Thursday, 7 Jul 2016

Written Answers Nos. 96-110

IBRC Liquidation

Questions (96)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

96. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the cost of the special liquidation of IBRC to date; and the estimated final cost. [20337/16]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

The costs associated with the Special Liquidation from the 7th February 2013 to 31st December 2015 were €179,560,000 (net of rebates).  Of this, €95,470,000 related to fees for work carried out by KPMG SL Team and KPMG migration, €32,501,000 to A & L Goodbody Solicitors and €18,969,000 to Linklaters Solicitors for legal work carried out. There were other professional advisors costs that amounted to €18,017,000 for this period and other legal advisors costs were €14,603,000.

The Special Liquidators agreed the following rebates which are included in the figures outlined above:

Special Liquidators	€
KPMG	€5,000,000
A & L Goodbody	€2,706,000
Linklaters	€261,000
Total rebates	€7,967,000

A summary of the Special Liquidation fees to 31 December 2015 can be found on page 61 of the latest progress update report which can be found on the Department of Finance website: http://www.finance.gov.ie/sites/default/files/Progress%20update%20report_31%20Dec%202015_0.pdf.

I am advised by the Special Liquidators that it is not possible for them at this time to confirm or estimate the final cost of the liquidation as there remains a number of tasks in the liquidation to be completed including the on-going management of over 350 legal cases, the completion of the creditor adjudication process, the work with the Commission of Investigation, the management of the remaining loan book and the realisation of all remaining assets.

Consultancy Contracts Data

Questions (97)

Robert Troy

Question:

97. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Finance to provide, per annum, all external consultant reports commissioned by his Department since March 2011, in tabular form; the costs per report; the company involved; the title of the report and the publication date. [20346/16]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table.

Company	External Consultant Report	Cost	Year	Published
Red C	SME Lending Survey October 2015 - March 2016	€58,979.00	2016	Published - June 2016**
Dr Don Thornhill	Review of Local Property Tax	Nil	2015	Published - October 2015
ESRI	Tax breaks and the residential property market	€30,677.43	2015	Published - October 2015
IBFD	Spillover analysis of the effects of the Irish tax system on the economies of developing countries	€94,678.00	2015	Published - October 2015
Indecon	Review of marine taxation	€106,887.00	2015	Published - October 2015^
Red C	SME Lending Survey May 2015 - October 2015	€58,979.00	2015	Published September 2015**
John Martin	Assessment of special regeneration areas for the Living City Initiative	€2,500.00	2015	Not published. Used as input to the decisions made on the special regeneration areas. The details of these areas were published when the Living City Initiative was launched.
Antaris Consulting	The provision of a review of the current Health and Safety Arrangements within the Department of Finance and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The final objectives are to update the Health and Safety Management Systems within both Departments in order to build on existing Health and Safety culture and practices within both Departments	€16,113.00	2015	Published internally - December 2015
Red C Research & Marketing Ltd	SME Lending Survey November 2014 - April 2015	€58,978.50	2015	Published - April 2015**
Indecon	Cost benefit analysis of Irish Agri-taxation measures and international benchmark against other Agri-taxation incentives	€103,689.00	2014	Published - October 2014
Seamus Coffey	Effective rates of corporation tax in Ireland	€4,900.00	2014	Published - April 2014
ESRI	Importance of tax policy in the location choices of multinationals	€30,750.00	2014	Published - October 2014
ESRI	Research Programme on funding for Small, Medium Enterprises	€122,833.96	2014	Published - October 2014
Ernst & Young	The historical development and international context of the Irish corporate tax system	€6,150.00	2014	Published - October 2014
Red C Research & Marketing Limited	SME Lending Survey April-October 2014	€58,978.50	2014	Published - November 2014**
Red C Research & Marketing Limited	SME Lending Survey October-March 2014	€58,978.50	2014	Published - June 2014**
MKF Property Services	Review of existing facilities management processes	€28,720.50	2014	Published - June 2014
PMCA  Economic Consulting	Assistance and Analysis in the Preparation of the Medium-Term Economic Strategy 2014-2020	€49,043.00	2013	Final report submitted to the Department of Finance on 6 December 2013.  It was not published because it was commissioned to provide evidence-based economic analysis as an input to the MTES. This analysis is reflected in the text of the MTES.
Crowe Horwath	Report to Department in respect of a survey of R&D Active Companies 2013	€36,850.80	2013	Published
Indecon	Ex ante cost benefit analysis of proposed Living City Initiative	€28,290.00	2013	Published
Red C Research & Marketing Limited	SME Lending Survey October-March 2013	€59,593.50	2013	Published**
Red C Research & Marketing Limited	SME Lending Survey April-September 2013	€58,978.50	2013	Published**
Mercer (Ireland) Limited	Remuneration Review of Covered Institutions	€146,370.00	2013	Published
Deloitte & Touche	External Review of the Compilation of General Government Debt Statistics	€ 61,553.00	2012	Published
BDO and Amárach	(a) Survey of audio-visual producers (b) Review on international review of audio-visual state supports	€64,575.00	2012	Published
Grant Thornton	Assessment of Credit Review Office	€31,807.80	2012	Published
Mazars	SME Lending Survey October-March 2012	€60,885.00	2012	Published**
Mazars	SME Lending Survey April-September 2011	€52,453.50	2011	Published**
Red C Research & Marketing Limited	SME Lending Survey April-September 2012	€61,438.50	2012	Published**
Charles River Associates	Acquisition by AIB of EBS Building Society	€50,000.00	2011	Published

