Written Answers Nos. 557-573
557. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made on the redevelopment of an old school building (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8218/15]
View answerThe building referred to by the Deputy is not in my ownership. Queries in relation to the restoration of the building are a matter for the building owner.
Statutory responsibility for the enforcement of the planning and other relevant legislation with regard to works to this property falls within the remit of the local authority.
558. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the allocation of resource hours for children with Down's syndrome, who will commence school in September 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8223/15]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that under the existing allocation system, all pupils with Down syndrome, including such pupils with mild general learning difficulties, currently are entitled to receive additional teaching support.
Such support is provided either from a school's allocation of Learning Support or Resource Teaching under the General Allocation Model (GAM), or from an allocation of additional resource teacher hours allocated to schools by the NCSE.
I am aware that some parents, and organisations representing children with Down syndrome, continue to have concerns that the existing system does not give them certainty as to the number of resource teaching hours that may be allocated to their child under the General Allocation Model, as these hours are distributed locally by schools. I met with Down Syndrome Ireland, and with some parents of children with Down syndrome, recently on 19th February.
This was an opportunity for me to discuss the concerns that they have regarding the provision of resource teaching support for children with Down syndrome.
I intend to meet with more parents over the coming week or so.
I will consider the issues that have been raised by Down Syndrome Ireland and parents, and will keep the Deputy and the House informed of my developing views on this matter.
559. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on correspondence from a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13 regarding a language unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8225/15]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department provides an extensive range of supports for pupils with Specific Speech and Language Disorder (SSLD).
This includes provision for the establishment of special classes for pupils with SSLD in primary schools. The criteria for enrolment in a Special Class for pupils with SSLD is set out in my Department's Circular 0038/2007.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible for opening special classes in schools, where sufficient need arises. The NCSE will be able to advise parents with regards to the availability of special classes in their area or with regards to the potential establishment of new classes.
All schools have the names and contact details of their local Special Educational Needs Organiser (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.
Pupils who are not enrolled in a special class for SSLD and who meet the criteria for Specific Speech and Language Disorder, as outlined in my Department's Circular, may qualify for additional teaching support where he/she is enrolled in mainstream school.
Pupils with mild speech and language difficulties may qualify for supplementary teaching support from within the school's general allocation of learning support/teaching support. It is a matter for individual schools to use their professional judgement to identify pupils who will receive this support and to use the resources available to the school to intervene at the appropriate level with such pupils.
I wish to advise the Deputy that the enrolment of a child to a school is a matter in the first instance for the parents of the child and the Board of Management of a school. My Department has no role in relation to processing applications for enrolment to schools.
Finally, I wish to advise the Deputy that Pupils with SSLD have access to speech therapy services either through the speech and language therapy services provided in the special class setting by the HSE or through the primary care service.
The provision of health supports, including Speech and Language Therapy services, is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive and the Deputy's concerns in relation to this particular issue should be directed to that body.
560. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there is a stipulation that returning expatriates must be resident here for three of the past five years and in secondary education to avail of free fees in third level colleges. [8232/15]
View answerThe Exchequer provides free fees funding in respect of eligible students who are pursuing full-time undergraduate courses of study under my Department's Free Fees Initiative. The main conditions of the scheme are that students must be first-time undergraduates, hold inter alia EU/EEA/Swiss nationality in their own right, and have been ordinarily resident in an EU/EEA/Swiss state for at least three of the five years preceding their entry to an approved third level course.
Where full-time undergraduate students do not qualify for free fees funding they must pay the appropriate fee as determined by their third level institution. Third level institutions are autonomous bodies and it is therefore a matter for the institution to determine the rate of fee payable by students (EU or non-EU).
However, in the case of students who do not meet the residency clause, higher education institutions have been requested to charge the more moderate EU fee to EU/EEA/Swiss nationals who have completed at least five academic years of study (Primary or Post-Primary level) in the EU/EEA or Switzerland.
561. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she has finalised the respective roles for SOLAS and institutes of technology for the apprenticeship implementation plan; if she will examine this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8298/15]
View answerMy Department and its agencies are currently implementing the first phase of the Apprenticeship Implementation Plan, focused on several actions including the establishment of an Apprenticeship Council to develop and issue a call for proposals to industry for apprenticeships in new sectors. This call for proposals is under way and I expect a report from the Council in the second quarter of this year with recommendations on the development of new apprenticeships. Proposals will come from consortia of industry sectors and education and training providers and I expect that both Education and Training Boards and Institutes of Technology will positively consider links with industry partners. Later this year, implementation of phase 2 of the Plan will focus on the detailed development of successful proposals into new apprenticeships. This will include determining the specific arrangements for each new apprenticeship in terms of qualifications, curriculum and programme delivery.
562. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on the proposal to require all public sector workers under the aegis of her Department who interact with service users to wear a name badge; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8566/15]
View answerI am not aware of any proposal being considered by the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform to introduce name badges for Civil Servants whose official functions entail direct dealings with members of the public and it is not something I am considering for staff at my Department.
It is my Department's policy that all officials when dealing with members of the public over the phone or in person, give their name and contact details. In relation to written correspondence, officials are required to print their name and contact details at the end of letters in order that the addressee can contact them in the event they need to clarify any aspect of the letter.
563. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the loans raised by Irish Water from private banks; if security has been provided for such loans; if guarantees of any nature have been provided by the State; if there is risk to the Exchequer for such loans raised by Irish Water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7886/15]
View answer568. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of loans Irish Water has; the value of each loan; the name of the lender; the interest rate on each loan; and if each loan is secured or unsecured. [7676/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 563 and 568 together.
Irish Water has a €300m loan from the NPRF at an annual interest rate of 2.5%. There is no security for this loan but the loan is guaranteed by the Minister for Finance, for which a separate guarantee fee is payable.
Irish Water has put in place facilities with commercial banks in the amount of €150m which are unsecured (other than cash backing provisions within an overdraft/demand facility). While the names of lenders and applicable interest rates are commercially sensitive the interest rate on the loans are competitive and at market rates. Further facilities of some €250m are at an advanced stage of negotiation.
564. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the new housing assistance payment is expected to be introduced in the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council area in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8057/15]
View answerThe implementation of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a key Government priority and a major pillar of the Social Housing Strategy 2020, which I published on 26 November 2014. The HAP scheme will bring all social housing supports provided by the State under the aegis of local authorities. The scheme will remove a barrier to employment by allowing recipients to remain in the scheme if they gain full-time employment. HAP will also improve regulation of the rented accommodation being supported and provide certainty for landlords as regards their rental income. Further to the enactment of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 on 28 July 2014, the first phase of the HAP statutory pilot commenced with effect from 15 September 2014 in Limerick City and County Council, Waterford City and County Council and Cork County Council. HAP commenced in Louth, Kilkenny, South Dublin and Monaghan County Councils from 1 October. Subsequently, on 18 December, Dublin City Council became part of the statutory HAP pilot, with a specific focus on accommodating homeless households. Dublin City Council is implementing the HAP pilot for homeless households in the Dublin region on behalf of all 4 Dublin local authorities, including Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.
There are now 921 households in receipt of HAP across the local authority areas taking part in the statutory pilot scheme.
During the legislation’s passage through the Oireachtas in July 2014 an undertaking was given that a report would be prepared for the relevant Oireachtas Committee, that would include a full review of the statutory pilot phase. Data for this report is being gathered from pilot sites and the report will be submitted to the Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht shortly. Based on data gathered for the review, consideration is currently being given to the sequencing of local authorities to commence HAP on an incremental basis this year.
565. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the allocation of motor tax proceeds from 2008 to date in 2015; and the revenue received to date in 2015. [7729/15]
View answerThe income and expenditure from the Local Government Fund for the years 2008-2015 is set out in the tables below. The figures for the years 2008 – 2013 are from the Local Government Fund audited annual accounts which are available on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/LocalGovernment/Administration/
The figures for 2014 and 2015 are from the Revised Estimates Volume for 2015, which is available on the website of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
Income
|
€m |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
*2014 |
*2015 |
|
Motor Tax (net) |
1,055.3 |
1,056. 3 |
1,021.4 |
1,011.6 |
1,052.9 |
1,135.5 |
1,150.0 |
1,167.0 |
|
Exchequer Contribution |
548.7 |
443.0 |
241.4 |
175.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
233.1 |
|
Household Charge |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
113.9 |
23. 3 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
|
Local Property Tax |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
476.0 |
440.0 |
|
Interest |
6.7 |
1.4 |
1.1 |
2.4 |
0.6 |
0. 2 |
0.3 |
0.0 |
|
Other |
0.4 |
|||||||
|
Total |
1,610.7 |
1,50 0. 7 |
1,2 63. 8 |
1,189.4 |
1,1 67.4 |
1,1 59.0 |
1,626.3 |
1,840.1 |
*Figures from REV for 2014 and 2015
Expenditure
|
€m |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
*2014 |
*2015 |
|
General Purpose Grants |
999.2 |
832.7 |
762.8 |
699.8 |
637.1 |
640.9 |
282.0 |
0.0 |
|
Local Property Tax Allocation |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
458.9 |
|
Road and Public Transport Payments |
550.4 |
548.2 |
411.4 |
397.6 |
404.5 |
408.0 |
359.9 |
363.9 |
|
Payment to Exchequer |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
46.5 |
100.0 |
520.0 |
484.0 |
|
Irish Water Subvention |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
439.1 |
399.0 |
|
LA Rates payments |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
59.0 |
|
Other Miscellaneous |
74.1 |
80.1 |
69.0 |
51.0 |
60.0 |
58.4 |
93.9 |
75.0 |
|
Total |
1,623.7 |
1,460.9 |
1,243.2 |
1,148.3 |
1,148.1 |
1,207.3 |
1,694.9 |
1,839.8 |
*Figures from REV for 2014 and 2015
566. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to reform the postal voting application system before the date of the next referendum to allow for more categories of reasons to apply for and receive a postal vote; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8411/15]
View answer590. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the date for the upcoming referendums will be announced; and his plans for an extension of a postal vote in respect of a person (details supplied). [8150/15]
View answer595. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the restrictions on the current criteria for postal voters; and his plans to address these restrictions to ensure that resident Irish citizens, who are temporarily abroad for work or on vacation, can also vote in referenda and general elections. [8175/15]
View answer596. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to implement a voting system whereby persons who cannot access a polling station on voting day, as a result of the fact that they are either away or in hospital, would be provided a chance to have a postal vote. [8177/15]
View answer598. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on changing the current law to provide the postal vote to voters who are temporarily out of the State on a polling day, due to non-work related commitments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8183/15]
View answer603. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to change the criteria for those wishing to exercise their right to vote but who are out of the country on holiday or for a family occasion, in view of the fact referendums are now held annually and there has been a significant amount of emigration over recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8202/15]
View answer604. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will change the requirements for postal voting (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8216/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 566,590,595,596,598,603 and 604 together.
In order to be able to vote at elections and referendums, a person's name must be entered in the register of electors for a constituency in the State in which the person ordinarily resides.
Postal voting is provided for in electoral law in respect of certain categories of person who are entered in the register of electors - whole-time members of the Defence Forces; members of An Garda Síochána; Irish diplomats serving abroad and their spouses or civil partners; electors living at home who are unable to vote because of a physical illness or a physical disability; electors whose occupation, service or employment makes it likely that they will be unable to vote in person at their local polling station on polling day and full-time students registered at their home who are living elsewhere while attending an educational institution in the State; certain election staff employed at the poll outside the constituency where they reside; and electors who because of the circumstances of their detention in prison pursuant to an order of a court are likely to be unable to go in person on polling day to vote.
