Written Answers Nos. 225-235
225. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 75 of 28 January 2016, if the revision to 2015 GDP published this week will lead to a significant increase in Ireland’s EU budget contribution; if he will provide an estimate of what the contribution was expected to be prior to the CSO data and what it is now expected to be; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22880/16]
View answerMember State contributions to the EU Budget are based upon a formula which includes Traditional Own Resources (customs duties), a VAT-based payment and a residual balancing component paid in accordance with each Member State's share of EU Gross National Income (GNI).
On 12 July 2016, the CSO released updated National Income and Expenditure (NIE) Accounts for 2015 which included a very significant upward revision in Ireland's GNI for 2015. As mentioned above, GNI is an important input into the calculation of Ireland's EU Budget contributions, representing c.75% of our total contributions.
We currently estimate the impact of the CSO revision on our EU Budget contribution for 2017 as c. €380m. However, other mitigating factors mean the overall increase in the EU budget contribution is now estimated to be in the order of €280m when compared to the forecast underlying the Summer Economic Statement (SES).
It must be emphasised that the final impact depends on a number of variables including the size of the overall EU budget for 2017 (which is not due to be agreed until November 2016), GNI movements in other EU Member States and other EU budget operational developments.
The estimate is also premised on the likely ratification of the Own Resources Decision (ORD) by all Member States this year (it is now ratified by 27 out of 28 Member States). The ORD is required at EU level to translate political agreement on the methods for financing the EU Budget for the current Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2014-20 into legal form.
Our revised forecast for 2016, assuming ORD ratification by all Member States, is now €2,145m. The increase compared to PQ 75 of 28 January 2016 is largely due to the likely implementation of the ORD with retrospective payments associated with 2014 and 2015.
226. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance his views that Ireland’s updated headline debt-GDP ratio fell to 79% at the end of 2015, relative to a previous estimate of 94%, making Ireland’s debt sustainability position look better than it actually is; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22881/16]
View answerThe growth rate in 2015 was exceptional in nature, and reflects the impact of a small number of large multinational firms. Alternative measures of growth, such as increases in consumer spending, tax revenue and employment gains clearly demonstrate that the economy is growing at a solid rate of around 4-5 per cent this year. These, and other indicators, are consistent with an economy where recovery is firmly established.
The general government debt-to-GDP ratio, as defined in the EU regulations implementing the Maastricht Treaty, is the standard measure used within the EU for comparative purposes. On foot of the revised GDP figures for last year, the debt-to-GDP ratio has fallen significantly.
Having said that, it is important to look at other metrics in order to accurately assess debt developments, especially given the distortions evident in last year's data. In this regard, an important measure is the proportion of tax revenues that must go towards servicing the interest on our debt. In the latest Government Finance statistics, published by the Central Statistics Office, it is estimated that around 13 per cent of tax revenues was required to service the interest on the State's national debt in 2015. Based on the Stability Programme Update April 2016 projections, by 2021 some 8 per cent of our total tax revenues will be required for that purpose.
In summary, while I welcome the continued decline in the debt-to-GDP ratio, I am conscious of the need for in-depth analysis of all the factors that affect our debt sustainability. My Department continuously monitors these factors.
227. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 279 of 20 October 2015, if he will provide an update as to the employers’ PRSI, corporation tax and VAT paid by aircraft leasing firms; the taxable profit of the aircraft leasing sector in 2014 and 2015; the reason the sector is in a net repayment position in respect of VAT; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22882/16]
View answerI am advised by the Revenue Commissioners (Revenue) that the updates to tax payments by the aircraft leasing industry for the years 2014 and 2015 are as shown in the following table. I am further advised by Revenue that it is not possible to identify with accuracy the tax payments made by the overall aircraft leasing industry. However, the following table sets out the tax payments made by companies assigned to the primary industry description (NACE code) of renting and leasing of air transport equipment on the Revenue taxpayer register. It should be noted that an exercise is ongoing to ensure that all aircraft leasing companies are assigned to this NACE code and, pending the outcome of this review, these figures should be considered as provisional and may be updated in the future.
|
|
VAT* |
Employer's PAYE |
Corporation Tax |
Total |
|
|
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
|
2014 2015 |
-15 -26 |
55 77 |
23 34 |
63 85 |
*The Aircraft Leasing Sector is in a net repayment position in respect of VAT for each year.
The sector is in a net repayment position in respect of VAT as in accordance with section 4(2)(b) of Schedule 2 of the Value-Added Tax Consolidation Act 2010, the business activity of the leasing and supply of aircraft is zero rated for VAT purposes in respect of "aircraft used or to be used by a transport undertaking operating for reward chiefly on international routes" (i.e., an international airline). As the business of the leasing and supply of aircraft is fully taxable, such a business is entitled to full VAT recoverability on their costs relating to the leasing business and is accordingly in a net repayment position for VAT.