 **Reimbursed by AIB & Bank of Ireland

^50% of the cost of the review was paid by the other members of the Marine Review Steering Group, namely the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Department of Tourism, Transport and Sport and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.

This table does not include costs associated with the Department's research programme with the ESRI on Taxation and the Macroeconomy.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (98)

Robert Troy

Question:

98. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Finance the total photography costs per annum for his Department since coming to office, inclusive of costs incurred from the use of the ministerial allowance, in tabular form; the list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department. [20376/16]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

In response to the Deputy's question, there have been no photography costs incurred by my Department since my appointment as Minister for Finance to the 32nd Dáil.

The Department's policy regarding the booking of photographers is to follow the relevant public procurement guidelines and procedures.

Public Relations Contracts Data

Questions (99)

Robert Troy

Question:

99. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Finance to provide a list, broken down per annum, on the use of external public relations firms employed by his Department since coming into office, in tabular form; the external public relations firms used; to outline the internal departmental policy with regard to employing external groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20391/16]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

I take it that the Deputy is referring solely to external public relations and not to advertising that would be incurred by my Department in the normal course of business, such as entries into telephone directories, the placing of advertisements in national newspapers, recruitment advertising, etc.

No new Public Relations firms have been employed in my Department since my coming into office in May 2016. However, an ongoing contract which commenced in October 2015 is currently drawing to a close, details below:

Year	Use of external Public Relations Firms	Appointment
2015 - 2016	Following a Government decision in May 2015, Carr Communications were engaged to provide public relations consultancy expertise and work with stakeholder Departments and agencies on the development of a communications campaign to encourage greater engagement of borrowers in mortgage arrears.	Carr Communications was the successful tenderer following a public procurement exercise.

The Department's policy regarding employing external groups is to follow the relevant public procurement rules and procedures.

Teacher Recruitment

Questions (100)

Martin Heydon

Question:

100. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider lifting the moratorium on the appointment of year heads in secondary schools, which would be seen as a positive move by teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20116/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

When the moratorium on the filling of posts of responsibility was introduced in 2009, the Government exempted Principal and Deputy Principal posts in all primary and post-primary schools. These posts continue to be replaced in the normal manner. The impact of the moratorium was therefore limited to the Assistant Principal and Special Duties posts of responsibility.

There are limited alleviation arrangements in place for schools that are acutely affected by the impact of the moratorium at Assistant Principal level. These arrangements are mainly focused at post-primary level. However, it is fair to say that before the moratorium, notwithstanding the fact that one out of every two teachers held a management allowance the workload issue and the pressures on Principals and Deputy Principals existed.

It is widely accepted that the quality of school leadership is a key determinant of school effectiveness and the achievement of good learning outcomes. Indeed international research indicates that school leadership is second only to classroom teaching as an influence on pupil learning. Therefore my Department, in consultation with the representative school management bodies has commenced an exploration of the opportunities to support school leaders and how their needs might be addressed.

The recently established Centre for School Leadership (CSL) is a collaboration between my Department and the representative professional bodies for school principals. It has been created to offer professional and practical support to schools leaders. This support structure for leadership teams in schools will attempt to ensure that school leaders have opportunities to access, share and create knowledge and experience within their leadership roles.

