preference convert to equity. Thank you for bringing the proposal to us. We have concluded that there is no point in continuing engagement with Jupiter Group.''
229. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 228 of 21 January 2014, with regard to the two missing documents from FOI 176/2013, if any additional controls were in place for these two documents; and if so, if he will outline these controls. [4319/14]
View answer230. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance with regard to the two missing documents from FOI 176/2013, the section in his Department these documents were registered to; if the documents were specified as only to be seen by that section; and if any other restrictions were placed on access to the documents. [4320/14]
View answer231. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance with regard to the two missing documents from FOI 176/2013, the number of personnel in the section of his Department in which they were held who would have had access to the documents. [4321/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 229 to 231, inclusive, together.
All officials in the department are subject to the official secret act, and routinely handle documents of a confidential or sensitive nature. In this case, documents concerned related to correspondence between two third parties, which had been copied to the Minister and subsequently passed to the appropriate officials, which is the normal treatment of such documentation. The correspondence was captured on the Ministerial representation tracking system.
As the correspondence related to Bank of Ireland, the documents would have been retained in the Banking Division of the Department. As the Deputy would be aware many officials in the department handle a lot of sensitive and confidential information in their daily work and are bound by the terms of the Official Secrets Act. They are also requirements for officials in terms of record maintenance under the record management guidelines of the department.
As the Deputy will appreciate the letters in question were received in 2009. The number of personnel in the division would have varied from time to time since that date given changes in functions and personnel to deal with the banking crisis. It would not be possible to indicate the exact number of personnel who would have access to these letters over the time since they were received.
232. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance with regard to the two missing documents from FOI 176/2013, if he will provide further details on the efforts being made to locate the originals of the two documents. [4322/14]
View answerA comprehensive exercise was undertaken response to location the documentation prior to the December response. The department is continuing in its efforts to locate the two letters, including repeating some of the original searches, and extending it to other areas of the department.
233. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Finance if he will review the budget change in respect of tax relief credits for single parents, as it discriminates and means a cut of €32 per week for the non-primary carer, or €1,650 per annum, and this is most unreasonable, unfair and unjust; if he will take into consideration that thousands of non-primary carers share care duties two or three days every week and pay maintenance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4337/14]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the One-Parent Family Tax Credit has been restructured and replaced with a new Single Person Child Care Tax Credit from 1 January 2014. However, the credit will be more targeted, in that it will in the first instance, only be available to the principal carer of the child.
Given the difficult fiscal environment, it is essential to review all tax reliefs, credits and incentives in order to ensure that they are properly targeted and if necessary re-focused in order that they can achieve the socioeconomic objectives that are set for them. A system that allows multiple claims in respect of the same child or children is unsustainable.
There is no specific tax credit for children in the tax code. Therefore, married or cohabiting couples are unable to avail of any additional credit to assist them in the financial maintenance of their children. In certain cases, such couples also need to maintain two households due to the location of employment, for example.
It is the responsibility of the parents to look after a child including financially. The new credit is targeted to assist principal child carers to take up, or remain in employment. It should not be considered merely as a supplementary source of income, or an alternative to the financial support of a parent.
Similarly, maintenance payments are a matter for parents and if necessary, the courts to decide. It is not possible, and indeed would not be appropriate, for the tax code to take account of every possible variable.
Notwithstanding the above, as a result of an amendment which I brought forward at Committee Stage of the Finance Bill, a primary carer who is entitled to the credit and who does not wish to avail of it can choose to surrender it. A secondary carer may then make a claim for the credit, provided that the qualifying child resides with him or her for not less than 100 days in the tax year. It should be noted that where a primary carer is married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting they would not be entitled to the new credit (or indeed the former one). In such circumstances the primary carer cannot relinquish the credit to a secondary carer. In addition, a secondary carer who is married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting, would not be entitled to the new credit (or indeed the former one) regardless of the marital status of the primary carer.
This measure was approved by the Oireachtas and enacted in Finance (No. 2) Act 2013 only last month. I have no plans to review Government policy in this matter.
234. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of appointments to State boards, under the remit of his Department, that were made as a result of applications made through the publicjobs.ie website in the past three years; the number of board posts that were advertised on the website; the number of board posts that were not advertised on the website but were directly appointed; and the average pay for directly appointed board members. [4593/14]
View answerIn response to the Deputy's question the information requested by the Deputy is contained in the following tables:
|
Board Name |
No of appointments made as a result of applications made through the Publicjobs.ie website in the last three years |
Number of board posts that were advertised on Publicjobs.ie |
Number of board posts that were not advertised on the website but instead were directly appointed |
Average pay to directly appointed board members |
|
Irish Fiscal Advisory Council |
None |
None |
5 |
With effect from 1 July 2012, the fees payable to Council Members are based on those payable to Directors of Category 2 Non-Commercial State-Sponsored Bodies, which are set from time to time by the Dept. of Public Expenditure and Reform. The relevant fees are €20,520 for the Chair and €11,970 for Members. The fees are not payable to members of the Irish public service. |
|
National Asset Management Agency |
None |
None |
4 including 2 reappointments |
€60,000 pa |
|
Credit Union Restructuring Board |
6 |
13 |
All vacancies were advertised |
€7,500 |
|
Irish Financial Services Appeals Tribunal |
3 |
7 |
All vacancies were advertised |
Per sitting day Fee |
|
Central Bank Commission |
0 |
1 |
Vacancy advertised |
No payment received |
The national Treasury Management Agency have supplied me with the following in relation to bodies under their remit.
National Treasury Management Agency Advisory Committee
|
Name of appointee and Date of appointment or reappointment since 1 January 2011 |
Advertised |
|
Mr John Moran (Secretary General, Department of Finance)6 March 2012. |
It has been the practice since the establishment of the National Treasury Management Agency to appoint the Secretary General of the Department of Finance to the Advisory Committee. |
|
Mr Willie Walsh (Chairman) 11 November 2013. |
The position of Chairman of the National Treasury Management Agency Advisory Committee was not advertised. Expressions of interest were sought in respect of vacancies for Ordinary Members of the Committee in January 2013 on the Department of Finance website. |
|
Mr Don Roth 1 January 2014. |
Post was not advertised as it was a re-appointment. |
Remuneration of Advisory Committee members is as follows:
Chairperson: €45,000 per annum
Other Members: €22,500 per annum
Mr. Walsh (Chairman) has waived his remuneration in respect of his appointment as Chairman of the Committee.
Mr. Moran appointed in his capacity as Secretary General of the Department of Finance does not receive any remuneration in respect of his membership.
National Pensions Reserve Fund Commission
|
Name of appointee/Date of appointment or reappointment since 1 January 2011 |
Advertised |
|
Mr Maurice Keane 5 February 2012 |
Post was not advertised as it was a re-appointment. |
Remuneration of National Pensions Reserve Fund Commission members is as follows:
Chairperson - €51,424 per annum.
Other Members - €34,283 per annum.
State Claims Agency Policy Committee
|
Name of appointee and Date of appointment or reappointment since 1 January 2011 |
Advertised |
|
Dr Noel Whelan (Chairman)1 July 2012. |
Post was not advertised as it was a re-appointment. |
|
Mr Fachtna Murphy 27 June 2012. |
Advertised on the websites of the Departments of Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform. |
|
Ms Wendy Thompson 27 June 2012. |
Advertised on the websites of the Departments of Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform. |
|
Mr Charlie Hardy 27 June 2012 18 November 2013. |
Department nominee (A Department of Health representative has, by convention, been appointed to the SCA Policy Committee). |
|
Ms Mary Jackson 4 December 2013. |
Department nominee (A Department of Health representative has, by convention, been appointed to the SCA Policy Committee). |
Remuneration of State Claims Policy Committee members is as follows:
Chairperson: €13,713 per annum.
Other Members: €9,142 per annum.
Mr. Hardy and Ms Jackson as civil servants do not receive remuneration in respect of their membership of the Policy Committee.
Ms Thompson waived her remuneration in respect of her membership of the Committee.
