Written Answers Nos. 192-221
192. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide in tabular form a detailed breakdown of the name and number of ministerial special advisers in his Department; their annual remuneration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32746/14]
View answerIn my Department, I have appointed two special advisors. Their salaries are in line with guidelines issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on the appointment of Ministerial staff.
|
Name |
Salary (per annum) |
|
Mary Kenny |
€87,258 |
|
Eoin Dorgan |
€84,706 |
193. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Finance the gender quota targets for the boards of State bodies and agencies under their remit; the level reached to date; and their future plans to meet and maintain the targets. [32761/14]
View answerIn response to the Deputy's question staff in my Department are mindful of the Government's target of achieving 40% female membership on State Boards. Some 24% of the current board members on bodies under the aegis of my Department are female. Every effort is being made to improve the gender balance on boards under the aegis of my Department while ensuring that the most suitably qualified candidates are appointed to the vacancies that occur.
194. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Finance his priorities for the remainder of his term in office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32776/14]
View answerThe Statement of Government Priorities was published by the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste on Friday, July 11th which covers the remaining 21 months in office. Building on the commitments of the Programme for Government and the Medium Term Economic Strategy, the following key priorities were set out:
- Strengthening the Domestic Economy and Prioritising New Jobs for the Unemployed
- Delivering Better Living and Working Standards
- Improving Housing Availability and Affordability
- Responsible and Sustainable Management of the Public Finances
- Rebuilding Trust in Politics and Public Institutions
- Protecting and Enhancing Peace in Northern Ireland
1. Strengthening the Domestic Economy and Prioritising New Jobs for the Unemployed
In relation to the first priority, some of the specific actions relevant to my Department include:
- Enacting legislation to establish the Strategic Banking Corporation. By 2018 this will make up to €4 billion in low-cost funding available to small and medium-sized businesses.
- Enacting legislation to establish the €6 billion Irish Strategic Investment Fund to make commercial investments in Irish enterprise and infrastructure.
- Using the same legislation to establish NewERA on a statutory footing to support higher investment levels and better returns from our commercial semi-states.
- Continuing to support the development of Dublin as an international city region that will have positive economic benefits for the entire country.
As well as these specific actions, my Department will continue to examine the use of its policy levers to assist sectoral economic growth as reflected in policies already introduced to support tourism, agriculture, SMEs etc. My Department will also play a leadership role in developing the Construction 2020 Strategy and actively engaging with the Retail Consultation Forum.
2. Delivering Better Living and Working Standards
Consistent with the measures to be taken to create more jobs and reduce unemployment, Government has committed to delivering a new deal on living standards to ensure that the economic recovery is felt by low- and middle-income working families. Through the budgetary process, I will work with my Ministerial colleague, Brendan Howlin TD to:
- Introduce measures to assist low-income families by improving the system of child income supports such that those moving from welfare to work will retain payments for children to ensure that people are better off in work.
- Increase access to subsidised childcare and afterschool places by extending eligibility and rebalancing parental contributions for families making their way into employment.
- Announce a tax reform plan to be delivered over a number of budgets to reduce the 52% tax rate on low- and middle-income earners in a manner that maintains the highly progressive nature of the Irish tax system.
- Increase the Household Benefits Package by €100, in part to compensate older people and other vulnerable groups for the introduction of water charges.
My Department will also assist in completing, by end-2014, a review of the implementation of the Central Bank's mortgage arrears targets set for the banks and the operation of the Insolvency Service to ensure that both bodies have the powers needed to support families willing to work their way through their debt problems.
3. Improving Housing Availability and Affordability
My Government colleagues and I recognise that adequate supply of housing for all sectors is fundamental to a healthy society and a vibrant economy. The Department of Finance is playing a leading role in implementing the Construction 2020 strategy. A key policy objective is to ensure that home ownership remains an attainable ambition for young families. My Department will be centrally involved in:
- Assessing the merits of a new 'Help to Build' funding schemes for the development of affordable housing in the private sector, and the merits of a new "New Buy" scheme to ensure availability of adequate, affordable mortgage finance for first-time buyers when new housing output comes on-stream in advance of Budget 2015.
- Working with national and European competition authorities to encourage and support new mortgage lenders into the market in order to put downward pressure on interest rates for variable rate mortgage customers, both new and existing.
