Róisín Shortall
Question:150. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will intervene in the case of a child (details supplied) in Dublin 13 to ensure that extra supports are provided. [43052/15]
View answerSpecial Educational Needs Service Provision
Questions (150)
Written answers
I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department provides a range of supports for pupils with special educational needs arising such as Emotional Behavioural Disorder (EBD) or Severe Emotional Behavioural Disorder (SEBD). Where children with such needs have consequential care or learning support needs, additional Resource Teaching and/or care support is provided to schools to support their needs in school. For pupils who require more specialised supports, special school and special class placements are also available.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for allocating resource teaching and Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support, to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support, which is set out in my Department's Circular 0030/2014.
Circular 0030/2014 sets out the policy of allocating SNA support for a newly enrolling Junior Infant who has a clear and obvious need for such support e.g. a child who has a significant additional care need arising from an intellectual, sensory or physical disability. For those children where it is not yet clear whether difficulties will manifest in a classroom environment, the Circular states that, in general, it is expected that all primary school pupils having their first school experience will have been enrolled and will have commenced attending school before any application for SNA support will be made. In relation to possible anticipated behavioural difficulties in particular, it is more appropriate to wait until the child begins school in order to see how they have been able to engage in the classroom.
The Circular explains that provision of SNA support should not be considered as a first response for management of behaviour, and should only be provided where it is clear that behavioural management strategies have not been successful to date and where it is demonstrated how access to such support can assist with ongoing planning and intervention for the child.
Responsibility for the management of behaviour in schools is a matter for individual schools. Schools may seek advice from the National Educational Psychological Service, their Special Educational Needs Organiser, or from the National Behavioural Support Service as to how children with behavioural needs can best be supported in school.
It is open to schools to contact their local SENO to discuss the SNA and resource teaching allocation process. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available the NCSE website www.ncse.ie.
As this question relates to an application for support for an individual child, I will arrange to have the matter referred to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
School Textbooks
Questions (151)
Seán Kyne
Question:151. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a book (details supplied) is on the approved list for the junior certificate English course; if she has received complaints regarding its suitability for young teenagers due to its adult nature; if she is reviewing its suitability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43080/15]
View answerWritten answers
Texts for inclusion in the lists of prescribed works for study at Junior Cycle are chosen by a sub-committee of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA)'s English Development Group. It is important to note that schools exercise a high degree of discretion in deciding on the texts that students study, and are not compelled to use any particular text from the list. Further enquiries on this matter should be addressed to the NCCA.
The Junior Cycle for Teachers website (www.jct.ie) also provides guidance for teachers in selecting novels for the classroom.
School Services Staff
Questions (152)
Marcella Corcoran Kennedy
Question:152. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Education and Skills why secretaries and special needs assistants in primary schools who are being paid by the board of management have no pension entitlements or incremental scale increases, but have had their salaries reduced by 5%; if she will include them on the same payment scheme as secondary school secretaries who are paid as civil servants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43081/15]
View answerWritten answers
All Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) are paid on the SNA incremental salary scales which are set by the Minister for Education and Skills in conjunction with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and their employment is pensionable.
The majority of primary schools receive grant assistance to provide for secretarial and/or caretaking services. Within the grant schemes, the level and extent of services provided is a matter for school management who, through the discretion afforded under the scheme, apply diverse arrangements for secretarial and/or caretaking services as resources permit.
Where a school uses the grant funding to employ a Secretary and/or Caretaker, such staff are employees of the individual school. My Department therefore does not have any role in determining the pay and conditions under which they are engaged. These are matters to be agreed between the staff concerned and the school management, subject of course to any relevant statutory provisions.
Notwithstanding the above, it was recently agreed that my Department would engage in an arbitration process regarding the pay of School Secretaries and Caretakers. The Arbitrator has now issued his report, in which he recommends increases in the hourly rates paid to School Secretaries and Caretakers and the establishment of a minimum hourly pay rate. The recommendations are now being considered by the parties. My intention is to accept the Arbitrator's recommendations, subject to their acceptance by the union side.
