Written Answers Nos 514 - 543
514. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of school sex abuse litigants his Department has written to in respect of an offer to not seek costs if the litigants take no further legal action; the number of the cases which have since been dropped; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26220/16]
View answerThe State Claims Agency (SCA), who manage such cases on behalf of the State has issued letters to solicitor firms representing 107 cases. To date, 7 claims have been discontinued.
515. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount which has been allocated by his Department to demographic pressures over each of the next five years for each budget in capital and current expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26221/16]
View answerIndicative figures for the cost of providing for demographics were set out in two analytical papers (details below) compiled by the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES) and published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
These figures formed the basis of the Current Expenditure Ceilings set for the Education & Skills Vote for each of the years 2017-19 in the Mid-Year Expenditure Report which was published in July.
In 2017 an additional €51m has been included in the Expenditure Ceiling to provide for demographic pressures on the current side. An additional €58m and €49m (on the current side) have been included for 2018 and 2019 respectively.
At this stage no expenditure ceilings have been set beyond 2019.
On the capital side, my Department reviews on an ongoing basis the latest nationwide demographic data available in order to assess where further additional provision may be required at primary and post-primary levels.
The announcement on 29 September 2015 of Building on Recovery: Infrastructure and Capital investment 2016-2021 specified an investment of €4 billion to the Education sector through direct Exchequer provision and the PPP programme. In excess of €3 billion of the investment is in respect of the schools sector.
Last November, a new programme of over 300 major school building projects for the period 2016 to 2021 was announced. These projects, together with approvals under the devolved Additional Accommodation Scheme, are designed to meet the increases in pupil numbers that will arise in both the primary and post-primary school sectors.
Details of the IGEES analytical papers are as follows:
a) Budgetary Impact of Changing Demographics 2016 -2026 October, 2015 and
b) Primary and Second Level Education: 2016-2033 Expenditure Implications of Demographic Change.
Both publications are available on the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service website.
516. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the number of apprenticeship places with ESB has reduced; the reasons for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26222/16]
View answerSOLAS approve employers and register apprentices under the Industrial Training Act 1967. They do not have a role in agreeing or approving specific apprenticeship numbers with employers. Approved employers are free to employ and register apprentices, subject to them having the capacity to deliver their on the job training, supervision and assessment. The ESB are an approved employer of apprentices but SOLAS do not provide details of how many apprentices are registered with individual employers. That information can be sought by the Deputy from the company itself.
517. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the lifeskills survey 2016 will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26223/16]
View answerThe 2015 Lifeskills survey is currently being analysed and the results will be available shortly.
The survey is undertaken every 3 years, so it is not being conducted in 2016. The next survey will take place in 2018.
518. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the National Skills Bulletin 2016 will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26224/16]
View answerI am informed by SOLAS that the National Skills Bulletin 2016 will be published in early October.
519. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount that has been allocated each year since 2006 for adult numeracy and literacy initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26225/16]
View answer€23 million in funding was provided by my Department in 2006 for the provision of adult literacy and numeracy services. Funding in the region of €30 million was provided by my Department for each of the years 2007 to 2013. At the beginning of 2014 SOLAS took over the allocation of monies for all further education and training programmes, including the literacy service, with funding provided by my Department. SOLAS provided funding in the region of €30 million for the provision of adult literacy and numeracy services for each of the years 2014 and 2015. It is expected that this level of funding will be maintained for the current year.
Since 2010, my Department also funds the Workplace Basic Education Programme from the National Training Fund. The programme provides literacy and numeracy tuition to people in the workplace. The funding provided for the years 2010-2016 is as follows:2010 €1.609m
2011 €2.8m
2012 €2.17m
2013 €2.55m
2014 €2.8m
2015 €2.8m
2016 €2.8m.
520. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider establishing a pilot programme for the roll-out of first aid training in secondary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26226/16]
View answerUnder the provisions of the Education Act 1998, the school board of management is the body charged with the direct governance of a school. Schools are required to take all reasonable precautions to provide training for teachers to ensure the safety and welfare of their pupils.
Schools are encouraged to engage actively with community groups and other stakeholders to provide for extracurricular learning opportunities. Many schools invite organisations such as the Red Cross or the Order of Malta to provide first aid training, or to give talks to students.
521. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to review the provisions of circular F 55/85; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26227/16]
View answerMy Department is currently in the process of conducting a review of the provisions of the circular referred to by the Deputy.
