Written Answers Nos. 139 -163
139. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cost to the Exchequer of decreasing the standard rate of Pay As You Earn by 1% and 2% respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19345/16]
View answer140. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cost to the Exchequer of decreasing the higher rate of pay as you earn, PAYE by 1% and 2% respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19346/16]
View answer141. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance the cost to the Exchequer of decreasing each of the rates of universal social charge, USC, by 0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75% and 1%, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19347/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 139 to 141, inclusive, together.
A Post-Budget 2016 Ready Reckoner is available on the Revenue Statistics webpage at http://www.revenue.ie/en/about/statistics/ready-reckoner.pdf. This Ready Reckoner shows a wide range of information including the cost and yield to the Exchequer of increasing and decreasing the various Income Tax and Universal Social Charge rates. While the Ready Reckoner does not show all of the specific costings requested by the Deputy, other changes can be estimated broadly on a pro-rata (or straight-line) basis with those displayed in the Reckoner.
All figures included in the Ready Reckoner are estimates for 2016, using the actual data for the year 2013 (the latest year for which data are available) adjusted as necessary for income, self-employment and employment trends in the interim. They are provisional and may be revised. A married couple or civil partners who have elected or have been deemed to have elected for joint assessment are counted as one tax unit.
142. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Finance why staff who have held temporary contracts on a rolling basis over a number of years in the Revenue Commissioners in Ennis, County Clare, are not being awarded permanent contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19348/16]
View answerI am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that temporary staff are employed on the basis of fixed-term contracts and are not employed on a rolling basis. Short term temporary staff are generally required due to the seasonal nature of some work in Revenue, including Ennis, and to cover staff availing of shorter working year during the period from June to end of August.
The Public Appointments Service (PAS) run competitions on an annual basis for Temporary Clerical Officer (TCO) positions across the Civil Service. Candidates who are successful are placed on an order of merit from which Revenue recruits temporary staff.
Revenue is not in a position to offer permanent employment when the fixed term contract expires. The recruitment and appointment of permanent staff in Revenue is regulated by the Commission for Public Service Appointments. All recruitment for permanent clerical positions in Revenue must be carried out in accordance with a licence granted by the Commission. The licence held by Revenue does not provide for the awarding of permanent contracts to these staff on the basis of their temporary employment. However, they are eligible to apply in the normal way for any open competitions being run by PAS or Revenue for the recruitment of permanent staff. In January 2014 Revenue ran a competition which enabled serving temporary Revenue staff, including those in Ennis, to fill a number of permanent posts. More recently, the Public Appointments Service held an open clerical officer competition which closed in June 2016. Temporary Revenue staff were eligible to apply for this competition. Revenue will recruit from this panel to fill permanent clerical officer positions as they arise.
143. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cost to the Exchequer of increasing the standard rate cut-off point for pay as you earn, PAYE, to €36,000 for a single person, €45,000 for a married couple or civil partners with one income, €70,000 for a married couple or civil partners, and €45,000 for a one parent family given that the current rate is significantly lower than a two adult household with one income and no other adult to assist with childcare duties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19418/16]
View answerThe Deputy also may be interested in the Post-Budget 2016 Ready Reckoner available on the Revenue Statistics webpage at http://www.revenue.ie/en/about/statistics/index.html. This Ready Reckoner shows a wide range of detailed information, including the estimated cost to the Exchequer when various tax bands including Single, Married One Earner and Married Two Earner are increased.
In relation to the element of the Deputy's question regarding an increase in the standard rate band for a one-parent family, it has been assumed for the purposes of this reply that the Deputy is referring to individuals who qualify for the Single Person Child Carer Credit (SPCCC), a tax credit available to a single person who is the primary carer of one or more children. A person who qualifies for the SPCCC is also entitled to an €4,000 extension in the standard rate band, which increases the rate band from €33,800 to €37,800. The estimated first and full year cost to the Exchequer of increasing this specific band to €45,000 is in the order of €19.6 million and €26.6 million respectively.
