Tuesday, 18 Feb 2014

Written Answers Nos. 222-246

EU-IMF Programme of Support

Questions (222)

Micheál Martin

Question:

222. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding the IMF retaining an office in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2181/14]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

Our EU-IMF programme of assistance provided €67.5 billion in loans from the external lenders, of which the IMF provided €22.5 billion.

The IMF established a resident office here in autumn 2011, as a consequence of Ireland being in receipt of IMF assistance. The resident representative is a normal feature of IMF support programmes, particularly in the case of programmes involving significant amounts of IMF funding such as our own. The IMF has resident representatives in almost all countries where it provides financial support, including more than a dozen in Europe.

The resident representative provides a liaison between the IMF and the country authorities, builds relationships with non-officials, and helps the IMF deepen their understanding of conditions on the ground. The resident representative plays an important role in explaining the views of the IMF and by keeping the IMF abreast of economic and social developments in the country.

Towards the latter half of 2013, as our programme was drawing to a close the IMF contacted my Department about maintaining the resident representative office for a period after the end of the programme.  The IMF indicated that it is considered normal practice for such offices to remain for a period of time (12 to 18 months) after the end of a programme.  In these circumstances, and considering that we have an ongoing relationship with the IMF outside the programme, it is reasonable that the office should remain in place for 2014.

Fiscal Policy

Questions (223)

Micheál Martin

Question:

223. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Finance if the fiscal council has approved the Government's economic plan 2014-2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2187/14]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council's mandate is:

- To endorse, as it considers appropriate, the macroeconomic forecasts prepared by the Department of Finance on which the Budget and Stability Programme Update are based.

-To assess the official forecasts produced by the Department of Finance. These are the macroeconomic and budgetary forecasts published by the Department twice a year - in the Stability Programme Update in the spring and in the Budget in the autumn.

- To assess whether the fiscal stance of the Government is conducive to prudent economic and budgetary management, with reference to the EU Stability and Growth Pact (SGP). The SGP is a rule-based framework that aims to co-ordinate national fiscal policies in the economic and monetary union.

- To monitor and assess compliance with the budgetary rule as set out in the Fiscal Responsibility Act. The budgetary rule requires that the Government's budget is in surplus or in balance, or is moving at a satisfactory pace towards that position.

- In relation to the budgetary rule, to assess whether any non-compliance is a result of 'exceptional circumstances'. This could mean a severe economic downturn and/or an unusual event outside the control of Government which may have a major impact on the budgetary position.

As the Government's Economic Strategy 2014-2020 (MTES) is outside the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council's mandate they have no role in approving this strategy. However, the Deputy should be aware that the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council has complete independence in relation to its functions and may, therefore, comment on the MTES as it sees fit.

Ministerial Meetings

Questions (224)

Micheál Martin

Question:

224. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Finance if he has met the fiscal council recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2184/14]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

I have not met with the Fiscal Council recently. However, as the Deputy will be aware, officials from my Department are in regular contact with the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council in relation to various matters, and the Council also have regular interaction with the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform.

Details of the Council s internal meetings, along with any external meetings, can be viewed on the Fiscal Council's website.

Economic Policy

Questions (225)

Micheál Martin

Question:

225. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Finance his views on the medium-term economic strategy plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2196/14]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

The overriding objective of the Medium-Term Economic Strategy (MTES) is to provide the framework for sustainable public finances over the period to 2020, the achievement of which is a prerequisite for growth and stability in the future.

The rationale for such a framework stems from the need to ensure discipline and maintain market confidence in the post-Programme environment.

The MTES involves a three-pronged approach for jobs-rich growth, namely:

- budgetary discipline

- improved access to finance

- structured reforms to boost growth

The MTES provides for an overarching high-level and integrated whole-of-Government framework designed to drive the development of appropriate sectoral and horizontal policies. When they are reviewing, updating or publishing new strategy statements or plans, Government Departments will have to ensure they are aligned with the MTES.  This coherence will be obvious most immediately in the new Action Plan for Jobs to be presented shortly to Government for review and approval.