- Liaising with NAMA to ensure the timely and coherent delivery of a successful Strategic Development Zone to maximise the delivery of residential housing units, as well as to deliver commercial space in Dublin's Central Business District.
- Sourcing significant new sources of finance from, e.g. the EIB, ISIF, pension funds and the private market to assist the Social Housing Strategy.
4. Responsible and Sustainable Management of the Public Finances
A central pillar of Government strategy since it took office is to return the public finances to a sustainable position and introduce safeguards that will ensure past mistakes are not repeated. In this respect:
- Our Medium Term Economic Strategy commits us in the first instance to cutting the deficit to 3% of GDP by 2015.
- The state's investment in Bank of Ireland shows that the careful management and disposal of our bank holdings can result in good returns for the taxpayer. The Government will continue to work through diplomatic channels to build international support for measures that will reduce Ireland's debt. The disposal of the remaining bank assets will reduce this sector's contribution to the State's excessive debt levels.
- NAMA was an agency born out of the banking crisis and the Government is determined to ensure it concludes its work as quickly as possible. The ongoing review of NAMA strategy will be published in the coming weeks and it will support an accelerated disposal strategy that will mean at least 80% of the assets will be disposed of by end 2016.
- As Europe emerges from the financial crisis, the Union must focus on issues that will make a real difference to the daily lives of its citizens. The Government remains committed to ensuring that the European Union prioritises the key themes which were central to Ireland's presidency Jobs, Stability and Growth. Both government parties will work through their membership of the largest European political families the EPP and PES to ensure that growth and job creation are at the heart of EU's agenda. I will further this agenda through Eurogroup and ECOFIN and its relevant agencies. My Department plays a very significant role in representing Ireland at European and International institutions and we intend to use all of our interactions to ensure these institutions are focused on increasing global economic growth.
5. Rebuilding Trust in Politics and Public Institutions
In relation to rebuilding trust in politics and public institutions, greater transparency in budgetary policy through the publication of the Medium Term Budgetary Framework along with the independent oversight of the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council reinforces the integrity of the budgetary process. Enhanced engagement with the Oireachtas at Ministerial and official level also illustrates my Department's commitment to rebuilding trust in public institutions. For example, I now engage with the Oireachtas Committee on a quarterly basis ahead of ECOFIN to assess Ireland's views on European policy.Over the remaining term of this Government, my Department will continue to further this agenda through:
- Legislating to give NewERA, which manages the State's shareholder function in relation to commercial semi-state companies, the responsibility to provide advice to the relevant Minister on appointments to the semi-state boards.
- Assisting in systemically publishing details of all appointments to State Boards by providing details of appointments to boards under the aegis of the Department of Finance.
- Facilitating the retention by local authorities of 80% of the proceeds of the local property tax from 2015, with the option to vary the rate by up to 15%. This will be done in a manner that ensures that no local authority will be worse off as a result of the funding reforms, and that some local authority areas where property values and property tax bills are higher than average will be better off. It will be up to the new councils to decide whether to use any surplus funds to cut the rate of property tax or to fund additional services.
To conclude, we have achieved a great deal over the past 3 years but we must not become complacent. We will continue to place job creation and economic growth at the heart of all our economic policies. As we return to more normal times the Statement of Priorities, that builds on the programme for Government and the Medium term Economic Strategy (as a blueprint to sustain a competitive economy that can pay its own way, serve society, and that can survive and thrive in a reformed Eurozone and an increasingly globalised international economy) offers a roadmap on how we intend to help working families and low and middle income workers. My Department remains fully committed to delivering on these priorities.
195. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will arrange for a response to be issued by the Revenue Commissioners to a person (details supplied) in County Cork [32806/14]
View answerI am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that Revenue has been in on- going correspondence with the taxpayer both directly and through parliamentary questions and representations by various deputies. The current situation is that the taxpayer has refused offers made in June 2014 to meet with Revenue officials to discuss his issues. He has however accepted the offer of a local review of one issue, to be carried out by a senior Revenue official.
The taxpayer's latest letters addressed to the Assistant Secretary South West Region, both dated 11th June 2014, have been replied to on 15th July 2014. The taxpayer's formal complaint against Revenue Offices Cork and others will be progressed in accordance with Revenue's published complaints procedures.
196. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Finance in respect of the mortgage arrears resolution process where offers are made by the lending institution regarding the sustainability or affordability of a mortgage, if this relates only to the original mortgage and if it includes a calculation to cover the repayment of any arrears on the account or are these arrears deferred to the end of the mortgage; if these offers take account of the full amount owed to the institution to include the balance on the mortgage account and outstanding arrears on the account; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32867/14]
View answerThe Central Bank's Mortgage Arrears Resolution Targets (MART) process, as announced in March 2013, sets time bound and measurable targets for the six main banks requiring them to systematically address their arrears book. Under this rolling process, quarterly performance targets have been set to require the banks to propose and put in place durable long term solutions to address individual cases of mortgages in difficulty where the mortgage is more than 90 days in arrears.
A sustainable solution has been clearly defined in the Central Bank's published MART document (http://www.centralbank.ie/regulation/industry-sectors/credit-institutions/Documents/Internal%20Guideline%20-%20Sustainable%20Mortgage%20Arrears%20Solutions.pdf) as one of the following:
"An arrangement concluded under a bank's MARP in accordance with the CCMA, where the borrower is cooperating under the MARP and the bank has satisfied itself that the arrangement provides a sustainable solution which is likely to enable the customer to meet the original or, as appropriate, the amended terms of the mortgage over the full remaining life of the mortgage, including repayment of the original or an agreed revised principal sum where offered. This may include an interest only or other temporary solution for a period if it is likely that full repayment of the original or revised principal will be achieved over time, or where there is a payment plan to return the account to sustainability through the clearance of arrears.
A personal insolvency arrangement effected under the Personal Insolvency Act 2012; or
If an arrangement could not be reached or is not appropriate, that the PDH and BTL property securing the loan has been voluntarily sold or, failing that, any situation where a Specified Credit Institution takes possession of the property including by way of voluntary agreement with the borrower or by Court Order or otherwise".
The Central Bank has informed me that a range of sustainable solutions have been utilised by each of the lenders to date. These include but are not limited to the following:
- Term Extensions
- Split Mortgages
- Permanent Interest Rate Reductions
- Voluntary Solutions
The Central Bank has advised that each sustainable solution impacts the outstanding loan balance and arrears in different ways. For example, an arrears capitalisation involves adding the outstanding arrears to the loan balance which is then repaid over the duration of the loan term whereas a split mortgage involves splitting the loan balance (including the arrears) into affordable and warehoused portions. Additionally, the Central Bank's Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears (CCMA) sets out requirements for mortgage lenders dealing with borrowers facing or in mortgage arrears. The CCMA provides a strong consumer protection framework to ensure that borrowers struggling to keep up mortgage repayments are treated in a fair and transparent manner by their lender, and that long term resolution is sought by lenders with each of their borrowers. The CCMA sets out how mortgage lenders must treat borrowers in or facing mortgage arrears, with due regard to the fact that each case of mortgage arrears is unique and needs to be considered on its own merits. The CCMA sets out a list of options for alternative repayment arrangements that may be offered by lenders. Provision 39 of the CCMA requires lenders to explore all of the options for alternative repayment arrangements offered by that lender. Under the CCMA, where an alternative repayment arrangement is offered by a lender, the lender must provide the borrower with a clear explanation, on paper or another durable medium, of how the alternative repayment arrangement works, including:
a) the reasons why the alternative repayment arrangement(s) offered is considered to be appropriate and sustainable for the borrower as documented by the lender in compliance with Provision 40 of the CCMA, including demonstrating, by reference to the borrower's individual circumstances, the advantages of the offer for the borrower and explaining any disadvantages;
b) the new mortgage repayment amount;
c) the term of the alternative repayment arrangement;
d) the implications arising from the alternative repayment arrangement for the existing mortgage including the impact on:
the mortgage term,
the balance outstanding on the mortgage loan account, and
the existing arrears on the account, if any;
e) a statement that the alternative repayment arrangement may impact on the borrower's mortgage protection cover;
f) the frequency with which the alternative repayment arrangement will be reviewed in line with Provision 43, the reason(s) for the reviews and the potential outcome of the reviews, where:
circumstances improve,
circumstances disimprove, and
circumstances remain the same;
g) details of any residual mortgage debt remaining at the end of an alternative repayment arrangement and owed by the borrower;
h) how interest will be applied to the mortgage loan account as a result of the alternative repayment arrangement;
i) how the alternative repayment arrangement will be reported by the lender to the Irish Credit Bureau or any other credit reference agency or credit register and the anticipated impact of this on the borrower's credit rating; and
j) the timeframe within which the borrower must accept or decline the offer.
