Written Answers Nos. 240-251
240. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of restoring postgraduate maintenance grants in 2016 at the level which previously applied prior to their abolition; the cost of a 50% restoration; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33912/15]
View answerDue to economic circumstances, a number of difficult expenditure reduction measures were taken in recent budgets. A decision in Budget 2012 has meant that new students entering postgraduate courses from the 2012/13 academic year onwards are not entitled to maintenance payments under the Student Grant Scheme, but may qualify in some circumstances for limited fee support.
Those who meet the qualifying conditions for the special rate of grant under the Student Grant Scheme are eligible to have their post-graduate tuition fees paid up to the maximum fee limit of €6,270. Alternatively, a postgraduate student may qualify to have a €2,000 contribution made towards the cost of their fees. The income threshold for this payment is €31,500 for the 2015/16 academic year, increasing relative to the number of family dependants.
If the Budget 2012 decision was reversed and the income thresholds increased to bring them into line with those for undergraduate students, then the potential cost is estimated to be in the region of €47m. Based on this figure, the cost of a 50% restoration of the grant would be approximately €24m. This costing assumes that the number of post-graduate grant holders will increase to the level prior to the introduction of this Budget measure.
241. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the capitation fees paid in respect of second level Education and Training Board schools; the rates that apply to comprehensive and voluntary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33913/15]
View answerThe funding arrangements made by my Department for post primary schools reflect the sectoral division of our second-level system. At the core of all arrangements is reliance upon capitation as the principal determinant of funding.
My Department provides funding to Community and Comprehensive schools on a budget basis that is based mainly on pupil numbers, but also take into account additional factors which vary from school to school such as condition of buildings, size of school etc.
With regard to the ETB sector financial allocations are made to ETBs as part of a block grant. ETBs are given a high level of autonomy in the management and appropriation of this grant and each is allowed to distribute its allocations in line with its priorities and perceptions of need.
My Department provides funding to voluntary secondary schools by way of per capita grants and these are set out on the attached schedule.
Fee charging schools do not receive any capitation or related grants from my Department.
Voluntary Secondary Schools in the Free Education Scheme
Per Capita Grant Rates for general running costs and funding provided for caretaking and secretarial services with effect from 1 January 2015
Standard Capitation Grant €296 per pupil, less the contribution to teachers’ salaries of €562.5 per Serving Permanent/CID based on the figures contained in each schools schedule of Department supported posts. The grant is paid in three instalments in September, January and April.
School Services Support Fund (SSSF) €201 per pupil payable in three instalments in September, January and April. Each eligible school receives the SSSF grant, which is calculated at a minimum enrolment rate of 200 pupils and thereafter according to enrolment.
Grants for Secretaries
Basic Secretarial Grant - €36 per pupil
SSSF Secretary Grant - €24 per pupil
Schools employing secretaries under ‘the 1978 scheme’ do not receive any secretary grants.
Grants for Caretakers
Basic Caretaker Grant - €30 per pupil
SSSF Caretaker Grant - €18 per pupil
To qualify for the basic secretary and caretaker grants, a school must have an enrolment figure of at least 200 pupils. The grant is calculated by multiplying the enrolment figure by the rate up to a maximum of 350 pupils. These grants are calculated according to the previous school year’s enrolment figures.
All schools, regardless of enrolment, receive the SSSF caretaker and secretary grants, which are calculated at a minimum enrolment rate of 200 pupils and thereafter according to enrolment up to a maximum of 350 pupils.
242. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of increasing the capitation fees paid in respect of voluntary second level schools by 10%; and by 20%; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33914/15]
View answerThe last Budget included an increase in spending on education for the first time in recent years, amounting to additional funding of €60m during 2015. That increase has provided funding for 1,700 additional teachers and SNAs to be recruited for our schools, as well as funding important reforms. However, it was not possible to secure the funding which would be required to also increase the rates of capitation paid to our schools. I am aware of the impact budgetary decisions taken in our economic crisis have had on capitation and related grants on voluntary second level schools. Each 10% increase in capitation and related grants for voluntary secondary schools would cost approx. €9m. I am determined that education will be prioritised for investment in the coming years, and I believe that increasing the staffing and funding of our schools should be priorities for such investment.
243. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to have a recruitment drive for Dublin Fire Brigade before the end of 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33662/15]
View answerMy Department works closely with Dublin City Council in relation to the staffing needs of Dublin Fire Brigade. My Department recently approved requests from Dublin City Council, to hold both an open and a confined competition to fill firefighter vacancies that arise in Dublin Fire Brigade. It is my understanding that details of the open competition, which will be organised through the Public Appointments Service, will be announced shortly.
244. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government details of all Leader funding and projects pursuant to the Rural Development Programme 2008 to 2013, submitted by Mayo north east leader partnership, and sanctioned by the Minister, for projects in excess of €150,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33674/15]
View answerThe Local Action Groups contracted to deliver the LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) throughout the country are the principal decision-makers in relation to the allocation of project funding. Mayo North East Leader Partnership (MNELP) is the Local Action Group contracted by my Department to deliver the RDP in the North Mayo area and the details of projects in excess of €150,000 submitted by MNELP and sanctioned by my Department under the Programme are set out in the table below.
|
Project |
RDP Funding Sanctioned |
|
G&N Loftus and Sons Local Waste Recycling Facility |
€193,345.00 |
|
Refurbishment of Crossmolina Town Hall |
€232,802.83 |
|
Kilmovee All Weather Pitch |
€206,260.50 |
|
Bonniconlon Community Centre |
€215,022.22 |
|
Behy Community Hall |
€339,684.75 |
|
MG Precision & Automation |
€194,974.94 |
|
Courtyard Restoration |
€200,000.00 |
|
Waste Water Treatment Systems Equipment |
€154,848.75 |
|
Killala Greenway |
€346,472.22 |
|
Lavelle Boat Charters |
€200,000.00 |
|
Second Phase of Bonniconlon Community Centre |
€167,635.29 |
|
Renovation of Community Hall - Halla Naomh Bhreandain |
€301,499.25 |
|
Fr. Patrick Peyton Memorial Centre |
€207,558.00 |
|
Attymass Community Centre |
€177,349.53 |
|
Swinford Community Centre Renewal |
€150,333.75 |
|
Admiral Brown Riverside Promenade |
€178,656.00 |
|
Total |
€3,466,443.03 |
245. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government given that the Local Government Act now places responsibility for economic development with the relevant local authorities, the way in which Sligo County Council can be expected to promote County Sligo's €100 million tourism product, if it does not have the financial resources to appoint persons to any tourism development positions, which is ultimately leaving the county at a major disadvantage in comparison to other counties, ultimately worsening the financial situation of the council; if he will consider allocating specific funding to the council for the appointment of staff to these positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33698/15]
View answerIt is a matter for each local authority, including Sligo County Council, to determine its own spending priorities in the context of the annual budgetary process having regard to both locally identified needs and available resources. The elected members of a local authority have direct responsibility in law for all reserved functions of the authority, which include adopting the annual budget and authorising borrowing, and are democratically accountable for all expenditure by the local authority. Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authorities for which he or she is responsible. Therefore, the issue raised in relation to tourism development positions at Sligo County Council is a matter for the Chief Executive.
246. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government for an update on the ongoing construction project at Drumilliard in Castleblayney in County Monaghan, and in particular the provision of an on-site communal facility for Castleblayney Care Housing Association. [33726/15]
View answerMy Department is providing €2.3 million through the Capital Assistance Scheme for the construction by Castleblayney Care Housing Association of 18 units of accommodation at Drumilliard, Castleblayney, County Monaghan, to cater for persons with disabilities. I understand that this project is substantially complete with 10 of the units having tenants allocated to them. A second application has been submitted for the provision of additional units of accommodation and a communal facility on the site. A decision on this second proposal will be made following the completion of the first project, the completion of a post- project review and confirmation from Monaghan County Council that all units provided under the first project are fully tenanted.
247. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding an application by Dublin Port to the Environmental Protection Agency to dump dredged materials off the south-east coast of Howth in County Dublin; the way in which his Department and its agencies will protect the newly designated United Nations Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation, UNESCO, biosphere status for Dublin over the next 5 to 10 years. [33736/15]
View answerI understand that the Dublin Port Company submitted a Dumping at Sea permit application to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on 13 July 2015 relating to capital dredging at Dublin Port as part of the Alexandra Basin Redevelopment project. As the designated competent authority, the EPA will assess the application in accordance with the Dumping at Sea Act and will make a decision accordingly. Management of the Dublin biosphere rests with the appropriate local authorities and, in relation to its special areas of conservation, with my colleague the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
248. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to allow an organisation in County Cork (details supplied) to tender for a housing project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33746/15]
View answerMy Department has approved revised proposals in respect of this housing development.
This approval, along with budget recommendations, was notified to the local authority last week. The further implementation of the project is now a matter for the local authority and the approved housing body concerned.
249. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason for the delay in issuing a letter of offer to an organisation (details supplied) by Mayo north-east leader partnership following a decision of its board on 30 July 2014 to approve grant-aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33768/15]
View answerThe Local Action Groups contracted to deliver the LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) throughout the country are the principal decision-makers in relation to the allocation of project funding under the Programme. Mayo North East Leader Partnership is the Local Action Group contracted by my Department to deliver the Rural Development Programme in the North Mayo area and any issues arising regarding the issuing of contracts in relation to the project concerned is a matter between the promoter and Mayo North East Leader Partnership.
250. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has reviewed development levy policies by local authorities in light of the transition of water services to Irish Water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33775/15]
View answerFurther to the establishment of Irish Water with effect from 1 January 2014, planning authorities were requested in Circular PS 21/2013 issued by my Department on 30 December 2013 to operate revised procedures in relation to the application of development contribution levies. In respect of planning permissions granted prior to 1 January 2014, planning authorities were advised that the full development contribution charge (where such was attached as a condition of the planning permission), including, where relevant, the portion in respect of water services infrastructure, must be paid to the planning authority in accordance with the terms of the permission.
In respect of planning permissions granted after 1 January 2014, planning authorities were advised that when granting planning permission, they should no longer include a portion in respect of water services infrastructure in any development contribution applied and that such charges would instead be levied by Irish Water. Planning authorities were further advised that new development schemes made after that date should not contain charges in respect of water services infrastructure.
I am not aware of any non-compliance by planning authorities with the terms of Circular PS 21/ 2013. It is intended to issue further guidance on development contributions in due course, to assist local authorities in the implementation of changes to the development contribution regime as provided for in the recently-enacted Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015.
251. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has raised the matter of connection fee increases by Irish Water over and above development levy reductions; if his Department has issued any instructions to Irish Water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33776/15]
View answerWith effect from 1 January 2014, Irish Water is responsible for public water services. The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provides that Irish Water shall collect charges from its customers in receipt of water services provided by it in accordance with a water charges plan to be approved by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER). Section 22(5) of the Act provides that a water charges plan may provide for charges in respect of the provision of a service connection (within the meaning of the Water Services Act 2007) to, or in respect of, a premises. In its decision on Irish Water’s Water Charges Plan, published in October 2014, the CER stated that, until it made a decision on Irish Water’s new connection charges, Irish Water should continue to apply the rates which were charged by the local authorities at 31 December 2013. Although Tipperary County Council is now the amalgamation of North Tipperary County Council and South Tipperary County Council, including Clonmel Borough Council, all of these entities were still in place as of 31st December 2013 and as such the various fees at that date still apply. Irish Water has informed my Department that there is not a single set fee for either a water or wastewater connection in Tipperary and the calculation for each composite connection charge (connection works fees plus development contribution fees) is calculated separately, depending on the location of the connection.
The CER published, in its Water Charges Plan Decision Paper of 5 March 2015, the areas that it will be progressing in 2015, which includes the development of Connection Charging Policy. Later this year, the CER intend to publish an Information Paper which will include a high level work plan relating to the CER’s approach to consulting on Irish Water’s Connection Charging Policy.
In so far as the fees charged in relation to a particular property are concerned, Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 1890 578 578.