The MTES is about ensuring that mistakes of the past are never repeated and as such, will play an important role in delivering sustainable improvements in living standards for all in Ireland.

Mortgage Arrears Proposals

Questions (226, 227)

Micheál Martin

Question:

226. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Finance the way the mortgage crisis is being dealt with as per the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2182/14]

Micheál Martin

Question:

227. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding his recent comments (details supplied) on the way the banks are dealing with the mortgage crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2186/14]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

I propose to take Questions Nos. 226 and 227 together.

The fair resolution of the mortgage arrears problem is key priority for Government and a comprehensive strategy, in line with the main recommendations of the 2011 Keane Report, has been developed.  The implementation of this strategy is overseen at Government level by a special sub-committee which is chaired by the Taoiseach and at official level by a mortgage arrears steering group which is chaired by the Department of Finance.

The Government has significantly advanced a number of key measures in this regard, including;

1. An intensification by the Central Bank of its engagement with mortgage lenders to require them, under the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Targets (MART) process, to propose and conclude sustainable and durable alternative arrangements to their customers in mortgage arrears; targets have, so far, been set for the period to end of June 2014 and by this date the banks will be required to have proposed sustainable solutions to 75% of mortgages which are more than 90 days in arrears and to have concluded solutions with 35% of such mortgages.

2. Significant reforms to personal insolvency and the establishment of the Insolvency Service of Ireland to make it more accessible for people with unsustainable personal and mortgage debt to address their position;

3. Updating the Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears to provide additional safeguards to co-operating borrowers while also promoting and encouraging efforts by both lenders and borrowers to meaningfully address mortgage arrears or pre-arrears;

4. Mortgage to rent which is now available as a social housing response to allow people to remain in their house, where possible; and

5. The provision of an independent mortgage information and advice service.

Regarding progress on the MART targets, the Central Bank has indicated that all six mortgage lenders covered by the MART process have reported that they met the 20% proposed sustainable solutions target for the second quarter of 2013 and also the 30% target for the third quarter in 2013.  In particular, with respect to the third quarter 2013 target, which is the latest available data, the lenders have reported to the Central Bank they had issued proposals to 43% of mortgage accounts in arrears against the 30% target. 

Furthermore, the Deputy may also wish to note, that according to information collected by my Department for the 6 main lenders, in the case of private dwelling homes some 51,000 mortgage accounts in difficulty have been the subject of permanent restructuring following engagement between borrower and lender.  A further 21,000 mortgage accounts in difficulty have been the subject of temporary restructures.  The data published by my Department and the Central Bank would appear to demonstrate some success by the lenders in addressing the accounts in early arrears and putting in place appropriate measures to prevent borrowers from going into arrears.

Taken together, the framework is in place to enable banks to work with distressed homeowners to reach sustainable solutions for dealing with their personal indebted situations.  However, early and effective engagement between borrowers and lenders is key to resolving the cases of mortgage difficulty.  Where there is effective and meaningful engagement by all parties regarding a mortgage difficulty, the data shows that an increasing number of durable long-term mortgage restructures is being put in place.  However, it is accepted that it will be necessary for lenders and borrowers to continue to build on this.

Eurozone Issues

Questions (228)

Micheál Martin

Question:

228. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Finance his views on the comments made by the former governor of the ECB, Mr. Jean-Claude Trichet, in Strasbourg on Tuesday, 15 January in relation to the European economic crisis and other issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3535/14]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

I understand you are referring to the comments made by the former President of the ECB Mr. Jean-Claude Trichet at his hearing at the European Parliament's Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee on Tuesday 14 January. During his appearance before the Committee Mr. Trichet raised a number of points including the cause of the European crisis, the Stability and Growth Path, the future role of the European Parliament, the Greek experience, and the Irish experience. I note Mr. Trichet's comments in relation to how the Irish programme progressed, and the scale of the banking crisis in Ireland.  Our focus now is on continuing the recovery in the economy and in the public finances which enabled us to exit from our programme successfully last year.  That will be the key to our future success.