Schools Health and Safety
Questions (153)
Niall Collins
Question:153. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware of the child safety concerns in respect of traffic, of parents of children attending a school (details supplied) in County Limerick; if she is in a position to help with proposed remediation works; the help and advice she can offer the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43091/15]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has no record of receiving an application for funding for remediation works from the school referred to by the Deputy.
It is not clear from the information provided by the Deputy as to what the issues are at the school and whether these are internal or external to the school site. It would be matter for the Board of Management to address traffic management issues within the school boundary. Traffic issues external to the school site would be a matter for the local authority in the first instance.
Third Level Fees
Questions (154)
Micheál Martin
Question:154. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there are impediments in European Union legislation to changing Irish legislation to give all Irish citizens access to the free fees scheme for third level, regardless of their residency status, to enable them to access the scheme without having to be resident here for three of the five years prior to making their entry application to third level, without giving the same access to all European Union citizens. [43095/15]
View answerWritten answers
The position is that it is not possible to limit any amendments to the free fees schemes which impacts only on Irish citizens as to do so is contrary to EU law.
As the Deputy will be aware, in order to qualify for tuition fee funding, 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 students do not qualify for free fees funding they must pay the appropriate fee - either EU or Non-EU, as determined by each higher education institution. Due to concerns in relation to the fact that in some cases the higher non-EU fee was being charged to students who held EU/EEA/Swiss nationality but did not meet the residency clause for free fees, the Department requested higher education institutions to charge the more moderate EU fee to such students who have completed at least five academic years of study (primary or post-primary level) in Ireland/EU/EEA/Switzerland and commence their first undergraduate course of study in an approved institution here. This position took effect from the academic year 2014/15. There are no plans to further amend this provision.
Schools Building Projects Status
Questions (155)
Paul Murphy
Question:155. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a proposal for a school campus at the Commons on the Hazelhatch Road in Celbridge, County Kildare, and of the planning application made by the Kildare Wicklow Education and Training Board for a primary-secondary school campus at the site; the Department or other body that is currently dealing with this application and the related school campus proposal; if she is pursuing this site as the preferred site for the proposed school campus, notwithstanding the objections raised by the planning department of Kildare County Council and upheld by An Bord Pleanála to the training board's proposals; and if she has any other sites in mind for a primary or a secondary school on the Dublin Road, the Hazelhatch Road or the Newtown Road side of the Liffey in Celbridge. [43135/15]
View answerWritten answers
Outline planning permission for a primary school on the site in question was granted by Kildare County Council in December 2009, and a subsequent application for outline permission for development of the site to include a post-primary school was granted in July 2010. A planning application for permanent school buildings on this site was subsequently refused by Kildare County Council on 11 December 2013 and this decision was upheld by An Bord Pleanála on 26 May 2014.
The site remains the Department's preferred site for the schools.
There have been extensive discussions with the Council concerning flood relief measures. In this regard, proposals from the Council involve extending the brief of a Department appointed project consultant to encompass a considerably broader assessment of flooding in the catchment area. If accepted by the Department, the proposals would broaden the scope of the assessment beyond the identification of what is required to designing, preparing a part eight planning tender and overseeing works. A number of factors prevent the adoption of these requests including non compliance with statutory procurement regulations and managing a process over lands that are not in the Department's control. These difficulties have been conveyed to the Council on a number of occasions.
Site Acquisitions
Questions (156)
Paul Murphy
Question:156. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the Commons on the Hazelhatch Road in Celbridge, County Kildare, site was purchased; who purchased this site; who authorised its purchase; the amount paid; the zoning status when purchased, that is, agricultural, residential or strategic infrastructure; if the site has been re-zoned; and if the purchase was agreed subject to planning permission for the intended use. [43136/15]
View answerWritten answers
Kildare VEC (now Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board) acquired the site for a primary and post-primary school on Hazelhatch Road, Celbridge in two transactions in 2009 and 2010.
The site was acquired in 2 parts (one comprising circa 3 acres and a second comprising an area of circa 7 acres) and funding was provided by my Department. The acquisition of the site was authorised by my Department.
On November 3, 2009, Kildare VEC received official notification of the decision of Kildare County Council to grant outline planning permission for the construction of a primary school on the smaller area of the site. The contract for this portion of the site was signed subsequently by Kildare VEC on November 17, 2009, and the sale closed on December 21, 2009. The final grant of outline planning permission had issued in the interim on December 8, 2009.
