Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 18 Dec 2014

Vol. 862 No. 3

Topical Issue Debate

Schools Building Projects Applications

Deputy David Stanton

I thank the Office of the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this matter and the Minister of State for being here. I noticed there were announcements this morning of new schools, new builds, extensions and so on and that the schools to which I am referring this evening are part of that. When the rail link to Midleton was reopened a number of years ago, one of the conditions was that there would be a lot of land zoned and more houses built in the area to provide customers for the rail link and make it viable. This happened. Unfortunately, the scale of school building did not keep up. I know that the number of schools has been announced along with the two schools in Carrigtwohill I am mentioning. Gaelscoil Mhainistir Na Corann, Midleton Educate Together and Gaelscoil de hÍde in Fermoy were also mentioned. Could the Minister of State get back to me about Gaelscoil Mhainistir Na Corann because there is also a delay in the Department responding to the county council with regard to a query relating to a planning condition? I would be grateful if he could have a look at that.

A proposal was made a number of years ago to amalgamate the two existing primary schools - Scoil Mhuire Naofa, which is a boys' school in Carrigtwohill, and Scoil Chlochair Mhuire, which is the girls' school - into a new 32-classroom school. There is now a concern that this school might not be big enough. Could the Minister of State address that in his response or come back to me later? This was scheduled for 2016 or 2017 but we are told today that it will proceed in 2015. They have grown to a size which exceeds the anticipated capacity of the proposed new building.

I understand there is a lack of communication between the Department and the board of management as to whether they should accept additional numbers now, but no other option is available for parents in this town. Where are the children to go if the schools cannot take them?

Additional temporary accommodation is required in both of the primary schools from next September. The county council identified problems with recent requests for temporary accommodation on the grounds of traffic impact, portacabins and limited play areas. I understand the GAA is facilitating car parking. The Department has already sanctioned seven portacabins at Scoil Mhuire Naofa since 2006, and the other school is also under pressure. Scoil Mhuire Naofa had a projected enrolment of 438 in September 2014 and it achieved 431, which was an increase of 51 on September 2013. This resulted in a gain of 38 pupils in total. It has a projected enrolment of 469 for September 2015 and 500 for 2016. These numbers are rising rapidly, and I understand the other school faces similar challenges, with 100 applications for next September. Both schools are concerned about the impact of curtailing developments on local children, many of whom have siblings in the school.

It was expected that the amalgamation of the two schools would have already proceeded to the planning stage but I understand the process is held up by site acquisition. Has a site been acquired? In response to a parliamentary question tabled on 2 October 2014, I was told that once the site has been acquired a design team would be appointed. What is the position on the appointment of the design team? What is the projected timeframe for design and submission of planing? The school understands that the 32 classroom amalgamated school might be built through the rapid build programme but it is estimated that the appointment of a design team consultation process with stakeholders, the design development, integrating with other services, the planning process and getting the building permits could take as long as 24 to 30 months. Is that correct? Will the new school be ready to accept pupils in September 2015 or is September 2016 more likely? I understand the 32 classroom primary school will be on the same site as the new 800-pupil second-level school. Is this correct?

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Damien English)

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter as it affords me the opportunity to outline the process used to ensure that there will be adequate accommodation in schools at primary and post-primary levels to meet the demographic needs arising.

The forward planning section of my Department has carried out a study of the country to identify the areas where, due to demographic changes, there may be a requirement for significant additional school provision at both primary and post-primary levels over the coming years. School accommodation requirements throughout the country have been considered as part of this detailed study. The five year school building programme, which was announced in March 2012, provides for a €2 billion school capital investment programme to 2016 and prioritises major school projects in areas where future significant demographic changes have been identified.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Midleton-Carrigtwohill area has been identified by my Department as one of the areas where, due to demographic changes, it is projected that there will be a requirement for significant additional school provision at both primary and post primary levels over the coming years. In that context, a number of school projects, including new buildings to facilitate the amalgamation of the two existing primary schools in Carrigtwohill and a new post-primary school, are proposed for the area and have been included in my Department's five year plan. In that regard, officials from my Department have been working in conjunction with the local authority towards securing permanent sites to meet both current and projected future needs in the area. The Deputy will be aware that there is a memorandum of understanding in place between my Department and the County and City Managers' Association. This memorandum of understanding fosters increased levels of co-operation and formalises the local authorities' role in identifying and securing sites for educational use. The level of local knowledge available under this arrangement has been critical in addressing the type of challenge presented where additional school accommodation is required in areas such as Carrigtwohill and Midleton.