The work of the Centre draws on best international practice and research in the professional development of school leaders. Priorities for the Centre include a new postgraduate qualification for aspiring school leaders, a mentoring programme for newly appointed school principals, coaching support for serving principals who are facing new challenges in the role, a review and alignment of leadership programmes with Department standards and the development of a quality assurance framework for leadership provision.

In addition my Department will shortly publish Looking at Our School 2016, a quality framework for schools which is designed to support the efforts of teachers and school leaders, as well as the school system more generally, to strive for excellence in our schools.

In Budget 2016 and as part of the 2,260 additional teaching posts announced in that budget, 250 posts were provided to second level schools to enable Deputy Principals to be freed from teaching time and be more fully available for leadership in schools. Thus with effect from 01 September 2016, second level schools with over 400 students will receive an allocation that will bring those schools in line with the schools that have over 500 pupils where the Deputy Principal is fully freed up for leadership in the school. A pro rata allocation of additional hours to support school leadership will also be provided to the schools with 400 or fewer students enrolled.

Autism Support Services

Questions (101)

Michael McGrath

Question:

101. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the specific provision made for children with autistic spectrum disorders and the number of places available in autistic spectrum disorder units in mainstream schools and in special schools at primary level and at secondary level in Cork city and county, by school, in tabular form. [20322/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Deputy will be aware that this Government is committed to ensuring that all children with Special Educational Needs, including those with autism, can have access to an education appropriate to their needs, preferably in school settings through the primary and post-primary school network.

Such placements facilitate access to individualised education programmes which may draw from a range of appropriate educational interventions, delivered by fully qualified professional teachers, with the support of Special Needs Assistants and the appropriate school curriculum.

There are approximately 14,000 students with ASD in the school system.

- 63% are educated in mainstream classes

- 23% are educated in special classes in mainstream primary and post-primary schools; and

- 4% are educated in special schools.

We now have the highest level of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support, Resource Teaching allocations and Special Class provision that we have ever had, which will ensure that children with special educational needs including Autism can continue to participate in education and be supported in a manner appropriate to their needs.

I recently announced that from September next 12,900 Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) will be available for allocation to primary and secondary schools, which is 860 more posts, or a 7% increase in the number of posts which were available last year. In total, the number of SNA posts available has increased by almost 22% from 10,575 posts, available in 2011. About 69% of all students with ASD access SNA support.

In addition, there are currently over 11,800 learning support and Resource Teacher posts in mainstream primary and post-primary schools providing additional teaching support to pupils with special educational needs. About 25% of all resource teaching posts are allocated for ASD.

In respect of children with ASD who cannot be accommodated in mainstream education, they may be enrolled in special classes or special schools where more intensive and supportive interventions are provided.

The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for allocating resource teachers and special needs assistants to schools to support students with Special Educational Needs, including Autism.

It is also the role of the NCSE to make appropriate arrangements to establish special classes in schools in communities where the need for such classes has been identified.

Special classes within mainstream schools are intended for children who, by virtue of their level of Special Educational Needs, cannot reasonably be educated in a mainstream class setting, but who can still attend their local school in a special class with a lower pupil–teacher ratio of 6:1 at primary level and 6:1.5 at post-primary level, and also have Special Needs Assistant support normally amounting to 2 SNAs for a class of 6 children.

Progress in developing this network has been significant and in addition to the special school placements there are currently over 1,000 special classes throughout the country at primary and post-primary level of which 765 are for children with Autism.

The NCSE recently published a list of special classes for the 2016/17 school year. In total there will be 1,153 special classes available next year, which is an increase of over 100% in the number of special classes which were available in 2011, which was 548.

The NCSE has advised that for the coming school year there will be 127 early intervention classes, 525 primary ASD classes and 237 post-primary ASD classes, which represents an increase of approx. 16% on 2015/16 classes for children with autism.

Of these there will be 145 ASD classes in Cork City and County, including 24 Early Intervention Classes for children who are not yet school going age, 80 primary school classes and 41 at post-primary level in mainstream schools. 18 of these classes are new classes due to open in September 2016, 11 in primary schools and 7 in post-primary schools. This will result in the provision of 144 places in early intervention classes, 480 places for primary school pupils and 246 places for post-primary pupils.

