Written Answers Nos. 61 - 67
61. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance the amount his Department spent on external specialist advice in 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and if he will list the companies that provided such services to his Department in those years. [11163/14]
View answerThe following table sets out information regarding professional services paid for by the Department of Finance, including services which involved specialist advice:
|
External Specialist Advice |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
Aram Consultants |
€121,000 |
|
|
|
|
Charles River Associates |
€60,500 |
|
|
|
|
Mazars |
€52,454 |
€60,885 |
|
|
|
Niamh Hyland |
€24,657 |
|
|
|
|
David Barniville |
€36,402 |
|
|
|
|
Mercer |
|
€73,800 |
€72,570 |
|
|
A & L Goodbody |
€2,823 |
€2,869 |
€2,873 |
€1,457 |
|
BDO |
|
€64,575 |
|
|
|
Deloitte & Touche |
|
€61,553 |
|
|
|
Matheson |
|
€289,604 |
€717,923 |
|
|
Red C Research & Marketing |
|
€61,438 |
€118,572 |
|
|
Thomas J Foley |
|
€71,217 |
|
|
|
National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) |
|
|
€381,495* |
|
|
Dr.Anil Shivdasani |
|
|
€82,853 |
|
|
Economic & Social Research Institute (ESRI) |
|
|
€39,986 |
|
|
PCMA Economic Consultancy |
|
|
€49,043 |
|
|
Crowe Howarth |
|
|
€36,851 |
|
|
Indecon |
|
|
€28,290 |
|
|
Creative AD |
|
|
€7,472 |
|
|
Strata Three |
|
|
€46,726 |
€9,225 |
|
Grant Thornton |
|
€31,808 |
|
|
|
Arthur Cox |
€1,373,060 |
€2,879,427 |
€1,728,407 |
€75,797 |
|
Brendan Ryan |
|
|
€828 |
|
|
Context |
|
|
|
€7,168 |
|
Carlos Matos Chavez |
|
|
|
€759 |
|
Total Expenditure |
€1,670,896 |
€3,597,176 |
€3,313,889 |
€94,406 |
*includes contribution to third party legal costs.
62. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance if he will ensure that a duty of care is given by Government to safeguard mortgages holders of the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation who are concerned at mortgage interest rate increases if the loan book is sold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11166/14]
View answerIt is important to highlight that the contractual terms and conditions of all customer mortgages and other borrowings of Irish Bank Resolution Corporation have not changed as a result of the appointment of the Special Liquidators nor will those terms and conditions change as a result of the ultimate sale of these obligations to a third party. Purchasers of mortgage loans will be obliged to honour the legal terms of the loan agreements.
63. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding any exemptions that may be made for the small purchase of prize bonds under the Criminal Justice Act 2010 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11181/14]
View answerThe anti-money laundering (AML) requirements under the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010, as amended, are important in preventing use of the Irish financial system for money laundering or terrorist financing and reflect the requirements of EU Directive 2005/60/EC.
That said, it is not the desire that the AML obligations which are applied in respect of occasional small value purchases of Prize Bonds (in particular where purchased as a gift) should create onerous obligations for the public. The purchase of Prize Bonds as gifts to mark important occasions is a custom that has been there for many years and one which I value. In that regard I requested the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA), in conjunction with the Prize Bond Company and my Department, to examine the scope for exempting small value purchases of Prize Bonds from customer identification and verification requirements.
I understand that, as a result of that work, verification of the identity of customers will not be required in respect of small value purchases of Prize Bonds, i.e., where a purchase does not exceed €100 and the value of all Prize Bonds registered in the name of the holder does not exceed €1,000.
64. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding a refund of DIRT in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11195/14]
View answerI am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that applications for refund of DIRT have been received from the taxpayers in question. Wicklow Revenue District has been in contact with the individuals concerned and the relevant deposit interest certificates have been requested from them. When the relevant deposit interest certificates are received, Wicklow Revenue District will examine the matter to establish if a refund of DIRT is due. DIRT exemption forms (Form DE1) have been sent to the individuals concerned so that future deposit interest can be paid without deduction of tax.
65. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which the precise requirement in respect of various apprenticeships has been identified by his Department with a view to encouraging the completion of apprenticeships as yet incomplete and the creation of new apprenticeships to meet the requirements of the marketplace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11138/14]
View answerThe day-to-day operation of the apprenticeship system is the responsibility of SOLAS. SOLAS has put several measures in place to assist redundant apprentices to complete their apprenticeship where necessary. Redundant apprentices may avail of existing skills training courses which enhance their skills. They may also avail of the range of night courses which are available in Training Centres.
SOLAS has also introduced a Competency Determination Mechanism. This mechanism provides redundant apprentices who meet the qualifying criteria with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and knowledge against the occupational standard for specified trade over a number of days in a Training Centre. Further details are available from the relevant SOLAS Training Adviser/ETB Training Adviser.
Under the Action Plan for Jobs initiative a review of the Irish Apprenticeship system commenced in 2013 to determine whether the current model of apprenticeship should be retained, adapted or replaced, taking into account the needs of learners, employers, the economy and the need for cost effectiveness into the future. The Apprenticeship Review Group's report was submitted in December 2013 to the Department of Education and Skills. The group made recommendations both with regard to the expansion of apprenticeship into new industrial sectors as well as to the existing apprenticeship trades. Discussions are under way with relevant stakeholders on implementation arrangements.
66. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools in County Kerry that have proper fully resourced ASD units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11027/14]
View answerI 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 primary and post primary schools for special educational needs supports including resource teaching and Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support as well as the establishment of special classes in various geographical areas as required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.
Details of special classes for special classes for children with autism attached to mainstream schools at primary and post primary level are available on the NCSE website www.ncse.ie and can be viewed on a per county basis. Details of any new special classes which will be opened for the coming school year will also be detailed on the NCSE website once this has been finalised.
67. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has assessed the current and future demand for primary school places in Balbriggan, County Dublin; if he will provide the student numbers in the area for the year 2014-15; the number of school places available in the area for 2014-15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11028/14]
View answerThe number of pupils enrolled in primary schools in the Balbriggan feeder area for the 2012-2013 school year was 3,789. Results from the Census for the current school year (2013/2014) are being finalised at present. Projections for the 2014-2015 school year indicate a requirement for some 3,780 primary school places, which is in line with the 2012-13 enrolment.
My Department is currently analysing demographic data across the country, including that for the Balbriggan feeder area, to ensure that any additional future demand for places can be met in a timely manner.
