Written Answers Nos. 46-65
46. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the backlog in the Revenue Commissioners offices in processing forms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31050/16]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that its published service standards provide that applications to register for tax are processed within 5 working days (10 days for VAT registrations) unless the registration is selected for further checking. Revenue provides an e-registration service, which enables tax agents and taxpayers who are registered with the Revenue On-line Service (ROS) or myAccount to manage their tax registrations online. E-registration represents a comprehensive alternative option to paper-based applications.
I am advised by Revenue that they are not aware of any particular problems relating to the processing of tax registrations. If, however, the Deputy wishes to supply the details of any particular case giving rise to a delay, Revenue will be happy to examine the matter.
47. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide for each tax measure announced in budget 2017, the full year cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31051/16]
View answerThe full year costs for the tax measures announced in Budget 2017 are set out in the following table.
|
1. REVENUE RAISING MEASURES |
Yield Full Year €m |
|
EXCISE |
|
|
Tobacco Products Tax Excise duty on a pack of 20 cigarettes is increased by 50c, with a pro-rata increase on other tobacco products. It will raise the price of cigarettes in the most popular price category to €11.00 per pack of 20 cigarettes. |
65 |
|
COMPLIANCE MEASURES |
|
|
Section 110 Draft amendments to Section 110 will be made in the Finance Bill to address unintended uses of the section. Further amendments will address other issues arising in relation to Funds and property. |
35 |
|
Tackling offshore tax evasion A comprehensive programme of targeted compliance interventions against those engaged in offshore tax evasion. (2017 yield estimated at €30m). |
_ |
|
Increase resources to confront non-compliance Increasing Revenue staff resources on audit and investigation activities as well as enhancing ICT systems capacity. |
50 |
|
2. REVENUE RELIEVING MEASURES |
Cost Full Year €m |
|
USC |
|
|
Incomes of €13,000 or less are exempt. Otherwise, €0 to €12,012 @ 0.5% €12,013 to €18,772 @ 2.5% €18,773 to €70,044 @ 5% €70,045 to €100,000 @ 8% PAYE income in excess of €100,000 @ 8% Self-employed income in excess of €100,000 @ 11% Medical card holders and individuals aged 70 years and over whose aggregate income does not exceed €60,000 will now pay a maximum USC rate of 2.5%. |
-390
|
|
INCOME TAX |
|
|
An increase in the Home Carer Tax Credit from €1,000 to €1,100 |
-8 |
|
An increase in the Earned Income Credit from €550 to €950 |
-58 |
|
Interest Relief Rented Residential Property The deduction available for qualifying interest payments on monies borrowed to purchase, improve or repair residential rental property is being increased from 75% to 100% over the next 5 years. The deduction will be increased by 5 percentage points each year, with the first increase from 75% to 80% to take effect from 1 January 2017. This measure will apply to both new and existing mortgages. The full-year cost of €70 million, being the cost for full restoration to 100%, will be reached in 2022. |
-70 |
|
Deposit interest retention tax (DIRT) Reduced rate of DIRT: The rate of DIRT will be decreased by 2% each year for the next 4 years until it reaches 33%. The costs shown are in relation to the first 2% reduction. Each subsequent reduction is currently costed at the same amount. (The full year cost will be reached in 2020) |
-36 |
|
OTHER INCOME TAX MEASURES |
|
|
Foreign Earnings Deduction (FED) FED is being extended until the end of 2020. Colombia and Pakistan are being added to the list of qualifying countries. The minimum number of days required to be spent in the qualifying countries is being reduced from 40 to 30 per annum. This will help smaller businesses to access the relief to identify trading opportunities in non-traditional markets for Irish goods and services. |
-3 |
|
Special Assignee Relief Programme To provide certainty to the FDI sector, SARP, which was due to expire at the end of next year, is being extended for an additional 3 years until the end of 2020. |
-8 |
|
HOUSING |
|
|
Help to Buy A rebate of Income Tax paid is being introduced to assist first time buyers of newly built homes to fund the deposit required under the Central Bank macro-prudential rules. Income Tax paid over the previous four years will be available for rebate, up to a total value of 5% of the purchase price, up to a maximum of €400,000. Where the new home is valued between €400,000 and €600,000 the maximum relief (i.e. €20,000) will continue to be available. Homes valued at greater than €600,000 will not qualify for any relief. This scheme will run until the end of 2019. |
-40 |
|