Outline planning permission for a post-primary school was granted by Kildare County Council in July 2010. The contract for the larger portion of the site, to accommodate the post-primary school, was executed subsequently in November 2010.
The site is located within an area which, under the 2010 Celbridge LAP, is afforded the zoning objective E – Community & Educational. This zoning objective provides for inter-alia 'community and educational facilities including health care, child care, fire station, courthouse, schools, meeting halls and other community facilities, ancillary neighbourhood uses and services.' Section 10.3 of the LAP identified the subject site for the provision a new primary and secondary school.
A planning application for permanent school buildings on this site was subsequently refused by Kildare County Council in December 2013 and this decision was upheld by An Bord Pleanála in May 2014.
Schools Building Projects Status
Questions (157)
Paul Murphy
Question:157. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans and intentions with regard to a Gaelcolaiste in north Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43137/15]
View answerWritten answers
On the 17 November last I announced the details of the new schools to be provided nationwide in 2017 and 2018.
I also announced that in view of the anticipated number of enrolments in the Irish-medium Aonad of Maynooth Community College and the continued support for a Gaelcholáiste in the North Kildare area that a Gaelcholáiste will be established in 2019 to serve the North Kildare area, subject to sufficient viability of the Aonad. The Gaelcholáiste will open under the joint patronage of Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board an An Foras Pátrúnachta.
Site Acquisitions
Questions (158)
Regina Doherty
Question:158. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the purchase of a site for a school (details supplied) in County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43165/15]
View answerWritten answers
The project to deliver a new building for the school referred to by the Deputy was included in the list of projects recently announced to go to construction in 2019-2021.
As the Deputy will be aware, officials in my Department have been working closely with officials from Meath County Council towards the acquisition of a permanent site to meet the needs of the school to which she refers. A suitable site has now been identified, and the site acquisition is being progressed. However due to commercial sensitivities it is not possible to provide further information at this time.
National Training Fund
Questions (159)
Charlie McConalogue
Question:159. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount collected from the national training levy in each of the years 2010 to 2015 to date; a breakdown of the use of this funding by types of course or programme, by apprenticeship, by traineeship, by further education, by third level, by research, etc; the purpose of the fund, and the evolution of its use over the past number of years. [43178/15]
View answerWritten answers
The National Training Fund (NTF) was established in 2000 to raise the skills of those in employment and to provide training to those who wish to acquire skills to take up employment. It is also used to provide information in relation to existing, or likely future, requirements for skills in the economy. NTF income includes National Training Levy receipts, European Social Fund refunds and European Globalisation Funds.
The information the Deputy has requested is set out in the table.
|
- |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
ESTIMATES 2015 |
|
- |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
INCOME |
||||||
|
National Training Levy |
309,000,000 |
316,000,000 |
299,000,000 |
317,000,000 |
338,000,000 |
352,951,000 |
|
EXPENDITURE |
||||||
|
Training Programmes for those in Employment |
||||||
|
Training Programmes in Employment (incl. Apprenticeships) |
69,617,000 |
54,236,000 |
52,467,000 |
39,600,000 |
39,600,000 |
49,600,000 |
|
Training Networks Programme - Skillnets |
13,607,580 |
11,600,000 |
11,470,600 |
11,020,000 |
11,924,000 |
12,636,000 |
|
Training Grants to Industry |
5,430,000 |
6,175,231 |
5,755,532 |
5,802,935 |
6,500,000 |
6,500,000 |
|
Workplace Basic Education Fund |
1,608,689 |
2,800,000 |
2,170,203 |
2,549,707 |
2,800,000 |
2,800,000 |
|
Community & Voluntary Organisations |
775,000 |
375,087 |
375,000 |
375,000 |
375,000 |
375,000 |
|
Continuing Professional Development |
150,000 |
75,000 |
75,000 |
75,000 |
75,000 |
75,000 |
|
Training Programmes for Employment |
||||||
|
Training Programmes for Employment |
286,176,901 |
236,812,159 |
253,528,782 |
256,769,130 |
248,121,146 |
246,410,000 |
|
Springboard |
0 |
0 |
10,165,550 |
18,353,026 |
23,688,000 |
22,438,300 |
|
ICT Skills Programme |
0 |
0 |
2,600,000 |
3,346,754 |
5,000,000 |
5,000,000 |
|
MOMENTUM (LMAF/LMETF) |
16,754,118 |
12,818,592 |
1,144,000 |
10,000,000 |
8,000,000 |
15,300,000 |
|
Provision of Information on Skills Requirements |
1,101,296 |
1,375,896 |
1,138,221 |
905,565 |
816,402 |
860,000 |
|
395,220,584 |
326,267,965 |
340,889,888 |
348,797,117 |
346,899,548 |
361,994,300 |
Departmental Reports
Questions (160)
Charlie McConalogue
Question:160. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the final report of the Cassells group will be published. [43179/15]
View answerWritten answers
In light of continued pressures on the higher education system, former Minister Quinn established an expert group to examine future funding of higher education under the independent chairmanship of Peter Cassells. The objective is to identify a range of approaches that, combined, will achieve a sustainable funding base to address the continual expansion of the sector while protecting the quality of education.