A lender must also advise the borrower to take appropriate independent legal and/or financial advice.
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.
197. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 63 of 18 June 2014, the reason for the delay in a reply being issued by the education and training board; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32018/14]
View answerI understand that the City of Dublin Education and Training Board are currently in the process of gathering and compiling the information requested by the Deputy and will respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
198. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which the budgetary allocation in respect of the capital building programme outlined for County Kildare is adequate to meet requirements of KWETB; the number of new school projects likely to benefit; the extent to which the requirements as identified by the various school authorities is likely to be met as required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32022/14]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, my Department's over-riding objective is to ensure that every child has access to a physical school place and that our school system is in a position to cope with increasing pupil numbers. To ensure that this is achieved, the delivery of major school projects to meet significant demographic demands nationally will be the main focus for capital investment in schools in the coming years. The 5 Year Construction Plan that was announced in March 2012 is focused on meeting this demand. In this regard, County Kildare has been identified as an area of significant demographic growth. The Deputy will be aware that the 5 Year Plan provides for eleven new schools across the County together with 14 major extension projects. My Department will also consider applications, under its Additional Accommodation Scheme, from individual schools for devolved funding to meet an immediate accommodation requirement because of increased enrolments or where an additional teacher has been appointed. There is sufficient funding over the period 2012 to 2016 to allow the projects announced under the 5 Year Plan to advance to construction and funding is likewise available for projects approved under the Additional Accommodation Scheme for the purpose outlined above.
199. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which adequate resources are available through SOLAS to facilitate the requirements of KWETB with particular reference to the various headings as specified in respect of apprenticeships having particular regard to the demand for apprenticeships as experience by KWETB; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32023/14]
View answerThe apprenticeship system in Ireland is managed on a national basis by SOLAS. Resources are allocated for the provision of training as required based on the number of apprentices registered in particular trades at any particular time. SOLAS schedule registered apprentices on the off the job phases in Training Centres, Institutes of Technology and other providers in accordance with the overall scheme.
200. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which the resources available to KWETB remain adequate to meet requirements in an area of continuous challenge arising from changing demography; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32024/14]
View answer201. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which adequate staff and resources are available to KWETB in line with requirements arising from population demands in a rapidly growing area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32025/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 200 and 201 together.
It is a matter for the chief executive of each ETB to deploy staffing resources within existing public service resource constraints in order to meet statutory and other obligations. School staffing resources are determined by my Department and the NCSE (SNAs). Other non-teaching posts are generally comprehended by the moratorium on recruitment and promotion apart from a limited derogation from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform which allowed administrative and maintenance posts in ETB schools to be sanctioned in exceptional circumstances. The non-pay grant to each ETB, to meet the costs of its schools and administrative offices, is determined having regard to pupil enrolment variations, an estimate of the ETB's receipts, various programmes being run by the Board and the amount available for distribution. ETBs are given a high level of autonomy in the management and appropriation of this grant and each may distribute it in line with its priorities and perceptions of need. My Department is engaged in a project to devise future complementary organisational designs for ETBs and SOLAS in order to reflect their new roles. The Project incorporates a migration plan which will have regard to the agreed high level structure for SOLAS and public service resource constraints in setting out the mechanisms through which the organisational designs will be achieved. In January of this year and in advance of the completion of this project, my Department has approved a temporary acting up allowance to Education Officer level in Kildare and Wicklow ETB.My officials are also working to assist ETBs to reform, standardise and move certain ETB back office functions to a shared service model, in line with the whole-of-Government approach in this area. A Business Case Report for a Payroll Shared Service was prepared recently and a similar exercise in respect of finance functions is underway.Interim steps to address risks in existing systems, improve efficiency and assist in the mergers are taking place. These include a project to stabilise existing payroll systems, the merger of a number of payroll and financial management systems, the introduction of a portal system through which certain payments will be processed and improving ICT connectivity for ETBs.
202. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to purchase to property (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32043/14]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has recently been informed by Waterford County Council that the members of the Council recently approved the disposal of the building referred to by the Deputy to the Minister for Education and Skills. Officials from my Department have been in contact with the relevant officials from the council to arrange to complete the conveyancing process.
203. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on a submission (details supplied) in County Westmeath; her plans to make changes to the SUSI grants system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32046/14]
View answerThe assessment of means under my Department's student grant scheme is based on gross income from all sources. The means test arrangements of the student grant scheme are applied nationally. In the case of both employed and self-employed applicants, gross income is assessed with certain specified social welfare and health service executive payments excluded. This eliminates any distortion which may arise from different spending decisions.The Deputy may be aware that income thresholds are increased, depending on the number of dependent children in a family and/or the number of relevant persons attending further or higher education. Officials in my Department have been informed by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that the students referred to by the Deputy applied for student grants for the academic year 2014-2015 and each was refused as the reckonable income for their household was in excess of the maximum allowable in order to qualify for funding. I understand that one of the students has appealed the initial decision. SUSI has requested additional documentation in support of the appeal and both students' applications will be re-assessed on receipt of this documentation. If the appeal is turned down in writing by SUSI and the students remain of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in their case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicants to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board. The relevant appeal form is available to download from http://www.studentfinance.ie/downloads/1404204955/2014_SGAB_appeal_form_23June14.pdfIn addition, the Student Assistance Fund will continue to be made available through the access offices of third-level institutions to assist students in exceptional financial need. The access offices themselves also provide support and advice to students to enable them to continue with their studies. Tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be claimed in respect of fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. Further information on this tax relief is available from the Revenue Commissioners on www.revenue.ie.
204. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if and when higher education third level grant fees will be approved by Student Universal Support Ireland in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32050/14]
View answerThe 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 student referred to by the Deputy applied for a student grant on the 31st July 2013. The application was assessed and a letter issued on the 26th August 2013 requesting supporting documentation. The student in question received four reminders to submit the documentation. On the 19th November, 2013 the student e-mailed SUSI to cancel her application.
205. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on health and safety in one or two teacher schools where a teacher may have to leave a classroom unattended during the school day and the students are left unsupervised; her plans to allow small schools to recruit classroom assistants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32101/14]
View answerMy Department does not allocate classroom assistants to schools nor does it have any plans or funding to do so. In accordance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989, it is the responsibility of individual school management authorities to have a safety statement in place in their schools. The Statement should identify potential hazards, assess the risks to health and safety and put appropriate provision in place to safeguard the safety and health of employees and pupils. The Health and Safety Authority in conjunction with the Kilkenny Education Centre issued guidance to all primary schools in relation to managing safety, health and welfare. These guidelines were developed following consultation with relevant stakeholders and include some specific guidance for a one-teacher setting. This guidance is published on the website of the Health and Safety Authority.
206. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to improve science facilities and laboratories at second level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32102/14]
View answerMy Department has invested heavily in the modernisation of school facilities throughout the country including science facilities in post-primary schools. Provision of science facilities is an intrinsic part of all major projects at post-primary level. Typically, this investment involves the provision of modern science facilities in new post-primary schools or the upgrading of science facilities in existing schools either as part of a school building project or as a dedicated investment to facilitate the teaching of science. Such projects would also include the provision of furniture and equipment. Expenditure on science laboratories and science equipment in schools will continue to arise for consideration in the context of the funding available.
207. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide in tabular form and on a county basis the number of primary school teachers that took early retirement in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013; the number to date advised for 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32103/14]
View answer208. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide in tabular form and on a county basis the number of post-primary school teachers that took early retirement in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013; the number to date advised for 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32104/14]
View answer209. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide in tabular form and on a county basis the number of primary school principals that took early retirement in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013; the number to date advised for 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32105/14]
View answer210. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide in tabular form and on a county basis the number of post-primary school principals that took early retirement in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013; the number to date advised for 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32106/14]
View answer211. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide in tabular form and on a county basis the number of primary school deputy-assistant principals that took early retirement in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013; the number to date advised for 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32107/14]
View answer212. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide in tabular form and on a county basis the number of post-primary school deputy-assistant principals that took early retirement in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013; the number to date advised for 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32108/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 207 to 212, inclusive, together.