As this review is being carried out in consultation with Employers and Trade Unions in line with industrial relations processes it would not be appropriate for me to comment any further at this time.
522. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for a new build programme at a school (details supplied); the contacts made with the school in respect of the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26242/16]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that a project for the school to which he refers is included in my Department's 6 Year Capital Programme.
My Department is currently formulating the project brief and when this work is complete, the project will be progressed into the architectural planning process.
I am aware that my Department provided an update on the current status of the project to the school principal earlier this week.
523. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide assurances that funding will be found to provide for the necessary works sought by the board of management of a school (details supplied); his views on the importance of the works to the school community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26243/16]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department received an application from the school for significant funding for major reconfiguration works.
The school's application must be considered in the context of the very significant challenge facing my Department in meeting demand for extra school places to ensure that every child will have access to a physical school place. All applications for capital funding must be considered in the context of the available funding, which must of necessity, be prioritised for this purpose and where an additional teacher is being appointed.
My Department is not in a position at this point to indicate when funding might be available for the works sought and has advised the school accordingly.
524. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the proposed building programme for a school (details supplied), including the schedule now being followed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26244/16]
View answerThe major building project for the school to which the Deputy refers is at an advanced stage of architectural planning – Stage 2b, which includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Cert, Disability Access Cert and the preparation of Tender Documents. All relevant statutory approvals have been obtained.
The Stage 2b Tender documentation was recently submitted to my Department by the design team, my Department will carry out its review and subject to no issues arising my Department will revert directly to the ETB and Design team with regarding progression of the project to tender stage.
525. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he intends to take to address the shortage of ASD special classes at post-primary level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26277/16]
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.
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
- 14% are educated in special schools. 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 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.
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 762 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 current 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 continues to monitor and review the requirement for special class places in particular areas and has capacity to establish such new special classes where necessary subject to the willingness of schools to open classes.
Details of all special classes for children with special educational needs, including classes for children with autism, are available on www.ncse.ie in county order, with new classes identified.
526. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of new premises for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26280/16]
View answer527. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the purchase of Roslyn Park from the Rehab Group; if it is their intention to use it as a secondary and primary school or a stand alone primary school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26281/16]
View answer528. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of locations currently under investigation by his Department for the location of a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26282/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 526 to 528, inclusive, together.
Officials in my Department have currently identified five potential locations for new school accommodation in the South Dublin City area, including for the school referred to by the Deputy. A decision in relation to which school will be located on a specific site will ultimately be made in the context of the overall portfolio of sites acquired, the feasibility of development of individual sites and the timelines for acquisition, planning permission and development. My Department will be in contact with the relevant patrons as soon as a determination is made in relation to individual schools.
With regard to the specific site referred to by the Deputy, the acquisition process is at an advanced stage. A feasibility assessment in relation to this site is underway to determine the exact configuration and size of school accommodation that can be placed on this site. It is expected that this assessment will be finalised shortly.
529. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will advise on the dental nursing programme and SUSI grant classification; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that qualification for SUSI grants for dental nursing vary depending on the university involved; the way in which he can ratify this; the steps being taken to streamline it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26292/16]
View answerApproved undergraduate courses for the Student Grant Scheme 2016 are prescribed in the Student Support Regulations 2016 and in the Student Support Act 2011.
The Regulations prescribe that an approved undergraduate course is a full-time course leading to a major higher education and training award which takes a minimum of two years to complete in an approved institution.Courses that are part-time or that are less than two years in duration, leading to a special purpose/minor award rather than a major award are not approved for the purposes of the Student Grant Scheme.
Universities and Institutes of Technology are autonomous institutions within the meaning of the Universities Act 1997 and the Institutes of Technology Acts 1992 to 2006. The management of their academic affairs, including the selection and delivery of courses are matters for individual institutions. Accordingly, I have no function in relation to such matters as programme provision and the level of courses provided in the various institutions.
530. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason persons (details supplied) who held a concessionary ticket through the school transport scheme for the past two years lost a concessionary ticket in 2016. [26326/16]
View answerSchool transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
During the 2015/16 school year in the region of 114,000 children, including some 10,000 children with special educational needs, were transported in approximately 4,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually.
Bus Éireann have advised that the children in question are currently availing of concessionary school transport.
531. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills when construction is due to commence on a new school (details supplied). [26327/16]
View answerThe major building project to which the Deputy refers is at an advanced stage of architectural planning - Stage 2(b),which includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Certificate and Disability Access Certificate and the preparation of Tender Documents. All statutory approvals have been secured.
The Design team are currently completing the Stage 2(b) submission. Arising from significant changes to the Public Works Contract (PWC) introduced earlier this year, the Board of Management and their Design Team have been advised of the need to carry out further work in relation to the tender documents to bring them into line with those changes. When the Stage 2(b) report is completed and received it will be considered and the Department will then revert to the school with regard to the further progression of the project at that time.
532. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the purchase of land at Charlesland, Greystones, County Wicklow for the provision of a new community national school; the size of the land under negotiation; the proposed size of the school; the proposed date of completion; if his Department will be responsible for the build or if it is intended to transfer that role to the Kildare Wicklow Education Training Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26331/16]
View answerOfficials from my Department have worked closely with officials from Wicklow County Council under the Memorandum of Understanding for the acquisition of a school site for the provision of the school referred to by the Deputy.
The conveyancing process for this site is under way. Details in respect of the site acquisition are commercially sensitive. Once the site acquisition has been concluded the project will be advanced to architectural planning. A decision in respect of the oversight of the project will be made at that stage.
533. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a new building for a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; when construction will commence and be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26335/16]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the project for the school referred to, is included in my Department's 6 Year Construction Programme.
In that regard, officials in my Department are working with officials from Donegal County Council under the MOU in relation to the acquisition process for a suitable permanent site for the schools to which the Deputy refers.
The acquisition of such a site is currently being progressed. Given the commercial sensitivities associated with land acquisitions generally, I am not in a position to comment further at this time.
534. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a progress report on a new school (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26348/16]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, there was a fire in the vacant former school building on 12 July last. A member of the Department's technical team visited the site on 12 August last to review the extent of structural damage in respect of the buildings on the site.
In the case of a school building not in the ownership of the Department, the owners of the property should, in the first instance, engage with their insurers in respect of the demolition of the buildings and the site clearance thereafter. The school authority have been advised accordingly.
Once the site has been cleared, the matter of accommodation for the school, that intended to move to the site concerned, will be considered.
535. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will amend the current legislation governing the school transport scheme which states that routes will not be extended or altered, additional vehicles will not be introduced, nor will larger vehicles or extra trips using existing vehicles be provided to cater for children travelling on a concessionary basis, to ensure that all pupils who wish to avail of concessionary tickets can do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26352/16]
View answer536. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will amend the current legislation governing the school transport scheme which states that, routes will not be extended or altered, additional vehicles will not be introduced, nor will larger vehicles or extra trips using existing vehicles be provided to cater for children travelling on a concessionary basis, and provide additional funding to allow current service providers to supply a higher capacity vehicle to ensure that (details supplied) and all other applicants can be accommodated on route to a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26353/16]
View answer537. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will amend the current legislation governing the school transport scheme which states that, routes will not be extended or altered, additional vehicles will not be introduced, nor will larger vehicles or extra trips using existing vehicles be provided to cater for children travelling on a concessionary basis, and provide additional funding to allow current service providers to supply a higher capacity vehicle to ensure that (details supplied) and all other applicants can be accommodated on route to a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26354/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 535 to 537, inclusive, together.
The 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. In general, children are eligible for school transport if they are attending their nearest school and satisfy the requisite distance criteria.
Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only.
Transport on a concessionary basis is subject to a number of conditions which are detailed in the School Transport Scheme such as the existence of spare seats on the bus after all eligible children have been catered for and payment of the school transport charge.
The Programme for Government commits to review the concessionary charges and rules element of the School Transport Scheme prior to Budget 2017.
Pending this review, there was no planned programme of downsizing school buses in the current school year. There were route changes and variations in line with normal operational decisions that occur from year to year, and any impacts in terms of increases or decreases of available places nationally was marginal, in line with what occurs every year.
It is important to point out that there has been no impact on children who are eligible for school transport.
538. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total spend on apprenticeship training and a breakdown between the total number of male and female apprentices in training by each employment sector and sub sector in each of the years since 2010 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26425/16]
View answerThe information requested in respect of the total spend on apprenticeship for the years 2010 to 2016 has already been supplied to the Deputy in answer to Question 101 of 6 July 2016.
