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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 15 Jan 2014

Vol. 826 No. 1

Written Questions Nos. 166 to 181

Consumer Protection

Dominic Hannigan

Ceist:

166. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Finance if the review of section 149 of the Consumer Protection Act 1995 undertaken by his Department has been completed; if the review will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1812/14]

The Programme Documents (the Memorandum of Understanding on Specific Economic Policy Conditionality and the Memorandum of Economic and Financial Policies) agreed following the 10th Review of the EU-IMF Programme of Financial Support include a commitment to carry out an assessment of banks’ fee income by end-December 2013 as follows:

The authorities will assess banks’ fee income relative to peers in selected other jurisdictions. Based on this assessment they will complete an external review of the regulation of bank fees.

The assessment and review were undertaken by the Department and completed in December 2013. The review was sent to the Troika on completion and my intention is that the report will be published shortly.

Standard Bank Account

Dominic Hannigan

Ceist:

167. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Finance if the report on the standard bank account pilot scheme 2012-2013 has been published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1813/14]

Dominic Hannigan

Ceist:

168. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Finance the actions his Department will take to progress the standard bank account following the completion of the pilot scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1814/14]

Dominic Hannigan

Ceist:

169. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Finance the membership of the financial inclusion working group chaired by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1815/14]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 167 to 169, inclusive, together.

The Report on the Standard Bank Account pilot project was published on my Department’s website on 10 January 2014. The Financial Inclusion Working Group (FIWG), chaired by my Department, and including stakeholders from other Government Departments, the Central Bank of Ireland, retail banks, An Post, the National Consumer Agency and voluntary sector organisations will work closely together on the finalisation and roll out of the Standard Bank Account. It is expected that the rollout of the Standard Bank Account will be achieved during 2014. The membership of the FIWG includes the following:

The Department of Finance

The Department of Social Protection

The Central Bank of Ireland

Social Finance Foundation

An Post

Irish Bankers Federation

Permanent TSB

Bank of Ireland

Allied Irish Bank

Irish League of Credit Unions

Credit Union Development Association

National Consumer Agency

St Vincent de Paul

Money Advice and Budgeting Service

One Family

Consumer Protection

Dominic Hannigan

Ceist:

170. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Finance if there is any legal basis in Ireland for the charge-back provision for disputed transactions on credit and debit cards similar to section 74 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 in the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1816/14]

Regulation 18(2) of S.I. No. 281/2010 - European Communities (Consumer Credit Agreements) Regulations 2010 provides that “Where the goods or services covered by a linked credit agreement are not supplied, or are supplied only in part, or are not in conformity with the contract for their supply, the consumer has the right to pursue remedies against the creditor if the consumer has pursued remedies against the supplier but has failed to obtain the satisfaction to which he or she is entitled according to the law or the contract for the supply of the goods or services.”

This gives a legal basis for the consumer to pursue the creditor in disputed cases.

Momentum Programme

Clare Daly

Ceist:

171. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the oversight in place in relation to the functioning of the momentum scheme and the role and accountability of mentors with particular reference to the mechanisms in place if people feel that their placement is not a training one, but rather a replacement labour scheme; and the level of such complaints that have been made or assessed. [1089/14]

This is a day to day operational matter for SOLAS who manage the Momentum programme. I understand that all contracts have been and continue to be monitored by dedicated SOLAS staff. Where issues arise they are addressed via a sanctions system as appropriate. Sanctions range from a request to address a minor issue to the possibility of termination of the contract. Monitoring includes sample visits to work placements as well as to the classroom based elements of the training. Every payment against a project is made on the basis of participants declaring that they have completed an element of the project or is based on data submitted to support a claim. All of these claims are subjected to a 100% desk audit to ensure that an appropriate claim has been made. Projects are funded by SOLAS through a contractual agreement. Contractors are accountable to SOLAS for the contract. Mentors or tutors are accountable to the contractor and it is their responsibility to adhere to the requirements stipulated in the contract as well as any requirements of the awarding body regarding the certification as appropriate. Furthermore, I am informed that, the work placement process requires the contractors and the learners to work together to source appropriate placements, most of which are of short duration. In the event that a participant feels that their placement is not a training one, they have access to their mentor and/or the contractor who will assist them to resolve the issue. To date SOLAS has not received any complaints relating to a labour replacement type issue.

