Thursday, 16 May 2019

Written Answers Nos. 51-65

Office of Public Works Data

Questions (51)

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

51. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of OPW annual visitor cards sold in each of the years 2017, 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form. [21252/19]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Number of Heritage Cards sold in 2017, 2018 and 2019 (verified 2019 figures only available up to 31/3/19)

	2017	2018	1/1/19 – 31/3/19
Total	14,683	14,268	1,312

Office of Public Works Expenditure

Questions (52)

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

52. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of funding provided to each OPW heritage site in each of the years 2017, 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form. [21253/19]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The Office of Public Works is responsible for the conservation, management and presentation of:

- approximately 1,000 National Monuments that are in State ownership or guardianship at 768 locations

- 32 other significant Historic Properties.

The conservation and presentation of these sites to the public involves a range of activities including major and minor conservation projects, ongoing maintenance of both buildings and grounds and works to facilitate or improve the presentation and interpretation of sites including Guide services, which are provided at 70 sites around the country, on either a fulltime or seasonal basis.

As the National Monuments estate is funded as a single entity with a corresponding skilled workforce to cover major requirements in relation to conservation and other tasks, it is not possible to readily provide a breakdown of spending per site. The Table below reflects the overall amount spent on the National Monuments estate for the years in question.

2017	2018	2019 (to date)
25,762,614	27,949,707	8,730,266

OPW provides protection, maintenance, presentation and day-to-day management of a number of other historic State owned properties. A breakdown of spending by site of funding provided to all such properties for the years in question is given hereunder. In a certain number of cases, (eg: Phoenix Park) spending at smaller sites in the same vicinity are bundled within the larger properties which hold management and maintenance responsibility for them.

Name of Site	2017	2018	2019 YTD
Altamount	€337,461	€316,800	€101,351
Annesgrove	€852,584	€667,127	€87,988
Battle of the Boyne	€933,927	€727,884	€175,481
Blasket Visitor Centre	€197,820	€122,617	€40,006
Botanic Gardens	€2,703,924	€2,831,311	€934,276
Casino Marino	€81,403	€13,438	€533
Castletown	€1,907,081	€1,933,727	€469,208
Derrynane	€408,802	€443,160	€103,184
Doneraile	€347,256	€456,859	€238,660
Dublin Castle	€3,932,429	€4,571,141	€1,402,272
Emo Court	€617,958	€647,229	€394,895
Farmleigh	€3,104,565	€2,907,409	€1,242,479
Fota Arboretum	€268,706	€286,310	€81,619
Garden of Remembrance	€186,563	€164,584	€61,369
Garinish Island	€573,946	€498,391	€107,628
Glebe Gallery	€363,284	€292,272	€74,352
Heywood	€136,429	€117,037	€18,445
Iveagh Gardens	€144,502	€153,101	€39,139
JFK Memorial Park	€771,600	€1,038,060	€242,172
Kilkenny	€1,938,547	€1,905,726	€580,615
Kilmacurragh	€329,922	€352,939	€110,118
Phoenix Park	€4,566,245	€4,171,881	€1,165,660
Rathfarnham Castle	€166,107	€147,536	€35,753
RHK	€10,426	€11,121	€0
St. Endas	€801,507	€786,599	€231,597
St. Stephen's Green	€993,816	€1,124,338	€355,406
War Memorial Gardens	€290,023	€338,262	€88,511
	€26,966,834	€27,026,859	€8,382,717

Spending Breakdown

Garda Station Refurbishment

Questions (53)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

53. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of Garda stations in County Kildare due for or in the course of refurbishment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21312/19]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

I can confirm the Office of Public Works have works relating to refurbishment, renovation or updating of facilities, undergoing or planned, in seven Garda Stations in County Kildare. Details are included below and incorporate works funded by both the Office of Public Works and An Garda Síochána.

