Written Answers Nos. 159-184
159. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of civil and public servants earning less than the hourly living wage of €11.70 per hour by Department and agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7028/18]
View answerThe information sought in this request would require detailed data on the position of staff on each salary scale across the public service and details of the standard working hours per week for each individual grade. This data is not available to the Department.
Pay band data available to the Department indicates that some 94% of all public service staff are on salary points in excess of €25,000 per annum. The suggested wage at €11.70 per hour based on the Civil Service 37 hour standard net working week equates to an annual salary of €22,589.
Any of those currently on an annual salary of less than €22,589 could be receiving remuneration in excess of the suggested living wage through additional premium payments in respect of shift or atypical working hours or are on salary scales that progress to the suggested living wage through incremental progression.
Data based on Civil Service staff only at end of Qtr 4 2017 indicates that only some 1% of staff (FTE) in the Civil Service are on salary points less than €22,589. Detailed information in other sectors of the public service would require collation on an individual sector level.
Under the new Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020, from January 2018 pay rates in the public service have been further adjusted. The pay increases provided for under the Agreement are again progressively weighted towards the lower paid with benefits ranging from 7.4% to 6.2% over the term to end 2020. As a result, further pay rises under the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020 will act to increase staff numbers earning above the living wage.
160. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to make it a condition of public tenders and State contracts that suppliers must pay a minimum living wage of €11.70 per hour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7029/18]
View answerThe rationale for the EU public procurement regime is to open up the public procurement market and to ensure the free movement of goods, services and works within the EU. This is reflected in primary EU Law where the EU Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union promotes the fundamental principles of non-discrimination, free movement of goods and services and freedom of establishment. These principles are reinforced in secondary EU law where the EU Directives on public procurement set out precise rules and procedures designed to ensure equal treatment, mutual recognition, proportionality and transparency in the awarding of public contracts.
EU rules require tenderers to be compliant with relevant labour law in order to participate in a public procurement process. The Directives make it clear that non-compliance with the relevant obligations may lead to exclusion of a tenderer from the procedure for the awarding of a public contract. The obligations on suppliers in relation to compliance with labour law are reflected in the template request for tender and contract documents for goods and services developed by the Office of Government Procurement in conjunction with the Office of the Chief State Solicitor.
In relation to the specific issue of the living wage, there is, however, no legal basis in Irish law to make it a requirement on suppliers who wish to engage in public tendering. In addition, at EU level, any attempt to set wage rates through public procurement is also likely be viewed as protectionist and/or discriminatory and in breach of the EU Treaty principles enshrined in EU procurement directives. The National minimum wage, of course, applies to all contracts, public and private.
161. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number and list of flood alleviation and protection schemes funded in each year from 2015 to 2017 and to date in 2018; the amount committed to each project; the projects for which funding has been requested but not yet awarded or allocated; his plans to fund such projects within the remainder of the capital plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7030/18]
View answerThe following table sets out the major flood relief schemes which have been and are being funded by the Office of Public Works (OPW) and on which expenditure was incurred from the 1st January, 2015, to 9th February, 2018, along with the estimated whole life costs of each scheme.