Mr. Trichet appeared before the Committee as part of the EP's own initiative report evaluating the structure, the role and operation of the Troika actions in euro area programme countries. The Committee also met with European Commissioner Rehn, and ESM Managing Director Klaus Regling. As the Deputy may be aware, my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Mr. Brendan Howlin T.D., and I met with an EP delegation during their visit to Ireland on 16-17 January.

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Questions (229)

Micheál Martin

Question:

229. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Finance the progress being made on the international talks on double taxation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4834/14]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

The most prominent issue in international tax at the moment is the OECD Base Erosion and Profit Shifting project or BEPS, to which I believe the Deputy is referring. Ireland has welcomed both the OECD BEPS report of February 2013 which identified the problems of Base Erosion and Profit Shifting, and the subsequent BEPS Action Plan published in July 2013, which outlined 15 actions to be taken to deal with the problems identified in the report. The plan is essentially a roadmap, with a timetable for completion of actions varying from September 2014 to December 2015.

As a result of this work, the OECD may change its international tax guidelines and make recommendations regarding mismatches which exist between different countries' rules, which countries would have to strongly consider implementing in their national legislation or tax code. In addition preparatory work is under way on a multilateral instrument to which countries will be expected to sign up which will implement certain measures on a multilateral basis. 

The Government published Ireland's International Tax Strategy as part of Budget 2014.  It includes an International Tax Charter which sets out Ireland's policy objectives and commitments on a range of international tax issues. The Finance (No. 2) Act 2013 ensured that, in relation to our tax treaty partners, a company cannot be 'stateless' in terms of its place of tax residence. The "stateless" company change will not by itself bring an end to international tax planning. That would require concerted multilateral action by many countries acting together. World leaders (G8, G20) have already acknowledged that a global, co-ordinated approach was needed. The OECD is leading this concerted international initiative through its BEPS project. Ireland is an active participant in this process.

Fiscal Policy

Questions (230)

Micheál Martin

Question:

230. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding the fiscal council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7475/14]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council was established in 2011, and became a statutory body when the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2012 came into force on 31 December 2012. The Act also sets out the Council's functions, which can only be amended through primary legislation.

In that context, Regulation (EU) 473/2013 introduced a requirement that draft budgets and the stability programme update must be based on macroeconomic forecasts that are produced or endorsed by an independent body. This endorsement function has been set out in an amendment to the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2012 and has been assigned to the Fiscal Council.

This process took place for the first time as part of Budget 2014. The endorsement states: The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council endorses as within the range of appropriate projections the set of macroeconomic projections prepared by the Department of Finance for Budget 2014 for the years 2013 and 2014 provided to the Council on 30 September 2013.  Since its establishment, the Council has published five Fiscal Assessment Reports and three other papers, all of which can be found on the Fiscal Council's website. In line with commitments I gave during the passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2012, I respond to these reports, usually in my next fiscal policy publication. However, given the gap between the last Fiscal Assessment Report in November 2013 and the publication of the stability programme update next April, I responded to the Council in writing on 19 December 2013. My response can be found on the websites of the Council and my own Department.

The establishment of the Council has strengthened the fiscal governance of the country and its reports have widened and deepened the debate on fiscal policy.

Banking Sector

Questions (231)

Michael McGrath

Question:

231. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a detailed breakdown of the costs incurred in respect of the recent balance sheet assessments of the Irish banks; the person who paid for the assessments; if the assessments will have to be done in full again as part of the EU-wide stress tests later in the year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8279/14]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

As the Deputy will be aware  the Central Bank  undertook the Balance Sheet Assessment (BSA) of covered banks in 2013 in accordance with a framework and requirements agreed with the Troika as part of the exit of the Programme. Boston Consulting Group (BCG) was contracted as independent assessors and to provide project management resources. E&Y was contracted to conduct the loan file and impairment model reviews of AIB and PTSB. KPMG was contracted to conduct the loan file and impairment model reviews of Bank of Ireland. Third party costs for the BSA have still to be finalised, however it is expected that the final cost will be approximately €11 million, including VAT. The CBI is responsible for paying for these services as the contractee. However all costs incurred on the Financial Measures Programme are 100% recovered from the covered banks subject to the reviews.