The Deputy may wish to note that a standard rate band system such as that outlined, allowing a €36,000 rate band for single individuals and €70,000 for a married couple or civil partners, would give rise to Constitutional issues. There is a Constitutional requirement, deriving from the Supreme Court decision in Murphy v. the Attorney General (1980), that a married couple must not have a greater tax liability than two single people living together and having the same income. For this reason the current maximum married two-earner band of €67,600 is double the value of the single band of €33,800.
All figures provided in the Ready Reckoner are estimates for 2016 incomes from the Revenue tax forecasting model using latest actual data for the year 2013, adjusted as necessary for income, self-employment and employment trends in the interim. They are provisional and may be revised.
144. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the position in relation to a State aid complaint made against the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) to the European Commission; his understanding of the nature of the complaint; the details of NAMA's engagement in the process to date; the role, if any, his Department has played in the preparation of NAMA's response to the complaint; if NAMA or his Department intends to publish the response submitted by NAMA; if he is confident of a decision in NAMA's favour; when a decision is expected on the matter; if any contingency plans are in place in the event of an unfavourable finding against NAMA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19565/16]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, NAMA announced in December 2015 that it could, subject to commercial viability, facilitate the delivery of up to 20,000 new residential units, on sites securing its loans, by 2020.
Subsequent to this, a complaint was submitted to the Competition Directorate of the European Commission (DG Comp) by a small number of property developers, alleging that there may be state aid implications to NAMA's proposal to fund commercially viable residential projects under the control of its debtors and receivers.
While it would not be appropriate to comment on the details of what is an ongoing DG Comp investigation, I would point out the following:
- NAMA intends to extend funding to willing NAMA debtors and receivers on commercial arms-length terms where there is an expectation that such funding will enhance NAMA's recovery on the loan. NAMA requires that the projected return resulting from the provision of additional funding must be the value maximising strategy for the asset and this is fully in accordance with Section 10 of the NAMA Act. This means NAMA will facilitate the funding of development of only those sites that are commercially viable and where site development will deliver a better recovery than the sale of the undeveloped site.
- The rates offered to NAMA debtors and receivers by NAMA are unrelated to NAMA's own cost of funding. Where NAMA provides funding to facilitate development by its debtors or receivers, it is provided at appropriate market rates of interest.
- NAMA and my Department are cooperating fully in their support of the Commission's work. As the primary relationship with the Commission is held by the State, the Department of Finance is fully involved with NAMA in a joint engagement with DG Comp.
- NAMA has produced detailed evidence regarding the complaint which the Department of Finance has provided to DG Comp to assist in its investigation. Department of Finance and NAMA officials also have met with DG Comp to discuss this evidence and DG Comp's questions in detail. Senior Department officials maintain an open dialogue with DG Comp as they progress their work.
- The clear intention of NAMA's residential funding initiative is to enhance returns over and above any other viable strategy, provide funding on terms comparable to those available elsewhere in the market and ensure there is no impact on competition more generally.
I understand that Commission officials continue to review submissions and information received from all parties and have not yet reached a preliminary determination on the complaint.
145. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Finance the number of staff employed in his Department's archive unit in each of the years 2010 to 2016 to date, in tabular form; his plans to expand this number; if there are protocol changes arising from changes to the national archive Acts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19616/16]
View answerBetween 2010 and 2014 there were no staff dealing with the archiving of records in my Department. 5 staff equating to 2.5 full time equivalents were engaged in archiving work in 2015 and there are now 4 full time staff engaged in such work in 2016. My Department has no plans to increase staffing levels further as they are considered satisfactory to carry out the required work.
I understand that there has not been any change to the National Archives legislation requiring the introduction of any new protocols or processes in respect of the management of archival records. My Department regularly engages with the National Archives on the management of the Department's archival records and in fulfilling its obligations under National Archives legislation.
146. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Finance if the Revenue Commissioners' office in Athlone is due to close on a permanent basis from 5 July 2016; if so, the contingency plans in place to deal with the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19631/16]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that there are no plans to close the Revenue Athlone office to the public on a permanent basis from today. A dedicated telephone line for the purposes of making appointments for attendance at the Athlone Revenue office is now in operation. This facilitates appointments on a basis agreed with the taxpayer, at a time that suits them, in each instance.
The deployment of resources to its compliance and customer service programmes is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners. I am advised by Revenue that they offer a range of service channels which are adapted to meet the changing demands of taxpayers. Over the last number of years the provision of high quality self-service, electronic and telephone service channels makes it easier for taxpayers to do their business efficiently, quickly and in the most cost effective way possible. This is evidenced by the fact that between 2011 and 2015 there was a 48% reduction in 'walk in' callers to the Athlone Revenue Office.
Revenue have advised me that the appointments service in the Athlone Office will be subject to ongoing monitoring and review. Taxpayers will continue to be provided with a flexible and responsive service to meet demand.
147. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the circumstances under which PermanentTSB must dispose of its holding in its Capital Home Loans buy-to-let subsidiary; the current value ascribed to this subsidiary in PermanentTSB's books; if he will provide more time for the bank to sell its holding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19704/16]
View answerPermanent TSB ("PTSB") has informed me that it no longer transacts new business in the UK and has been deleveraging its non-core UK based mortgage business. It has made significant progress in this regard, having sold GBP £2.5bn of UK Mortgages in 2015 in conjunction with its UK mortgage servicing platform, Capital Home Loans Limited ("CHL"). PTSB owns a further GBP £2.3bn of UK Mortgages which it also considers to be non-core and which it intends to deleverage.
The current restructuring plan approved for PTSB envisaged that the entire loan book would be sold by the end of June 2016 and required such a sale to take place if an offer in excess of 90% of the value of the loan book was received. However, despite considerable interest in the remaining unsold loans, as a result of the impact of the UK referendum vote on market confidence in H1 2016, no such offer was received and therefore a sale did not take place. Discussions are taking place with the European Commission on how to progress the deleverage of the remaining unsold loans in the future.
148. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance when he will extend the pilot scheme for micro-finance, which was set up in November 2015 with 30 credit unions involved and which was restricted to cash social protection customers who would repay the loan via the HB system which had a 97% satisfaction rate as confirmed by customers, to all social protection persons and families on low-incomes and roll it out to all credit unions, this being dependant upon the agreement of the Central Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19705/16]
View answerI think it important to note at the outset that credit unions already play an important ongoing role in making loans available to people on low incomes.
As regards to the Personal Microcredit Scheme, this was commenced on a pilot basis in November 2015 and 30 credit unions are involved in providing individual loans of between €100 and €2,000 with a maximum interest rate of 12% a year. The Programme for a Partnership Government contains a commitment to roll-out and extend the scheme.
The initiative is being led by the Department of Social Protection. In terms of extending the scheme, I understand that initial roadshow events have been held recently in Dublin, Cork and Athlone and I understand that so far there has been significant interest from credit unions considering joining the scheme.
The intention is to extend the geographical remit of the scheme by adding to the 30 credit unions which participated in the pilot, and to broaden the target audience.
I understand that roll-out to newly participating credit unions is expected to commence in the coming months, though it must be noted that the scheme is voluntary for individual credit unions.
149. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance when the Central Bank will authorise credit unions to deploy automatic teller machines and credit and debt card facilities, given that this has been subject to evaluation and assessment for up to four years in consultation with the Central Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19707/16]
View answerThe 1997 Act and related statutory instruments set out the services that a credit union may provide to its members. Where a credit union wishes to provide services to its members, in addition to the services that are provided for under the 1997 Act, an application may be made to the Central Bank for approval to provide such additional services in accordance with the provisions set out in sections 48-51 of the 1997 Act.