I have forwarded the request for the male/female breakdown of apprentices to SOLAS and asked them to respond directly to the Deputy with the information.
539. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the 539. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Housing; Planning; Community and Local Government if he is reviewing the way in which rural public houses are being charged for their commercial rates, particularly if they have down sized their square footage to decrease costs as a result of less business on the premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24340/16]
View answer540. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the his plans to allow rural public houses decrease their commercial rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24341/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 539 and 540 together.
Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2015. The Commissioner for Valuation has sole responsibility for all valuation matters including procedures for the revision of the valuation of property set out under the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2015. The Valuation Acts 2001 to 2015 come under the aegis of my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality.
The levying and collection of rates is a matter for each individual local authority. The annual rate on valuation (ARV) is applied to the valuation of each property as determined by the Valuation Office, to obtain the amount payable in rates. The ARV is decided by the elected members of each local authority as part of the annual budget. Rates income is a very important contribution to the cost of services provided by local authorities such as roads, public lighting, development control, parks and open spaces. Locally elected members adopt the annual rate on valuation they consider necessary in order to provide the required services.
My Department has in recent years requested local authorities to exercise restraint in setting, and where possible to reduce, ARVs and they have responded positively in this regard. The national average ARV decreased each year from 2010 to 2014; 2015 and 2016 are not directly comparable due to the local authority mergers and the necessity to harmonise rates across new local authority areas.
541. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the the total arrears due on the non-principal private residence charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24860/16]
View answerThe Local Government (Charges) Act 2009, as amended, provides the legislative basis for the Non-Principal Private Residence Charge. The NPPR Charge, which has since been discontinued, applied in the years 2009 to 2013 to any residential property in which the owner did not reside as their normal place of residence. The self-assessed charge is set at €200 per annum and liability for it falls, in the main, on owners of rental, holiday and vacant properties. It is a matter for an owner, whether resident in Ireland or elsewhere, to determine if he or she has a liability and, if so, to declare that liability and pay the Charge and any late payment fees applicable. Under the Act, it is a function of a local authority to collect Non-Principal Private Residence Charges, and late payment fees due to it and all Charges and late payment fees imposed and payable to a local authority are under the care and management of the local authority concerned.
Approximately 380,000 properties have been registered for the Non-Principal Private Residence Charge, which has raised in excess of €538m to date over its five years of operation. Proceeds from the charge are retained by local authorities and are used for the provision of local services. It is not possible to state with certainty the level of non-compliance with the Charge. In the current year to date, approximately €24m has been collected in charges for the applicable years.
542. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the the position regarding funding that was announced under the Limerick regeneration and its hinterland and particularly the amount of €500,000 which was awarded to Tipperary County Council for Newport and its environs. [25445/16]
View answerUnder the Limerick Hinterland Study commissioned last year to examine the impact of Limerick Regeneration on its hinterland, the three local authorities concerned submitted proposals to my Department to be considered for funding. A total of 16 projects were submitted, including a proposal from Tipperary County Council for a new town park and related facilities at Newport with a funding request of €325,000.
Funding of €2.325m in total was approved in August of this year for the 16 projects across the three authorities, which included the proposal from Tipperary County Council, with equal match funding to be provided by the three local authorities. The selection of projects was in each case a matter for the local authority.
543. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the his views on a matter (details supplied) the new rules for declaring a vehicle off the road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25533/16]
View answerThe Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Act 2013 provides that a declaration of non-use of a motor vehicle must be made in the month of expiry of a tax disc or previously made declaration of non-use of a vehicle. A renewal notice is issued to the owner at the beginning of the month, prompting renewal of motor tax or a further declaration of non-use. The declaration can be made in a motor tax office or online and there is no charge for the making of a declaration.
If an owner fails to make a declaration within the required timeframe, he or she is liable for motor tax and arrears, if applicable, and a declaration of non-use can then be made in the last month of the period covered by the disc, if required.
In instances where the annual rate of motor tax is €119 or less, motor tax is payable on an annual basis only. This includes vintage vehicles, which attract a favourable rate of tax at €26 annually for motor bikes and €56 for all other vehicles. It should be noted that, for the majority of vehicles in the fleet, the quarterly rate of tax that would be the minimum payable if the owner misses the deadline for making a declaration of non-use is in excess of the annual rate that would apply to vintage vehicles.