Garda Station	Description of current/planned works.
Clane GS	Minor fabric repairs to floor and walls
Naas GS	New Property Evidence Management Store; Upgrade of Kitchen facilities;, new floor covering in the Public Office; Work to the Communications Room, External maintenance works.
Kilcock GS	Power and data supply to the Public office, Toilet refurbishment works
Kildare GS	Boiler Upgrade, External maintenance works
Leixlip GS	Canteen refurbishments works, Works to the Public Office
Monasterevin GS	External maintenance works
Newbridge GS	Security work at the Air Support Unit

Drainage Schemes Status

Questions (54)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

54. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if proposed works are due to be carried out on a glasha (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21206/19]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The Office of Public Works (OPW) carries out a programme of Arterial Drainage Maintenance to a total of 11,500 km of river channel and approximately 730 km of embankments nationally. These maintenance works relate to arterial drainage schemes completed by the OPW under the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 and 1995. However, the area in question is not within the Arterial Drainage Maintenance Scheme.

Local flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to investigate and address, and County Councils may carry out flood mitigation works using their own resources. The OPW operates the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. This purpose of this scheme is to provide funding to Local Authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas. The scheme generally applies to relatively straightforward cases where a solution can be readily identified and achieved in a short time frame. Full details are on our website www.opw.ie

I am advised by my Office that funding of €148,370 has been approved to Kerry County Council under the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for flood mitigation works at Clieveragh, Listowel, Co Kerry. I understand, however, that the works being undertaken under the Minor Works Scheme in Clieveragh are south of the property in question.

It is a matter for the local authority to progress these works. Any queries relating to these works should be directed to the local authority.

Public Sector Pensions

Questions (55)

Peter Burke

Question:

55. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason a person (details supplied) has not received increases to the person's pension. [21265/19]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

Under the current pension increase policy for pre-existing pension schemes agreed as part of the Public Services Stability Agreement 2018-2020 (PSSA), with effect from 1 September 2017, pay increases applied to serving staff in 2016 and 2017, as well as those approved over the course of the Agreement, are passed on to qualifying pensions. A pension will qualify for an increase if the pay rate on which it is based does not exceed the pay rate of a serving member of staff with the same grade and scale point, after the pay increase has been applied. Assuming it qualifies, the pension is increased to the extent that this will ensure alignment with the pay of the serving staff member. All pension paying authorities in the public service received instructions to pass on pay increases to pension recipients in accordance with this policy by means of DPER Circulars 20/2017 and 02/2018.

Separately, the FEMPI 2015 Act and the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017 Act substantially lessened both the impact of the Public Service Pension Reduction (PSPR) and the numbers of pension recipients affected by it in 2018 and 2019, and the effects will extend even further in 2020. Since 1 January 2018, the majority of public service pensions have not been subject to PSPR.

The matter of identifying and processing any pension increase and/or PSPR reduction or removal due to any individual pension recipient falls to the Department/Office or public service body that administers the relevant pension scheme. I understand that the individual in the case referred by the Deputy retired from a body that comes under the aegis of the Department of Education and Skills. Accordingly, any request for more detailed information regarding the status of the pension in question by reference to the policies I have outlined should be directed to my colleague the Minister for Education and Skills.

School Admissions

Questions (56)

John Lahart

Question:

56. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to a situation in which a child (details supplied) has been denied access to a school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21175/19]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in an area. However, this may result in some pupils' not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice. As schools may not have a place for every applicant, a selection process may be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory, and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants.

Under section 15 (2) (d) of the Education Act, 1998, each school is legally obliged to disclose its enrolment policy and to ensure that, as regards that policy, principles of equality and the right of parents to send their children to a school of the parents' choice are respected.

Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 provides for an appeal by a parent or guardian to the Secretary General of my Department where a Board of Management of a school, refuses to enrol a student in a school. I understand that an appeal has been taken in respect of this child and that this appeal was not upheld. My Department has no authority to compel a school to admit a pupil, except in the case of an appeal under Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 being upheld.