In common with all other significant banks in the Eurozone, the Irish banks are required to undergo a Comprehensive Assessment (CA) prior to the ECB assuming responsibility as the competent supervisory authority in November this year (2014). The CA has a number of components including an Asset Quality Review (AQR) and a Stress Test. The SSM AQR is similar to the CBI BSA exercise conducted in 2013 and accordingly the work performed in the BSA will go some way to satisfying the AQR requirements and informing the CA results.

Tax Code

Questions (232)

Michael McGrath

Question:

232. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance in relation to the abolition of the one-parent family tax credit and its replacement with the single person child carer credit in the recent Finance Act, if his Department sought advice as to whether or not the change was discriminatory and breached any other legislation on the Statute Book; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8280/14]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

It is not clear on which grounds the Deputy considers the change from the One-Parent Family Credit to the Single Person Child Carer Credit to be discriminatory.

The Commission on Taxation acknowledged that the One-Parent Family Tax Credit played a role in supporting and incentivising the labour market participation of single and widowed parents - indeed this was why the credit was originally introduced.  However, in its recommendations it concluded that the credit should be retained but that it should be allocated to the principal carer only. The introduction of new Single Person Child Carer Credit achieves this outcome.  The Government, by allowing for the relinquishing of the credit to a secondary claimant, where a principal carer chooses to do so for whatever reason, actually provided for an additional option for single person carers, over and above that recommended by the Commission.

As the credit is available to all qualifying persons, regardless of gender, I do not believe it could be construed as being discriminatory. However, the Deputy will be aware that my officials would regularly consult with the Attorney General's Office in relation to proposed policy and legislative changes.

IBRC Loans

Questions (233)

Michael McGrath

Question:

233. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the amount of money owed to Irish Bank Resolution Corporation by commercial clients which has to date been written off by virtue of agreements reached during the sale of the loans or individual agreements reached with debtors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8285/14]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

The Special Liquidators are in the process of selling the assets of IBRC in an open and transparent process for prices at or above their independent valuation price and failing that, the Special Liquidators will sell the assets to NAMA at their independent valuation price.

I am advised by the Special Liquidators that they will not be publishing the information requested as it is commercially sensitive information. The Special Liquidators believe that releasing this information may prejudice the ability of the Special Liquidators to obtain best value for the loan assets in the ongoing IBRC asset sale process.

I am further advised by the Special Liquidators that they are satisfied that the best price has been obtained for all assets sold to date.

Banking Sector

Questions (234)

Michael McGrath

Question:

234. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he or his officials have had any discussions recently with the UK authorities regarding the future of the Ulster Bank operations here in advance of the publication by its parent company Royal Bank of Scotland of its global review of operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8286/14]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

The Deputy may be aware that, following the review by the UK Treasury in Autumn 2013, RBS reaffirmed its commitment to the Irish market.  RBS is currently reviewing the operations of Ulster Bank in Ireland with a view to creating a sustainable business model.  My Department has engaged with the UK Treasury on this matter.  I also recently met with RBS executives on their outlook for the bank both here and in the UK.

I must await the findings of the review before commenting further.

Question No. 235 answered with Question No. 179.

Question No. 236 answered with Question No. 196.

Question No. 237 answered with Question No. 209.

Banking Sector Staff

Questions (238)

Michael McGrath

Question:

238. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance his Department’s estimate of the number of jobs lost in the banking sector here in the past two to three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8291/14]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

In the past five years seven banks have ceased operating in Ireland or have been merged into another institution (Anglo Irish Bank, Irish National Building Society, ACC, Bank of Ireland Scotland, Postbank, EBS and First Active).

My Department has the following data available in relation to the reduction in staff numbers at Irish banks in the last three years:

-	Full Time Equivalent Staff - December 2011	Full Time Equivalent Staff - June 2013
Allied Irish Banks	14,501	12,781
Bank of Ireland	13,234	11,731

As regards permanent tsb, staff numbers have fluctuated due to its separation from Irish Life and also due to the need to recruit some additional staff. As of December 2012, the total number of full-time equivalent staff in permanent tsb was 2,305.