I have been informed by the Central Bank that it is supportive of credit unions developing additional services and it has indicated to credit unions that where they are considering offering debit card services to its members, the credit union should, in the first instance, contact the Registry of Credit Unions to inform them of any such proposals. Furthermore in respect of debit cards, the Central Bank states that it has been clear in its engagement with credit unions and other stakeholders who are seeking to offer this service, that it must be supported by the appropriate payment account service. Consequently a full service payment account service has been recently developed by the Registry of Credit Unions in conjunction with a group of credit unions to allow eligible credit unions to offer these accounts and associated payment instruments such as debit cards. This service is subject to formal application and approval as an additional service under sections 48 to 51 of the Credit Union Act 1997. To date no credit union has been approved for a full service payment account, however the Central Bank is currently at an advanced stage with a number of applications.
I have been further informed by the Central Bank that the provision of Automatic Teller Machine services to credit union members does not require regulatory approval and has been an exempt service since 2004 (SI 223 of 2004). A large number of credit unions have not sought to exercise this option. Regarding credit cards, there has been no engagement from individual credit unions, representative bodies or other stakeholders in respect of credit cards, nor has this area ever been highlighted as a business priority.
150. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance the meetings he has held since January 2015 to date with the chief executive officers, chairpersons and chief financial officers of Allied Irish Banks, Bank of Ireland, Ulster Bank, Permanent TSB, Educational Building Society and KBC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19725/16]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate that my officials and I regularly meet at various levels with representatives of the banks. Based on a reasonable search of the material available in my Department in respect of the question asked, the information below sets out the meetings held.
The Deputy will be aware that I met at senior management level with the main banks listed in May and September of 2015 on the issue of standard variable rate mortgages. (EBS was discussed at the meeting with AIB.)
In addition, I met the CEO of PTSB in March 2015 and the CEO of AIB in May 2015.
These meetings do not include informal discussions in the margins of other events/engagements.
151. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Finance if he has discussed the issues in the charity Console with the Revenue Commissioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19732/16]
View answerI am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that for reasons of taxpayer confidentiality it cannot comment on individual cases.
By way of general comment, Revenue is responsible for administering the Charitable Tax Exemption scheme in accordance with Section 207 and the Donations to Approved Bodies scheme, insofar as it relates to charities, in accordance with Section 848A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997.
Revenue's role in relation to Section 207 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 is restricted to ensuring that Charitable Tax Exempt status is granted to bodies or trusts that are established solely for charitable purposes and to ensuring continued compliance with the terms of the relevant governing instrument under which entitlement was originally granted. Revenue carries out ongoing reviews of charities to ensure continued compliance with the terms and conditions as set down and can withdraw the entitlement where non-compliance is uncovered.
Section 848A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provides for a scheme of tax relief on donations to eligible charities and other approved bodies. The list of approved bodies for the purposes of Section 848A, which includes eligible charities, bodies approved for education in the arts and eligible primary, secondary and third level institutions, is available on the Revenue website at www.revenue.ie.
Revenue has no role to play in the overall regulation of charities, which is the remit of the Charities Regulator. The Revenue Commissioners administer the charitable tax exemption scheme and the tax relief scheme for donations to eligible charities and other approved bodies, which includes vetting and processing applications from bodies claiming exemption from tax on the basis that they are charities. The role also includes monitoring such bodies once they have been granted the exemption to ensure that the relevant terms and conditions continue to be fulfilled.
152. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance to provide a recalculation of the fiscal space available over the next five years based on the figures noted in the information box on the possible economic impact of a British exit from the European Union in the Summer Economic Statement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19741/16]
View answerThe Summer Economic Statement (SES) included a macroeconomic assessment of the impact of a UK decision to leave the European Union. This decision will have an adverse impact on the growth outlook. In this context, the more traditional exporting sectors are particularly exposed, especially to bilateral euro sterling exchange rate developments. My Department's initial estimate, based on the assessment in the SES, is that GDP growth could be about 0.5% lower than projected in 2017.
The fiscal space of just under €1 billion for 2017 set out in the Summer Economic Statement is not expected to change very much because the factors used to calculate it are largely fixed at this stage.