I understand that the Group is in the final stages of its deliberations and I expect to receive its report soon.
Third Level Qualifications Data
Questions (161)
Charlie McConalogue
Question:161. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the measures she has taken in the past number of years to increase the number of computer science graduates; the cost of the €1,000 top-up to block grants to each higher level institute, by computer science student enrolled; if this programme has been a success; the number of additional computer science graduates it has led to; her concerns and those of the Higher Education Authority regarding the reduced quality of computer science graduates as a result of the increased intake. [43180/15]
View answerWritten answers
Given the scale of demand for ICT skills in recent years, my Department and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation launched a revised Government/Industry ICT Skills Action Plan in 2014. The Plan takes a comprehensive approach including increases in high-level graduate output, enhancing awareness of ICT as a career among students, maintaining a strong talent pool and promoting Ireland as a destination for ICT talent. Implementation of the plan is being overseen by a high-level steering group shared by the two departments and including representatives from industry and the education system, and delivery teams have been set up to progress areas of work set out under the plan.
ICT graduate output from the higher education sector has increased significantly since the first ICT plan was published in 2011.
In order to increase the number of mainstream ICT graduates, in 2014 the Higher Education Authority (HEA) introduced incentivised level 8 ICT places whereby higher education institutions were offered a top up grant of €1,000 per additional place offered.
The funding provided in 2014 and 2015 in respect of the additional Level 8 places is €427,020 providing for an additional 200 places in 2014/15 and an additional partial payment of 30% towards the provision of 1,060 in 2015/16. The data for registrations for 2015/16 will not be available until the new year and this will be used as the basis for further funding allocations for 2015/16. My Department is working actively with all partners on progression of this initiative and is making plans in respect of 2016.
Springboard+, which incorporates the ICT skills conversion programme, was introduced in 2011 and is providing free higher education places for jobseekers who wish to upskill or reskill in areas of identified skills needs. ICT is one of the key areas targeted and to date almost 11,500 people have taken an ICT course, at all levels of the National Framework of Qualifications. Funding of the order of €63.8m has been allocated for this ICT provision. The Springboard programme is managed by the HEA on behalf of my Department and academic and employment outcomes for Springboard graduates are very strong. Further information on outcomes is available in the trend analysis reports which are published on www.springboardcourses.ie.
The Information Technology Investment Fund (ITIF) continues to be managed by the HEA, in response to Information and Communications Technology (ICT) skills needs as identified by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN). The aim of the ITIF is to support student access to, and participation on, courses which would provide an opportunity to acquire new or additional Level 7 - 9 qualifications so as to enhance their employability in ICT areas. Courses are required to contain significant levels of ICT content and areas of study include Business Informatics, Multimedia Technology, Software Design and Development, Bio-engineering, Telecommunications and Information Systems.
Overall, I am confident that the quality of our ICT graduates remains very strong, and I would note that graduates are very well regarded by industry and remain in very high demand as they contribute to exciting developments in ICT in Ireland.