There were 1,182 staff in IBRC at end December 2011. All staff were made redundant on the date of liquidation (7th Feb 2013). However many were rehired immediately to assist with the liquidation. There were 566 staff remaining at end November 2013.

Ulster Bank announced a reduction in staff numbers of 950 in 2012 and the implementation of this process is ongoing. The Deputy will be aware that RBS is conducting a review of Ulster Bank to identify a viable and sustainable business model to support the Northern Irish and Irish economies. The report is expected this month. I am pleased with this commitment by RBS to remaining in the Irish market and look forward to hearing details of the business model.

It is important to note that, whilst staff numbers have reduced in certain institutions, some of these jobs have been outsourced and overall numbers employed have not suffered the full reduction.

In fact, employment in the sector increased in 2013. The Quarterly National Household Survey (Q3 2013) shows the seasonally adjusted quarterly change in employment for those in the Financial, Insurance and Real Estate sector. Between Q2 and Q3 2013 there was an increase of 1,600 jobs in the sector.

State Bodies

Questions (239)

Shane Ross

Question:

239. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Finance as far as he is aware if any official bodies under the aegis of his Department subscribes to the daily inflation data for Ireland collected by a company (details supplied); if so, the cost of this service; if the data will be made available to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8698/14]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

In response to the Deputy's question, I have been informed that neither my Department or any body under the aegis of my  Department subscribes to the service provided by the Company in question.

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Questions (240)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

240. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views regarding the declining standard of education being provided to Irish children in the small schools that are losing teachers under the budget 2012 changes to threshold requirements for teacher allocation; if he will reverse these changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7805/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Under Budget 2012, there is a phased increase in the number of pupils required to gain and retain a classroom teaching post in primary schools that have 86 or less pupils. The last phase of the Budget 2012 measure takes effect from September 2014. This will bring the pupil threshold for a 2-teacher school to 20 pupils (up from 12 pupils). While I acknowledge the concerns raised about this budget measure, it must be seen in the context of the major challenges the Government has in trying to shelter public services to the greatest extent possible. I am confident that the qualified and registered teachers in these schools will be in a position to continue to provide a high quality education to students. The challenge will be to ensure that the resources that can be provided are used to maximum effect to achieve the best possible outcome for pupils.

An appeals process is available to schools affected by the measures introduced in Budget 2012. Circular 0007/2014 which is available on the Department website provides the criteria under which schools can make an appeal. The Appeal Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.

Educational quality for the pupils has to be one of the main criteria in any consideration of primary school size. It is also necessary to consider the needs of local communities and of course there are wider social and cultural factors that need to be considered. Given our population growth, we have increasing enrolment at all levels of education which is expected to continue in the medium term. Many pupil places are required in areas that currently have no school provision at all and we have schools in areas of stable or declining population with relatively low pupil numbers.

Our current configuration of small primary schools has been examined by my Department in a value for money review which I am considering in consultation with my Government colleagues. My intention is to publish the report of the review on completion of this consideration process.

SOLAS Training and Education Programmes Data

Questions (241)

Willie O'Dea

Question:

241. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of persons engaged in SOLAS courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7822/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

As the Deputy will be aware the Further Education and Training Sector is undergoing major structural reform with the establishment of SOLAS and the Education and Training Boards. SOLAS is currently in the process of developing an integrated Further Education & Training Services Plan for 2014 with the full co-operation and participation of the Education & Training Boards. This plan is due to be completed by the end of March. I am informed that as at the end of December 2013, 18,770 individuals were participating on former FÁS Training Programmes, including evening and online programmes and programmes for those in employment. 56,010 completed former FÁS training programmes in 2013.

Pension Provisions

Questions (242)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

242. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline the implications for the pension entitlement of a permanent primary teacher who would resign a position to take up a temporary position in another part of the country in the hope of being made permanent at that location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8030/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The pension entitlements of Primary Teachers are determined by the provisions of the Primary School Teachers Pension Scheme 2009. Article 6(1) of the Scheme outlines details of pensionable service. Pensionability in respect of primary teachers is not determined by permanency, however, there are specific formulae for the calculation of service attaching to temporary service and these are outlined in Part 2 the Scheme. Article 5 of the Scheme outlines details of pensionable remuneration.