Capital acquisitions tax Changes to tax-free thresholds: The Group A lifetime tax-free threshold applying to gifts and inheritances from parents to children is being raised from €280,000 to €310,000, The Group B lifetime tax-free threshold applying to gifts and inheritances made to parents, siblings, nieces, nephews or grandchildren is being raised from €30,150 to €32,500. The Group C lifetime tax-free threshold applying to gifts and inheritances made to all others (except spouses and civil partners who are exempt) is being raised from €15,075 to €16,250 |
-25 |
|
Rent a Room The ceiling for the rent-a-room scheme is being increased from €12,000 to €14,000 for 2017 and subsequent years. This scheme provides that where a homeowner rents out a room or rooms in their principle private residence they can earn up to €14,000 tax free. The increase will allow homeowners to rent out an additional room at standard rental rates without breaching the new ceiling. |
-1 |
|
Living City Initiative The Living City Initiative is being amended to encourage an increase in the take-up of the scheme. This initiative is being extended to landlords in respect of rented residential property. In addition, the restriction on the maximum floor size of the property is being removed, along with the requirement that the property must have been previously used as a dwelling. |
-3 |
|
Home Renovation Incentive The HRI is being extended until 31 December 2018. |
-38 |
|
ENTREPRENEURS/SELF-EMPLOYED |
|
|
Accelerated Capital Allowances for energy efficient equipment The existing scheme of accelerated capital allowances for energy efficient equipment is being made available to sole traders and non-corporates. |
-3 |
|
Start Your Own Business Relief The Start Your Own Business relief provides a limited income tax exemption for individuals who are long term unemployed who set up their own business. It is being extended for a further 2 years until the end of 2018 to encourage additional new start-up businesses. |
-10 |
|
Revised CGT entrepreneur relief: A reduced CGT rate of 10% will apply to the disposal in whole or in part of a business up to an overall limit of €1 million in qualifying chargeable gains. |
-14 |
|
RURAL ECONOMY |
|
|
Fishers Tax Credit A new tax credit is being introduced for fishers to assist the viability of the fishing sector. Fishers who have fished for at least 80 days in a tax year will be entitled to an income tax credit of €1,270 per annum. |
-6 |
|
Agri-Taxation The Income Averaging regime allows a farmer's taxable profit to be averaged out over a 5-year period. It is being amended to allow a farmer to "step out" of averaging in a year where income is low. This will be available immediately for farmers who will be paying their preliminary tax towards the end of this month. |
_ |
|
Increase in Farmer's Flat-Rate Addition from 5.2% to 5.4% (VAT) The farmer's flat-rate addition will be increased from 5.2% to 5.4% with effect from 1 January 2017 |
-11 |
|
Bog restoration (€2m one-off cost) |
_ |
|
Farm restructuring |
-1 |
|
Fishing vessel decommissioning |
-2 |
|
MISCELLANEOUS OTHER TAXATION MEASURES |
|
|
EXCISE |
|
|
High Efficiency Combines Heat and Power A full carbon tax relief is being provided to incentivise the uptake of HE CHP for fuel inputs used in highly efficient electricity generation |
-2 |
|
Microbreweries Relief The special relief reducing the standard rate of Alcohol Products Tax by 50% on beer produced in microbreweries which produce not more than 30,000 hectolitres per annum is being extended to apply to microbreweries which produce not more than 40,000 hectolitres per annum. The amount of hectolitres upon which a brewery can claim relief remains at 30,000 hectolitres. This increase is an interim measure to allow for a review of the relief with a view to introducing a tapered relief. |
_ |
|
Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) The VRT reliefs available for the purchase of hybrid electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, are being extended to 31 December 2018. Electric vehicles, and electric motorcycles are being extended to 31 December 2021. |
_ |
48. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the details of any impact assessment on the property market carried out by his Department in respect of the help to buy tax rebate for first time buyers; the person or body that carried out such an assessment; if he will publish the assessment; the other analysis that was completed by his Department on this measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31167/16]
View answerA key priority for this Government is to develop a fully functioning housing market that responds adequately to the needs of our citizens. To this end, Rebuilding Ireland- Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, under the direction of Minister Coveney and the Department of Housing, Planning Community and Local Government, with cross Departmental support including from the Department of Finance, was launched in July.