The Educational Welfare Service (EWS) of the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) is the statutory body which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school placement for their child. The EWS can be contacted at 01-7718815 or 01 7718500

In relation to the role of religion in school admission, the Deputy will be aware that Section 11 of Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 has amended the Equal Status Act 2000 to remove, in the case of recognised denominational primary schools, the provision in that Act that previously permitted such schools to use religion as a selection criterion in school admissions. Under this provision, which was commenced in October 2018, there is a protection to ensure that a child of a minority faith, can still access a school of their faith. In that regard, the provision provides that a recognised primary school does not discriminate where it admits as a priority a student from a minority religion who is seeking admission to a school that provides a programme of religious instruction or religious education which is of the same religious ethos or a similar religious ethos to the ethos of the student seeking admission.

The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is the authority which deals with all complaints of discrimination under equality legislation.

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Questions (57)

Jack Chambers

Question:

57. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of plans to open an autism unit in a school (details supplied); the timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21176/19]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Individual school boards of management have responsibility for the establishment of special classes.

When the NCSE sanction a special class in a school, the school can apply to my Department for capital funding to re-configure existing spaces within the school building to accommodate the class and/or to construct additional accommodation.

The Deputy is aware that the NCSE formally advised me that there is insufficient special class capacity in Dublin 15. I want to assure the Deputy this issue is being taken very seriously.

I have already urged schools, Boards of Management and school patrons to do more to fulfil obligations to provide specialist school places for children and young people with special needs.

I have been assured that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is actively engaging with schools, patron bodies, parents, the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS), health professionals and other staff who are involved in the provision of services for children with special educational needs to try to ensure that each child has a school placement appropriate to their needs for the 2019/20 school year.

I expect that this will result in schools in the area, including the school referred to by the Deputy, agreeing to establish special classes.

I have asked the NCSE to keep in regular contact with the Parents of the children concerned and advise them of progress.

Schools Building Projects Applications

Questions (58)

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

58. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills when planning permission will be submitted to Meath County Council for the development of temporary accommodation for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21188/19]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

My Department submitted a planning application to Meath County Council on Tuesday 14 May 2019 for the interim accommodation for the school to which the Deputy refers. A decision is awaited.

Emergency Works Scheme Applications

Questions (59)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

59. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address the difficulty facing a school (details supplied) regarding a retrospective application for emergency funding due to a serious works issue that arose over the Christmas period. [21193/19]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The school to which the Deputy refers submitted an application for funding under my Department's Emergency Works Scheme. This was refused as it was for retrospective funding of works which progressed without prior approval by the Department.

School authorities should be aware that they are responsible for the management of funding for any expenditure incurred by them or members of their staff. In particular, they should be certain of their ability to fund such works prior to them being authorised.

Student Grant Scheme Reform

Questions (60)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

60. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review and amend the income disregards for student grants to take account of flood relief payments received from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21199/19]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The statutory based Student Grant Scheme and Student Support Regulations are reviewed annually by my Department, following consultation with various stakeholders.

The Student Grant Scheme and Student Support Regulations for the 2019/20 academic year, were published on 11 April 2019.

SUSI's online grant application system opened on 25 April 2019. Details of this scheme can be accessed via the SUSI website at https://susi.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Student-Grant-Scheme-2019.pdf.

The treatment of the Flood Damage Relief Measure operated by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, will be considered in the context of the review of the 2020 Scheme.

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. Information on the fund is available through the Access Office in the third level institution attended. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.

Autism Support Services

Questions (61)

Denise Mitchell

Question:

61. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 290 of 8 May 2019, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that initial building work is already complete and that the schools in question have been open since 10 April 2019; when he expects the addition of special classes on the site to be completed; the contact he has had with stakeholders on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21213/19]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is providing grant funding to facilitate the construction of a Special Needs Base at St Francis of Assisi National School, Belmayne, Dublin 13 and Belmayne Educate Together National School.

My Department will be in contact with the Boards of Management of both schools shortly in the context of initiating the architectural planning process to provide this accommodation.

School Services Staff

Questions (62)

Niall Collins

Question:

62. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21224/19]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I recognise the very important work done by school secretaries, and indeed by other support staff, in the running of our schools and I am grateful to them for the contribution they make to our education system. I have spoken to a number of school secretaries about their employment conditions and understand the issues they have raised.