The amount of taxable profits from the Corporation Tax returns filed for the year 2014, the latest year available, is as shown in the following table. The information is not yet available for 2015 as most of the returns are not due until later this year.
|
Year |
Taxable Profits €m |
|
2014 2015 |
237 Not Yet Available |
228. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Finance the number of staff who entered the public service after 1 January 2011 in his Department and by year of entry to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23496/16]
View answerI understand that the information on the number of staff who entered the civil service post 1 January 2011, including staff that joined the Department of Finance and other bodies staffed by Civil Servants under the aegis of the Department is being replied to by the Minister of Public Expenditure and Reform.
A number of other bodies under the aegis of my Department were unable to forward details due to time constraints and I will ensure the Deputy receives these details in due course.
229. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the investigation into the administration and financial management of the FÁS scheme at a hostel and other locations has been completed; if the documentary evidence provided to a person (details supplied) has been examined as part of this investigation; if all the courses and training took place; if the funds provided for the courses and so on were spent correctly; if the report into all allegations made will be published; the amount of taxpayers' funds spent on the hostel project; the current use being applied to the hostel and old church; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21936/16]
View answerThe Internal Audit Unit in FÁS completed an investigation of the FÁS scheme at the hostel referred to by the Deputy and issued a report on 28th June 2013. The documentary evidence provided to the person mentioned by the Deputy was examined as part of this investigation.
This was the Jobs Initiative Project which provides participants with work experience, training and development opportunities. The investigation found that some of the funds provided by FÁS were not spent correctly and resulted in a loss of €159,960 to FÁS.
The report will not be published in line with normal protocols but redacted copies of the report have been issued under FOI. A copy of the report was given to the Garda Síochána. A Garda investigation was launched and a file was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The DPP decided not to proceed with a prosecution.
FÁS provided funding of €4.5 million to the project from the National Training Fund, of which €4 million was related to participants pay. Other funding was allocated from Pobal and the Dormant Bank Account fund. FÁS funding related to the hostel only and not to the church.
The Jobs Initiative project which was funded by FÁS at the hostel was closed in 2010. Neither SOLAS nor Tipperary Education and Training Board have any current funding relationship with the hostel.
230. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will sanction a preschool for autistic children at a location (details supplied) as per the application submitted by the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22216/16]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from primary and post-primary schools for special educational needs supports, including the establishment of special classes in various geographical areas as required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. I am advised that the school to which the Deputy refers includes a Special Class for children with Autism. I am also advised that the school has applied to the NCSE for the establishment of an Early Intervention class. The NCSE is currently considering this request and is assessing the need for such a class in this school. A reply will issue to the school in due course. I am also advised that a pre-school is located on the campus of this school. This pre-school is operated separately to the school and is primarily funded under the ECCE scheme operated by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. This scheme is the principal vehicle for the delivery of pre-school education. Children with disabilities will now have better access to pre-school services under a new Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) programme of supports, which was recently announced, on 15th June 2016, by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. AIM is a child-centred model, involving seven levels of progressive support, moving from the universal to the targeted, depending on the needs of the child and the pre-school. The supports include:
A new Inclusion Charter for the Early Years sector, alongside updated and strengthened Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Guidelines for Early Childhood Care and Education.
A new higher education programme for early years practitioners (LINC) which will commence from September 2016.
A new national specialist service which is based in the Better Start National Early Years Quality Development Service will provide expert advice, mentoring and support to pre-school providers from a team of 50 specialists in early years care and education for children with disabilities.
A new national scheme will provide specialised equipment, appliances and minor alterations which are necessary to support a child's participation in the ECCE programme.
A new national scheme will also provide additional capitation to pre-school providers where this is critical to fund extra support in the classroom and enable a child's participation in pre-school. It is estimated that only 1 to 1.5% of children in pre-school will require, and therefore be eligible for, this scheme of additional capitation.
Details of the supports which will be available under AIM can be found at www.preschoolaccess.ie which contains comprehensive information on the access and inclusion model and on how to apply for the new schemes and supports.
Questions relating to provision of such services in pre school settings should be addressed my colleague, the Minister for Children & Youth Affairs.
231. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department has commenced a review of the ICT skills action plan, as committed to in the 2016 Action Plan for Jobs; the timeframe which has been set on delivering this review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22268/16]
View answerIn March 2014, my Department and the Department of Jobs Enterprise and Innovation, launched an ICT Skills Action Plan 2014 - 2018. The Plan was developed in close collaboration with industry. The plan sets out a collaborative, system-wide response, across Departments, agencies and the education and enterprise sectors aimed at building the domestic supply of graduates from the education system and ensuring Ireland maintains a strong ICT talent pool and promoting Ireland internationally as a centre for high-level ICT skills. Implementation of the Plan is underway, with oversight of a high level steering group comprising DES, DJEI and representatives from industry and the education sector. A number of significant developments have taken place since the ICT Action Plan was published in 2014. In 2015, my Department published the Digital Strategy for Schools and commenced work on the development of the Regional Skills Fora. The Department has also commenced funding for the Associate Profession ICT and new Apprenticeship models are now being developed. The National Skills Strategy 2025 was published in January 2016, which includes a range of relevant actions.
