Tuesday, 14 Jun 2016

Written Answers Nos. 173-194

Defined Benefit Pension Schemes

Questions (173)

Clare Daly

Question:

173. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Finance if he is concerned that the administration, consultancy and actuarial services to the Central Remedial Clinic pension plan were all provided by the same organisation (details supplied) and that this organisation also owned the trustee of the plan, given the abrupt wind-up of a plan that the actuary had said in 2014 was on track to meet the minimum funding standard by 31 December 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15967/16]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

The governance and regulation of funded pension schemes are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Leo Varadkar. The specific issues raised in relation to the administration, consultancy and actuarial services to the Central Remedial Clinic Plan may be more appropriate for my colleague, the Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris, given that the Central Remedial Clinic (CRC) is funded by the Health Service Executive under Section 38 of the Health Act 2004. I have no role in relation to the CRC.

VAT Exemptions

Questions (174)

Michael McGrath

Question:

174. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will respond to a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) and his plans to introduce legislation concerning this. [15999/16]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

The legislative provisions for the charging of VAT and the entitlement to deduct VAT in respect of property transactions are provided for in the VAT Consolidation Act 2010 as amended.  

These provisions are completely independent of any Income Tax or Corporation Tax reliefs provided for in the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 as amended, including those reliefs relating to accelerated capital allowances for the construction of property in a "qualifying resort area".

The information provided by Deputy McGrath is not sufficient to enable me to comment on the application of VAT in this specific situation.  I am further advised that the person referred to in this correspondence should contact his local Revenue office directly and they will provide an analysis of the VAT implications of the property transactions. 

Banking Sector

Questions (175)

Seamus Healy

Question:

175. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Finance if he will insist that a bank and its subsidiary (details supplied) which are in majority State ownership desist from seeking repossession of family homes through the courts and withdraw all such existing applications before the courts; and in the event of the bank and its subsidiary refusing to comply, if he will call a special general meeting of shareholders and use his majority shareholding to dismiss and replace the directors who refuse to comply with his instruction. [16000/16]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

As the Deputy will be aware, I have no role in the day-to-day running of the banks in which the State is a shareholder. These institutions are run on an independent and commercial basis and the details of the formal relationship between my Department and these institutions are set out in the respective Relationship Framework Agreements, which can be found via the following links.

AIB: http://finance.gov.ie/sites/default/files/Allied-Irish-Banks1.pdf  

PTSB: http://finance.gov.ie/sites/default/files/Relationship%20Frameworks%20for%20the%20Irish%20Banks%20Irish%20Life%20and%20Permanent.pdf

In relation to the individual institutions referred to in "details supplied" Permanent TSB, Allied Irish Banks and its subsidiary EBS:   

AIB and Permanent TSB have informed me that they prioritise keeping customers in their homes. Repossession is a last resort. Repossessions of Home Loans are not frequent amounting to 183 and 118 for AIB and Permanent TSB respectively in 2015.  In comparison AIB and Permanent tsb have entered formal forbearance measures in respect of 29,514 and 28,532 Home Loans respectively at December 2015.

While there are some differences between the banks referred to, their processes are similar.

In cases where customers do not meaningfully engage or do not engage at all with the bank, reject the offer of a sustainable mortgage restructuring solution or do not prioritise their mortgage payment, both banks are likely to pursue enforcement through the court process.

It is important to note that the initiation of legal proceedings does not necessarily result in repossession and both banks seek to engage constructively with borrowers at all times.  Both banks offer a wide range of solutions and operate multiple engagement channels that facilitate the maximum possible levels of engagement with customers in difficulty.

Within the Programme for Government there are several policy proposals detailed which are being worked on at present. The objective of these proposals is to accelerate the restructuring of mortgage arrears cases and keep families in their homes in so far as possible.