Looking to 2018 and beyond, the estimates of fiscal space depend on the impact on our macroeconomic and fiscal position. At this point, it is far too early to speculate on the potential impacts.
As noted in the Summer Economic Statement, the Department of Finance will prepare a full macroeconomic projection in advance of Budget 2017 in October, and this will include updated estimates of economic growth, the public finances and the fiscal space, taking account of developments up to that time, including the UK decision.
However, it is important to note that there is uncertainty around many aspects of the impact of the UK decision, and particularly the economic and fiscal impact.
As you are aware, a whole-of-government contingency framework has been put in place in response to the UK vote, within which key policy issues, including economic developments, will continue to be tracked and the Budget 2017 forecasts will be a critical part of that process.
Finally, the prudent economic and fiscal policies implemented over recent years have placed Ireland in a stronger position to weather this shock. Our economy is growing strongly, employment has increased for 14 successive quarters, unemployment has fallen to 7.8%, the deficit this year is expected to be 0.9%, and the debt has fallen from a peak of 120% to an expected 88% at the end of this year. The Government is confident that our economy is resilient and that appropriate economic and fiscal policies are in place to deal with the challenges arising.
153. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance how the loan-to-income and loan-to-value rules under the Central Bank's macro-prudential lending rules interact with each other; if there is a formula in place that limits the leeway for exceptions that can be used under one rule at the expense of the other; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19784/16]
View answerThe Central Bank of Ireland has advised me that there is no restriction on the interaction between the loan to value (LTV) and the loan to income (LTI) residential mortgage lending macro prudential rules. For principal dwelling home mortgage lending, up to 15% of new lending is allowed above the LTV thresholds and up to 20% of new lending is allowed above the LTI threshold. The Central Bank does not prescribe how the lending above the LTV and LTI limits thresholds should take place. This is a matter for banks' own credit standards and lending policies.
It should be noted that the macro prudential policies as set out by the Central Bank are complementary to micro-prudential regulation and to lenders' own risk management practices and are not a substitute for lenders' own credit risk assessments and decisions. In addition, lenders will also be required to comply with the requirements of Consumer Protection Code and other consumer protection measures when considering and making decisions on applications for mortgage credit.
154. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Finance the number of additional public sector staff hired in his Department over and above those who had retired or left the service, that is, new positions only as and from 31 December 2010, broken down for each of the years 2011 to 2016, to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20143/16]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, there has been significant restructuring in my Department during the years 2011 to 2016.
In 2011 the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform was established resulting in a significant proportion of my staff and functions transferring to that Department. In addition, following recommendations of the report of The Independent Review Panel on Strengthening the Capacity of the Department of Finance (The Wright Report) being implemented, additional resources were added to expand the skill set of the Department. 2014 and 2015 also saw the formation of a Shared Services model whereby a number of my staff and functions were transferred out of my Department. All of these circumstances have led to a significant evolution in the structure of my Department.
This period therefore has seen my Department adapt, realign and enhance our resources in order to achieve our goals, facilitated by the development of an integrated business planning process, which ensures that resources are directed towards key priorities. The period has also seen continued investment in the roll-out of our ICT strategy as a key enabler to introduce innovation to and transform the way in which we work.
Furthermore, on an ongoing basis, in order to ensure my Department reaches its objectives, resource reviews are undertaken ensuring goals are met and resources are fully maximised.
For all of these reasons it would not be accurate to analyse the large volume of movements purely on a substitution basis.
155. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education and Skills the changes to the eligibility criteria on accessing funds under the scheme established by the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012 which have been put in place since its establishment; if changes to the qualifying criteria take effect after June 2016; if difference exists in the qualifying criteria pre and post June 2016; if changes to the qualifying criteria exist; the changes in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19130/16]
View answerCaranua, the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board, is an independent statutory body established pursuant to the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012. It is the Board of Caranau, which is representative of survivors, that would have approved the changes to the eligibility criteria for accessing funds. I have asked Caranua to respond directly to the Deputy concerning the changes this matter.
156. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has taken any steps to provide school transport for children in emergency accommodation which is located far away from their schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19197/16]
View answerThe purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
Under the terms of my Department's Scheme children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 3.2 or 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school or post primary centre as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. Children who are not eligible for school transport may avail of transport on a concessionary basis subject to a number of conditions which are detailed in the scheme.
The school transport eligibility of children in emergency accommodation is considered in conjunction with Bus Éireann which operates the school transport scheme on behalf of the Department.
157. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of restoring entry level pay scales to pre-financial emergency measures in the public interest levels, that is, equal pay for newly qualified teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19344/16]
View answerAs a consequence of the financial crisis, there was a need to enact a number of measures to reduce public expenditure so as to stabilise the country's public finances. A previous Government reduced the salaries and allowances payable to all new entrants to public service recruitment grades by 10% with effect from 1 January 2011. This decision also required that such new entrants would start on the first point of the applicable salary scale, which in the case of teachers had the effect of reducing their starting pay by a further 4-5%. Later in 2011, the Government placed a cap on the overall level of qualification allowances that could be earned by teachers.
Subsequently in 2012, following the public service-wide review of allowances, the Government withdrew qualification allowances for new teachers altogether. However, the Government partially compensated for this by deciding that new entrant teachers would henceforth commence on a new salary scale which had a starting point higher than the starting point of the old scale.
In respect of teachers, the estimated cost of reversing the decision to withdraw qualification allowances from post-1 February 2012 entrant teachers is approximately €16 million per annum. In addition, the estimated cost of restoring all post-1 January 2011 entrant teachers (who have been recruited up to June 2016) to the pre-2011 pay scale arrangements is approximately €44 million per annum.
The cost figures set out above are inclusive of teachers on my Department's main payroll, substitute teachers, Employers' PRSI and include an estimated cost in respect of teachers in Education and Training Board schools. They do not include the cost of removing the cap on qualification allowances because a precise calculation of this would depend on the qualifications held by those individual teachers.
The Government has committed to establishing a Public Service Pay Commission to examine pay levels across the Public Service, including entry pay levels. The terms of reference and timescale for the Commission's work are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and would require broad consultation, including engagement with staff representatives as was committed to in the Lansdowne Road Agreement. The teacher unions have made it clear to my Department that this is an issue of major concern to them.
158. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the entitlements of a person (details supplied) under SI 654 of 2004, Maternity Protection, Protection of Mothers Who Are Breastfeeding Regulations 2004. [19372/16]
View answerMy Department's Circular 0017/2013 covers the Maternity Protection entitlements, including provision for breastfeeding, for Special Needs Assistants (SNA) in Recognised Primary and Post-Primary Schools.
Special Needs Assistants are entitled to take maternity leave in the same way as all other employees in the State that is, 26 weeks paid leave and 16 weeks additional unpaid leave. Paragraph 14.1 of Circular 0017/2013 states:
" Within a twenty six week period after the birth of the child, a special needs assistant who has returned to work is entitled to one hour per day for the purpose of breastfeeding. The time off, without loss of pay, may be taken as follows:
(a) one break of 60 minutes, or
(b) two breaks of 30 minutes each, or
(c) three breaks of 20 minutes each.
The entitlement's as contained in paragraph 14.1 of Circular 0017/2013 are in accordance with the Maternity Protection, Protection of Mothers Who Are Breastfeeding Regulations 2004.
159. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider the provision of an allowance in respect of a health course (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19440/16]
View answerThe position is that the third level institutions 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.
Students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the third level institution attended.
160. Deputy Michael D'Arcy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a person (details supplied) is allowed complete another academic year in a school in September 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19487/16]
View answerI wish to advise that the policy of my Department is that children with special educational needs, including children with autism, should be included, where possible and appropriate, in mainstream school placements with additional supports provided. In circumstances where children with special educational needs require more specialised interventions, special school or special class places are also available.
All children enrolled in an Early Intervention Class funded by this Department must have left the class and be enrolled in the primary school system, whether through placement in a mainstream class, in a special class or in a special school, in the September prior to their sixth birthday.
