Written Answers Nos. 174-179
174. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the building of a permanent school for Gaelscoil Chnoc Liamhna in Knocklyon, Dublin 16; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3427/16]
View answerOfficials in my Department are working closely with officials from South Dublin County Council to secure the permanent site for Gaelscoil Chnoc Liamhna.
As the Deputy is aware, a building project for the school is included in the 6 Year Construction Programme that I announced on 17 November last. Once a site has been secured, the project will be progressed into the architectural planning process.
175. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent of legal action current or pending initiated by the Institute of Technology in Tallaght, Dublin 24 whether on behalf of management or at the instigation of staff members as a group or as individuals; the nature and basis for any such action; if the subject matter or matters have or were referred for mediation; if legal costs arising will impact on the taxpayer or on the individual instigators; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3448/16]
View answerThird level institutions, including Institute of Technology Tallaght (ITT), are autonomous institutions and my Department does not have any function in their day to day operational affairs, for which the Governing Bodies and the management staff of the institutions are responsible.
However, I understand from enquiries made by the Higher Education Authority of ITT, that there are sensitive individual HR issues being addressed by the Institute, with the advice of their legal advisors, ITT has not initiated any legal action against any of its employees. The cost of any such legal advice taken is a matter for the Institute. I also understand that where possible HR matters that arise at ITT are referred for mediation.
176. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a school (details supplied) in County Cork. [3459/16]
View answerChanges to my Department's Primary School Transport Scheme were announced in December 2010 by the then Government as part of measures contained in Budget 2011 and derived from recommendations contained in the Value for Money review of the scheme.
The changes announced covered the uniform application of the distance eligibility criterion, the cessation of the Closed/Central School Rule (CSR), an increase from seven to ten in the minimum number of eligible children required to establish or retain a service and the introduction of charges for eligible primary children.
Children who had an eligibility for school transport prior to the introduction of the changes retained this eligibility for the duration of their education at that school provided there was no change in their circumstances.
Siblings of these children and other children who are not eligible for school transport, may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only in accordance with the terms of the School Transport Scheme.
The changes to school transport provision are applied uniformly and equitably on a national basis.
Children who applied for enrolment in their nearest school but who did not secure a place may have their school transport eligibility considered by reference to the distance they reside from their next nearest school. This consideration will only apply where the Department is satisfied that the child's nearest school does not have the capacity to enrol additional children.
While it is the prerogative of parents to send their children to the school of their choice, eligibility for school transport is to the nearest school.
177. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on a submission (details supplied); if he will reply to the requests in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3286/16]
View answerIn the last four years there have been no cases taken against my Department by civil servants objecting to a requirement to retire at the age of 65.
My Department does not have information relating to any such cases in respect of public servants employed by bodies under the Department’s aegis; this is a matter for the organisations concerned.
178. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of plans received to deliver the Leader programme 2014 to 2020; the number of these that relate to areas where there is only one bidder after the first round of the process; when it is expected that companies or local action groups will be approved to proceed to deliver the programme; the number expected to have final approval in the next month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3330/16]
View answerThe submission and evaluation of LEADER strategies is progressing well. To date, 19 LEADER strategies have been submitted in respect of 18 areas, with two or more strategies submitted for only one area so far. Two strategies were approved in December, subject to some minor additional work required on both, and I anticipate that we will be in a position to sign contracts with these Local Action Groups shortly. A further 5 strategies will be evaluated by the Independent Selection Committee this week and, subject to any additional work required from the Groups, I expect them to be approved in February.
My Department is continuing to work with the Groups, Pobal and the Independent Selection Committee to ensure that LEADER strategies are submitted, evaluated and approved as quickly as possible. Ultimately, the number of strategies that will be approved in the coming months will depend largely on the quality of strategies submitted and the work required to meet standard required under the LEADER programme.
179. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the process for a group of residents in a private development to receive grant assistance for upgrading a communal septic tank to a modern wastewater facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3338/16]
View answerDuring 2015, my Department established a working group involving key stakeholders in the rural water sector to address the development of the rural water sector within the overall water sector reform programme to ensure that the programme responds effectively to current and future needs. Local authorities, the Water Services Transition Office, Irish Water, the National Federation of Group Water Schemes as well as my Department are represented on the working group. One of the tasks of the group is to develop a multi-annual approach to targeting funding to meet priority needs of the sector.
The working group is also considering a number of areas where there are potential boundary issues with Irish Water or legacy issues which need to be addressed and new approaches in this area will be informed by a number of demonstration projects or pilot schemes, including ones relating to the provision of new group sewerage schemes by communities.
Earlier this month, my Department wrote to local authorities advising them of the new approach to the funding of group water and sewerage schemes for 2016 and beyond. This will ultimately lead to the development of appropriate prioritised lists of schemes for funding and a series of demonstration projects which will assist in further evolving the programme of investment. Details of the new multi-annual programme are available on my Department’s website at
http://www.environ.ie/en/Environment/Water/WaterServices/RuralWaterProgramme/.
It is now a matter for local authorities to decide on the prioritised list of group water and sewerage schemes to be funded in their respective areas and to submit their funding applications for the period 2016 to 2018 to my Department by 29 January 2016. Allocations for funding under the new multi-annual programme will be provided to local authorities in due course and following consideration of authorities' bids for funding.
In addition, my Department, as part of a wider overhaul of the taking in charge process, has sought to determine the number of residential developments with developer-provided stand-alone wastewater treatment plants and/or water treatment systems which are not connected to public water or waste water networks. Many of the developments in question have not yet been taken in charge by the relevant local authority because they are unfinished. In some cases the developments may be completed but not to the standards required under the planning permissions granted.
A pilot project was undertaken to identify the extent of problems arising from developer-provided water services infrastructure nationally, and to identify a range of possible solutions and the potential costs involved. The recommendations made by the pilot project’s Steering Group are currently informing the development, by my Department, of future policy in this area, including funding options, to address the problems arising from developer-provided water services infrastructure in order to remove impediments to the taking in charge of associated housing estates and, where appropriate, the transfer of such infrastructure to Irish Water.