Mortgage Interest Relief Extension

Questions (176)

James Lawless

Question:

176. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Finance if he plans to end or change the tax relief scheme for mortgage interest paid on a home loan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16041/16]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

The Deputy will be aware that Section 244 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provides for tax relief in respect of interest paid on qualifying home loans taken out on or after 1 January 2004 and on or before 31 December 2012, with relief being available until 31 December 2017. Mortgage interest relief has been abolished for homes purchased since 1 January 2013.

On foot of a change I introduced in Budget 2012, first-time buyers who bought at the height of the property boom between 2004 and 2008 receive a rate of mortgage interest relief of 30%. This 30% rate is scheduled to apply to these first-time buyers for the remaining years that mortgage interest relief continues to be available. In the absence of this change the mortgage interest relief available would have gradually reduced to a rate of 15%.

Single individuals, married couples and civil partners that are first-time buyers, qualify for mortgage interest relief for the first seven years of their mortgage up to a maximum interest ceiling of €10,000 and €20,000 respectively. Thereafter relief is restricted to ceilings of €3,000 and €6,000 respectively. 

The system of mortgage interest relief is designed and targeted in such a way that the relief is of greater value in the early years of a qualifying loan where the interest represents a greater proportion of the repayment.  Mortgage interest relief is of lesser value to individuals for whom repayments against principal make up a growing proportion of the overall repayment, as would generally be the case for those who move in to the eighth and subsequent years of their loans. It is worth noting that the application of the ceilings already work to reduce the relief available in a gradual manner. In addition, as the amount of interest payable reduces as a mortgage is paid down, the level of mortgage interest relief also reduces in tandem.

In the Programme for a Partnership Government there is a commitment to retain mortgage interest relief beyond the current end date of December 2017 on a tapered basis. The Deputy will note that the current end date is December 2017 and I will consider options for such tapering in due course.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (177, 178, 191)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

177. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of services provided by a group (details supplied) which include services for persons with special needs and counselling services for adults; and the action he will take to ensure this service is allowed to continue in Dublin 13 as the providers of the service have been requested to vacate the local school in whose premises the service is currently located. [15374/16]

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

178. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of services provided by a group (details supplied) which include services for persons with special needs and counselling services for adults; and the action he will take to ensure this service is allowed to continue in Dublin 13 as the providers of the service have been requested to vacate the local school in whose premises the service is currently located. [15375/16]

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

191. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills the action he will take to ensure a service (details supplied) is allowed to continue in Dublin 13 given that the service providers have been requested to vacate the local school where they are located. [15531/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 177, 178 and 191 together.

City of Dublin Education and Training Board (CDETB) provides funding for some of the services provided by the group in question. I am aware of the difficulties that have arisen in relation to accommodation and last week I requested CDETB to make contact with representatives of the group to discuss possible options.

School Accommodation

Questions (179)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

179. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills to intervene in the decision to terminate the licence of a local development and community group to operate from a school (details supplied), given the vital and broad-based range of services this outstanding local development and community centre provides to thousands of homes in Donaghmede parish in Dublin 13; to provide alternative and appropriate accommodation for this service in the event of such an intervention not being possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16021/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Board of Management is responsible for the direct governance of a school and for the use of school resources and facilities subject to the approval of the Patron. The giving of consent to the use of classrooms in a school is a matter for the Patron of the school.

My Department does not have a role relating to the agreement between the school and the group in question.

The City of Dublin Education and Training Board has been working with TARGET for a long time and has been providing further education and training in Donaghmede for more than 20 years. It was located in St. Kevin's school, Newbrook Road, Donaghmede, and it provides a wide range of courses. They include services that include counselling, child care and many community services. They also are supported in respect of adult education provision by the CDETB.

I am aware of the pressure of school enrolments on St. Kevin's junior school because it has experienced a 57% increase in the period between 2011 and 2015 and that trend is continuing. In that context, the school submitted an application in June 2015 to provide for the refurbishment of existing spaces to create two classroom-sized spaces to create a mainstream classroom and a resource room for special education. My Department examined and approved that application and the funding was provided.

I am aware of the difficulties that have arisen in relation to accommodation for the group and last week I requested CDETB to make contact with representatives of the group to discuss possible options.