Details of all special classes for children with special educational needs, including those in Cork City and County, are available on www.ncse.ie in county order, with new classes identified.

School Admissions

Questions (102)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

102. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will respond to correspondence previously sent to him by a person (details supplied) regarding the State education system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20406/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The correspondence to which the Deputy refers relates to school admissions and religious instruction in schools.

I can advise the Deputy that a reply to the correspondent is currently being prepared.

The position in relation to school admissions is that 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.

In relation to any amendments to section 7(3)(c) of the Equal Status Act, it is acknowledged that any change to the Equal Status Act would be extremely difficult as this is a hugely complex area legally, constitutionally, and in other ways.

As the Deputy may be aware, the Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills, is to consider the complex issues raised by the Labour Party's proposed amendment to section 7(3)(c) of the Equal Status Act as set out in their recently published Private Members' Bill. The Government proposed and the Dáil agreed that this Bill proceed to second stage after these hearings are held.

This will allow parents, children, patrons and other stakeholders to have their say. Taking time to consider this complex issue in the relevant Oireachtas Committee, in the same way that all government legislation is subject to pre-legislative scrutiny, will ensure that the right balance can be struck between competing rights and that there would be no unintended consequence that would create an adverse impact on the schools of minority denominations.

The Programme for Government contains a commitment to publish new School Admissions legislation taking account of current draft proposals and addressing issues including publication of school enrolment policies, an end to waiting lists, introduction of annual enrolment structures, and transparency and fairness in admissions for pupils and their parents.

In this regard, I can advise that the Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2016 will be published this week. The Bill will bring tangible benefits to all parents. The Bill will oblige all schools to admit pupils where there are available places. It is important to note that 80% of schools are not oversubscribed.

In relation to the teaching of religion in schools, under the Constitution and in accordance with Section 30 of the Education Act 1998, parents have a right to have their children opt out of religion classes if they so wish.

The manner in which any school ensures that the right to opt out of religion classes is upheld is a matter for the school concerned. Each individual school must determine the particular arrangements which are most appropriate in its individual circumstances having regard to local issues such as available space, supervision requirements and how the school concerned organises classes etc.

The new Education (Admission to Schools) Bill will include a specific requirement that school enrolment policies must include details of a school's arrangements for any students who do not wish to attend religious instruction. I believe this is an important measure which will help ensure transparency from the outset as to how a school will uphold the rights of parents in this regard.

A follow-up paper to Report of Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector was published in 2014. The paper outlines good practice and options for promoting diversity in all schools and encourages school authorities to engage in consultation with stakeholders and to review their policies and practices on an ongoing basis to ensure that they remain suitable for the school population that they serve. One of the areas to be examined by schools relates to the scheduling of religion classes, and the paper gives an overview of different types of arrangements that schools can put in place in this regard. This is an area I plan to keep under review.

The Programme for Government also reflects the Government's objective of strengthening parental choice and further expanding diversity in our school system. The desire of parents for diversity in education is primarily being pursued by increasing the number of non-denominational and multi-denominational schools with a view to reaching 400 by 2030. This represents a significant increase in the current rate of delivery of multidenominational schools. The Government is committed to working with all stakeholders to progress this as a priority. Since 2011 new schools are generally only established in areas of demographic growth. My Department uses a Geographical Information System (GIS) to identify where the pressure for school places will arise.

When it is decided that a new school is required to meet demographic needs in an area, the Department runs a separate patronage process to decide who will operate the school. It is open to all patrons and prospective patrons to apply for patronage of the school under this process and the level of parental preference for each patron is key to decisions in relation to the outcome of the process.

Since 2011, all 24 new primary schools that have opened have been multi-denominational. In 2015/2016 a total of 108 primary schools are multi-denominational.

School Accommodation

Questions (103)

Thomas Byrne

Question:

103. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is aware of the over-crowded classroom situation at a school (details supplied); if he will provide funding to enhance the school environment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20424/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I can confirm that my Department considered an application for additional accommodation from the school referred to by the Deputy. My Department advised the school that due to competing demands on my Department's capital budget imposed by the need to prioritise the limited funding available for the provision of additional school accommodation to meet increasing demographic requirements and where an additional teacher is being appointed, that it was not possible to provide grant aid for additional accommodation.