In the event of a break in pensionable service of more than 26 weeks teachers, and all public servants, become members of the Single Pension Scheme in accordance with the terms of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012. Such a member would have a retained benefit to a preserved pension from the Primary School Teachers Pension Scheme 2009 if s/he had in excess of 2 years pensionable service.

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Questions (243)

Colm Keaveney

Question:

243. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Skills the provisions that are being made to provide a special needs assistant for a child (details supplied) in Dublin 11 who is due to start primary school in September; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7511/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports, including the allocation of Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools. The NCSE operates within my Department's established criteria for the allocation of Special Education supports and the staffing resources available to my Department. SNAs are allocated to schools to enable them to support pupils with disabilities who also have significant care needs. The NCSE allocates a quantum of SNA support for each school annually, taking into account the care needs of all of the qualifying children enrolled in the school, and on the basis of the assessed care needs of the children. Schools who wish to make applications for SNA support for new pupils enrolling to schools for the coming 2014/15 school year, should submit such applications for to the NCSE for their consideration. The NCSE will advise all schools of their SNA allocations for the 2014/15 school year, in advance of the new school year. All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.

Home Tuition Scheme Provision

Questions (244)

John McGuinness

Question:

244. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a home tuition grant will continue to be paid in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [7548/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has received and processed an application for Home Tuition in respect of the child to whom the Deputy is referring.

In accordance with the terms of the scheme, my Department has sanctioned 10 hours tuition up to 30 March 2014, increasing to 20 hours on 31 March 2014, the date on which the child reaches her 3rd Birthday. The tuition has been sanctioned up to 27 June 2014, the end of the 2013/14 academic year. I can also confirm that my Department has recently issued an advance payment of the grant to the parents, which covers the period to the end of the year. However, the Deputy may wish to note that when a child with an ASD diagnosis reaches the age of 3, they are eligible for enrolment in an early intervention ASD Unit. If such a placement were to become available in this case, then the child will no longer be eligible for Home Tuition and payment of the grant would cease. This is set out clearly in Circular 0006/2013 which is available on my Department's website - www.education.ie - and which contains the terms of the Home Tuition Scheme in the current academic year. In this regard, I understand that officials in the Special Education Section of my Department have made contact with the Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO) for the area in which this child is residing and I am pleased to advise you that there are currently a number of vacancies available to this child when he reaches his 3rd Birthday. I would suggest that the parents should contact their SENO for details of these vacancies and to allow the Home Tuition hours currently sanctioned to be used to transition the child into the identifiec placement.

Schools Building Projects Expenditure

Questions (245)

John Halligan

Question:

245. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of 2013 building projects that have been completed; if any of these projects were completed under budget; if he will consider making any of the unspent funds available to schools with delayed projects such as a school (details supplied) which is waiting to be added to a buildings programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7557/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that a total of 44 large-scale projects were completed in 2013. My Department's 2013 net capital expenditure of over €436m was almost €5m ahead of the original allocation for 2013. The Major Building Project to which the Deputy refers is at an advanced stage of architectural planning - Stage 2b Detailed Design, which includes planning and other statutory permissions and the preparation of tender documentation. Due to competing demands on my 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 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 my Department in the future. The project at Gaelscoil Philib Barún remains available to be considered for progression in that context.

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Questions (246)

John McGuinness

Question:

246. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a Student Universal Support Ireland grant will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [7563/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter in the first instance for the awarding authority. Officials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that the application of the student referred to by the Deputy was refused as the reckonable income exceeded the prescribed thresholds for the award of grant assistance. The Deputy will appreciate that in the absence of all of the relevant details that would be contained in an individual's application in relation to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means, it would not be possible for me to say whether or not a student would qualify for a grant. If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a student grant, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to the appeals officer in SUSI. Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down in writing by SUSI and remains of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in his/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.