Written Answers Nos. 236-253
236. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the categories of funding available to local authorities through his Department; the amount of funding provided for each scheme in 2016 and 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43735/18]
View answerMy Department generally does not provide any direct funding to local authorities from its Vote.
The Deputy may wish to note that Dublin City Council received a total of €11,400 over the last two years from my Department’s Open Data Engagement Fund. This is an annual competitive fund to promote the open data initiative and reuse of the data on the national Open Data portal (data.gov.ie). It is open to anyone to apply to the fund e.g. individuals, businesses or public service bodies. Further details on this fund are available on the Open Data portal.
In addition, the Reform and Delivery Office in my Department provided funding (on a co-funding basis) for a process automation pilot project in Limerick City and County Council in 2017. This was a once-off payment of €22,500 and there are no ongoing or future commitments associated with this project.
237. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if Ireland has submitted its flood management plans in line with the EU Floods Directive, that is, Directive 2007/60/EC; and the details of same with a specific emphasis on whether Ireland has reported on the flood relief management plans as required by the directive. [43747/18]
View answerThe national catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme, compiled by the OPW in conjunction with the Local Authorities and other partners delivered twenty-nine Flood Risk Management Plans; one for each of the river basins covering the territory of the country.
The Plans set out a series of proposed measures to address flood risk and were developed in line with the requirements of the EU 'Floods' Directive (2007/60/EC).
The ‘Floods’ Directive was transposed into Irish law by the European Communities (Assessment and Management of Flood Risk)regulations 2010 (Statutory Instrument No. 122 of 2010). The Plans were approved by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in April 2018 and were subsequently reported to the European Commission in May 2018. The Plans are published and available to the public to view through the OPW flood information web-portal; www.floodinfo.ie.
238. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he is satisfied that the Phoenix Park has been fully reinstated following the Papal visit; his views on whether the reinstatement occurred quickly enough; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43751/18]
View answerI am satisfied that the Phoenix Park is being fully reinstated following the Papal Visit and that the remedial works were initiated immediately after the event. The works will be completed by the end of October.
239. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the conclusions derived from the post-event meeting that took place between the agencies involved in overseeing the Papal visit; if specific recommendations for future events involving the Phoenix Park were outlined, particularly regarding road closure impacts on surrounding areas in Ashtown, the Navan Road and Castleknock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43752/18]
View answerDublin City Council (DCC) chaired a post-event review meeting on 11 October 2018 which was attended by representatives of the Office of Public Works and all the other agencies involved in overseeing the recent Papal Visit.
DCC is the statutory agency responsible for the licensing of such large-scale events and is responsible for the implementation of all road closures deemed necessary for such events. One of the key recommendations, noted by all agencies attending the meeting, was the need for greater advance notice to residents in areas surrounding the Phoenix Park in respect of required road closures for large events.
240. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to upgrade and develop a national monument at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43810/18]
View answerThe Casino at Marino is a designated National Monument. The Office of Public Works is currently undertaking remedial works at the monument in order to address electrical deficiencies and other conservation issues with the fabric of the building. OPW is also engaging with Failte Ireland and the Department of Culture Heritage and the Gaeltacht to explore ways to better present this unique and important Monument nationally and internationally.
241. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the projects that will be funded under the INTERREG and PEACE programmes in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43862/18]
View answerThe 2014-2020 EU-funded PEACE and INTERREG programmes will invest over half a billion euros in the border region of Ireland and Northern Ireland over the course of the programming period. The programmes are managed by the Special EU Programmes Body, one of the North South implementation bodies established under the Good Friday Agreement.
The PEACE IV programme has a total value of €270 million and aims to promote peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland. The INTERREG VA programme totals €282 million, with the aim of promoting economic, social and territorial cohesion.
Both programmes are progressing well, with the bulk of funding now allocated to successful applicants who will be delivering a range of projects during 2019 and beyond.
The PEACE programme supports projects under four Specific Objectives. These are Shared Education, Children and Young People, Shared Spaces and Services, and Building Positive Relations. To date a total of 39 projects of varying sizes, with a total value of €118 million, have been granted funding under these objectives. In addition to this, €73 million has been allocated to Local Authorities, North and South, for their Local Action Plans, to deliver PEACE IV programme activities across a range of the Specific Objectives.