I understand that the school has operated as a two teacher school for several years and that enrolment numbers do not warrant the appointment of an additional teaching post.

The school recently submitted further correspondence to the Department relating to the matter. The correspondence will be considered and a response will be provided to the school authority.

Third Level Admissions Entry Requirements

Questions (104)

Michael D'Arcy

Question:

104. Deputy Michael D'Arcy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for declining a person (details supplied) under the HEAR and DARE grant schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20426/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) scheme is a third-level admissions scheme operated by a number of higher education institutions which offers places on reduced points and extra college support to school leavers from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

The Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) is a third-level admissions scheme for students with a disability which is also operated by a number of higher education institutions.

Admissions under both the HEAR and DARE schemes are regulated by the institutions themselves. Each higher institution determines its own admission policy in relation to HEAR and DARE, the number of places they reserve for HEAR and DARE and the allocation of those places.

In the case of the student referred to by the Deputy, your request should be directed to the Irish Universities Association (IUA) who coordinate the HEAR and DARE schemes for participating higher education institutions.

Corporate Governance

Questions (105)

Frank O'Rourke

Question:

105. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Skills the procedures in place, in view of the emphasis his Department has on new corporate governance guidelines for agencies under his remit, to ensure persons deemed to be debtors are not actively engaged in the management of such agencies while such debts are not discharged; the procedures in place to notify his Department of any such debtors who are members of boards under his aegis; if debtors are currently on boards under his aegis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20215/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

My Department's oversight of corporate governance for agencies is informed by the stipulations of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's Code of Practice for State Agencies.

Additionally the Standards in Public Office Commission operates a supervisory role under the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995, as amended by the Standards in Public Office Act 2001, to underpin oversight of accountability in Irish public life.

The tax clearance provisions of the Standards in Public Office Act 2001 apply to persons appointed to "senior office", i.e. to a designated position of employment or to a designated Board membership in a public body under the 1995 Ethics Act, in relation to which the remuneration is not less than the lowest remuneration of a Deputy Secretary General in the civil service. All persons appointed to a designated Board membership "senior office" must provide to the Standards in Public Office Commission not more than nine months after the date on which he or she is appointed:

- a tax clearance certificate that is in force and was issued to the person not more than nine months before, and not more than nine months after, the appointment date; or

- an application statement that was issued to the person and was made not more than nine months before, and not more than nine months after, the appointment date; and

- a statutory declaration, made by the person not more than one month before, and not more than one month after, the date of appointment, that he or she, to the best of his or her knowledge and belief, is in compliance with the obligations imposed on him or her by the Tax Acts and is not aware of any impediment to the issue of a Tax Clearance Certificate.

Investigations

Board members and employees in public bodies can be subject to an investigation by the Standards Commission, either where it considers it appropriate to do so, or following a complaint, or where there is contravention of the tax clearance requirements.

Question No. 106 withdrawn.

School Curriculum

Questions (107)

James Lawless

Question:

107. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to provide new courses in State examinations to increase the information and communications technology skills of students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20244/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Programme for a Partnership Government includes an undertaking to further accelerate the Digital and ICT agenda in schools by including a coding course for the Junior Cycle and introducing ICT/Computer Science as a Leaving Certificate subject.

The Programme for Government commits to a range of new subjects, and this is something I will be keen to expand on over the coming years.

The new Framework for Junior Cycle allows for the introduction of short courses. The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) has in this context developed short courses in Coding and Digital Media Literacy for use by schools. Transition Year students have access to a module called 'Having Fun with Computer Programming and Games' and, under the ICT Action Plan, this is being expanded nationally. I have also asked the NCCA to provide advice on the introduction of Computer Science as a Leaving Certificate subject.

The revision of Leaving Certificate Applied Maths is at an advanced stage and it is anticipated that computers will be used as a learning tool in aspects of the programme. Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) are also significant components in the syllabuses of Technology and Design and Communication Graphics.

The focus in schools currently is on using ICT as a tool in learning guided by the ICT curriculum framework developed by the NCCA. This is supported by digital content on the Scoilnet website, by professional development programmes for teachers and by investment in ICT infrastructure. All post-primary schools are now connected to a 100 Mbps broadband service, providing for improved integration of ICT in learning.

