Written Answers Nos. 177-188
177. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the issues discussed at the North-South Ministerial Council meeting held on 3 October 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38788/14]
View answerA meeting of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) in plenary format was held at Dublin Castle on 3 October 2014. This was the 18th Plenary meeting of the NSMC.
At the meeting, discussions covered a wide range of financial, economic and EU matters including the employment situation in both jurisdictions and measures to encourage job creation. Also discussed were actions to build trade links with developing markets, attraction of foreign direct investment and issues relating to banking, in particular lending to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, economic and budgetary challenges facing both administrations and measures aimed at rebalancing the Northern Ireland economy. Progress on the disposal of NAMA's Northern Ireland portfolio was welcomed by the Council.
Ministers also welcomed the success of the Giro d'Italia cycling event which secured widespread global media coverage. We also noted the opportunities for tourism and trade through the hosting of all-island events and agreed to continue to cooperate on a joint bid for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
We noted that the draft Programmes for the new INTERREG V and PEACE IV Programmes for the period 2014 – 2020 have been submitted to the EU Commission. As several other new European programmes may present opportunities for cooperation to maximise the drawdown of EU funding to the island, we agreed that these should be further examined.
With regard to the St Andrews Agreement Review, the Council noted that discussions on Sectoral Priorities have now taken place, following the decisions taken at the last NSMC Plenary in November 2013 and the NSMC Institutional meeting in January 2014. These discussions focused on efforts to support economic recovery, job creation, ensuring the best use of public funds and the most effective delivery of services for citizens.
Ministers agreed that it had been useful to review progress and identify opportunities within the existing agreed work programmes and noted that a report on other priorities identified during the Ministerial discussions will be brought to the next NSMC Institutional Meeting.
The Council also reviewed the progress made on the areas of co-operation by the North/South Bodies and in the other areas for co-operation, and noted the current position on a North South Consultative Forum.
We also discussed the North West Gateway Initiative noting the conclusion of the consultation process that had been carried out with regional stakeholders and agreed that further consultation with relevant Government Departments should be undertaken on the issues identified during the consultation process and that there should be a meeting of Ministers in the North West to consider strategic approaches to the development of the region.
The Government is firmly committed to developing North South cooperation in every possible respect and I am looking forward to continuing to work with our Northern colleagues in the North South Ministerial Council.
178. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of contracts of indefinite duration sought and the number granted in the years 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014 in the public sector under the remit of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38841/14]
View answerA number of contracts of indefinite duration were awarded to Temporary Clerical Officers (TCOs) in my Department in the years in question. Five TCOs employed in the Passport Office in Dublin were awarded such contracts with effect from 1 July 2008; three of these officers have since retired. Four TCOs employed in the Passport Office in Dublin were awarded such contracts with effect from 3 November 2008.
Eight locally recruited TCOs employed in the Embassy in London were awarded such contracts with effect from 14 May 2010; two of these officers have since resigned.
Ten former TCOs employed on fixed-term contracts in the Passport Office in Dublin were awarded contracts of indefinite duration in July 2009 and redeployed to the Department of Social Protection.
One former TCO who was awarded a contract of indefinite duration by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine transferred to the Passport Office in Cork on 7 June 2011.
179. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a commitment that was postponed in 2008 relating to a benchmarking award for teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38620/14]
View answerIn the second report of the Public Service Benchmarking Body (issued in December 2007), the Body evaluated the pay and jobs of 109 grades across the public service and recommended pay increases for 15 grades. Within the education sector, the Body reviewed 25 grades including Principal, Assistant Principal and Teacher in primary and post-primary schools. The Body recommended changes to the allowance payable to Principals of primary schools, which would have resulted in a 5.9% to 31.4% increase in the allowance payable depending on the size of school. The Body also recommended changes to the allowance payable to Principals of small post-primary schools, which would have resulted in a 17.3% to 31.4% increase in the allowance payable depending on the size of school. The Body did not recommend increases for the grades of Assistant Principal or Teacher.
Under the Towards 2016 Review and Transitional Agreement 2008-2009, it was agreed that the increases recommended in the second report of the Public Service Benchmarking Body would be paid as follows:
(a) 5% from 1 September 2008, or where the total increase is less than 5%, the full increase from that date;
(b) The issue of the payment of any balances will be discussed between the parties in the context of any successor to this Transitional Agreement which might be agreed between the Social Partners, or whatever other arrangements may be in place on the expiry of this Transitional Agreement. The pay terms contained in the Towards 2016 Review and Transitional Agreement 2008-2009 were not implemented due to the State's worsening financial circumstances. I have consulted with the Department of my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and the position is that having regard to this context there are no plans to implement the recommendations set out in the second report of the Public Service Benchmarking Body as they apply to any public servant.
180. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost to the Exchequer that would be involved in reducing the minimum number of pupils required for a staffing allocation of two teachers in a school to 17. [38621/14]
View answer181. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost to the Exchequer that would be involved in reducing the minimum number of pupils required for a staffing allocation of three teachers in a school to 54. [38622/14]
View answer182. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost to the Exchequer that would be involved in reducing the minimum number of pupils required for a staffing allocation of four teachers in a school to 84. [38623/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 180 to 182, inclusive, together.