I have recently relaxed the moratorium for those C&C and ETB schools with enrolments of 700 and more which allow them to employ an additional School Secretaries up to a maximum of two per school. There are 91 schools in the C&C and ETB Sector who meet this criteria, based on the information currently available to this Department. This is an initial step and has taken immediate effect.

Schemes were initiated in 1978 and 1979 for the employment of Clerical Officers and Caretakers in schools. The schemes were withdrawn completely in 2008.

These schemes have been superseded by the more extensive capitation grant schemes. The current grant scheme was agreed in the context of the Programme for Economic and Social Progress, published in 1991.

The majority of primary and voluntary secondary schools now receive assistance to provide for secretarial, caretaking and cleaning services under these grant schemes. It is a matter for each individual school to decide how best to apply the grant funding to suit its particular needs. Where a school uses the grant funding for caretaking or secretarial purposes, any staff taken on to support those functions are employees of individual schools. Specific responsibility for the pay and conditions rests with the school.

On foot of a Chairman’s Note to the Lansdowne Road Agreement, my Department engaged with the Unions representing school secretaries and caretakers, including through an independent arbitration process in 2015. The Arbitrator recommended a cumulative pay increase of 10% between 2016 and 2019 for staff and that a minimum hourly pay rate of €13 be phased in over that period. This arbitration agreement covers the period up to 31 December 2019.

The arbitration agreement was designed to be of greatest benefit to lower-paid secretaries and caretakers. For example, a Secretary or Caretaker who was paid the then minimum wage of €8.65 per hour in 2015 prior to the arbitration has from 1 January 2019, been paid €13 per hour which is a 50% increase in that individual’s hourly pay.

Officials from my Department attended a meeting of the Joint Committee on Education and Skills on the 9th of April to discuss the status of non-teaching staff.

The FÓRSA trade union have requested a meeting with the Department to discuss pay arrangements for grant-funded Secretaries and Caretakers from 2020 onwards. The Department has agreed to arrange a meeting with the Union and is currently making arrangements for this meeting to take place in late May/early June.

Childcare Education and Training Scheme

Questions (63)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

63. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the childcare supports available to a person (details supplied) participating in an ETB course in circumstances in which there are no available places in the only local registered childcare facility and no other registered childcare providers exist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21227/19]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

The Childcare Education and Training Support Programme (CETS) which is administered by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs provides childcare to training course participants on courses provided by the Local Education and Training Boards.

In circumstances where anyone is experiencing difficulty in securing a place they should contact their local City or County Childcare Committee for assistance.

I understand that the Deputy also requested this information from my colleague, Katherine Zappone, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and that more detailed information in relation to available supports has been provided in her reply.

School Transport Appeals

Questions (64)

James Browne

Question:

64. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration will be given to correspondence of 7 May 2019 regarding an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21241/19]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

School transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.

There are currently over 117,500 children, including over 13,000 children with special educational needs, transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually.

The child in question is not eligible for school transport under the terms of this scheme as he is not attending the nearest school that is resourced to meet his special educational needs.

Decisions made by, or on behalf of, the Department of Education and Skills regarding the provision of school transport services and/or grant-aid under the terms of the School Transport Schemes may be appealed to the School Transport Appeals Board.

The School Transport Section of my Department has advised an Appeal has not been submitted for the child referred to by the Deputy.

Appeals may be made on-line at www.schooltransportappeals.ie or by downloading an Appeals Form from the Department’s website at www.education.ie and posting it to the School Transport Appeals Board, c/o Department of Education and Skills, Tullamore, Co. Offaly R35 Y2N5.

Details of the School Transport Appeals Board is available on the Department's website at www.education.ie.

School Accommodation Provision

Questions (65)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

65. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has contractual arrangements with companies to provide school prefabs; the details of companies or organisations that own the school prefabs in use in view of the fact that his Department will pay €19 million in renting same in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21247/19]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to inform the Deputy that generally, where schools require temporary accommodation including prefabs, the school authority is responsible for acquiring this accommodation and the rental contract is between the school authority and the supplying contractor.

As the rental grant-aid is devolved to schools, my Department does not hold records of all contracts held by school authorities for rental of temporary accommodation including prefabs.