National Development Finance Agency Board
|
Name of appointee and Date of appointment or reappointment since 1 January 2011 |
Advertised |
|
Mr Brian Murphy Chief Executive NDFA Re-appointed 1 January 2013. |
Re-appointment of CEO to the Board by the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. |
|
Mr Robert Watt(Secretary General of Public Expenditure and Reform)18 July 2012. |
Vacancy was advertised on Department of Finance and Department of Public Expenditure and Reform websites. The Secretary General of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform was appointed to the Board |
|
Mr Gerry Murray 18 July 2012. |
Vacancy was advertised on Department of Finance and Department of Public Expenditure and Reform websites. |
|
Ms Petrina Smyth 18 July 2012. |
Vacancy was advertised on Department of Finance and Department of Public Expenditure and Reform websites. |
Remuneration of National Development Finance Agency Board members is €12,600 per annum.
The Chairperson and Chief Executive of the NDFA are NTMA employees and do not receive any remuneration in respect of their membership of the Board.
Mr. Watt, appointed in his capacity as Secretary General of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, does not receive any remuneration in respect of his membership.
Mr. Murray has waived his fee in respect of his membership of the Board.
235. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the level of pro bono work provided to his Department by legal, accountancy and consulting firms in the past 24 months; which of the firms have also been awarded State contracts by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4607/14]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy for my Department is set out in the table below:
|
Microsoft |
IT Strategy |
2014 |
Nil |
|
Goldman Sachs |
Consultancy |
2013 |
Nil |
|
Firm/Company |
Nature of work |
Year of pro-bono work |
State contracts awarded* |
|
William Fry |
Legal advice |
2013 |
Nil |
|
Mazars |
Consultancy |
2013 |
Nil |
|
Technical Guidance Ltd |
Financial |
2013 |
Nil |
|
KPMG |
Advice |
2012/13 |
Nil |
|
Deloitte |
Advice |
2012/13 |
Yes** |
|
Price Waterhouse Cooper (PWC) |
Economic analysis |
2012/13 |
Yes*** |
|
McCann Fitzgerald |
Legal advice |
2011/2012 |
Nil |
|
Arthur Cox |
Consultancy |
2011/12 |
Nil |
*New contracts awarded during or after the provision of the advice or consultancy.
**Deloitte co-sponsored the development of an EU Presidency Mobile Application during Ireland s hosting of the EU Presidency in 2013.
***Represents a secondment arrangement which was independent of the ex-gratis arrangement.
236. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a list of the top 20 consulting firms engaged by his Department, including public bodies, in order of fee generation or cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4620/14]
View answerThe information relating to consultancy work requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below.
|
Consultancy firms |
Details |
Fees paid in 2013 |
|
Arthur Cox |
Legal advice on restructuring of Irish banking system |
€1,728,406.71 |
|
Matheson |
Legal advice regarding the acquisition and sale of Irish Life |
€739,854.17 |
|
National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) |
Advice to Ministerial Advisory group |
€381,494.46 |
|
Mercer (Ireland) Ltd |
Review of Remuneration Practices and Frameworks at the Covered Institutions report |
€72,570.00 |
|
Red C Research & Marketing Ltd |
Professional services in relation to the SME lending survey |
€118,572.00 |
|
Dr. Anil Shivdasani |
Expert witness for High Court case |
€67,360.02 |
|
PCMA economic Consulting |
Medium Term Economic Strategy (MTES) - modelling support |
€49,043.00 |
|
Stratathree |
Website development |
€46,726.47 |
|
Economic & Social Research Institute (ESRI) |
Medium Term Economic Strategy (MTES) |
€39,986.07 |
|
Crowe Howarth |
Review of the R & D tax credit |
€36,850.80 |
|
Indecon |
Independent cost benefit analysis of Living City initiative |
€28,290.00 |
|
Creative A.D. Ltd. |
Graphic design for Budget Day publications |
€7,472.25 |
|
A & L Goodbody Solicitors |
Secretarial work |
€2,873.43 |
237. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide the daily bus timetable for travel between Laytown and Julianstown; if he will consider providing additional school buses from Laytown to Julianstown between the hours of 3.30 p.m. and 6 p.m. in order to facilitate schoolchildren from Julianstown who wish to participate in after-school activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3767/14]
View answerThe specific information sought by the Deputy regarding the times of buses is not held by my Department. However, the Deputy will be aware that the purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school. Children are eligible for school transport where they satisfy the distance criterion and are attending their nearest national school or post primary centre, having regard to ethos and language.School transport is a very significant national operation involving about 42 million journeys and over 82 million kilometres on 6,000 routes every school year. This service is delivered using a mix of Bus Éireann, both school transport and road passenger vehicles, private contractor vehicles including private operator scheduled services, and Dublin Bus, Irish Rail, DART and Luas where practical. In accordance with the terms of my Department's School Transport Schemes school transport services for eligible children operate during the 'Standard School Year' and facilitate a child's attendance during normal school opening and closing times.
238. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which it might be found possible to facilitate a substantial increase in the availability in apprenticeships, with particular reference to ensuring that there is an adequate supply of skilled personnel available to meet economic needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4242/14]
View answerIn order to provide a modern and flexible Irish Apprenticeship System, reflective of the relevant skills requirements of both industry and potential apprentices, I established an independent group to carry out a comprehensive review of the Apprenticeship System in Ireland last year. Following consultation with relevant stakeholders, the Review Group prepared a comprehensive report and made a number of recommendations with regard to the existing apprenticeship system as well as a framework for a future expanded programme of apprenticeship. This report was received in December and I have considered its contents and have published it on my Department's website, www.education.ie. My Department will now work with stakeholder on implementation arrangements for the report's recommendations.
239. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if any particular measures may be taken to facilitate those who were unable to complete their apprenticeships due to the economic downturn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4243/14]
View answerSOLAS has introduced a range of measures to assist redundant apprentices who have a time deficit in their apprenticeship.
A Competency Determination Mechanism (CDM) provides 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 are progressed for the award of the FETAC Level 6 Advanced Certificate – Craft.
To be eligible for the Competency Determination Mechanism redundant apprentices must: be redundant as an apprentice as notified by their employer and be registered with the Department of Social Protection and have successfully completed all Phases 1 – 7 inclusive, reaching the minimum standard, and have not completed 4 years in employment as an apprentice in the trade. Redundant apprentices receive a letter from SOLAS inviting them to register their interest in participating in CDM. 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.
240. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to cater for the likely significant growth in second level student numbers in the Gorey-north Wexford area, and the probable scenario concerning existing demographic trends that secondary schools in the area (details supplied) are likely to reach capacity by the end of the decade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3477/14]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, in June 2011, I announced that some 40 new schools are to be established up to 2017 to cater for increasing demographics across a number of locations. Many of these schools have commenced operation, one of which was a new post-primary school for Gorey, and plans are advanced to establish the remainder.
The Forward Planning Section of my Department will continue to analyse demographic trends and to monitor enrolments in all areas to determine the level of additional school provision which will be required into the future.
241. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there has been a change in Government policy in respect of the treatment of self-employed workers' income with respect to third level grants, as per Student Universal Support Ireland's response, dated 15 January 2014, to an application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3484/14]
View answerThe income thresholds for student grants were reduced by 3% for the 2013/14 academic year. There have been no change in relation to the treatment of self-employed income for student grant purposes under the Student Grant Scheme 2013. For the 2013/14 academic year, the reference period for reckonable income is from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012. Article 32 of the Student Grant Scheme 2013 provides for the review of eligibility for the award of a grant in the event of changes of circumstances in the academic year, including a change in relation to reckonable income for the self-employed. In order for grant eligibility to be re-assessed under a change of circumstances, the awarding authority must be satisfied that the fall in income is likely to obtain for the duration of the approved course or the foreseeable future. The required documentary evidence for grant purposes to verify that the reduction in reckonable income for the self-employed is permanent in nature is evidence of cessation of trading, de-registration for VAT or documentary evidence confirming the person is now in receipt of a means-tested social welfare payment. Fluctuations in income for the self-employed cannot be considered as a permanent change for grant purposes, since income may fluctuate from year to year due to the nature of self-employment. However, an applicant will be given the benefit of any reduction in income when he/she is re-assessed by the grant awarding authority the following academic year. I understand SUSI issued a letter to the applicant on 15th January, 2014 on foot of his appeal. Where an appeal is turned down in writing by SUSI and the applicant remains of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in his or her case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board. The relevant appeal form is available to download from http://www.studentfinance.ie/downloads/1375344221/2013_SGAB_appeal_form.pdf
242. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will reinstate the SUSI grants awarded to students on level seven courses, the dental nursing and dental hygiene courses at Trinity College Dublin and University College Cork, who have recently received letters to say that the grant they were awarded in September was awarded in error, and to ensure there will be no recoupment of the moneys; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3543/14]
View answerThe student grants awarding body, SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland), confirmed on Monday 20th January 2014 that students attending the course referred to by the Deputy are approved for funding.