The development of skills is key to successful learning and this is highlighted in the new Framework for Junior Cycle. All of the 8 key skills in the Framework highlight the use of digital technology right across the junior cycle. The use of 'technology and digital media tools to learn, communicate, work and think collaboratively and creatively in a responsible and ethical manner' is one of the statements of learning that inform the programme being offered by schools. The use of ICT will permeate the experiences of all Junior Cycle students as the new Framework is implemented.

European Globalisation Fund

Questions (108)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

108. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the latest estimated final expenditure for each of the three European Globalisation Adjustment Fund programmes currently in operation, in tabular form. [20247/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

As the Deputy will be aware it is difficult to accurately forecast final expenditure on EGF programmes as public beneficiary bodies generally fund the cost of EGF measures from national budgets and subsequently submit expenditure declarations/claims during and more often following completion of the programmes. The average expenditure across the 7 previous Irish EGF programmes was 60% of the programme allocations. Assuming a similar outcome, the estimated final expenditure on the 3 more recent programmes is shown in the table.

The Andersen Ireland EGF programme ended on 16 May 2016 and my Department will submit a final report and expenditure statement to the European Commission by 16 November 2016. My Department had provided the Deputy with an estimated expenditure of some €900,000 as at March 2016. Since then my Department has written to the Commission regarding proposed budgetary amendments to reflect expected additional expenditure across some headings, possibly leading to an overall spend nearer to €1.5m. In this regard, my Department has requested the public beneficiary bodies to submit their expenditure declarations this month following which the final expenditure will become clearer.

The Lufthansa Technik Airmotive Ireland EGF programme ends on 19 September 2016 with a final reporting date of March 2017. No further estimate update has been undertaken by my Department in relation to this programme, since that provided in April at which time expenditure of €1.5m was estimated.

Similarly, in relation to the PWA International EGF programme which ends on 19 June 2017, my Department has not undertaken any estimate of final expenditure.

Programme	EGF application	Estimated Final  Expenditure (60%)
Andersen	€2,502,000	€1,501,000
Lufthansa	€4,151,264	€2,490,000
PWAI	€737,156	€442,000

Departmental Funding

Questions (109)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

109. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he intends to introduce a scheme of grants for health and safety works in schools, including works on car parks, bus turning bays and so on; if so, when is this likely to be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20280/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

As the Deputy will be aware, funding is prioritised under my Department's 6 year school capital investment programme towards the delivery of major school projects to provide the essential mainstream school accommodation needed to meet demographic demands. Whilst the works referred to are eligible to be considered for funding under the Summer Works Scheme, a specific funding allocation for this measure is not contained in the capital programme. As the Deputy is also aware, a commitment in relation to this measure is contained in the Programme for Government. It is my intention therefore that this matter will be considered in the context of the mid-term review of the capital infrastructural programme.

UK Referendum on EU Membership

Questions (110)

Michael McGrath

Question:

110. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of staff dedicated to managing Ireland's response to the decision of the United Kingdom to exit the European Union; the structure of this team; how it will work with teams in other Departments; who has overall responsibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20300/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Government has a Contingency Framework in place which maps the key issues that will be most important to Ireland in the coming weeks and months. My Department participated fully in and contributed to the preparation of that Framework for the education sector. The Government has published a summary of the key actions that will be taken to address the contingencies arising from the UK's decision to leave the EU.

As part of this contingency planning, a number of existing structures are in place and will be employed to manage the process on a whole-of-government basis. They include the Cabinet Committee on EU Affairs and the Senior Officials Group that supports it. The Department of the Taoiseach chairs an Interdepartmental group of senior officials that has been meeting regularly to examine the bilateral and national interests affected by the UK's withdrawal from the EU. My Department is represented on this Group. The work of this group will now be scaled up and intensified.

At Departmental level, Management Boards are making the appropriate arrangements to ensure the operation of Department-wide oversight and stakeholder engagement. A senior official in my Department has already been tasked to coordinate work in this area, including representation on the Inter-Departmental group, and is being supported by the Management Board and his own team and by contributions from across the Department as needed on all aspects of contingency planning and analysis. As such, structures are in place to progress work on the Department's response and to prepare for any negotiations that may be required.

The preparation, analysis and planning work will proceed now and in the coming weeks and months the issues identified in my Department's area will be further analysed and actions developed as necessary to meet the challenges as they arise. The question as to whether additional structures and resources are required will also be considered.