Momentum Programme

Tom Fleming

Ceist:

172. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the momentum scheme; if he will provide a breakdown of numbers on a county basis up to the end of 2013 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1273/14]

The purpose of the Labour Market Education and Training Fund (LMETF), known as Momentum, is to help enhance the collaboration and engagement between employers and enterprise with education and training providers so as to design and deliver a range of relevant projects for individuals (who have been unemployed for 12 months or more) in support of the Government's Action Plan for Jobs and the National Skills Strategy. The funding was utilised to provide solutions to the needs of both unemployed individuals and employers within the context of Labour Market Themes, geographically spread across the country. Momentum Starters by location:

LOCATION

NUMBERS

CARLOW COUNTY

103

CAVAN COUNTY

50

CLARE COUNTY

44

CORK CITY

462

CORK COUNTY

51

DONEGAL COUNTY

232

DUBLIN

2,396

DUN LAOGHAIRE

66

GALWAY CITY

288

GALWAY COUNTY

111

KERRY COUNTY

66

KILDARE COUNTY

153

KILKENNY COUNTY

112

LAOIS COUNTY

69

LEITRIM COUNTY

12

LIMERICK CITY

198

LONGFORD COUNTY

35

LOUTH COUNTY

490

MAYO COUNTY

55

MEATH COUNTY

154

MONAGHAN COUNTY

108

OFFALY COUNTY

32

ONLINE

8

ROSCOMMON COUNTY

18

SLIGO COUNTY

79

TIPPERARY NORTH

14

TIPPERARY SOUTH

133

WATERFORD CITY

158

WATERFORD COUNTY

21

WESTMEATH COUNTY

93

WEXFORD COUNTY

143

WICKLOW COUNTY

223

GRAND TOTAL

6,183

The Momentum programme contracted in excess of 6,500 places across 81 contracts in 2013. The current round of Momentum is due to be completed before the end of 2014. A design feature of Momentum provides for continuous evaluation of the programme so we can ensure that the training provided is effective, efficient and value for money. I expect to have the outcome of evaluations in respect of the procurement and provision of the programme soon. Recommendations from these stages of the evaluation process will be incorporated into the new programme and a new call for proposals under Momentum will be announced shortly. Ongoing evaluation of the outcomes of the programme in respect of progression into employment will also inform the new iteration of the programme.

Schools Building Projects Status

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

173. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will publish the specific criteria used in the selection of the schools announced on the building list on Friday, 29 November 2013; the reason a school (details supplied) in County Dublin was not included on that list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55193/13]

I am pleased to advise the Deputy that a building project for the school to which he refers is currently at an early stage of the architectural planning process. The school authority and their Design Team are currently completing the Stage 2(a) report for submission to my Department. Following satisfactory completion of this report and subject to no issues arising, the project will be authorised to commence the application for statutory approvals, which includes the application for planning permission. The projects included in the 2014 Construction Programme announced on 29th November last are scheduled to proceed to construction in 2014 and are part of the Five Year Plan launched in March 2012. The primary aim at the core of the Five Year Plan is focused on meeting demographic demands to ensure that every child will have access to a physical school place and that our school system is in a position to cope with increasing pupil numbers. School building projects, including the project referred to by the Deputy, which have not been included in the five year construction programme, but which were previously initiated will continue to be progressed to final planning stages in anticipation of the possibility of further funds being available to the Department in the future.

State Examinations Commission

Jonathan O'Brien

Ceist:

174. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total allocation of funding to the State Examinations Commission in each of the past six years. [55196/13]

Funding to the State Examinations Commission for the past six years is as follows:-

2008 Outturn €62.05 million

2009 Outturn €56.9 million

2010 Outturn €54.3 million

2011 Outturn €55.9 million

2012 Outturn €52.0 million

2013 Provisional Outturn €52.9 million

State Examinations Commission

Jonathan O'Brien

Ceist:

175. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of staff employed by the State Examinations Commission. [55197/13]

The number of staff employed by the State Examinations Commission as at 31/12/2013 is 150 whole-time equivalents.

State Examinations Commission

Jonathan O'Brien

Ceist:

176. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of retired teachers employed by the State Examinations Commission. [55198/13]

The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. In view of this, I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply.

State Examinations Commission

Jonathan O'Brien

Ceist:

177. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the top ten rates of pay of staff in the State Examinations Commission and their job titles. [55199/13]

The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. In view of this, I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply.

Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board

Jonathan O'Brien

Ceist:

178. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the rates of pay that will be allocated to the ten staff of the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55201/13]

The pay levels applying to the staffing complement of 10 posts approved for the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board comprise

- the Chief Executive Officer at Principal Officer level,

- 1 Assistant Principal Officer Level Post,

- 2 Higher Education Officer Level posts,

- 4 Executive Officer level posts and

- 2 administrative support posts, which were initially filled by staff who transferred to the Board on the dissolution of the Education Finance Board.

The following information was provided under Standing Order 40A

Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board

Salary scales applicable to authorised posts

Post: Chief Executive Officer

Scale: Principal Officer (Civil Service) (PPC)

€79,401 €82,587 €85,750 €88,936 €91,624 €94,4101 €97,1942

Post: Director of Services

Scale: Assistant Principal Officer (Civil Service)(PPC)

€65,000 €65,000 €66,040 €68,262 €70,479 €71,758 €73,9951 €76,2242

Post: Head of Finance and Administration

Head of Communications and Engagement

Scale: Higher Executive Officer (Civil Service)

Non PPC

€43,816 €45,125 €46,426 €47,730 €49,035 €50,347 €51,653 €53,532¹ €55,415²

PPC

€46,081 €47,458 €48,831 €50,204 €51,581 €52,955 €54,329 €56,314¹ €58,294²

Post: Caseworker

Scale: Executive Officer (Civil Service)