|
Scheme |
Estimated “Whole life costs” |
|
Athlone, Co Westmeath** |
€12m approx |
|
Bandon, Co Cork** |
€25.5m |
|
Bray, Co Wicklow* |
€46m |
|
Claregalway, Co Galway** |
€7m |
|
Clonmel West Co Tipperary* |
€26m |
|
Clonmel North & East, Co Tipperary* |
€19m |
|
Crookstown, Co Cork |
€2m |
|
River Dodder (Tidal) Dublin* |
€16m |
|
River Dodder (Fluvial) Dublin** |
€14.5m |
|
Dunkellin River, Co Galway** |
€6.5m |
|
Ennis Lower, Co Clare** |
€19m |
|
Fermoy North, Co Cork* |
€9m |
|
Fermoy South, Co Cork* |
€29m |
|
Foynes, Co Limerick* |
€3m |
|
Johnstown, Co Kildare* |
€3m |
|
Mallow North, Co Cork* |
€23m |
|
Mallow South, Co Cork* |
€21m |
|
Mornington, Co Meath* |
€6m |
|
Northlands, Co Meath* |
€2.5m |
|
Skibbereen, Co Cork** |
€33m |
|
South Campshires, Dublin* |
€6m |
|
Templemore, Co Tipperary** |
€9m |
|
Tullamore, Co Offaly* |
€2m |
|
River Wad, Dublin* |
€6m |
|
Waterford City, Phases 2,3,4* |
€18m |
|
Bellurgan, Co Louth |
€0.7m |
|
Blackpool, Cork |
€16m |
|
Clonakilty, Co Cork |
€23m |
|
Douglas/Togher, Cork |
€10m |
|
Ennis South, Co Clare |
€9m |
|
Glashaboy (Glanmire), Co Cork |
€13m |
|
River Lee (Cork City) |
€140m |
|
Lower Morrell, Co Kildare |
€12m |
|
Arklow, Co Wicklow |
€28m |
|
Ballycullen, Co Dublin* |
€0.7m |
|
Ballymakeera, Co Cork |
€16m |
|
Crossmolina, Co Mayo |
€11m |
|
Enniscorthy, Co Wexford |
€39m |
|
Gort Lowlands, Co Galway |
€6m approx |
|
King’s Island, Limerick |
€15m approx |
|
Midleton, Co Cork |
€20m approx |
|
Raphoe, Co Donegal |
€3m approx |
* Schemes completed
** Schemes at construction
In addition to the above-funded schemes, projects which are in the pipeline for funding by the OPW and are under discussion between the OPW and various local authorities include:
Sandymount, Co Dublin
Camac River, Dublin
Carrigaline, Co Cork
Clontarf, Dublin
Macroom, Co Cork
Mountmellick, Co Laois
River Poddle, Dublin
Portmarnock, Co Dublin
Skerries, Co Dublin
Springfield, Co Clare
Whitechurch Stream, Co Dublin
In addition to these major schemes, the OPW has also provided funding to local authorities on a range of projects through the Minor Flood Alleviation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme which allows local authorities to undertake works or studies to address small localised flooding and coastal protection problems within their own administrative areas. Details of those projects which have been approved for funding in each year since 2009 are provided on the OPW website www.opw.ie./. Applications for funding under the Scheme are made by local authorities on an ongoing basis.
The Government has committed to significant increased investment in flood risk management in the current Capital Investment Plan 2016-2021 which provides an allocation of €430m during the lifetime of the current Plan, during which the majority of the above projects will be implemented. It is anticipated that the new Capital Plan 2018-2027 will provide for a continuation of this increased level of investment in flood risk management so as to enable the remaining significant flood risk in the country to be addressed over the next decade through the continued implementation of schemes in the existing programme of flood relief capital works and the implementation of new schemes which will arise from the Flood Risk Management Plans developed under the national Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) programme. The Plans are expected to be published shortly.
162. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of additional capital allocated to each Department and agency as a result of budget 2018 for 2018, 2019 and 2020 of the current plan; the specific projects this funding was planned for in each case, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7031/18]
View answerFollowing the announcement of the Estimates for 2018 last October, my Department published "Exchequer Capital Envelopes 2018 - 2021, Outcomes of the Mid-Term Review of the Capital Plan - New Projects and Programmes". This document which is available at the www.budgetgov.ie website sets out the amount of additional capital allocated to each Ministerial Vote Group for the period 2018 - 2021 and also contains details of the projects and programmes to which this additional funding was allocated as requested by the Deputy in her question.
Further details of the specific projects to be funded with these allocations were also announced by the relevant Ministers at Budget time and are available on the websites of the relevant Departments.
163. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if funding will be granted for the elimination of the flooding risk at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7192/18]
View answerThe core strategy for addressing areas at potentially significant risk from flooding is the Office of Public Works (OPW) Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. The Programme, which is being undertaken by engineering consultants on behalf of the OPW working in partnership with the local authorities, involves the production of predictive flood mapping for each location, the development of preliminary flood risk management options and the production of Flood Risk Management Plans.