The INTERREG programme funds projects in four thematic areas. These are Research & Innovation, Environment, Sustainable Transport, and Health. A total of €217 million has been allocated to 28 projects to date.
The remaining funding under both programmes will be allocated to projects over the coming months.
The Government is committed to the successful implementation of the current PEACE and INTERREG programmes and a successor programme post-2020. It welcomes the proposal from the European Commission for a special new PEACE PLUS programme that will build on and continue the work of the PEACE and INTERREG programmes in the 2021-2027 programming period.
242. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the relief in place for a medical student in relation to fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43212/18]
View answerIt is estimated that the average cost per annum to the State of a medical student is c. €11,000. This takes into account State grant and tuition fee funding paid by the State (where appropriate). It excludes the Student Contribution of €3,000 which is paid by the student, or paid by the exchequer on behalf of the student in cases where the student qualifies for assistance under my Department’s Student Grant Scheme.
In the case of students who qualify for entry to the Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) programme and who are liable for the cost of their tuition fees as they already hold an undergraduate qualification, the State pays a grant per student of €9,500 with the balance payable by the student.
Students pursuing GEM programmes do so as second degree courses and consequently are not eligible for free fees funding or for student grants. However, in order to widen access to GEM programmes, and give assistance towards the financial burden on each student pursuing these programmes, the fees of participating EU students are partly subsidised by the State via the Higher Education Authority (HEA). Currently, the subsidy is €9,500 per student with the balance of fees payable by the student.
There is no Department supported loan scheme in place for GEM students. However as you may be aware there are various loans available for GEM students but these are private arrangements between the relevant lenders and the students. My Department has no role in such arrangements.
Students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the third level institution attended. Also, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be claimed in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education.
243. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills the specific provisions within budget 2019 which will phase out the lower salaries of post-2011 teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43174/18]
View answerThe public service agreements have allowed a programme of pay restoration for public servants to start. As a result, the starting salary of a teacher is now €36,318 and from 1 October 2020 onwards will be €37,692.
Section 11 of the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017 provides that “the Minister [for Public Expenditure and Reform] shall, within three months of the passing of this Act, 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.”
The report laid before the Oireachtas on foot of this provision by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform assesses the cost of a further change which would provide a two scale point adjustment to new entrants recruited since 2011. The total cost of such an adjustment across the public sector is of the order of €200 million, of which Education accounts for €83 million. The report also acknowledges that, during the financial crisis, there were policy changes which affected remuneration in different occupations across the public sector (including education). Addressing any issues arising from changes which are not specifically detailed in the report would give rise to additional costs over and above the foregoing figures.
The matter of new entrant pay is a cross sectoral issue, not just an issue for the education sector alone. The Government 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.
On 24 September 2018, an agreement was reached between the Government and the public services committee of ICTU in respect of new entrant pay.
This agreement will benefit 16,000 teachers and nearly 5,000 SNAs within the education sector. The deal provides for a series of incremental jumps for new entrants.
244. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of teachers in County Donegal on a lower salary as a result of the 2011 reduction in incomes; when the two tier salary system for teachers in primary and secondary education schools will cease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43175/18]
View answerThe public service agreements have allowed a programme of pay restoration for public servants to start. The Government negotiated a 15-22% pay increase for new teachers.
The matter of new entrant pay is a cross sectoral issue, not just an issue for the education sector alone. The Government 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.
On Monday 24th September, the Government welcomed the outcome of discussions between public service employers and the public services committee of ICTU in respect of new entrant pay.
This agreement will benefit 16,000 teachers and nearly 5,000 SNAs within the education sector. The deal provides for a series of incremental jumps for new entrants at points 4 and 8 of their scale.
The information requested by the Deputy in relation to school staff numbers on the different salary scales are not maintained on a county basis by my Department.
245. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason budget 2019 did not prioritise the restoration of the capitation grant in view of the fact that austerity measures reduced the grant by €30; the way in which schools are expected to make up for the continued shortfall in funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43176/18]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware of the many pressing demands within Education which my Department has had to consider in recent years. Important changes have been made resourcing and reforming provision for children with Special Educational Needs, rolling out Junior Cycle Reform, strengthening school leadership, reducing Primary Class Size, restoring Guidance Teachers, providing for extra students at all levels, providing for new skill needs in Apprenticeships and Traineeships and in Higher Education.
I fully recognise the need to improve capitation funding for schools.
I am pleased that my Department has been able to provide for a 5% increase in capitation funding for primary and post primary schools that will apply from the start of the 2019/20 school year. Over the course of the school year 2019/20, an additional €10 million will be allocated to primary and post primary schools, of which €4 million will be allocated in 2019.
My Department must be prudent in the context of ongoing budgetary pressures and have to prioritise where it is not possible to do everything that itwould like to do in the Education Sector in any one year especially in the light of increasing enrolments.
It is my intention to seek funding for further capitation increases in future budgets.
246. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a veterinary course studied here has level 8 status and a similar course in Poland is classed as a level 9 integrated masters and is not eligible for a SUSI grant after year four. [43186/18]
View answerQuality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) is the state agency with statutory responsibility for the quality assurance of further and higher education and training in Ireland. QQI is responsible for maintaining the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). The NFQ is a system of ten levels which aims to make the qualifications system in Ireland easier to understand, thus facilitating the recognition of Irish qualifications both at home and abroad.
QQI also hosts the Irish centre of the European Network of Information Centres / National Academic Recognition Information Centre (ENIC-NARIC). This service comprises a network of centres that facilitates the recognition of academic qualifications throughout Europe and further afield including Australia. Further details are available at: www.qualrec.ie.
A course placed at Level 8 (or equivalent) on the NFQ is undergraduate level. A course placed at Level 9 (or equivalent) on the NFQ is postgraduate level.
SUSI grant funding is available for approved undergraduate courses in approved higher education institutions within the EU. No maintenance funding is available for postgraduate courses outside of Ireland.
Some high end courses abroad have an integrated undergraduate and postgraduate element. For these courses, SUSI may issue maintenance grants during the undergraduate element of the course but will not provide any support for the postgraduate element. Third level institutions are autonomous bodies and as such have responsibility for their own academic affairs, including issues relating to the composition and content of courses.
Further details of the funding available for integrated masters’ courses within the EU, is available on the SUSI website at: https://susi.ie/eligibility/student-studying-outside-the-state/approved-institutionscourses-for-students-studying-outside-the-state/.
247. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there are updates from the meeting held recently in relation to a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43193/18]
View answerThe major building project referred to by the Deputy is currently at Stage 1 of the Architectural Planning Process. Stage 1 is the Preliminary Design Stage where the Design Team, in conjunction with the school authority, analyse all the constraints of the site, develop a preferred design option and ensure that the preferred option is most appropriate for the delivery of the brief.
The design proposals were presented to my Department and a number of comments were issued back to the Design Team for action.
The remaining stages of architectural planning includes detailed design, the planning application and other statutory approvals and the preparation of tender documents. When planning permission and the other statutory approvals have been secured, my Department will be able to provide the school with a more definitive timeframe for the tender and construction stages of the project.
This project is included in the 6 year construction programme 2016-2021 and is scheduled therein to go to construction in the 2019 - 2021 period.
248. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the school staffing measures announced in his Department's budget for 2019 (details supplied). [43204/18]
View answerBudget 2019 will see numbers employed in our schools reach the highest ever level. Over 1,300 additional posts in schools will be funded, including more than 370 teaching posts and 950 additional SNA posts to cater for growth in student population and additional special classes. This builds on the Budget 2018 measure which provided a one point improvement in the staffing schedule in primary schools which brings the position to the most favourable ever seen at primary level.
The 2018/19 school year saw an increase of over 6000 teaching posts in our schools compared to the 2015/16 school year.
The latest figures in relation to pupil teacher ratios show an improved ratio of teachers to students from 16:1 to 15.3:1 at primary level when comparing the 2015/16 school year to the 2017/18 school year. Average class sizes at primary level improved from 24.9 to 24.5 in the same period.