NRP PPC

€27,464 €29,418 €30,924 €32,379 €33,829 €35,249 €36,684 €38,080 €39,518 €40,470 €41,826¹ €43,178²

PPC

€30,516 €32,687 €34,360 €35,977 €37,588 €39,166 €40,760 €42,311€43,909 €44,967 €46,473¹ €47,975²

Post: Administrative Staff

Scale: Education and Training Board Grade III and Clerical Officer (Civil Service)

Grade IV

€28,334 €30,345 €32,379 €33,894 €35,355 €37,332 €38,761 €40,213 €41,5481 €42,8892

Grade III

€ 23,188 € 24,277 € 25,362 € 26,452 € 27,542 € 28,626 € 29,683 € 30,738 € 31,800 € 32,857 € 33,919 € 35,919 € 35,919 €35,919 € 37,339

Post: Administrative Staff

Scale: Clerical Officer (Civil Service)

Clerical Officer NRP PPC

€20,859 €21,830 €22,805 €23,778 €24,752 €25,724 €26,672 €27,619 €28,569 €29,515 €30,456 €31,924 €33,078¹ €33,607²

¹ After 3 years satisfactory service at the maximum. ² After 6 years satisfactory service at the maximum.

Note:

If an appointee is not an existing civil/public servant the relevant scale is the NRP PPC scale. If an appointee is an existing civil servant appointed post 1995, the PPC scale applies and if the appointee is an existing civil servant before 1995 the Non PCC scale applies.

As noted the administrative support posts were initially filled by transferees from the dissolved Education Finance Board. Following a resignation, the pay scale applying to the vacancy is at clerical officer level.

Third Level Fees

Arthur Spring

Ceist:

179. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Education and Skills if it is possible for an exemption in relation to international student fees to be given to children of an Irish person working for an Enterprise Ireland assisted company who has been required to live outside the EU for more than three of the past five years in an attempt to grow the company. [55220/13]

The position is that where students do not qualify for free fees, they must pay the appropriate fee - either EU or Non-EU rate - as determined by their third level institution. The higher education institutions are autonomous institutions and the level of fees payable by students who do not meet the requirements of the free fees schemes is a matter for the relevant institution.

While the issue of fee rates payable by students is entirely a matter for the institutions, I have requested that the Higher Education Authority liaise with the sector in order to establish and report on the practices currently operated by individual institutions and to seek to agree a common approach across the sector. This review is also intended to examine the issue of Irish students who have been living abroad and intend returning to Ireland to study at third level. It is hoped that, following this review, revised arrangements which will have clear and consistent criteria can be agreed, and will be in place for the next academic year. As the Deputy can appreciate, I cannot intervene in individual cases.

School Meals Programme

Gerald Nash

Ceist:

180. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied that school canteens providing meals on school premises are adequately regulated; his Department's current responsibilities in terms of the regulation of the school canteens system-service; if he is considering any new regulations in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55239/13]

Canteens on schools premises are subject to the same regulations that apply to canteens in other types of organisation. Responsibility for compliance with such matters rests with the service provider which could be either the school or an external provider. Neither I nor my Department have a role in such matters. In accordance with the provisions of the Education Act 1998, the Board of Management is the body charged with the direct governance of a school. It is therefore a matter for each school to devise guidelines around the types of food that are available on the school premises, including where appropriate in the school canteen, and such policies should be driven by the needs and welfare of the pupils. I am aware that many schools have, in co-operation with their parents' associations, developed healthy eating policies and I would encourage others to do so.

Early Childhood Care Education

Clare Daly

Ceist:

181. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the criteria that qualifies as early educational intervention for preschool children with autism. [55243/13]

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department's preferred approach is that, where possible, children are educated in school settings where they may have access to individualised education programmes, fully-qualified professional teachers, special needs assistants, the appropriate school curriculum with the option, where possible and appropriate, of full or partial integration and interaction with other pupils. Consequently, my Department's policy is to facilitate the enrolment of pupils with autism in Early Intervention classes in primary schools from the age of three years. In such classes, which have a maximum enrolment of 6 children, there will be a fully qualified primary school teacher and 2 Special Needs Assistants. When a child with an autism diagnosis reaches 4 years of age they may be accommodated in a number of settings. In such circumstances, a school placement can be a place in a special school which enrols children with ASD; a place in a special class for children with ASD attached to a mainstream school; a place in an early intervention class for children with ASD or a place in a mainstream class in a mainstream school with resources if necessary. Where there is no suitable educational placement available for children with a diagnosis of autism, my Department will consider applications under the Home Tuition scheme, where the child can receive 20 hours home tuition which is funded by my Department. Children aged 2.5 years and with a diagnosis are not eligible for enrolment in an early intervention class and will qualify for 10 hours tuition per week under the terms of the Home Tuition scheme should the parent wish to avail of it.

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