My Department has compiled detailed information on teacher retirements in respect of Primary, Secondary and Community and Comprehensive Schools for the years 2012 and 2013. Details of overall retirements only are available for the years 2010 and 2011. The detailed information with effect from 2012 is available in tabular form on my Department's website at the link http://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Statistics/Statistical-Reports/Other-Statistical-Reports.html. All available data is outlined in the following documents. Detailed information in respect of 2014 will be compiled in early 2015 and will be posted on my Department's website.
Teacher Retirements 2010-2011
|
Retirement Statistics |
2010 |
2011 |
|
Primary |
748 |
1044 |
|
Secondary/C and C |
661 |
723 |
|
Total |
1409 |
1767 |
213. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Skills following the recent visit to a school (details supplied) in County Roscommon her plans to progress the urgent construction project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32137/14]
View answerThe project at the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning having been authorised to proceed to Stage 2b - Detailed Design Stage in July 2012. The project will continue to be progressed to completion of Stage 2(b) which includes 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 have been 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.
214. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated total cost of restoring the teacher numbers in small schools to that which existed prior to the 2012 budget; the estimated annual cost of reversing the cuts year on year in a timeframe similar to that in which they were imposed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32161/14]
View answerMy predecessor has already made clear that there is no scope to reverse the Budget 2012 measure in relation to small schools. All public servants are being asked to do more with less and the teachers in our small schools cannot be exempt from this requirement. The cumulative savings achieved from this budget measure are of the order of €20m. This gives an indication of the overall costs involved in relation to restoring teacher numbers in small schools. However, it is not possible in the time available, to undertake an analysis to determine the estimated annual costs involved.
215. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated full year cost of restoring the recommended number of resource hours for students with special needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32162/14]
View answerI wish to firstly explain to the Deputy that more resources than ever before are being provided to ensure that the educational requirements of children with special educational needs can continue to be met at primary and second level, and that as many children as possible can be educated with their peers in mainstream education.
Resources which are provided to support pupils with special educational needs have been protected, and in some areas increased, in 2014 to take into account increased demand and demographic growth, despite the ongoing severe financial position and a requirement to make expenditure savings across a range of areas. This includes additional provision for the allocation of resource teaching support. An additional 480 resource teaching posts have been made available to the NCSE for the 2014/15 school year over that provided for in 2013/14. This will ensure that, although there are considerably more children receiving assessments of special educational need for the 2014/15 school year, the allocation can be maintained at current levels for all qualifying children.
Despite the fact that there has again been an increase in demand for resource teaching allocations this year, Minister Quinn maintained the allocations for schools at the level which applied in 2013/14 school year, that is 85% of the Special Education Review Committee (SERC) recommended resource teaching allocations.
In order to restore resource teaching hours allocations for 2014/15 to date to 100% of SERC-recommended allocation levels, some 975 additional teaching posts would be required at an approximate additional annual cost of €58.5 Million. Finally, I wish to advise the Deputy that the Report on a Proposed New Model for Allocating Teachers for Students with Special Educational Needs recently published by the NCSE is being considered in my Department. To assist with this process, my Department will soon begin to gather the information required to assist in the development of the proposed new model and in particular will to see how the proposed model will impact on schools and most importantly on children with special educational needs.
216. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated full year cost of reversing the cuts to guidance counselling in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32163/14]
View answerThis budget measure involved savings of the order of €30m per annum. My predecessor has already made clear that there is no scope to reverse this budget measure. Since September 2012 guidance provision is now being organised by school management from within the staffing schedule allocation. In this way principals have discretion to balance guidance needs with the pressures to provide subject choice. A framework document was published jointly by the Post Primary Management bodies and the NAPD (National Association of Principals & Deputies) in September, 2012 to provide guidance for school management in the allocation of teaching hours to guidance counselling in post-primary schools in the context of the decision in Budget 2012 to withdraw the provision of ex-quota guidance hours to schools. This should be of assistance to schools in terms of how they maximise guidance provision. My Department helped shelter the impact for DEIS post-primary schools by improving their standard staffing allocations. All 195 second-level school in DEIS have been given targeted support by a more favourable staffing schedule of 18.25:1. This is a 0.75 point reduction compared to the existing PTR of 19:1 that applies in non fee-paying second-level schools (23:1 in fee-charging schools).
217. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated full year cost of restoring the pupil teacher ratio in the PLC and further education sector that was cut in budget 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32164/14]
View answerThe pupil teacher ratio (PTR) for the Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) programme was regressed from 17:1 to 19:1 with effect from 1 September 2013 for the start of the 2013/2014 academic year. This brought the PLC allocation into line with the second level allocation. This regression reduced the overall number of PLC teaching posts by 200 whole time equivalent posts. The cost of replacing these posts would be approximately €12 million a year. This is a decision taken in the context of the overall savings this Department had to find for 2013 and future years. It was taken against a difficult budgetary background and there is no scope to re-visit it.
218. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding future building plans for certain primary schools (details supplied) in County Cork; if her attention has been drawn to the proposal consolidate all classes from both schools on to the one site; her views on same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32169/14]
View answerThe two schools to which the Deputy refers were both approved funding under the Prefab Replacement Scheme in 2012. The school authorities subsequently submitted an alternative proposal that included consolidating accommodation onto a single site. My Department has been liaising with the school authorities in respect of their proposal and in the context of meeting the educational needs of the area. In that regard, my Department has sought further clarification from the Patron which when received will enable the matter to be considered further.
219. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of cases where Student Universal Support Ireland had approved third level grants for persons and then withdrew the approval; her actions to correct this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32177/14]
View answerAccording to figures provided to officials in my Department by Student Universal Support Ireland, fees and maintenance grants were awarded to almost 60,000 students, including new and renewal applicants, in respect of the 2013-14 academic year. The applications of almost 33,000 other applicants were either refused or cancelled. 1,484 students were initially awarded a grant but were subsequently refused. No payment was issued to students in the majority of these cases. The withdrawal of a previously awarded grant may occur for a number of reasons, which may have subsequently come to the attention of the awarding authority, including repeat period of study, in receipt of Back to Education Allowance, following an appeal, not an approved course etc. Grant applications are also reviewed by SUSI on a continuous basis, including, in particular, when a student is being renewed from year to year. In these cases it can come to attention that an application was incorrectly assessed or that the circumstances that determine a student's eligibility are different, or have changed, from those on the basis of which a grant was initially awarded. This is particularly the case where a student's eligibility may have been marginal in one year and is selected for specific review prior to renewal in the following year. Any overpayment of a grant is required to be repaid by the student in accordance with the Student Support Act 2011 and the Student Grant Scheme. SUSI implements a repayment policy under which students are asked to agree a repayment plan that is appropriate to their circumstances. SUSI deals with such repayments carefully and sensitively having regard to the ability of students to make repayments.
220. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department has had any engagement with DCU and All Hallows College with a view to facilitating the continuation of the ALBA degree programme in DCU; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32195/14]
View answerThe position is that all Hallows college is a private college and is not an approved institution under the Higher Education Authority (HEA). The ALBA programme is a part-time course and therefore does not qualify under my Departments free fees scheme. My Department does not have a role in relation to the provision of courses by DCU as such decisions are matters for the individual institutions, as autonomous bodies.
221. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress regarding the provision of a suitable special education early years school placement in respect of a child (details supplied) in County Cork; if home tuition is being examined as an alternative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32216/14]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the establishment of a network of autism-specific special classes in schools across the country to cater for children with autism has been a key educational priority in recent years. 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 the establishment of special classes in various geographical areas as required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. Parents may contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs and to seek assistance in identifying placement options, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie. I have therefore arranged for the Deputy's question relating to this child to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.The Deputy will be aware that the purpose of the Home Tuition Scheme is to provide a compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of reasons such as chronic illness, are unable to attend school. The scheme also provides a compensatory educational service for children awaiting a suitable educational placement and for early intervention for children with autism. In the event that there is no suitable placements for the child in question, home tuition will be considered. Full details of the Home Tuition Scheme are set out in Circular 0048/2014 on www.education.ie.