School Transport Administration
Questions (162)
Robert Troy
Question:162. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if it is acceptable that some of the bus service for a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath was cut following the granting of an application for an extension that included a provision to accommodate parking, making it impossible for the school to honour its road safety commitments; if she will retore the full bus service so that the roads are kept safe around the school and demand for parking returns to the level at which it was before the cut. [43198/15]
View answerWritten answers
Under the terms of my Department's Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
I understand that there are a number of children who wish to avail of transport to the school in question who are not eligible for school transport as they reside less than 3.2 kilometres from the school.
Children who are not eligible for school transport may avail of transport on a concessionary basis subject to a number of conditions including the availability of spare seats and the payment of the annual charge.
In this regard, parents should liaise with their local Bus Éireann office in Athlone at 090 6473277.
In general, individual school authorities are responsible, in the first instance, for ensuring the safety and welfare of children and others in their care.
I also wish to advise the Deputy that the issue of road safety measures outside the vested site areas of schools, such as road signage, traffic calming measures, parking etc., is a matter that should be raised in the first instance with the relevant Local Authority.
Social and Affordable Housing Provision
Questions (163)
Barry Cowen
Question:163. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the targets for 2015 for the provision of social housing units under the rental accommodation scheme and leasing in each local authority; how many units have been provided in each local authority under these schemes in 2015 to date; how much or how far under-target is the provision for 2015 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43060/15]
View answerWritten answers
The Social Housing Strategy 2020 targets the provision of over 110,000 social housing units to 2020, through the delivery of 35,000 new social housing units and meeting the housing needs of some 75,000 households through the Housing Assistance Payment and Rental Accommodation Scheme. On 1 April 2015, I announced provisional funding allocations totalling €1.5 billion for all local authorities, to meet an ambitious delivery target of 22,882 social housing units out to 2017. Details of the individual targets set for local authorities can be found on my Department’s website at: http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/News/MainBody,41016,en.htm.
The Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) is a social housing support introduced to cater for the accommodation needs of persons who are in receipt of long term rent supplement. Persons normally must be in receipt of continuous rent supplement for a minimum period of 18 months, and be assessed as having a long term housing need. The target number of households to be transferred from Rent Supplement to RAS over the period of the Strategy is 6,000, of which a national target of 2,000 has been set for 2015.
Under the Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme (SHCEP) units can be delivered in a variety of ways and local authorities are encouraged to explore and use all of these mechanisms. These mechanisms include units purchased, leased or constructed by approved housing bodies and both multi-unit developments and individual units leased or acquired through rental arrangements directly by local authorities. Units leased by local authorities or approved housing bodies can be for up to 20 years. The accommodation provided is made available to persons on local authority waiting lists, persons with long term housing needs in receipt of rent supplement or persons who are homeless. A target of 3,000 units has been set for delivery in 2015 under SHCEP. Local authorities together with approved housing bodies are working consistently to achieve targets under the SHCEP scheme.
The information requested in relation to progress against the targets set for RAS and SHCEP up to the end of October 2015 is set out in the table.
While the targets set out in the Strategy for delivery in 2015 are ambitious, I am confident that the investment that the Government is making in social housing supply is delivering real results. Together, the RAS and SHCEP Schemes had met the social housing needs of an additional 2,501 households in the 10 months to end October this year.
Furthermore, I am committed to facilitating local authorities returning the maximum number of void social housing units to productive use as possible in 2015. In addition to the original funding I provided for this purpose in 2015, and conscious of the impact of the pressures in the private rental market on delivery under the RAS and SHCEP schemes, I have increased the budget allocation in order deliver an estimated 2,500 void units back into productive use this year.