School Transport

Questions (180)

Bobby Aylward

Question:

180. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills to introduce legislation to provide appropriate funding in order to have alarms fitted on all school buses that will notify the driver when a passenger is not wearing their seat belt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16051/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

I can assure the Deputy that the safety of children travelling on the school transport service is of paramount importance to my Department and to Bus Éireann, which operates the school transport scheme.

The Deputy will be aware that all dedicated school transport buses are now equipped with safety belts and children are required by law to wear these belts.

In contrast to the position where car drivers are concerned, bus drivers are not legally responsible for ensuring that passengers wear the seatbelt provided at all times, recognising the different operating circumstances and practicalities involved.

Apprenticeship Programmes

Questions (181)

Maurice Quinlivan

Question:

181. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to specifically target young persons in any new national apprenticeship scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16034/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Richard Bruton)

As the Deputy may be aware a comprehensive review of the Irish apprenticeship system was undertaken by an independent review group that reported in December 2013. The review group confirmed that a central feature of apprenticeship should continue to be that there is a requirement participants to be employed with an approved employer prior to registration as an apprentice.

The Apprenticeship Council is overseeing the expansion of the apprenticeship system into a range of new areas, following a call for proposals from employers and education and training providers. 25 proposals have been prioritised by the Council for development, with employers on a number of these new apprenticeships planning to recruit in 2016. Some of these apprenticeships will be suitable for young people entering the labour market for the first time and the Council is working with partners to ensure that information on these opportunities is made available as widely as possible.

Cóiríocht Scoile

Questions (182)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

182. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pearse Doherty den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna an bhfuil sé ar an eolas faoin drochstaid ina bhfuil foirgneamh scoile i gcontae Dhún na nGall (sonraí curtha ar fáil) agus an easpa lóistín chuí atá ar áitreabh na scoile; an gcuirfidh sé maoiniú breise ar fáil ionas go bhféadfaidh an scoil na fadhbanna seo a shárú. [15329/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Táim in ann a dheimhniú gur chuir an scoil dá dtagraíonn an Teachta iarratas isteach ar chóiríocht bhreise.

Tá an t-iarratas á measúnú faoi láthair agus cuirfear an cinneadh in iúl don údarás scoile a luaithe a bheidh an próiseas seo tugtha chun críche.

School Accommodation

Questions (183)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

183. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will grant additional accommodation to a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15364/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The school to which the Deputy refers was approved grant aid for 3 standalone classrooms and a WC for assisted users. This grant aid was subsequently increased in line with the Department's recently revised basic building costs.

The Department reviewed the case again recently in light of planning conditions and unforeseen site conditions. I am pleased to be able to tell the Deputy that further grant aid is being made available to the school to meet these costs. The school has been notified accordingly.

The school recently applied for further additional accommodation and this is under consideration. A response will issue to the school in this matter as quickly as possible.

School Accommodation

Questions (184, 202)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

184. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the opening of a preschool; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15365/16]

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

202. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application by a school (details supplied) which has applied to open a preschool on its premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15659/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 184 and 202 together.

I wish to advise the Deputy that, in general, school authorities have a considerable degree of autonomy in relation to how their premises are managed and utilised at local level. It should be noted that the vast majority of primary school buildings in the country are in private ownership, including the school referred to by the Deputy.

The Department has a general policy of encouraging the use of school facilities by community and other groups where this is possible. However, any proposal for the use of school facilities must be approved by the Patron/owner. I understand that the Patron/owner has not granted approval for the operation of a pre-school on the premises in question.

In 2005, the Department issued a circular to Trustees, Boards of Management and Principals of Primary and Voluntary Secondary Schools (Circular Letter Prim 16/05) to encourage Trustees and Boards of Management to make their facilities available where possible for community, education and recreation purposes. This circular recognises that the decision ultimately lies with the relevant Board or Trustees and that the first priority at all times should be the interest of the school, its teachers and pupils.