Qualifying voters can apply to their local authority for inclusion in the postal voters lists.
Electors who are eligible for, but not already included in, the postal voters list may apply for entry into the supplement to these lists. Such applications must be received by the registration authority at least 22 days (not including Sundays, Good Friday or Public Holidays) before polling day at a referendum in order to be considered for that referendum.
While electoral law is subject to ongoing review, I have no proposals at present to extend existing arrangements for postal voting. In responding to the recommendation of the Constitution on the Convention in their fourth report that there should be greater access to postal voting, the Government proposed that an electoral commission be tasked in due course with considering the issue and advising in detail on the electoral and operational implications, including costs, of implementing change in this area.
As regards a date for the forthcoming referendums, I will make the necessary polling day order, in accordance with section 10 of the Referendum Act 1994, when the Constitution Amendment Bills have been passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas.
567. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if senior citizens groups which administer the monitored alarm scheme can also apply to administer the carbon monoxide scheme and the smoke alarms scheme; the way in which they may apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7671/15]
View answerMy Department manages the Seniors Alert Scheme which encourages community support for vulnerable older people in our communities by providing grant assistance towards the purchase and installation of personal monitored alarms to enable older persons, of limited means, to continue to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. The scheme is administered by local community and voluntary groups with the support of my Department. My Department undertook to consider new approaches to the Seniors Alert Scheme in 2014 and arising from this, it was decided that the scheme be managed by Pobal, given that organisation’s significant experience delivering programmes on behalf of Government.
Pobal’s management and administrative services for the Scheme included an invitation to tender for the supply and installation of personal monitored alarms, which was publicly advertised on eTenders on 20 October 2014. The tender included a requirement for suppliers to set out their value added services, including the supply of smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms. The tender process, which is being led by Pobal, is almost complete and following this a panel of regional suppliers will be contracted to provide the equipment within specific regional areas and the question of funding for such value added services will be further considered once the outcome of the competition is made public.
569. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the recipients of his Department's grant scheme for maintaining trails in 2013 and 2014; if his Department will operate it again in 2015; if so, when it is expected to open; the budget for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7715/15]
View answerA scheme covering trail maintenance on National Way Marked Ways and other priority walks of national or regional significance was operated by my Department in both 2013 and 2014, and the recipients of funding under the schemes are listed in the tables below. A decision regarding the implementation of a similar scheme in 2015 will be made later this year.
Trail Maintenance Scheme Recipients
|
2013 |
2014 |
|
Avondhu Blackwater Partnership |
Coillte |
|
Ballyhoura Heritage & Environment Ltd |
Donegal County Council |
|
Clare Local Development Company |
West Cork Development Partnership Ltd |
|
Coillte |
Aughrim Community Development |
|
Donegal Local Development Company |
Avondhu Blackwater Partnership Ltd |
|
FORUM Connemara |
Offaly Sports Partnership - Offaly County Council |
|
Laois County Council |
Ballyhoura Heritage & Environmental Ltd |
|
Mayo Co Council/ NPWS |
County Longford Tourism Ltd |
|
Offaly County Council |
South West Mayo Development Company |
|
Sligo LEADER Partnership on behalf of Miners Way & Historical Trail Management Committee |
Coiste Cosan na Naomh |
|
Sligo LEADER Partnership Co Ltd. & Sligo County Council |
IRD Duhallow |
|
Roscommon LEADER Partnership |
Kilkenny Leader Partnership |
|
South Kerry Dev partnership |
Clare Local Development Company |
|
Tinahely Community Projects |
Roscommon LEADER Partnership |
|
Trail Kilkenny |
Carlow County Council |
|
West Cork Development Partnership |
Limerick City & County Council |
|
|
Trail Kilkenny |
|
|
Sligo Leader Partnership |
570. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of staff losses from his Department in each year since 2007 in comparison to other Departments. [7730/15]
View answerThe staffing levels in my Department at the end of each of the years 2007 to 2014 along with the change in staffing levels from the previous year is set out in the table below.