The CFRAM Programme focussed on 300 Areas for Further Assessment (AFAs) including 90 coastal areas, mainly in urban locations nationwide, identified as being at potentially significant risk of flooding. The proposed feasible measures, both structural and non-structural, identified for AFAs are outlined in the Flood Risk Management Plans.
The area referred to by the Deputy is within an AFA and is being assessed by the South Western CFRAM Programme. The proposed viable flood relief measures for that AFA, would protect the properties at risk in that location.
The Draft Flood Risk Management Plans were published for public consultation in 2016 and a significant volume of submissions were received for consideration. In Summer 2017, the OPW finalised all Plans and each Plan was submitted to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for an independent review of the environmental assessments. This independent review is nearing completion, after which the Final Plans will be formally submitted to the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform for approval, in accordance with the statutory requirements.
I would hope in the coming weeks to seek the approval from the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform for the Flood Risk Management Plans developed under the CFRAM process.
168. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on proposals (details supplied). [7380/18]
View answerThe Report of the Independent Panel on Strengthening Civil Service Accountability and Performance was published in June 2014 and its recommendations were considered by the then Minister and Government in the context of determining actions for a programme of civil service renewal. The Panel made 10 key recommendations all of which have been included in the Civil Service Renewal Plan, except for the Head of Civil Service structure. The Civil Service Renewal Plan published in October 2014 brings together the outcomes of the work of the Independent Panel and the work of the Civil Service Renewal Task Force which was made up of civil servants from all Government Departments. The Plan was informed by an extensive engagement process involving more than 2,000 staff and stakeholders.
Implementation of the Plan is ongoing and the latest progress report was published in June 2017 and is available on the website of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Significant progress has been made on delivering the actions within the plan, in particular the following have been delivered to date:
- A new programme of organisational capability reviews
- A Civil Service wide mobility scheme for Clerical Officers and Executive Officers which will be extended to other grades in due course
- A new People Strategy for the Civil Service
- The establishment of a Civil Service Management Board
- The establishment of the Civil Service Accountability Board
- The strengthening of performance management processes
- New talent management programmes for staff
- Civil Service Employee Engagement Surveys - 2015 and 2017
- The introduction of a new shared model for Learning and Development, One Learning
- The development of the whodoeswhat.gov.ie website which sets out the Assignment of Responsibilities under the Public Service Management Act 1997
169. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills his understanding of the financial relationship between DCU and a university (details supplied). [6811/18]
View answer181. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills his understanding of the financial relationship between DCU and a university (details supplied). [6800/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 169 and 181 together.
My Department Officials have requested DCU to provide details in relation to the relationship of the university with the institute referred to by the Deputy.
Upon receipt of the details I arrange for the information to be issued directly to the Deputy in a timely manner.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
170. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education and Skills the timeframe to end pay inequality for teachers; when a decision will issue on the pay review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6676/18]
View answerThe public service agreements have allowed a programme of pay restoration for public servants to start. I negotiated together with my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, a 15-22% pay increase for new teachers. The agreements to date have restored an estimated 75% of the difference in pay for more recently recruited teachers and deliver full equality at later points in the scale.
As a result of the changes I negotiated together with my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, the current starting salary of a new teacher is €35,958 and from 1 October 2020 onwards will be €37,692. If full equalisation was achieved the starting salary for a post-primary teacher from 1 October 2020 would be €43,879 and for a primary teacher would be €41,511, at a cost of over €200 million across the public service.
Differential pay scales were introduced by the then Government in 2010. It must be borne in mind that the pay reduction for post-2011 entrants to the public service applied to all public servants and not just teachers, and that any restoration of these measures in respect of teachers would be expected to be applied elsewhere across the public service. While I am not in a position to provide an estimate of the total cost of restoring all post-1 January 2011 entrants in all of the public service to the pre-2011 pay scale arrangements, I can say that in the case of education and training sector employees, including teachers, the estimated current full year cost would be in the order of €130 million. Clearly, the cost across the entire public service would be substantially higher.
To have gone further than the pay increases that have been negotiated for 2018 would mean I would have had less money available to hire over 1,000 extra SNAs in 2018, and over 1,000 extra teachers in 2018.