Parents can choose which school to apply to and, where the school has places available, the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available a selection process may be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.
The NCSE have advised that the child referred to by the Deputy has been enrolled in an ASD class in a school other than that referred to by the Deputy for the next school year 2016/17.
Parents who may need advice or assistance in transitioning their child to primary school should contact their local SENO. All schools have the contact details of their local SENO and further contact details are available on www.ncse.ie.
161. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills how he will work with his colleague the Minister with responsibility for regional development, rural affairs, arts and the Gaeltacht to ensure that parents can access second level education through Irish, especially in areas with proven demand for Gaelscoileanna. [19818/16]
View answerThe Minister for Regional Development, Rural Affairs, the Arts and the Gaeltacht and her officials are briefed on education matters as they relate to the Gaeltacht and in particular as they relate to the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language and the Gaeltacht Act 2012. The Government has set out its commitments to the Gaeltacht and to the Irish language in the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish language 2010 – 2030. The Policy on Gaeltacht Education 2017 -2022 is a key commitment by the Department of Education and Skills to the Twenty Year Strategy.
In relation to school provision nationwide, my Department is focused on ensuring that all schools in an area can between them cater for all students seeking a school place. In this regard, my Department uses a Geographical Information System (GIS) to identify the areas under increased demographic pressure nationwide. The system uses a range of data sources in carrying out nationwide demographic exercises to determine where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary levels. The outcome of the 2015 demographic exercises, based on the GIS, was the announcement in November 2015 of the establishment of four new primary schools and nine new post-primary schools to open in 2017 and 2018 to cater for increased demographic needs.
After it is decided that a new school is required, a separate patronage process is conducted to establish who will run the school. In April this year, my Department issued an invitation to school patron bodies and prospective patron bodies to apply for the patronage of the nine new post-primary schools to open in 2017 and 2018. The criteria used in relation to patronage of new schools places particular emphasis on parental demand for plurality and diversity, with parental preferences at the centre of the process. In this regard, as part of the application process, prospective patrons must submit completed parental preferences, including whether parents wish their child(ren) to be educated through the medium of Irish or of English.
The closing date for receipt of applications to my Department was 8th June and my Department is currently in the process of assessing the applications received as part of the patronage process for the nine new schools. Following completion of this analysis, my Department will prepare detailed assessment reports in relation to each of these new schools based on the applications received, for the consideration of the New Schools Establishment Group (NSEG), which will then submit a report with recommendations to me for consideration and final decision.
162. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has liaised with the Minister with responsibility for regional development, rural affairs, arts and the Gaeltacht on the development of contemporary art education at primary and second level in Irish schools. [19824/16]
View answerThe Arts in Education Charter, launched in 2013, has been a landmark development in relation to the promotion of arts education and arts in education in Ireland. The Charter is an initiative of my Department, the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, working in association with the Arts Council. My Department is involved in ongoing liaison with the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht on the implementation of the Arts in Education Charter objectives in schools. The Programme for a Partnership Government also recognises the Charter as providing an unprecedented opportunity for children and young people to engage in a proactive and meaningful way with arts in education in Ireland and commits to its implementation. Good progress has been made on implementation of the Charter objectives, as set out below under a number of key headings.
A - The Arts in Education Portal (www.artsineducation.ie): Ireland's first Arts in Education Portal, the key national digital resource for arts in education in Ireland and a major resource for arts education in Irish schools, was launched in May 2015. Since its launch up to the end of March 2016, there have been 18,145 visitors (per session) with 43,295 page views, an average of nearly 4,000 page views per month. A celebration and demonstration of the success of the Portal formed part of the National Arts in Education Day, held at The Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) on 23rd April 2016.