|
- |
Transfers to RAS January - October 2015 |
SHCEP January - October 2015 |
||
|
Local Authority |
RAS Final Targets |
RAS Total Transfers |
SHCEP (leasing) Final Targets |
SHCEP Outputs to End October |
|
Carlow CC |
40 |
36 |
65 |
5 |
|
Cavan CC |
53 |
55 |
25 |
2 |
|
Clare CC |
57 |
38 |
75 |
40 |
|
Cork City Cl. |
105 |
71 |
128 |
25 |
|
Cork CC |
75 |
21 |
170 |
86 |
|
Donegal CC |
46 |
37 |
65 |
16 |
|
Dublin City Cl. |
110 |
82 |
425 |
211 |
|
South Dublin CC |
165 |
152 |
200 |
125 |
|
Dun-Rathdown CC |
75 |
15 |
75 |
10 |
|
Fingal CC |
110 |
60 |
200 |
30 |
|
Galway City Cl. |
20 |
12 |
90 |
38 |
|
Galway Co. Cl. |
80 |
70 |
80 |
41 |
|
Kerry CC |
127 |
117 |
130 |
41 |
|
Kildare CC |
80 |
97 |
180 |
26 |
|
Kilkenny CC |
39 |
74 |
103 |
23 |
|
Laois CC |
15 |
4 |
35 |
11 |
|
Leitrim CC |
20 |
7 |
20 |
1 |
|
Limerick Ct & Co. |
34 |
16 |
100 |
0 |
|
Longford CC |
30 |
59 |
35 |
18 |
|
Louth CC |
23 |
2 |
115 |
28 |
|
Mayo CC |
115 |
31 |
50 |
26 |
|
Meath CC |
50 |
38 |
75 |
51 |
|
Monaghan CC |
20 |
0 |
30 |
0 |
|
Offaly CC |
15 |
4 |
73 |
51 |
|
Roscommon CC |
55 |
56 |
15 |
0 |
|
Sligo CC |
65 |
44 |
20 |
2 |
|
Tipperary C.C |
100 |
82 |
90 |
31 |
|
Waterford City & Co. |
69 |
7 |
120 |
14 |
|
Westmeath CC |
52 |
107 |
72 |
33 |
|
Wexford CC |
110 |
24 |
89 |
48 |
|
Wicklow CC |
45 |
45 |
50 |
5 |
|
Total |
2000 |
1463 |
3000 |
1038 |
It should be noted also that 18 local authorities are now operating the Housing Assistance Payment Scheme. While delivery targets were not set for individual local authorities, more than 5,500 tenancies have been established under the scheme to date.
Leader Programmes Funding
Questions (164)
Tom Fleming
Question:164. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of Ireland's application to the European Union for community-led local development funding for rural areas; when this funding will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43076/15]
View answerWritten answers
The LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme 2014–2020 will provide €250 million in financial resources to support the development of sustainable rural communities.
Ireland is conducting a two stage process for the selection of local development strategies to support the delivery of the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. Stage one of the process is now complete and those successful at stage one have moved to stage two of the process, which is the preparation of local development strategies for their areas.
The preparation and submission of local development strategies is underway in each of the 28 designated sub-regional areas. A minimum period of six months to end-January 2016 has been allowed for the submission of strategies by all Local Action Groups, with the majority expected to submit strategies within that timeframe. To date, four local development strategies have been received and these are being considered at present.
Based on progress made to date, I expect that my Department will enter into contracts with a small number of Local Action Groups before year-end or in the first weeks of 2016. Following this, Local Action Groups will be accepting applications from both private promoters and community groups for projects, which are consistent with the priorities identified in the local development strategies for their area. I am hopeful that the remaining areas will have their strategies approved and commence delivery on a rolling basis in early 2016.
Local Authority Funding
Questions (165)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:165. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the Central Government funding provided to local authorities for each year between 2000 and 2015, in tabular form. [43079/15]
View answerWritten answers
Central Government funding to local authorities involves transfers coming from a wide range of Departments and Offices, not solely from my Department, for a variety of purposes.
Some streams of funding are delivered directly from funding departments to local authorities, while others are routed through departmental agencies. The Comptroller and Auditor General reports on the Central Government funding of local authorities as part of his Annual Report which provides an overview of the funds flowing from and through central government sources to local authorities and the purposes for which funds have been provided. The most recent such report, published earlier this year, setting out details from 2007 to 2014, is available at http://www.audgen.gov.ie/documents/annualreports/2014/report/en/10%20central%20government%20funding%20of%20local%20authorities.pdf. Pre 2007 data is not readily available.