|
Year |
Staff at Year End (FTE) |
Difference (+/-) from Previous Year End (FTE) |
|
2007 |
1441.46 |
67.67 |
|
2008 |
1332.12 |
-109.34 |
|
2009 |
1191.90 |
-140.22 |
|
2010 |
1176.53 |
-15.37 |
|
2011 |
812.21 |
-364.32 |
|
2012 |
778.78 |
-33.43 |
|
2013 |
748.21 |
-30.57 |
|
2014 |
720.51 |
-27.70 |
Note: FTE denotes full time equivalents.
There was a significant change in the staffing levels in the Department from 2010 to 2011. The end 2011 figures reflect structural changes that occurred in May 2011 with the transfer of the heritage function to the new Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and the transfer of community functions to my Department.
My Department does not have information on the staffing levels of other Government Departments.
571. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he will issue a call for projects under the capital assistance programme from local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7790/15]
View answerUnder the Capital Assistance Scheme, a ‘Call for Proposals’ was issued in 2014 covering the period 2014- 2016. Projects submitted under this ‘Call’ are currently progressing through the various stages of design and development. However, given the ambition set out in the Social Housing Strategy 2020, I propose to issue a further ‘Call for Proposals’ under the Capital Assistance Scheme shortly and I look forward to a strong response from local authorities and approved housing bodies.
572. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of funding that has been allocated for the housing adaption grant scheme in 2015; the amount that has been allocated to Dublin City Council and to Fingal County Council to fund the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7818/15]
View answerLast year, exchequer funding of over €37 million was provided for the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, with Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council receiving €3,030,439 and €1,077,562, respectively. I am pleased to be in a position to increase the national funding for the Schemes by some 10% in 2015 to €40.4 million from which I will shortly be making individual allocations to local authorities.
573. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if an organisation (details supplied) will be granted funding under the scheme to support national organisations for its home-from-home apartment in Chapelizod, Dublin 20, which is Ireland’s only fully wheelchair accessible, self-catering accommodation. [7855/15]
View answerThe funding Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO) in the community and voluntary sector aims to provide multi-annual funding to national organisations towards core costs associated with the provision of services. Applications for a new round of funding, which commenced on 1 July 2014, were subject to an appraisal process. 55 applications were approved for funding for the two-year period from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2016. The organisation referred to by the Deputy in the details supplied was not successful on this occasion. Pobal were asked to undertake the appraisal and management of the scheme and, in that context, put in place a dedicated team to deal with any inquiries from applicants and to provide detailed feedback. Furthermore, an appeals process was put in place, on foot of which Pobal submitted a report, which is currently being considered.
On 18 July 2014, it was announced that bridging funding of €1.4million would be allocated for a twelve month period to a number of previously funded health, disability and other organisations that were not approved for funding under the new scheme, pending the carrying out of a review of the public funding of national organisations in the health and disability sector. This bridging funding in 2014/2015 is a once-off transitional arrangement and will enable organisations to plan for their future, whether with or without State support, such as that provided under the SSNO. The organisation in question was allocated €37,304 for the 12 month period to 30 June 2015.
The review process is underway and is being advanced in consultation with the Department of Health. The Health Service Executive and Pobal are also participating in the review. All organisations in receipt of bridging funding have been contacted to make submissions as part of the review process. I intend to complete and publish the outcome of the review over the coming months.
It should be noted that funding under the SSNO is provided for ongoing core operational costs of national organisations within the community and voluntary sector. The definition of core funding for the purpose of the SSNO refers to financial support that covers basic core organisational and administrative costs of an organisation; this includes core staff, facilities and the direct administration expenses of day-to-day work.