The review of the Plan has commenced and it is expected to be completed by Q4 2016.
232. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will increase the funding given specifically for the provision of adequate counselling services to all third level students either through the direct employment of more counsellors or in purchasing external counselling session hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22584/16]
View answerMy Department allocates recurrent funding to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) for direct disbursement to the HEA designated higher education institutions. The HEA allocates this funding to the institutions and the internal disbursement of funding is then a matter for the individual institution. Higher education institutions are autonomous bodies and are responsible for their own day to day affairs, including the funding of student services in the institution.
As the Deputy will be aware, students who qualify for free fees funding at third level are liable to pay the Student Contribution which includes funding towards student services including counselling services. A working group was set up by the HEA a number of years ago to review and update the Framework of Good Practice for the provision of student services. This working group agreed that among others, welfare and guidance were areas to be included, together with counselling, as part of student services.
233. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has considered marking international mother language day in line with the United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/Res/61/266 to promote the preservation and protection of all languages used by the peoples of the world; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22906/16]
View answerInternational Mother Language day has been observed, throughout the world every year since February 2000 and will next be celebrated on the 21 February 2017. The aim of International Mother Language Day is to promote multiculturalism and linguistic diversity and to encourage the use of language to preserve heritage and culture. The Embassy network in Dublin, through its sponsorship of complementary schools, which have been established by our International communities here in Ireland, play an important role in supporting students in linguistic skills, while also serving their communities as a point of integration throughout the year. Over the last number of years, several of these Embassies have taken initiatives to celebrate International Mother Language day and my Department has supported these initiatives by publicising events that have been organised. The theme of next year's International Mother Language day will be made known later this year and my Department will look to see how best it can mark the occasion by publicising events both inside and outside the classroom.
234. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is aware of full-time students who applied via the Central Applications Office for a State approved Quality and Qualifications Ireland degree in third level institutions such as Dublin Business School and Griffith College, Dublin, and cannot apply for a Student Universal Support Ireland grant; his plans to extend the availability of the grant to students at these third level institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21935/16]
View answerUnder my Department's student grant scheme, eligible candidates may receive funding provided they are attending an approved course at an approved institution as defined in the scheme. The definition of an approved institution is set out in Section 7 of the Student Support Act 2011 and Regulation 3 of the Student Support Regulations 2016.
My Department has received a proposal from the 'Wake up SUSI' campaign to extend student supports to students in certain private colleges. This proposal is currently being considered by officials in my Department, in the context of overall budgetary constraints, and the large number of competing demands on available funding.
Decisions in relation to the future funding of student supports will also be informed by the consideration of the options contained in the report by the expert group report on future funding for higher education. I have recently published this report and it will be referred it to the Oireachtas Education Committee as part of the process for formulating a plan for the future funding of the higher education sector.
235. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of early intervention autism spectrum disorder units attached to primary schools catering for boys and girls with a diagnosis of autism who are aged between three and five years of age here; and if he will change the system regarding special needs assistant allocation for same so that they would automatically retain their allocation every year and not be subject to the normal National Council for Special Education deadline for same due to the age profile of the pupils attending same and the delay in getting in appropriate reports. [21952/16]
View answerThe 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. The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of Special Needs Organisers (SENOs), for allocating special educational needs supports to mainstream Primary, Post Primary and Special Schools, to assist children with special educational needs, including the allocation of Special needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to assist children with special educational needs, who also have additional and significant care needs. 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. 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. The NCSE makes allocations for SNA support in accordance with the criteria set out in my Department's Circular 0030/14, which is available on my Department's website www.education.ie. This circular sets out my Department's policy in relation to the Special Needs Assistant (SNA) scheme. The Circular explains that SNA support is not provided to pre-school services which operate outside of the primary or special school provision. SNA supports are provided for early intervention classes in recognised primary schools, and special schools. This support is provided as part of the schools total quantum of SNA support. 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 over 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. While there are no plans currently to change the system for allocating SNA support to schools, including early intervention classes, the Deputy may be aware that I have recently announced, that the Government has decided to proceed with a comprehensive assessment of the SNA Scheme, to be carried out by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), a significant part of which will include consultation with relevant stakeholders. The aim of this process will be to provide better outcomes for students with special educational needs and to ensure that we are making the best form of investment for children with special needs. The terms of reference and timeframes for this assessment are currently being developed. On completion of the assessment, the NCSE will submit its report and recommendations to me.