This comprehensive Action Plan takes a holistic approach in addressing the many interacting structural constraints affecting the housing market in areas such as planning and land use, regulation and skills deficits in the construction sector. While the primary focus of the Action Plan is to tackle structural constraints, fiscal supports can play a supporting and time-bound role in addressing the current problems in the housing sector, pending the delivery of the structural elements of the Action Plan.
My officials considered the potential impact of the "Help to Buy" incentive, as part of their analysis of the proposal and the design of the relevant parameters of the incentive. Given the critical nature of the housing crisis and the urgency with which a Governmental response was required, there was insufficient time to commission an independent impact assessment in relation to this measure.
49. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will confirm that students taught by members of the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland will not be disadvantaged in the junior certificate examinations in 2017; his contingency plans for these examinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31001/16]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that teachers of English who are members of ASTI have been directed by their union that, while they are to teach the new Junior Cycle subject specification, they are not to undertake Classroom Based Assessments (CBAs) with their students. CBAs form a key element of the new Junior Cycle. Therefore, students who are taught by a teacher who is a member of the ASTI will not receive a grade for their CBAs and also since the written Assessment Task which is to be completed by students is linked to the second CBA, which is worth 10% of the marks for the final examination, these students cannot complete the Assessment Task, or gain marks for this examination component. Candidates for Junior Cycle English in 2017 who do not complete the assessment task can only be marked and graded based on a maximum of 90% of the available marks.
Given the very unfair position in which the ASTI directive now places teachers and students of English, my Department has been seeking to positively engage with ASTI to find a solution.
It is unprecedented for a second level teachers union to proceed with an industrial action that directly impacts on State examination students in this way. I am sure that this was not the original intention of the directive, but ASTI‘s failure to date to lift the directive so that some current third year students of English are not disadvantaged is unacceptable and flies in the face of a longstanding code of honour in respect of the timing and nature of industrial action to avoid disrupting State examination students. ASTI need to immediately suspend their directive to allow these students to complete their Assessment Task. This suspension can be without prejudice to discussions in the meantime between the Department and ASTI on issues of concern that they may wish to have addressed.
My Department has formally requested the ASTI to provide an immediate derogation from their directive regarding the CBAs for current teachers of English, while talks between my Department and the union proceed, in order that some current third year English students are no longer unfairly and unjustifiably disadvantaged
50. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there is a scheme available where old portacabins previously used in schools are now being leased or given to groups, for example Men's Sheds (details supplied). [31019/16]
View answerI wish to advise that a scheme as described by the Deputy is not available. Typically, schools may lease prefabs from prefab suppliers pending the construction of a permanent building. The schools subsequently arrange for the removal and return of the prefabricated units to the prefab suppliers at the end of the rental contract period.
51. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the approval of stage 2B for a school (details supplied) in order that this new school building project can proceed to tender stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31020/16]
View answerThe project referred to by the Deputy has recently been approved to proceed to Stage 3 which involves the tender competition for appointment of the building contractor. The school and its design team have been informed.
52. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a proposal submitted by a school (details supplied) to purchase an adjoining site for development to replace prefabs with permanent rooms; when they can expect a decision on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31028/16]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is currently considering an application for additional accommodation from the ETB in respect of the school referred to. The application, for replacement accommodation and a Special Class provision is currently being assessed and my Department will be in contact with the ETB in the matter shortly.
53. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a school (details supplied) and its place on the school building list. [31029/16]
View answerThe major building project for the school to which the Deputy refers is at an advanced stage of architectural planning, Stage 2(b) - Detailed Design, 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 and the Design Team have been authorised to complete Stage 2(b).
54. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the capital funding that will be available for schools to apply for in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31032/16]
View answerThe total capital allocation available to my Department in 2017 amounts to €690m. Under the provisions of the annual capital sanction unitary payments arising in respect of delivered PPP projects are regarded as non-discretionary capital expenditure and must be met from the 2017 capital allocation. These unitary charges and other outlays arising on the PPP programme will cost in the order of €100m in 2017.