Any further negotiation on new entrant pay is a cross sectoral issue, not just an issue for the education sector. The Government also supports the gradual, negotiated repeal of the FEMPI legislation, having due regard to the priority to improve public services and in recognition of the essential role played by public servants.
A commitment is included in the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020 to consider the issue of newly qualified pay within 12 months of the commencement of the Agreement. That process has now commenced with a first meeting on 12 October 2017. The three teacher unions attended that first meeting.
In addition, the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017 provides that within 3 months of the passing of the Act, my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform will prepare and lay before the Oireachtas a report on the cost of and a plan in dealing with pay equalisation for new entrants to the public service.
171. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount his Department has spent on temporary accommodation for a school (details supplied) in each of the years 2000 to 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6701/18]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that details of expenditure on temporary accommodation, at the school referred to, are available on my Department’s Financial Management System from 2003. The details of any costs incurred between 2000 and 2003 cannot be readily located. The available information is set out in the following table. I wish to advise that the amounts include both rental and buy-out costs of temporary accommodation approved for the school.
|
Year |
Costs incurred |
|
2003 |
€20,801.75 |
|
2004 |
€133,660.16 |
|
2005 |
€122,120.64 |
|
2006 |
€175,119.80 |
|
2007 |
€119,807.32 |
|
2008 |
€178,223.85 |
|
2009 |
€117,557.24 |
|
2010 |
€55,254.23 |
|
2011 |
€237,885.46 |
172. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the review of the programme for capital expenditure in 2018 and 2019 in the context of schools building projects; the timeframe for the progression of a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6724/18]
View answerThe major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning Stage 2b (Detailed Design), which includes the application for statutory approvals and the preparation of tender documents. All statutory approvals have been secured.
The Stage 2b submission has been reviewed by my Department and comments have issued to the school and its Design Team. My Department requested confirmations from the Design Team that it carries out one final review of all of its tender documentation to ensure compliance with DoES requirements. The Design Team has been requested to submit written confirmation from each Design Team member including the PSDP that they have completed this review and are satisfied that the Tender Documents are complete, correct and in compliance with DoES and Building Control (Amendment) Regulations (BC(A)R) tender documentation requirements. These confirmations have recently been received.
My Department will revert to the school with regard to the further progression of the project in the coming weeks.
173. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) did not received a SUSI grant. [6729/18]
View answerAs part of a comprehensive customer service and communications strategy provided by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), to ensure that all necessary avenues are open to applicants to receive the information they need, a dedicated email and phone line service is provided by SUSI for Oireachtas members. This was established to meet an identified need for applicants who choose to engage the assistance of their public representatives in making enquiries about their grant applications.
This service complements the established channels provided by SUSI which include online application tracking, a dedicated website, a telephone helpdesk, email and social media, including Facebook and Twitter. Enquiries may be emailed direct to SUSI at oireachtas@susi.ie. Staff in SUSI are responding to email queries within a matter of days.
If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a student grant or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to SUSI. Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down in writing by SUSI and remains of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in his/her case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board within the required timeframe.
Under Section 21(2) of the Student Support Act 2011 an applicant has 30 days, from the date of the Appeals Officer’s decision in the awarding authority, to submit their appeal to the Student Grant Appeals Board (Board). Under Section 21(3) of the Act the Board may extend this period by a further 30 days if it is satisfied that the applicant has given reasonable cause to do so.
Please be advised that the Board does not have any discretion to extend the time period beyond that allowed for in the Act.
174. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount spent by his Department on photography, by photographer and-or agency, public relations or communications advice external to the media officers of his Department, by agency; the use of public relations or communications advice by an agency fully funded by his Department by agency and month, in tabular form since 1 January 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6746/18]
View answerThe tabular statement contains details of expenditure at my Department on photography and associated matters since 2016 as requested by the Deputy.
