Written Answers Nos. 138-150
138. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a person (details supplied) will be provided with information requested from his Department some months ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35575/16]
View answerP60s which are annual statement of earnings were issued in early 2015 and 2016 to the person referred to by the Deputy. This information has been issued to her again. The information in relation to hours worked has also been issued.
139. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if sitting Members in the Houses of the Oireachtas are eligible to apply for the job-sharing scheme if they meet the eligibility criteria set out in chapter 5, section 4 of the terms and conditions of employment for registered teachers in recognised primary and post-primary schools published on 30 September 2016 in his Department's web book; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35612/16]
View answerThe position is that in September 2016 my Department published on its website the ‘Terms & Conditions of Employment for Registered Teachers in Recognised Primary and Post Primary Schools’.
Chapter Four, Paragraph 1.1 of this book details the position for Oireachtas members i.e. that the career break scheme is designed to cater for public representation and states “The main objectives of this scheme below, which are not exhaustive, is for employers, wherever possible to facilitate applicants in the areas of: …………- Public Representation”
This is in accordance with the Government decision of the 1 February, 2011 to revise the employment and pension arrangements for teachers who became Oireachtas members so that any member of Dáil Éireann or Seanad Éireann who holds a teaching post in a primary, secondary, community, comprehensive or vocational school would have the option of applying for a career break of up to 10 years. This was to replace existing leave arrangements. This decision was extended by the Government to all staff in the education sector ahead of the 2016 General Election. Therefore the only means by which a teacher who takes up a seat in the Oireachtas can temporarily take leave from their teaching post and subsequently return to it is through taking a career break.
140. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether it is appropriate that the Minister of State with responsibility for training, skills and innovation, who has said that Israel's treatment of Palestinians is appalling and unacceptable and would not be tolerated by any other state in the world, would visit Israel and meet a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35613/16]
View answerThe Minister of State for Training, Skills and Innovation's visit to Palestine and Israel originated in an invitation from the Palestinian Minister for Education. The objective on this visit was to both demonstrate what Ireland is doing in the fields of education and training, and to observe and learn from what is being done in other countries, and to discuss problems arising and how they are being approached. It was hoped also specifically to offer support to the education and training sector in Palestine, which Ireland is already directly supporting through Irish Aid assistance and capacity building.
It should be noted that this visit to Palestine entailed transit through Israel. It was natural therefore, as well as courteous, to seek also to discuss these areas with relevant Israeli Ministers. I found these meetings useful and interesting. In this regard, no meeting with the Minister to whom the Deputy refers actually took place.
This visit was arranged with the advice and assistance of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and its diplomatic missions on the ground. This advice was clearly in favour of meeting Ministers in both jurisdictions, if possible. Ireland has consistently voiced criticisms of Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory, but the Government does not consider that this should prohibit mutually beneficial relations with Israel in other spheres. Similar concerns would apply to very many states around the world with whom Ireland has human rights concerns.
Questions relating to Ireland’s relations with Israel, or Israeli Ministers, should be taken up with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.
141. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding a contract of indefinite duration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35621/16]
View answerUnder the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015 the Teaching Council is, since 2006, the statutory regulator and standards body for the teaching profession in this State.
A key function of the Council is to register teachers and maintain the register of teachers in the State.
The Teaching Council is also the designated authority in this State for considering applications for registration from teachers who qualified in other States.
If Conditional Registration is granted, the Council will inform a teacher of the conditions imposed, the measures required to meet them, and the timeframe within which they must be met. A teacher should communicate directly with the Teaching Council regarding conditional registration issues.
142. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure that a bus service is in place to service two minority schools for the next school year (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35622/16]
View answerSchool transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
Currently in the region of 114,000 children, including some 10,000 children with special educational needs, are being transported in over 4,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually.
The purpose of the Department's Primary School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
Under the terms of the Department's Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
A minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the establishment or retention of school transport services, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits.
The service referred to by the Deputy is operating for the 2016/17 school year. However, Bus Éireann review all school transport services over the summer months. Arising from this review, routes may be established, altered, extended or withdrawn depending on the number and location of eligible children who will be availing of school transport for the following school year.
143. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the sterling exchange rate and tax year applicable in assessing income under the HEAR scheme for access to third level education for a person who will be applying for the scheme in 2017 where both parents work across the Border; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35628/16]
View answerThe Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) is a college and university admissions scheme which offers places on reduced points and extra college support to school leavers from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
The scheme is operated by a number of higher education institutions and not by my Department. Admissions to the institutions are regulated by the institutions themselves.
Individual students who have queries on this matter can contact HEAR Higher Education Institutions directly. Alternatively, the Deputy may wish to contact the Irish Universities Association in this instance
145. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the closing date for expressions of interest from patrons for a new school (details supplied); when thereafter a decision will be announced for the patronage of the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35633/16]
View answerThe school to which the Deputy refers was included in the announcement of November 2015 of new schools to be established by my Department in 2017 and 2018.
When it is decided that a new school is required, my Department runs a separate patronage process to decide who will operate the school. The criteria used in relation to patronage of the new school place particular emphasis on parental demand for plurality and diversity of patronage, with parental preferences from the area to be served being central to the process. In this regard, patrons and prospective patrons must collect and demonstrate evidence of parental demand from the area to be served for the model of provision proposed as part of their application under the process. It is hoped to invite applications for the patronage of these new primary schools in the coming weeks. This invitation will be posted on my Departments website www.education.ie. The closing date for receipt of completed applications is approximately four to six weeks from the date the invitation issues.