School Patronage

Questions (185)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

185. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of taking over the patronage of the primary school system, based on the cost per pupil of running the model schools. [15383/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

My Department does not directly fund school patrons. Changing the patronage of primary schools should not therefore impact on the day to day running costs of schools or their method of funding.

Primary schools are funded on a capitation based system. There is a standard capitation rate for all primary schools of €170 per pupil subject to a minimum payment of €10,200 for small schools of less than 60 pupils.

There are 9 model schools that vary in size. The cost of running the 9 model schools are dealt with on the basis of vouched expenditure under a budget based system. These costs can vary from school to school and from year to year depending on the needs of the school at that time. It would therefore be difficult to make an accurate comparison between the vouched expenditure and budget based system in the 9 model schools and the capitation based system in operation for all other primary schools.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (186)

Clare Daly

Question:

186. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of money his Department spent on purchasing copies of the Public Sector Times magazine in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15414/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

My Department did not spend any money purchasing copies of the Public Sector Times magazine in 2015.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (187)

Clare Daly

Question:

187. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of money spent on daily newspapers in 2015; if this is appropriate expenditure given the available and far cheaper online alternatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15430/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Information in respect of payments made from by my Department's administrative expenditure for the purchase of newspapers or magazines has been extracted from the Department's Financial Management System (FMS). The Deputy should note that it is not possible to identify the costs of daily newspapers separately.

Total expenditure in 2015 was € 8,959.58. A list of the publications purchased has been attached for the Deputy's information.

The expenditure on newspapers and magazines is kept to a minimum.

LIST OF CURRENT PUBLICATIONS

DAILY	WEEKLY	BI WEEKLY
IRISH TIMES X 5	ECONOMIST X 7	PHOENIX X 2
IRISH INDEPENDENT X 4	TIMES ED SUPPLEMENT X 3
IRISH EXAMINER X 4
DAILY STAR X 1
SUN X 1
DAILY MIRROR X 1
DAILY MAIL X 1
HERALD X 1

Departmental Staff Data

Questions (188, 190)

Clare Daly

Question:

188. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of staff working in his human resources section. [15446/16]

Clare Daly

Question:

190. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the changes in the numbers employed in his human resources section following the introduction of PeoplePoint. [15478/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 188 and 190 together.

There are currently 17.33 whole time equivalent (wte) staff employed in the Human Resources (HR) Unit of my Department across three locations, namely Athlone, Dublin and Tullamore. Of these, there are currently 3 wte staff on maternity/long-term sick leave.

Ministerial Staff

Questions (189)

Clare Daly

Question:

189. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of staff who work exclusively on constituency matters for him. [15462/16]

Under the terms of the Guidelines for the staffing of Ministerial Offices as published in July 2014 the number of staff at a Minister's Constituency office may not exceed 4. Presently, there are 3.6 staff assigned to the Minister's constituency office.

Question No. 190 answered with Question No. 188.

Question No. 191 answered with Question No. 177.

School Funding

Questions (192)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

192. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the grant and funding schemes available to assist the board of management of a school (details supplied) to purchase adjoining land for the purposes of a car park and school pitch; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15537/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I can confirm that an application has recently been received from the school referred to by the Deputy for financial assistance towards the cost of purchasing additional land, in order to extend the school site. This matter is being considered and my Department will be in contact with the school authorities in this regard shortly.

School Funding

Questions (193, 194)

Darragh O'Brien

Question:

193. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is aware that students in a school (details supplied) are unable to use the physical education hall due to the dangerous state of the floor, and that his Department has twice refused emergency grant applications to replace it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15552/16]

Darragh O'Brien

Question:

194. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills to approve emergency grant funding to replace the floor in the physical education hall at a school (details supplied) as a matter of urgency to facilitate much needed works being carried out over the summer 2016 school break; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15553/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 193 and 194 together.

The application from the school to which the Deputy refers is currently being re-considered. The Planning and Building unit of my Department will be in contact with the school directly when a decision has been taken in this matter.