My Department has a wide and diverse business agenda, including protecting the environment, providing necessary housing supports and fostering community and rural development in partnership with local government and other local development bodies. In order to deliver on this broad business agenda, my Department allocates significant resources to a wide range of organisations, including local authorities. An updated summary of the funding provided by my Department directly to local authorities to date in 2015, will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible. If the Deputy wishes to put down a more specific question concerning funding for a specific purpose from my Department, I will endeavour to provide the information sought.
Local Authority Rates
Questions (166)
Barry Cowen
Question:166. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount by which he has compensated each local authority to cover lost revenues due to the global revaluations of public utilities, in tabular form. [43082/15]
View answerWritten answers
I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 561 and 590 of 1 December, 2015 which sets out the position in this matter.
Regeneration Projects Status
Questions (167)
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:167. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of the proposed regeneration plan for St. Patrick's Park in Rathangan, County Kildare; if he is in receipt of revised plans for the project; the nature of such revisions; the time frame for the delivery of the project, in view of the housing crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43086/15]
View answerWritten answers
Kildare County Council submitted a proposal to my Department in 2008 seeking funding approval for a Remedial Works Scheme at St. Patrick’s Park, Rathangan, County Kildare. Following a detailed examination of the proposal, my Department provisionally approved funding of €6.8 million for the scheme in July 2011 with 10% of the cost to be met by the local authority.
Kildare County Council is delivering this scheme in three phases. The initial phase is currently in progress and comprises remedial works to 35 units and a range of other improvements to the area. Phase 2 will include the demolition of 4 units and construction of 6 single storey units, along with associated site development works and laneway upgrades. Phase 3 will include the refurbishment of 19 units, the construction of 10 two-story three-bed units, some targeted demolitions and associated site works.
It is anticipated that the revised Phase 1 works will be completed in October 2016, with Phases 2 and 3 to be completed in 2017.
Social and Affordable Housing Provision
Questions (168)
Barry Cowen
Question:168. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of meetings of the social housing proposals clearing house group with interested parties since its establishment; the number of submissions received to date since its establishment; the number of submissions agreed; the actions arising from the submissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43099/15]
View answerWritten answers
Since being established, the Social Housing Proposals Clearing House Group has received 25 proposals for funding social and affordable housing, using both existing mechanisms and new approaches.
These are from a broad spectrum of entities which include financial institutions, developers, fund managers, financial services providers, Approved Housing Bodies and others. The Clearing Housing Group is currently in the process of concluding its work and will be bringing forward recommendations.
24 submissions have been considered to date. Details of the organisations involved, identifying those that met with the Clearing House Group, are set out in the table. In addition, a proposal was received from the Irish League of Credit Unions on 24 November 2015 and is currently being examined.
|
Proposers to the Clearing House Group considered to date |
Meeting held with the Clearing House Group |
|
Asset Backed Investment |
Yes |
|
Barclays |
Yes |
|
Centrus |
Yes |
|
Trinity IM |
Yes |
|
Home Grown Home |
Yes |
|
Investec |
Yes |
|
Lex Risk Solutions |
Yes |
|
AIB |
Yes |
|
Bank of Ireland |
Yes |
|
Dublin Artisan Dwelling Fund |
Yes |
|
Túath Housing - Proposal 1 |
Yes |
|
Túath Housing - Proposal 2 |
Yes |
|
Apex Housing Association |
Yes |
|
IRES REIT |
Yes |
|
Bartra Capital Ltd. |
Yes |
|
Clyde Capital Partners |
Yes |
|
New Ground |
Yes |
|
Clúid Housing - Proposal 1 |
Yes |
|
Clúid Housing - Proposal 2 |
Yes |
|
NABCO - National Association of Building Co-operatives |
Yes |
|
O’Cualann Cohousing Alliance |
Yes |
|
Menolly Homes |
No |
|
Rampart Capital |
No |
|
McGarrell Reilly Group |
No |
Water Quality
Questions (169)
Brian Stanley
Question:169. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when a grant to replace the lead pipes will be made available as promised. [43120/15]
View answerWritten answers
I refer to the reply to Question No. 528 of 24 November 2015. The position is unchanged.