Details of such expenditure in connection with bodies under the aegis of the Department are not collated centrally. Therefore, I have requested officials at my Department to request the information from the bodies concerned and I will forward this to the Deputy when it is to hand.
|
Year |
Occasion |
Photographer |
Total (€) |
|
2017 |
21 December 2017 - Minister Mitchell O'Connor Funding Announcement |
Maxwell Photography |
430.50 |
|
2017 |
20 December 2017 - Minister Bruton Computer Science Announcement |
Maxwell Photography |
393.60 |
|
2017 |
11 December 2017 - Physical Education Announcement |
Maxwell Photography |
412.05 |
|
2017 |
6 November 2017 - Gender Taskforce Launch |
JCP Photography |
492.00 |
|
2017 |
17 October 2017 - Minister Bruton Photocall |
Fennell Photography |
109.25 |
|
2017 |
6 Septmber 2017 - Minister Halligan Portraits |
Maxwell Photography |
504.30 |
|
2017 |
25 August 2017 - Minister Bruton Portraits |
Maxwell Photography |
223.86 |
|
2017 |
23 August 2017 - Minister Mitchell O'Connor Portraits |
Maxwell Photography |
189.42 |
|
2017 |
26 June 2017 - Music Generation Photography |
Fennell Photography |
369.00 |
|
2017 |
20 June 2017 - Digital Strategy Launch |
Maxwell Photography |
522.37 |
|
2017 |
25 April 2017 - Active Schools Week Launch |
Maxwell Photography |
499.38 |
|
2017 |
14 March 2017 - Literacy and Numeracy Strategy |
Fennell Photography |
497.20 |
|
2017 |
6 February 2017 - Department Action Plan Launch |
Phocus Photography |
492.00 |
|
2016 |
17 October 2016 - EIB Loan Agreement Signing |
Maxwell Photography |
120.54 |
|
2016 |
15 Septmber 2016 - Action Plan for Education 2016 Launch |
Maxwell Photography |
981.54 |
|
2016 |
10 June 2016 - Music Education Bursary Scheme |
Maxwell Photography |
499.38 |
|
2016 |
03 June 2016 - Action Plan for Disadvantaged Schools |
Maxwell Photography |
516.60 |
|
Total |
7252.99 |
175. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a reply will issue to a query from a person (details supplied) regarding an application. [6761/18]
View answerAs part of the review of capital funding requirements in Higher Education Institutions, Dundalk Institute of Technology (DKIT) submitted a proposal outlining the refurbishment of the North and South Block as a priority for capital funding should it become available.
The Higher Education Authority (HEA) recently met with representatives of DKIT in order to progress consideration of this specific project. Following that meeting, an updated proposal from the Institute is awaited.
My Department allocates recurrent funding to the HEA for direct disbursement to the HEA designated higher education institutions, including Institutes such as DKIT. The HEA allocates this funding to the institutions and the internal disbursement of funding is then a matter for the individual institution. The HEA is closely monitoring the financial position of all of the IoTs and in particular is working closely with those operating in deficit to ensure appropriate mechanisms are put in place to eliminate the deficits as quickly as possible.
176. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he is examining the issue of mobility for experienced teachers and new entrants in the teaching profession; the way in which he plans to improve career mobility for new and existing teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6762/18]
View answerThe teacher Unions have recently raised the issue of further mobility of both Primary and Post Primary teachers at the Teacher Conciliation Council (TCC).
The TCC is part of the scheme of Conciliation and Arbitration for Teachers and was set up to deal with claims and proposals relating to the Terms and Conditions of employment of teachers. The Council is composed of representatives of teachers, school management, the Department of Education and Skills, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and is chaired by an official of the Workplace Relations Commission.
As the proceedings of the TCC are confidential, it would not be appropriate for me to make any further comment.
177. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the implementation of a bursary initiative to attract graduates into initial teacher education in key subject areas such as STEM and languages will be considered. [6763/18]
View answerOver 5,000 additional teachers have been successfully recruited in the last two years and the numbers of graduates from initial teacher education programmes have remained broadly constant. In both 2018 and 2019 it is estimated that the number of graduates will be in the region of 1,850 primary and 1,500 post primary teachers.
The Deputy will be aware that in November 2017 I launched a STEM Policy Statement and Implementation Plan, which aims to make Ireland the best in Europe in STEM by 2026. This Policy Statement focusses on the many strengths in STEM education in Ireland while providing a roadmap to address the areas for development.