Budget 2019 marks the third year of a major reinvestment in the education sector, as we continue to implement the Action Plan for Education, our plan to make Ireland's education and training service the best in Europe by 2026. In 2019, the budget for the Department of Education and Skills will increase by €674 million, a 6.7% increase on last year. This will bring Government expenditure on education and skills to its highest ever level of nearly €10.8 billion.
Over the three Budgets encompassed by the Action Plan for Education 2016-2019, annual investment in education will have risen by €1.7 billion, an increase of over 18% on 2016 levels. This reflects the government's commitment to delivering on our plan to have the best education and training service in Europe.
The Statistics Section of my Department's website contains extensive data in relation to our schools including pupil teacher ratio's and teacher numbers. The most recent published information relates to the 2017/2018 school year.
Any additional increase in the teacher numbers has to be considered as part of future budgetary processes, alongside the many other demands from the education sector.
249. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason no provision was made in budget 2019 for further restoration of promoted posts at assistant principal level in primary and post-primary schools; the number of posts at the equivalent of AP1 and AP2 level, respectively which were suppressed through the emergency era moratorium; the current shortfall in restoring these posts; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is now no provision to restore further middle management posts before September 2020; if this is a policy to limit schools' middle management capacity; and if his attention has been further drawn to the concerns expressed by the schools' inspectorate regarding the effect of the protracted delay in restoring AP1 and AP2 posts in schools. [43205/18]
View answerAssistant Principal I and Assistant Principal II (formerly Special Duties posts), along with the Principal and Deputy Principal make up the middle management structure in schools.
Budget 2017 allowed for the commencement of restoration of middle management posts as part of an agreed distributed leadership model and meant lifting the rigidity of the longstanding moratorium on these posts at primary and post-primary levels. This recognises the key role school leadership has in promoting a school environment which is welcoming, inclusive and accountable.
€2.75m was allocated in Budget 2017 to restore middle management positions i.e. the equivalent of approximately 1,300 middle management posts at both Primary and Post-Primary. It should also be noted that in recent Budget announcements over 400 additional Deputy Principal posts were provided for in our Post Primary schools to focus on Leadership and Management in these schools. This brought the number of Deputy Principal positions at Post-Primary from 393 in the 2015/16 school year to 866 in the current school year.
In total over 3,000 leadership posts have been invested in our primary and post primary schools in the past year which has led to 1 in 3 (34.5%) teachers now holding promoted positions in our schools.
Circular 63/2017 was issued by the Department in September 2017 which deals and sets out a leadership and management framework for posts in recognised primary schools.
Circular 3/2018 is the corresponding circular for the Post-Primary Sector and it issued in early January. Both circulars are available on my Department's website.
Figures for the breakdown of teachers in promoted positions and for the number of APIs and APIIs which were in our schools prior to the moratorium are outlined in the following tables.
The estimated cost of restoring the number of middle-management posts in our schools to pre-moratorium levels would be approximately €50m and any further restoration would have to be considered in the context of future Budgets. However, there are needs across the system which have to be balanced in the decisions made in each budget.
Budget 2019 marks the third year of a major reinvestment in the education sector, as we continue to implement the Action Plan for Education, our plan to make Ireland’s education and training service the best in Europe by 2026. In 2019, the budget for the Department of Education and Skills will increase by €674 million, a 6.7% increase on last year. In total, the Education budget will have increased by €1.7 billion compared to 2016.
This government is committed to investing to support and empower school leaders and the recent expansion of the School Excellence Fund and an expansion of the coaching service available to school leaders will assist in this.
Schools will shortly be invited to apply to form part of a cluster to work together on innovative projects to enhance their schools in a range of important areas over the next 2 years. There will be scope for up to 42 clusters nationwide in the initial phase with each cluster containing between a minimum of three and a maximum of six schools. Priority will be given to applicant clusters containing at least one DEIS school.
Further funding has also been made available to extend the coaching service currently available to school principals, to the Deputy and Assistant Principals on their leadership teams. The service to date has been one to one coaching for principals only. DEIS schools will be prioritised for the extension of the coaching service to incorporate team coaching for the Principal and their leadership team, with up to four sessions being offered to 100 DEIS schools in the first instance.