The 2017 capital provision for the school sector amounts to almost €530m of which over €400m is assigned to the construction of large scale projects and the devolved additional accommodation scheme. The management of complex capital programmes means ensuring in the first instance that available funding is allocated towards the delivery of large scale projects and the provision of additional accommodation. Details in respect of the large scale projects programme are available on my Department’s website. Applications for additional accommodation are received on a continual basis from schools as the need for extra classrooms arises.
The balance of the capital allocation in the school sector will be expended in 2017 on the acquisition of sites, the Summer Works Scheme, the Emergency Works Scheme, ICT infrastructure upgrade and other smaller programmes.
55. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of vacancies his Department sanctioned on the Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board since July 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31059/16]
View answerI understand that the Deputy’s office has clarified that the question refers to the number of vacancies his Department sanctioned to fill in Waterford Wexford ETB in respect of non-teaching staff whose salaries are funded from the ETB Main-Scheme pay budget since July 2013.
In order to strengthen the senior management team in the ETB sector, my Department sanctioned the filling of a number of Director posts in ETBs which included a Director of Further Education & Training post and a Director of Organisation Support & Development post in Waterford Wexford ETB. These Director posts are being filled through a Public Appointments Service recruitment process.
In relation to administrative vacancies in ETBs, my Department’s overall approach is guided by what is affordable within the ETB budget, how does the staffing levels in the ETB compare to similar sized ETBs and what are the staffing pressures in the ETB and what are the ETB priorities re same. In the case of Waterford & Wexford ETB, my Department recently met with the senior management from the ETB to discuss critical vacancies within its Head Office arising from retirements etc. Following this meeting, my Department sanctioned the filling of two temporary Grade VII posts (including the associated back-filling) in order to assist the ETB manage its payroll function and to also support and drive the restructuring and streamlining process that is underway in the ETB.
My Department has also sanctioned the filling of an Adult Education Officer on an acting basis in Waterford Wexford ETB.
56. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education and Skills the action he will take to address the disparity in school costs which exist from school to school throughout the country; and the inequality faced by parents by providing funding for a free primary education system as costed by a charity (details supplied) at €103 million. [31062/16]
View answerI am aware of the report referred to by the Deputy.
I strongly support any measures that can be put in place to reduce costs for parents.
All schools must be sensitive to the financial pressures on parents in making decisions, not just about school uniforms or books, but about any matter that has cost implications for parents.
The Action Plan for Education outlines hundreds of actions to be implemented over the 3 year period 2016 to 2019. Some of the actions as part of the plan are to strengthen the focus on reducing school costs for parents by:
- Restoring capitation funding over a three-year period as resources permit
- Increasing the financial support for book rental schemes, in order to reduce or eliminate school book costs for parents
- Issuing a new circular to school authorities and ETBs regarding school uniform policy and other costs and the need to put a greater emphasis on reducing the cost of school uniforms and other costs.
Budget 2017 represents the start of a major programme of reinvestment in education, and the first phase of implementation of the Action Plan for Education, aimed at becoming the best education system in Europe within a decade.
It was not possible to provide additional funding in Budget 2017 in relation to this element of the Action Plan due to the many competing demands for the available funding. However, this commitment remains a priority for me to address as soon as possible during the lifetime of the Action Plan. It is important to note that the total allocation to this Department for additional policy measures, after demographics and Industrial Relations commitments, was €130 million and of which all our commitments in higher and further education and primary and secondary schools had to be funded.
I also intend to introduce a stronger complaints procedure and a charter for parents. It is important that schools should consult parents on matters relating to their children's education, including those matters which have cost implications, and schools should be responsive to the views and concerns of parents. In that regard requiring schools to have a parent charter will ensure that schools will interact better with parent associations and with individual parents.
I plan to make an announcement shortly on draft legislation that will replace Section 28 of the Education Act, 1998 and require every school to publish and operate a Parent and Student Charter in accordance with national guidelines. These guidelines will be published after consultation with the education partners.
I believe that these actions will significantly strengthen the focus on reducing school costs for parents.
57. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna cén dul chun cinn atá déanta maidir le scoil nua atá beartaithe do Ghaelscoil na gCeithre Máistrí, Baile Dhún na nGall, ón am a fógraíodh an togra seo ar Chlár Caipitil na Scoileanna; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [31080/16]
View answerMaidir leis an mórthionscadal tógála don scoil dár thagair an Teachta, táthar ag fanacht faoi láthair le ceapadh Foireann Deartha. Táthar ag dúil go dtosóidh an próiseas seo gan mhoill. Déanfaidh Oifigigh de chuid mo Roinne teagmháil dhíreach leis an mBord Bainistíochta faoi na bearta atá díreach romhainn sa phróiseas. Bhí an tionscadal seo san áireamh sa chlár sé bliana le dul ar aghaidh chuig an gcéim tairisceana agus tógála.
58. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the percentage of schools which have received their summer works grant prior to the end of summer term 2015-2016; the number of successful applicants that did not receive their summer works grant before this time; if there has been an additional cost to his Department as a result of delays in the issue of moneys under the summer works scheme leading to increased quotes for tender for works approved for funding; if so, the amount of additional moneys; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31084/16]
View answerAll schools that have advanced their Summer Works Scheme projects to site under the current Scheme have received all or part of their approved funding, as appropriate, under the terms and conditions of the Scheme. There is no issue with nor has there been any delay in making approved funding available to these schools and, consequently, there are no financial implications for my Department.
The Summer Works Scheme is a devolved Scheme meaning that approved projects are devolved for delivery to schools themselves. Once projects are approved, Boards of Management are free to progress their projects in accordance with that approval. Schools request the first drawdown of their approved funding when they have advanced their projects to site with the final payment being made when the project is completed. The payment of these drawdown requests is a routine matter for my Department to ensure that schools can meet their contractual commitments.
Original Summer Works Scheme grant approvals are based on cost estimates provided by the school at the time the application for funding is made. However, as with all school building projects, the funding ultimately to be made available for each individual project is subject to a tender process outcome.
To date, 197 primary and post-primary schools have been approved funding under my Department's multi-annual Summer Works Scheme 2016/2017. Based on funding drawdowns so far this year, 79 projects are on site, 33 projects have been completed and 74 projects have not yet commenced. 11 schools have requested a deferral of their project until 2017.
59. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress under the school construction programme in 2016; the projects that have been progressed; the stage at which each project has progressed to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31085/16]
View answerThe 6 Year Capital Plan (2016-2021), announced last November by the previous Minister O'Sullivan, details the major school building projects that are scheduled to proceed to construction over the lifetime of the Plan.
To date in 2016, a total of 130 major projects are either under construction or authorised to progress to construction and, of these, 28 have been completed.
All other projects in architectural planning are being progressed towards tender stage but are not yet tender ready.
60. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to provide for the upskilling of professionals in early childhood care and education settings following recent inspection reports carried out by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31086/16]
View answerAs part of the collaborative approach towards quality improvement in early childhood education and care in Ireland, my Department is carrying out education-focused inspections in early years services offering the ECCE scheme (universal free pre-school).
As part of the wider remit of my Department relating to the quality of the education system, the Early Years Education Policy unit, that is co-located with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, is carrying out a phased review of the education and training programmes that are available to upskill professionals in the early years sector. A report of the consultation with practitioners on the quality and relevance of their education and training was published earlier this year. Professionals identified some gaps in their preparedness to implement the curriculum and quality frameworks, Aistear and Síolta, and that they were poorly prepared for the education of children with additional needs.
On foot of this, the Department has commissioned a piece of research from an international expert to revise the occupational role profiles that were published in 2002 and are used as the basis for many qualifications in early years. It is expected that this report will be available for further consultation with the sector before the end of 2016. This report and an international literature review of professionalisation will inform further phases of the review in 2017 and we will work closely with education providers to ensure that all qualifications reflect the needs of practitioners in their professional practice. My Department is also collaborating with DCYA to implement the Síolta/Aistear initiative. Two national coordinators are now in place and are developing and delivering CPD for practitioners which will be rolled out further in 2017.
Another significant development in the upskilling of practitioners and their capacity to deliver a high quality early educational experience for children with a disability is being supported by both Departments. My Department secured funding of €500,000 from the dormant accounts scheme to put in place a national higher education qualification for practitioners to train as Inclusion Coordinators. The programme is being delivered by a consortium led by Mary Immaculate College in co-operation with Froebel, Maynooth University and Early Childhood Ireland. DCYA will fund 900 practitioners per year for four years so that an Inclusion Coordinator can be in place in every setting to coordinate educational provision for children with additional needs in that setting.
I am strongly committed to ensuring that the highest quality education and training including continuous professional development opportunities are in place for early years professionals and my Department will continue to work closely with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs in that regard.
61. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of inspectorate memos that have been filed with his Department in respect of issues with school buildings or facilities over each of the past ten years; the number of these that are related to health and safety concerns; the number that relate to the need for upgrade or repair; the number that relate to the need for additional buildings or facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31087/16]
View answerIt is not possible to provide the type of detailed information requested by the Deputy at this time. The matter requires the collation of data from a number of sources and a further response will be provided as soon as possible.
62. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a breakdown of the allocation of the minor works grant for each of the past ten years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31088/16]
View answerUnder the Grant Scheme for Minor Works the following amounts were issued to primary schools in the years 2006 to 2015:
|
Year |
Amount |
|
2006 |
€27.7m |
|
2007 |
€27.6m |
|
2008 |
€26.7m |
|
2009 |
€29.2m |
|
2010 |
€28.2m |
|
2011 |
€28.2m |
|
2012 |
Nil |
|
2013 |
€28m |
|
2014 |
€28.5m |
|
2015 |
€28.7m |
63. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there are any instances whereby the provision of Irish language education has been decoupled from the current procedure for patronage for the establishment of new schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31089/16]
View answerFollowing consideration of feedback from patrons on previous patronage processes, my Department has moved to incorporate the medium of instruction of a proposed new school as part of the assessment process of the patronage process for the nine new post-primary schools which will open in 2017 and 2018.
It is open to all prospective patron applicants to propose provision of Irish-medium education in their application for a new school. Parental preferences for each patron, together with the extent of Irish provision, if any, currently available in the area, are key in relation to the outcome of this process. In this regard, prospective patrons are requested to submit completed parental preferences indicating the language through which parents would prefer their child(ren) to be educated.
The assessment process analyses existing Irish-medium provision in the area and also takes into account existing Irish-medium provision in the adjacent school planning areas. Consideration is given to demonstrated demand and long-term sustainability, including provision of a sufficient range of subjects.
The assessment process for the nine new post-primary schools is at an advanced stage. The final assessment reports will be forwarded for the consideration of the New Schools Establishment Group (NSEG). The NSEG is an external independent advisory group set up to oversee the process. Following the Group's consideration, they will submit a report with recommendations to me for consideration and final decision. I will then announce who the successful patron of each school is. I expect to receive this report in the coming weeks.
64. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department has conducted any recent studies into the barriers to third level education for young persons from lower socio-economic groups; if he will consider commissioning such research; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31090/16]
View answerThe development of the National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education, 2015-19, was informed by the findings from existing research on the barriers to participating in higher education by under-represented groups, including those from lower socio-economic groups. The Plan was also informed by a consultation process which considered the views of the wide range of stakeholders that are active in this policy area.
The National Access Plan contains more than 30 actions that are intended to make higher education more representative of wider society. There are also specific targets, including a target to increase the proportion of students from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
My Department is also currently undertaking a review of lone parents’ participation in higher education. This review is expected to be published before the end of 2016.
I have secured additional funding of €8.5m for new access measures in Budget 2017. These measures - which will include a new bursary scheme and cash incentives for higher education institutions to attract more students from lower socio-economic groups - will complement existing support measures such as the Student Grant Scheme, the Student Assistance Fund and the Fund for Students with Disabilities.
65. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the policy initiatives that resulted from the previously established educational disadvantage committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31091/16]
View answerThe policy recommendations of the Educational Disadvantage Committee (EDC), which ranged from the methodology for identifying educational disadvantage to teacher supply and staffing and integrating school-based and community interventions, were comprehensively addressed in DEIS - the Action Plan for Educational Inclusion.
A process to review the DEIS Action Plan which began last year is nearing completion and it is my intention to publish a new Action Plan for Educational Inclusion before the end of this year.
The review is looking at all aspects of DEIS, including the range and impact of different elements of the DEIS School Support Programme, the potential for innovation within and between schools and the scope for increased integration of services provided by other Departments and Agencies, in order to improve effectiveness. The latter is an area particularly emphasised by the EDC and achieving a more joined-up way of working for service providers at both national and local levels is a key objective of the Review process.
Implementation of actions arising from the Plan for Educational Inclusion will begin in the 2017/18 school year, and will be a continuing theme in the wider Annual Action Plan for Education.