Teacher allocations to all schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. The staffing schedule at primary level operates on the basis of 1 classroom teacher for an average of every 28 pupils. More favourable ratios operate in DEIS schools. Each one point adjustment to the current 28.1 schedule at primary level is estimated to cost of the order of 250 posts (€15m). A significant amount of analysis would be required to provide an indicative estimate for the costings requested by the Deputy. It is not possible in the time available, to undertake such an analysis. This information will be provided to the Deputy as soon as it can be gathered. Given the current budgetary environment there is no scope in the short term to consider improvements to pupil teacher allocation ratios. My Department's focus for the foreseeable future is on targeting any additional resources to cater for the continuing increase in demographics at all levels in the education system.
183. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount expected to be raised by the increase in the student contribution fee to €3,000 for the 2015-16 college year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38590/14]
View answerThe position is that the student contribution is payable by students who qualify under my Department's Free Fees Schemes. The Exchequer meets the cost of tuition fees, through my Department's free fees schemes, in respect of eligible full-time undergraduate students. It is estimated that some 129,200 students qualified for free fees in the 2013/14 academic year at a cost of some €310m. Some 50% of students who qualify for free fees have the student contribution paid on their behalf by the Exchequer under my Department's Student Grant Scheme.
184. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the expected cost of reducing, in respect of third level student maintenance grants, the non-adjacent rate qualifying distance from 45 km to 25 km; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38591/14]
View answerIn order to carry out the exercise requested by the Deputy, related to the expected cost of reducing the qualifying distance for the non-adjacent rate of grant from 45km to 25km, we would need to know how many students would come within the ranges put forward by the Deputy. The Deputy will appreciate that this information is not readily available to the Department. As the Deputy will be aware, the reality of our economic situation presents significant challenges that have to be reconciled with limitations on public resources. This is a very stark reality, which, unfortunately, means that changes to any public service, including the student grant scheme, cannot be ruled out. For this reason it is the responsibility of Government to take into consideration all areas of public services when formulating Budget 2015. Ultimately, our budgetary decisions now will play a major part in creating a sustainable economy and in regaining our economic independence. As the Deputy will be aware all proposals made in relation to education expenditure including changes to student grants will be considered in the context of the Budget 2015.
185. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount available nationally for the student assistance fund for the academic years 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38592/14]
View answerThe Student Assistance Fund is a component of the Third Level Access Measure which is managed on behalf of my Department by the Higher Education Authority and comprises two sub-priorities: the Student Assistance Fund and the Fund for Students with Disabilities. The management of the Third Level Access Measure Fund rests with the Higher Education Authority and the allocation of funding for the sub-priorities in a particular year is a matter for the authority. Funding allocated, by the Higher Education Authority, for the student assistance fund for the academic years 2012/13 was €11m, with €8.35m allocated for 2013/14 and €6.6m for 2014/15.
186. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a student accommodation strategy is currently being prepared in view of the enormous challenges facing third level students in accessing suitable accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38594/14]
View answerI will continue to work with stakeholders to explore ways to increase the availability of student accommodation. Some third-level institutions provide a range of on-campus and off-campus accommodation, and all colleges have an obligation to work with students' unions and other groups, to provide incoming students with details on accommodation options, and to promote the value and availability of student accommodation in their areas. I am also encouraged by initiatives such as USI's 'Homes for Study', which lists spare rooms, apartments and digs that are available to rent across Ireland.
In the longer term, the Government is committed to addressing the housing shortage through the Construction 2020 strategy. This will not resolve all of our problems immediately, but I am confident that the implementation of Construction 2020 will provide us with a sustainable housing stock in the medium to longer term.
187. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a course (details supplied) will be recognised by Student Universal Support Ireland as eligible for grant purposes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38604/14]
View answerThe decision on eligibility for new student grant applications for the 2014/15 academic year is a matter for the centralised grant awarding authority, SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland). Where a grant application is made in respect of a course being pursued in an institution in the State, such as Stage Management and Technical Theatre in The Lir (National Academy of Dramatic Arts) Trinity College, it is a matter for SUSI to satisfy itself regarding the status of the institution and as to whether the course and institution meet the terms of the scheme. The Deputy will appreciate that in the absence of all of the relevant details that would be contained in an individual's application form and supporting documentation, it would not be possible for me to say whether or not a student should qualify for a grant - this is a matter for SUSI to determine. However I would point out that under my Department's student grant scheme, eligible candidates may receive funding provided they are attending an approved course at an approved institution, an approved course is defined as a full-time undergraduate course of at least two years duration or a full-time postgraduate course of not less than one year duration pursued in an approved institution. If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a student grant, or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to 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
188. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a senior architect has visited a school (details supplied) in County Dublin to examine the prefabs there, with a view to a permanent replacement of same; if she will confirm that an inspection has taken place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38611/14]
View answerI can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers recently submitted an application to my Department for the replacement of prefabs. A technical site visit is due to be undertaken next week by officials from my Department and the school authorities have been notified of the details.
