Written Answers Nos. 70-84
70. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the most up-to-date figures for the strength of the Defence Forces; the ranks across the three services and gender breakdown of same in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45656/19]
View answerThe attached table shows the strength of the Defence Forces; the ranks across the three services and gender breakdown of same, as at 30th September 2019, the latest date for which such data is available.
Recruitment and inductions will continue throughout 2019 to ensure the Defence Forces retain the capacity to operate effectively across all roles.
71. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the most up-to-date figures for the strength of the Reserve Defence Forces with regard to all three services and all ranks; the gender breakdown of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45657/19]
View answerThe Reserve Defence Force (RDF) is comprised of the First Line Reserve (FLR), the Army Reserve (AR) and the Naval Service Reserve (NSR).
The effective strength of the Army Reserve (AR) and Naval Service Reserve (NSR), as of 30 September 2019, is set out below:
The breakdown of females the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve for the same period is as follows:-
The substantive strength of the First line Reserve for the same period is as follows:-
|
FORMATION* |
OFFR |
NCO |
PTE |
TOTAL |
|
ARMY |
16 |
12 |
134 |
162 |
|
AIR CORPS |
2 |
4 |
19 |
25 |
|
NAVAL SERVICE |
17 |
13 |
84 |
114 |
|
TOTAL |
35 |
29 |
237 |
301 |
*The gender breakdown of the FLR is not available
The Government appreciates the service of the Reserve Defence Force and recognises its importance in contributing to Ireland's defence capability.
72. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of additional recruits the Defence Forces have taken on to date in 2019 with regard to the three services; the gender breakdown of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45658/19]
View answerThe table below illustrates the number of general service recruits the Permanent Defence Force have inducted to date in 2019 with regard to all three services and the gender breakdown of same.
|
Branch |
Male |
Female |
Total |
|
Army |
282 |
22 |
304 |
|
Navy |
100 |
2 |
102 |
|
Air Corps |
16 |
0 |
16 |
|
General Service Recruits Total |
398 |
24 |
422 |
* As at 31 Oct 2019
Continuous General Service recruitment is taking place with further inductions anticipated before the year end.
73. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of additional recruits the Reserve Defence Forces have taken on to date in 2019 with regard to each service; the gender breakdown of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45659/19]
View answerI am advised by the military authorities that, as of 31 October 2019, 102 new members have been inducted into the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve, broken down as follows:
|
Total number inducted |
Number of females inducted |
|
|
Army Reserve (AR) |
85 |
8 |
|
Naval Service Reserve (NSR) |
17 |
2 |
The Government remains committed to on-going recruitment in the RDF. A recent open competition for recruitment to both the AR and NSR closed on 20 October 2019 and it is anticipated that further recruitment will arise from this.
74. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the serious shortfall in the number of civilian maintenance staff at the Defence Forces training centre at the Curragh, which has fallen to just over 30 from a previous figure of 200; and the steps he is taking along with the OPW to ensure full and proper maintenance of the buildings on the Curragh. [45705/19]
View answerCivilian Employees are appointed to support the operational capability of the Defence Forces. There are currently 126 Civilian staff, including maintenance personnel, employed in the Defence Forces Training Centre. Recruitment of Civilian Employees in military installations is an on-going process, vacancies are identified and filled on a priority basis. 2019 has seen an active approach towards recruitment of maintenance personnel. 9 electricians were recruited across a number of installations including the Defence Forces Training Centre. A competition is currently underway for recruitment of carpenters and plumbers, again across a number of installations including the Defence Forces Training Centre.
In relation to the built environment within the Curragh, I am committed to the development and improvement of the physical environment and living conditions in military installations throughout the country. The Defence Forces Built Infrastructure Programme, is compiled on a priority needs basis by my Department in conjunction with the Military Authorities. This year some €28m was allocated towards the maintenance of and the development of new building projects for the Defence Forces. This represents an increase of over €10m compared to 2018 and I can confirm to the Deputy that it is intended that the budget allocation will be matched in the coming years to ensure that the level of building activity is in line with Defence Force requirements. I am pleased to advise the Deputy that works on the upgrading and refurbishment of Plunkett Block 7 in the Curragh Camp, Defence Forces Training Centre has commenced. This project involves the refurbishment of the existing accommodation for 58 personnel.
75. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his latest meeting with his officials on Brexit. [45501/19]
View answerOfficials in the Department of Foreign Affairs both in HQ and in our Embassies abroad are continuously engaged on Brexit related matters. I receive briefings from and meet with these officials on the wide range of Brexit issues on a regular basis. My officials and I also remain in on-going contact with representatives from other EU Member States and the EU Institutions on a range of EU issues including Brexit.
76. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Finance if long-term partners who are not married can claim a tax credit for the other partner; and if not, his plans to introduce legislation in this regard. [45669/19]
View answerIn situations where a couple is cohabiting, rather than married or in a civil partnership, each partner is treated for the purposes of income tax as a separate and unconnected individual. Because they are treated separately for tax purposes, credits, tax bands and reliefs cannot be transferred from one partner to the other.
The basis for the current tax treatment of married couples derives from the Supreme Court decision in Murphy vs. Attorney General (1980). This decision was based on Article 41.3.1 of the Constitution where the State pledges to protect the institution of marriage. The decision held that it was contrary to the Constitution for a married couple, both of whom are working, to pay more tax than two single people living together and having the same income.
To the extent that there are differences in the tax treatment of the different categories of couples, such differences arise from the objective of dealing with different types of circumstances while at the same time respecting the constitutional requirements to protect the institution of marriage. Cohabitants do not have the same legal rights and obligations as a married couple or couple in a civil partnership which is why they are not accorded similar tax treatment to couples who have a civil status that is recognised in law. Any change in the tax treatment of cohabiting couples can only be addressed in the broader context of future social and legal policy development in relation to such couples.
I have been advised by Revenue that from a practical perspective, it would be very difficult to administer a regime for cohabitants which would be the same as that for married couples or civil partners. Married couples and civil partners have a verifiable official confirmation of their status. It would be difficult, intrusive and time-consuming to confirm declarations by individuals that they were actually cohabiting. It would also be difficult to establish when cohabitation started or ceased. There would also be legal issues with regard to ‘connected persons’. To counter tax avoidance, ‘connected persons’ are frequently defined throughout the various Tax Acts. The definitions extend to relatives and children of spouses and civil partners. This would be very difficult to prove and enforce in respect of persons connected with a cohabiting couple where the couple has no legal recognition. There may be an advantage in tax legislation for a married couple or civil partners as regards the extended rate band and the ability to transfer credits. However, their legal status has wider consequences from a tax perspective both for themselves and persons connected with them.
The issue raised by the Deputy's question arose during the Committee Stage debate on the Finance Bill yesterday (5 November 2019). Following on from this, my Department is to prepare a report in advance of the Report Stage of the Bill.
77. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Finance the reason for imposing a levy on private pensions; if this levy can now be reviewed having regard to the changed economic circumstances; if he will consider abolishing it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45692/19]
View answerThe pension fund levy was introduced in 2011 in the wake of the financial crisis and at a time when the economy was in serious difficulties. The levy was designed to claw back a small amount of the very generous tax reliefs that those contributing to pension arrangements had benefitted from over many years. The levy went to fund the tax reductions and expenditure measures introduced in the Jobs Initiative, including lowering the VAT rate for the tourism sector to 9%.
The levy was successful, as reflected in the increased activity and employment in that sector. The trustees of pension schemes affected by the levy had the option of adjusting current or prospective scheme benefits to take account of the levies, which included the possibility of reducing future retirement benefits.
For the years 2011, 2012 and 2013 the rate was 0.60% of the pension scheme assets. For the year 2014 the rate was 0.75% of the assets and for the year 2015, the final year of the levy, the rate was 0.15%. The levy has ceased since 2015.
The value of the funds raised by way of the levies have been used to protect and create jobs and this has helped to create the improving financial and economic position of the State. Taxpayers to whom the impact of the levy may have been passed onto will have since benefited from tax reductions in the last number of Budgets.
78. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Finance if employees who have reached the pensionable age of 66 years of age but who continue working are still liable for the universal social charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45697/19]
View answerIndividuals will continue to pay Universal Social Charge (USC) as normal up to the age of 70. Reduced rates of USC apply for those aged over 70 with total annual income of less than €60,000. This ensures that the highest rate of USC paid on income is 2%.
There is no charge to PRSI (Pay Related Social Insurance) for those aged over 66.