B - Teacher – Artist Partnership as a model for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) initiative: An important development is the more focused attention to helping artists and teachers to develop together their understanding, expertise and creative pitch for arts in education work for children at different age levels. A significant initiative in this regard was the initiation in 2014 by the Charter Group of a pioneering programme of joint teacher - artist collaboration in continuing professional development. The scheme, 'Exploring Teacher Artist Partnership as a Model of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for Supporting and Enhancing Arts Education', commenced in 2014. It is intended that the Education Centres, responsible for local delivery of national programmes of teacher professional development on behalf of my Department, will have the capacity to implement this model locally and regionally into the future. This will be possible through strategic planning involving collaboration and co-operation with the various Local Authority Arts Offices, art organisations, educational institutions and school communities.
C - Artists in Residencies in Higher Education Institutions: Significant developments regarding arts in education for initial teacher education have also been taking place. Higher education institutions, particularly colleges of education, have been extending their offerings of arts in education courses and experience for student teachers. The provision of a set of 'artists in residency' bursaries by the Arts Council, for such institutions, has been a major boost to this work.
D - Artists-Schools Guidelines: The Artists-Schools Guidelines were originally published in 2006. A number of changes have occurred in the arts in education landscape in Ireland since the Guidelines were first published. A significant change arising from the Charter is the launch of a national digital resource for the arts in education at www.artsineducation.ie. Given this changing landscape, the Arts Council, on behalf of the Implementation Group of the Arts in Education Charter, is currently reviewing the Artists-Schools Guidelines to examine whether and how they should be updated to continue to act as a useful resource.
E - ARIS – Arts Rich Schools: The Arts in Education Charter charges the Arts Council, in co-operation with the Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht and my Department, with the promotion of Arts Rich Schools (ARIS). According to the Charter – 'ARIS will incentivise and recognise those schools (primary and post-primary) which in a range of ways make the arts a key part of school life and place the arts centrally within the life of the school community affecting pupils primarily but also teachers, parents, other staff and community. A working group is assisting with the development of Arís and the development of a feasible implementation plan for a first phase of Arts over three years (2017-2019).
F - Music Generation: The Music Generation initiative is co-ordinated and managed by Music Generation Ltd. through its National Development Office. Between 2010 and 2015, 11 Music Generation Music Education Partnerships (MEPs) were established as part of Phase 1 of the initiative, with the aim to provide non-mainstream vocal and instrumental music tuition for young people. In 2015, Music Generation Ltd. announced Phase 2 of the initiative during which up to 9 additional new MEPs will be established over the period from 2016 up to 2020. Initial funding for 50% of Phase 1 of the Music Generation initiative came from philanthropic sources with the remaining 50% funding from MEPs, with the Exchequer taking up 50% funding after 3 years. Phase 2 will similarly funded.
G - Non-mainstream Music Education Bursary Scheme: The Department of Education and Skills also established the new Non-mainstream Music Education Bursary Scheme in February 2016, worth €50,000. The Purpose of the scheme is to provide support by way of a cash grant to established, smaller-scale, non-mainstream music education/community music initiatives with limited or no access to other forms of public funding.
H - School Policies: The Charter envisages that schools, in their school policies and plans, shall incorporate arts in education opportunities as an important aspect of enriching the curriculum and the wider life of the school. Schools will be assisted by my Department in this aspect of their school planning and self-evaluation. Making provision for arts in education practice will also be reflected in the design and equipping of school buildings. The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment has also established reciprocal partnership with the Arts Council in the promotion of the arts in schools, as set out in the Charter.
Implementation of the Arts in Education Charter is overseen by an Implementation Group, chaired by Professor John Coolahan. The group reports bi-annually to me and the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. The group presents bi-annual report to both the Department of Education and Skills and the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
163. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of customers of a bank (details supplied) who have credit cards with an affinity to each of the universities, National University of Ireland Galway, Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, University College Cork, University of Limerick, and National University of Ireland Maynooth, listed separately; the amount of money the bank donated to each university and or the universities’ alumni funds, under this affinity scheme, in each of the years 2013 to 2015, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19059/16]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is not available in my Department. Officials of my Department have asked the Higher Education Authority to request the information from the Universities and I will arrange for it to be sent to the Deputy as soon as possible.