The assessment stage of the process is rigorous and detailed. Once completed, draft assessment reports will be forwarded for the consideration of the New Schools Establishment Group (NSEG), which is an external independent advisory group set up to oversee the process. Following their consideration, the NSEG will submit a report with recommendations to me for consideration and final decision. I will then announce who the successful patron of each of the four schools will be. The assessment reports and the NSEG recommendations will be available on my Department's website following the announcement..
146. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the proposed headquarters for the Louth and Meath Education and Training Board which is to be constructed in Drogheda on the grounds of a school (details supplied); if money was provided in the Estimates in 2016 and 2017 for this purpose; if contractors have been appointed to complete this development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35663/16]
View answerTenders have been received for the project to which the Deputy refers. The project is currently under review subject to the availability of funding in 2017 for this type of project.
Construction funding is allocated to a project when it is approved to proceed to site. A decision is taken in this regard in the context of competing demands from other on-going capital projects.
147. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the details of all pension top-ups paid in respect of chief executives of semi-State companies under the aegis of his Department, including the name of the organisation, the name of the chief executive, the amount of the top-up, the date of payment, and if the top-up was approved by his Department in each of the years 2011 to 2016 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35884/16]
View answerFor the Deputy's information there are no semi-state companies under the aegis of my Department.
Details of non-commercial state agencies under the remit of my Department are available from the Department's website. http://education.ie/en/The-Department/Agencies/.
148. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the value of Irish assets and infrastructure that have been signed over to Irish Water to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35516/16]
View answerThe information requested is being compiled and will be provided to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
With effect from 1 January 2014, Irish Water is responsible for public water services. The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provided for a range of matters consequent upon the transfer of functions in relation to public water services from local authorities to Irish Water. Section 12 provides for the transfer from the local authorities to Irish Water of property and moneys received in accordance with section 48 or 49 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, namely, development levies which can only be expended by Irish Water in the functional area of the local authority concerned.
Valuation of the water-related assets in local authority accounts and in the accounts of Irish Water are based on different applicable accounting standards and systems. In the case of the local authorities, the valuations are historical less depreciation whereas in the case of Irish Water, the value attributed to opening property, plant and equipment is based on the future return provided for in the regulatory regime which consists mostly of liabilities linked to opening assets assumed by Irish Water, for which the Commission for Energy Regulation has allowed a future return.
Insofar as the physical water related assets are concerned, the net book value reflected in the Annual Financial Statements of the local authorities was €11.4 billion and €1.1 billion, at the end of 2013 and 2014, respectively, with the bulk of the change reflecting the transfer of assets to Irish Water.
Work is underway between Irish Water and the local authorities in relation to the identification and quantification of water-related financial assets/liabilities. Final agreement on the liability to transfer to Irish Water, including financial assets, liabilities and debtors, will be by way of balancing statements agreed between Irish Water and local authorities. I understand that balancing statements have been agreed between Irish Water and 23 local authorities accounting for an overall net asset value transferring to Irish Water of over €67m. Negotiations between Irish Water and the 8 remaining local authorities are at an advanced stage.
149. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if vacant properties owned by Government bodies, local authorities and semi-State organisations will be subject to the vacant-site levy in 2019; and if not, the reason for the exemption. [35581/16]
View answerThe Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015 introduced the vacant site levy measure, aimed at incentivising the development of vacant, under - utilised sites in urban areas.
Under the provisions of the Act, with effect from 2019, a levy will be charged on the registered owners of vacant sites in designated areas in local development plans and local area plans as being in need of, and suitable for, housing or in need of regeneration. The Act provides that residential or regeneration land, regardless of ownership, either public or private, will be subject to the levy, if it meets the criteria for a vacant site.
150. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the details of the development contribution rebate scheme including the cost of the scheme; and the number of properties the scheme is estimated to have had an effect on incentivising their development. [35582/16]
View answerThe development contribution rebate scheme was one of a number of measures included in the housing package, Stabilising Rents, Boosting Supply, which was announced by the previous Government in November 2015. The aim of the scheme is to enhance the viability of construction and sale of residential housing units at affordable prices in the locations of greatest need.
The scheme was subsequently launched by my Department in December 2015 and applies to the metropolitan areas of Cork City and County Councils, and all of Fingal, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown and South Dublin County Councils, as well as Dublin City Council.
Eligibility under the scheme is confined to residential developments of at least 50 units which must be completed and sold by 31 December 2017 at a price not greater than €300,000 in Dublin and €250,000 in Cork.
Under the scheme, the rebate will be paid in full for dwellings in the Dublin area with a confirmed sale price of up to €275,000, with an 80% rebate payable for units with a sale price of €275,000 - €300,000. In the Cork area, a 100% rebate will apply for dwellings with a sale price of up to €225,000, with an 80% rebate for sale prices of €225,000 - €250,000. The rebate will be paid solely in respect of development contributions paid to the relevant local authority for local authority infrastructure and services.
Further details of the scheme can be obtained on the Circular letter which launched the scheme and which issued from my Department to the relevant local authorities, which is available at following link – http://www.housing.gov.ie/search/archived/current/sub-type/circular?query=circulars.
Returns to date from the local authorities concerned indicate that some 1,068 housing units are projected to benefit from the scheme at an estimated overall cost of approximately €8.5m between 2017 and 2018, subject to compliance with the requirements of the scheme.