Additionally, a person aged 65 and over is fully exempt from income tax where his or her total income from all sources is less than the relevant exemption limit. For 2019, the exemption limits are €36,000 for a married couple or civil partners and €18,000 for a single individual. Where an individual exceeds the exemption limit, he or she is liable to tax based on the normal system of rate bands and tax credits, subject to marginal relief where relevant.
Other tax supports for individuals in this age group include the Age Tax Credit which is available to all individuals aged 65 or over who do not qualify for an exemption from income tax. This credit is currently set at €245 for single individuals or €490 for a married couple or civil partners.
I would also note that the State Contributory Pension and the State Non-Contributory Pension are not chargeable to Universal Social Charge (USC) or Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI).
In the context of limited resources, I am satisfied that the current USC system is fair and equitable to individuals who are over the age of 66.
79. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for a permanent extension by a school (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the urgent need for the school to have certainty in relation to its future enrolment capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45581/19]
View answerMy Department is in receipt of an application for additional school accommodation from the school referred to by the Deputy. Once the application has been assessed the school authority will be informed directly.
80. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a position for maternity leave cover can only be advertised on the first day of the leave. [45588/19]
View answerThe recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for the individual school authority, subject to procedures agreed under Section 24(3) of the Education Act 1998 (as amended by the Education (Amendment) Act 2012).
In accordance with Department Circular 31/ 2011 and 44/2019, which are available on the Department’s website under www.education.ie, schools are required to employ appropriately qualified and registered teachers and ensure that unemployed teachers should be offered employment in preference to those who have retired. These measures were taken in an effort to increase employment opportunities for unemployed teachers.
Circular 44/2019 sets out that there shall be no unreasonable delay between the notification of the vacancy, insertion of the advertisement and the filling of the post.
81. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Skills the protocol for a student that has particular needs and has the use of a laptop while attending school when it comes to the sitting of State exams; if there is criteria that must be met by the students that allows them to use the laptop during an exam; the length of time in advance of sitting an exam the student will be advised that they can use it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45636/19]
View answerThe State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
82. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an assessment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45663/19]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware my Department’s National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides educational psychological support to all primary and post-primary schools. This involves direct support in the event of a critical incident, access to national and regional support and development work to build school capacity to support students, access to a NEPS psychologist for responses to queries arising, and access to individual pupil casework via a NEPS psychologist or through the Scheme for the Commissioning of Psychological Assessments. (SCPA).
In common with many other psychological services and best international practice, NEPS has adopted a consultative model of service. The focus is on empowering teachers to intervene effectively with pupils whose needs range from mild to severe and transient to enduring. Psychologists use a problem solving and solution oriented consultative approach to maximise positive outcomes for these pupils. NEPS encourages schools to use a continuum based assessment and intervention process whereby each school takes responsibility for initial assessment, educational planning and remedial intervention for pupils with learning, emotional or behavioural difficulties. Teachers may consult their NEPS psychologist should they need to at this stage in the process. Only in the event of a failure to make reasonable progress, in spite of the school's best efforts in consultation with NEPS, will the psychologist become involved with an individual child for intensive intervention or assessment.
This system allows psychologists to give early attention to urgent cases and also to help many more children indirectly than could be seen individually. It also ensures that children are not referred unnecessarily for psychological intervention.
I would advise therefore if there are concerns in relation to the educational or social and emotional development of the child, the subject of the Deputy’s question, that these should be raised by her parents, in the first instance, with the Principal of the school she is attending, with a view to that Principal discussing the situation with the assigned NEPS psychologist or local NEPS service.
83. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the provision of school transport is under consideration for a person (details supplied); if so, when the outcome will be decided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45668/19]
View answerSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the 2018/2019 school year over 117,500 children, including over 13,000 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres at a cost of over €200m in 2018.
As a sibling of the child referred to by the deputy is availing of an individual Special Educational Needs transport service, the child referred to can be facilitated with school transport on that service for this school year 2019/20.
However, this arrangement will be reviewed annually. In the event that another child with special educational needs seeks to avail of the service, then it will not be possible to allow the child referred to by the Deputy remain on the service.
Bus Eireann will liaise with the family directly in regard to transport arrangements.
84. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the 2018 annual report of the appeals officer of Caranua will be published; the reason for the delay in its publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45775/19]
View answerThe 2018 annual report of the independent appeals officer appointed to consider appeals against decisions of Caranua (the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board) for the period 1 May 2018 to 30 April 2019 was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on 16 October 2019.