Late last year I also launched the Strategy for Foreign Languages in Education and Implementation Plan, which set out a roadmap to put Ireland in the top ten countries in Europe for the teaching and learning of foreign languages, through a number of measures targeted at improving proficiency, diversity and immersion.
In order to deliver on the ambitions we have set for STEM and foreign languages, we will need to increase teacher supply in key priority areas. At post primary level, we are considering the introduction of subject quotas in ITE programmes. We are also considering the introduction of “top up” or conversion courses to upskill teachers. I have also announced that I want to double the number of places on undergraduate course to train second level teachers, particularly in areas like STEM. Many of these courses are already offered in STEM subjects.
I intend shortly to establish a Teacher Supply Steering Group to develop a strategy for teacher supply. As part of its remit, the Group will consult with key stakeholders and will consider all options to increase teacher supply in priority areas.
I will also ask the Teaching Council to review subject criteria and processes for assessing out of state qualifications and to engage more with graduate fairs, and final year students.
178. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has received complaints from a person (details supplied) regarding the way in which protected disclosure legislation is being enacted and the way in which there are gaps in the Protected Disclosures Act 2014; if he has investigated the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6780/18]
View answerThe Protected Disclosures Act 2014 became operational in July 2014. Under section 2 of the Act, the Minister for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is required to commence a review of the operation of the Act not later than three years from when the Act was passed.
Accordingly, a consultation process was undertaken by that Department’s during 2017 and a report will be made to each House of the Oireachtas within 12 months on the findings from the review and the conclusions drawn from the findings.
Correspondence from the individual referred to by the Deputy has been received by the Department.
179. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the assessment of a school (details supplied) will be carried out to determine if the prefabs will be replaced in line with the school's recent application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6784/18]
View answerThe school referred to by the Deputy applied for capital funding to replace prefabs and to upgrade its existing classroom accommodation.
The school was advised that it is my Department's intention to replace all purchased temporary accommodation with permanent accommodation, where the need is established, over the lifetime of the Department's Capital Programme (2016-2021).
To enable this development, my Department will be carrying out an assessment of the number of prefabs being used in schools to deliver the curriculum. This will also determine whether or not individual prefabs need to be replaced in the context of the long-term accommodation needs of each individual school. When completed, this assessment will quantify the number of prefabs to be replaced.
It is intended that this assessment, when finalised, will enable the replacement of such prefabs to commence in 2019. A funding provision of €180 million is being made available from 2019 for this initiative in the programme.
In relation to upgrading the school's existing classroom accommodation, the position is that due to the competing demands on my Department's capital budget imposed by the need to prioritise the funding available for the provision of essential school accommodation to meet demographic growth, it is not possible at this time to provide funding for this purpose. The school has been advised accordingly.
180. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the school project brief has been completed in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Galway; if so, the progress made to date on the project since completion of the project brief; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6794/18]
View answerI can confirm that building projects for the schools referred to by the Deputy are included in my Department's 6 Year Capital Programme.
Primarily, the purpose of the building projects is to provide additional accommodation as well as the replacement of current temporary accommodation.
The development of the project brief must have regard to the continuance of the existing schools whilst construction is underway. Due to the complexities of the schools existing site, issues to be considered in the development of the project brief include identifying the preferred location of the buildings (having regard to the challenging site), decanting considerations and construction traffic access.
The Project Brief is being finalised having regard to a complex technical assessment process involved in this case. In that connection, the Department will be in further contact with the school in relation to the next steps at the earliest opportunity.
182. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if payments made by DCU to staff and other workers delivering courses at a university (details supplied) are in keeping with Government pay guidelines. [6801/18]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is currently being collated and will be forwarded in due course.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
183. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether it is appropriate for DCU to publish a job vacancy for an assistant professor in digital marketing (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6802/18]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is currently being collated and will be forwarded in due course.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
184. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether it is appropriate for DCU to advertise for an assistant professor in entrepreneurship in view of the fact that the job advertisement stated only female applicants will be considered for this role. [6803/18]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is currently being collated and will be forwarded in due course.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