The decision follows a review carried out, as part of on-going audits of student grants, on a valid question which arose over the eligibility of the specified course. On looking into the matter, my Department clarified the position in respect of this course and grants are approved for students participating on the course in 2013/14.
243. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on his plans to build a permanent school in Belmayne, Dublin 13, for schools (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3547/14]
View answerThe Major Building Project for the schools referred to by the Deputy is currently at an early stage of Architectural Planning, Stage 2(a) - Developed Design. On the satisfactory completion of stage 2(a), and subject to no other issues arising, the project will progress to Stage 2(b) which includes applications for Planning Permission, Fire Safety Certificate, Disability Access Certificate and the preparation of tender documents.
This project was included on the 5 year construction programme to proceed to tender and construction in 2014/15. The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the 2014 specific programme of 70 major projects to proceed to construction this year. The project for the school referred to by the Deputy was not sufficiently advanced to include it in that announcement.However, as 2014 progresses, all projects which remain scheduled to begin building in 2015 or 2016 will be assessed to see if they are ready to go to construction earlier than planned and if there is financial scope to do so.
In that context, when the stage 2(b) submission for this project has been received and assessed my Department will then be in touch with the school authorities regarding the potential progression of the project to tender and construction at that time.
244. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a school building project (details supplied) in County Meath. [3580/14]
View answerMy Department has recently acquired land which will facilitate the provision of accommodation for the new post primary school, referred to by the Deputy, to open in 2014. As the Deputy will be aware, my Department is working closely with the relevant Local Authority in relation to a campus development which includes the school to which the Deputy has referred. Further land is being acquired in this regard. Due to commercial sensitivities attaching to site acquisitions generally, I am not in a position to comment further on the matter at this time.
245. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a project in County Galway to provide a new school; when the project is due to reach construction stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3581/14]
View answerThe major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning, stage 2(a) - Developed Design. On the satisfactory completion of stage 2a, and subject to no other issues arising, the project will progress to Stage 2(b) which includes applications for Planning Permission, Fire Safety Certificate, Disability Access Certificate and the preparation of tender documents.
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 previously initiated but 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.
246. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of JobBridge interns taken on in County Louth, in his Department, from September 2013 until January 2014. [3604/14]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that my Department has not taken on any JobBridge interns in County Louth. While the Department has a number of small local offices in locations around the country, our staff are largely based in one of our three main locations in Dublin, Athlone and Tullamore.
247. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department is undergoing an investigation into allegations of children with autism being kept in isolation rooms for hours at a time; if he will consider the removal of isolation rooms; and his views on whether the reduction in resource teacher hours has contributed to the overuse of isolation rooms. [3637/14]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the Board of Management of each school is responsible for the care and safety of all of the pupils in their school. The well-being and safety of children should be at the centre of all policy and practices in schools. Many schools withdraw pupils occasionally from the main classroom for short periods of time in order to manage pupil behaviour or to provide care support and assistance with issues such as dressing, cleaning or medical supervision. Schools should supervise and support children who have been withdrawn from the classroom in such instances, such as pupils who are distressed or out of control, until they have recovered and are able to re-engage in the classroom. Schools may seek advice from their local National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) psychologist, from their NCSE Special Educational Needs Organiser, or from the National Behavioural Support Services, as to how children with behavioural needs can best be supported in school. My Department has recently published new Guidelines for Schools on Supporting Students with Behavioural, Emotional, and Social difficulties and training is available for schools in relation to the provision of support for children with special educational needs from the Special Education Support Services (SESS), who can, as part of their designated training modules, provide guidance for schools in relation to containment or management measures for difficult behaviour. My Department has asked the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to prepare Policy Advice on Educational Provision for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. In developing this policy advice, the NCSE will consult widely with parents, professionals and other stakeholders and interested parties while also conducting research in relation to this area. As part of the process to develop this policy advice, the NCSE will consider the issue of the use of withdrawal/isolation rooms in schools for children with autism.Where a parent or any other person has concerns about the care or safety of a child they should report these concerns to the Board of Management of the school, or may report the matter as a child protection concern to the HSE or to the Department of Education and Skills. I also wish to clarify for the Deputy that the number of Resource Teaching support posts being provided to schools has increased this year by an additional 455 posts, in line with my decision last June to authorise the NCSE to maintain the level of resource teaching allocations to be provided for students with special educational needs for the current school year to the 2012/13 levels. There are now over 5,700 Resource Teaching posts supporting pupils with low incidence special educational needs in schools, which is more than at any time in the past.
248. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills despite their having specialised qualifications and years of industry and teaching experience, the reason some further education teachers are unable to register; if his attention has been drawn to the restrictive registration requirements, that is, that they must have a level 8 degree and a two-year diploma or master's degree in education before they may start teaching; if his attention has been drawn to the devastating effects this will have on the skills balance among staff in the further education sector which caters to local demands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3638/14]
View answerThe Teaching Council is the body with statutory authority for the registration of teachers.
The Council's Registration Regulations were published in 2009 and they replaced the protocols for the recognition of teachers in the Further Education Sector which were in use prior to that time. The regulations flagged an increase to the registration requirements which would come into effect on 1 April 2013 requiring that teachers in the Further Education sector had at least an ordinary level degree (Level 7 on the NFQ or equivalent) and relevant experience in addition to an accredited teaching qualification or equivalent. The Deputy might wish to note that the qualifications requirements governing the registration of primary and post-primary teachers also increased on the same date requiring an honours level degree and a recognised teaching qualification. The Council maintains the view that teachers in all sectors should have a relevant degree and a teaching qualification to ensure a uniformity of experience and quality of education in all sectors. Under the current regulations, a teacher who has an ordinary level degree and three year's relevant workplace experience is eligible for registration on a conditional basis under Regulation 5 (Further Education) on the condition that they complete an accredited teaching qualification within three years of the date of registration. The Council has now accredited 10 programmes of teacher education for the Further Education sector. The majority of these are part time/distance learning and can therefore be undertaken by a teacher in employment. The Council has noted that many applicants who were refused registration in the past six or so years have undertaken additional qualifications to meet the Council's registration criteria.
There are posts in certain subject areas in the further education sector that are occupied by people who are not qualified teachers but whose posts have traditionally been classified as teaching posts. In some cases these posts are teaching posts but in others teaching qualifications are not required or appropriate. In addition, a primary degree or equivalent qualification recognised by the Teaching Council in the particular subject area may not be available. As a response to this a number of posts in certain subject areas have been reclassified as tutor posts and are no longer regarded as teaching posts. The holders of these posts will not be subject to the requirements of Section 30 of the Teaching Council Act.
249. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for the visiting teacher service; if the service is under review; the proposed changes that are included; the level of involvement with parents and teachers in the relevant schools during the review; and if consultation will be engaged in before the findings of the review are made. [3639/14]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the Visiting Teacher Service for children with Visual and Hearing Impairment provides assistance for children who are deaf or hard of hearing and children who are blind or visually impaired.
In May 2013 the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) brought forward policy advice which recommended that the service should be reviewed. Accordingly, an independent review of this service is currently being conducted line with the NCSE recommendations.
The review is being conducted by two independent reviewers who are tasked with reviewing the role and function of the Visiting Teacher Service in accordance with the Terms of Reference of the Review, which are available on my Department's website, with a view to the making recommendations for consideration to my Department.
The reviewers have met and consulted with members of the Visiting Teacher service and with a broad range of individuals as well as statutory and non-statutory organisations who are involved in the education of children who are blind or visually impaired and children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Parents, children, teachers and other interested parties can contribute to the review by making a submission and/ or by answering a questionnaire which is available on my Department's website www.education.ie. Submissions and responses to questionnaires are managed by the independent reviewers. The deadline for making submissions and responding to questionnaires has been extended to 31 January 2013.
It would not be appropriate for me to anticipate the outcome of this review in advance of its publication. I am informed that the review will be concluded by the middle of March 2014.