These measures are in addition to the other supports recently introduced through the Centre for School Leadership including mentoring, a new postgraduate diploma in school leadership and the additional 3,000 middle management posts in schools.
Number of APIs and APIIs which were removed from primary and post primary schools during the moratorium
|
Primary |
Post-Primary |
|||
|
Year |
2008/09 |
2017/18* |
2008/09 |
2017/18* |
|
APIs |
1,605 |
958 |
5,600 |
3,178 |
|
APIIs |
8,575 |
5,982 |
8,240 |
5,422 |
*2017/18 figures include the following posts of responsibility which were restored.
APIs - 268 at primary level and 378 at post primary level
APIIs – 1,032 at primary level and 922 at post primary level
Breakdown of teachers in promoted positions for the 2017/18 school year
|
Primary |
Post Primary |
|
|
APIs |
958 |
3,178 |
|
APIIs |
5,982 |
5,422 |
|
Deputy Principals |
2,686 |
856 |
|
Principals |
3,324 |
741 |
|
Total in management positions |
12,950 |
10,197 |
|
Total teachers |
36,904 |
29,550 |
|
% teachers holding management positions |
35% |
34.5% |
250. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which his attention has been drawn to the problems in filling substitute teacher positions in order to cover long-term absences in primary schools; and his plans to address this issue. [43206/18]
View answerMy Department is aware of reports that some schools are experiencing difficulties in finding substitute teachers. In order to ease the situation, in the last school year the limits that teachers on career break can work as substitutes was suspended. Schools were also reminded that, in considering career break applications, the needs of pupils should take precedence and they must take account of the availability of appropriate qualified replacement teachers.
As the Deputy is aware, earlier this year the Teacher Supply Steering Group, which is chaired by the Secretary General of the Department, was established. The Group is considering the issues that relate to teacher supply, including: initial teacher education policy, provision, funding and support; data/research requirements; policies and arrangements for schools and teachers that impact on teacher mobility/supply; and promotion of the teaching profession.
The Steering Group is supported by a number of working groups which are looking in more detail at the issues under these broad headings. The establishment of supply panels for substitute teachers at primary level is part of that consideration. A key concern will be to ensure value-for-money and optimum provision of teaching by teachers on any such panel.
251. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the major building project for a school (details supplied); if consideration has been given to an earlier profile for commencement of construction than Q3 2019 in view of the urgent need for the school building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43214/18]
View answerThe major building project referred to by the Deputy is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning, Stage 2(b) – Detailed Design.
The outcome of the pre-qualification process for the main contract has been notified to contractors who expressed interest in tendering for this project. Feedback and issues arising from same is currently being dealt with by the Design Team. When this process has concluded the project will then be progressed to tender stage.
The project is currently profiled to commence construction in Q3 2019. However, the Department has advised the school that if the project is in a position to commence construction earlier in 2019, the Department can facilitate this.
252. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for the proposed extension of a school (details supplied); the status of the project; the timeline for completion of the works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43215/18]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that a building project for the school in question is included on my Department's 6-Year Construction Programme.
I wish to advise the Deputy that the project is progressing to the architectural planning stage and is expected to be delivered by an external agency to my Department. Arrangements are currently being made in this regard and my Department will be in further contact with the school when these arrangements have been finalised.
253. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for the proposed extension of a school (details supplied); the status of the project; the timeline for completion of the works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43216/18]
View answerThis project is currently at Stage 2B of Architectural Planning. Statutory Approvals comprising Planning Permission, Disability Access Certificate and Fire Safety Certificate have been granted.
My Department has authorised the project to proceed to carry out the pre-qualification of contractors which normally takes between 8 and 12 weeks to complete. The pre-qualification ensures that there are a number of appropriate and suitable candidates who can undertake the works successfully. The advertisement for the pre-qualification of the main contractor for this school project has been published on e-tenders and the Official Journal of the European Union.
When the pre-qualification process has been completed the project will then progress to Stage 3 which is tender and appointment of contractors. The building project for this school is included in my Department's 6-year Capital Building Programme, 2016-2021.