Significant progress has been made on the school building project to which the Deputy referred. Agreement in principle has been reached on a suitable site, which will facilitate the provision of new buildings for the amalgamated primary schools and the new post-primary school. The conveyancing process is under way. Arrangements are being put in place to progress the building project. As the Deputy may be aware, the schools to which he refers were included in the list of projects announced today which are expected to proceed to construction in 2015. This project is being assigned to the Department's design and build programme and the school authorities will be invited to review the plans for the schools in quarter two of 2015.

Deputy David Stanton

I asked a series of questions pertaining to next September, the urgency of temporary accommodation and what will happen to the additional students due to enroll in 2015. Perhaps the Minister of State should visit the sites because they are already cramped.

Currently St. Aloysius is the only secondary level school in Carrigtwohill. It is an excellent school but it is all-girls and all of the boys have to travel to Midleton, Glanmire, Fermoy or Cobh. Can the Minister of State clarify the stage that the second-level school building project has reached? Today's announcement indicates that the primary and post-primary schools will go to construction in 2015. The Minister of State indicated that the school authorities will be invited to review the plans in the second quarter of 2015. If they are only reviewing the plans in the second quarter, which is in April, May or June, when will we see shovels on the ground? I am alarmed at the pace of development.

The Department was advised of concerns expressed by Cork County Council about traffic and flood risk in respect of the road network during the pre-planning consultation last year. Have these issues been resolved? If the Minister of State cannot provide responses to my questions now, I would be grateful if he could revert to me with this information. The primary schools have been seeking a meeting with the Department and the county council to confirm the size of the amalgamated primary school, interim arrangements to meet demand for primary places, projections for future placements and any proposals for another primary school in the area. Will this meeting be facilitated? We urgently need communication and information.

Deputy Damien English

I cannot give the Deputy all of the information he requested but I will raise the issues directly. The plan is that construction will proceed before the end of 2015. This means the temporary accommodation will have to be addressed in September but there is a drive to begin construction in 2015 and I presume the project will be completed in 2016. It was in the five year plan and I can confirm that is on track. I cannot confirm the site location because it is still at conveyancing stage but it is close to completion. We can try to commence design earlier than quarter two but that is the worst case scenario.

In regard to traffic and other problems, I understand these are being discussed with the local authority. The reason for involving it with site selection was to address these problems and assist at the planning stage. I can certainly request a meeting and find out if it is necessary. It might not be necessary if the issues have been addressed but I acknowledge the concerns that the Deputy expressed. The second-level is also progressing to design stage. The story is positive overall and I will revert to the Deputy with the further information sought. I accept there have been delays in acquiring the site and progressing to planning stage but everyone, including the local authority, has played a part in ensuring the right site is selected.

Mortgage Arrears Rate

Deputy Robert Troy

It is outrageous that the Government is not dealing with mortgage arrears as a priority. We will face an unbelievable problem in the new year, when thousands of families will be evicted from their homes because of mortgage arrears. The number of family mortgages in arrears of longer than 90 days has doubled since this Government came to office. The number peaked at 12.9% of all mortgages in September 2013 and has fallen only slightly since then. A total of 74,192 mortgages are in arrears of more than six months and 37,484 families are in arrears of more than two years. These people are in real danger of having their family homes taken from over their heads. The Government is stuck in a mode of thinking whereby the banks are allowed to dictate the pace and the nature of the restructuring arrangements. The banks' response to the Government's mortgage arrears resolution targets programme was to step up legal proceedings.

In response to the banks' actions there is a need for a clear definition of what is a sustainable mortgage and much greater standardisation in approach.

The Government heralded two major initiatives to tackle this issue, one of which was the mortgage to rent scheme. To date, that scheme has dealt with 50 applications, even though there are tens of thousands of people in arrears. The second brainwave or initiative of the Government was the Personal Insolvency Act 2012. When this legislation was going through the House, the then Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter, estimated that in its first full year of operation the Insolvency Service of Ireland would have 21,000 applications for debt resolution. To date, there have been only 311 applications. Therefore, it is not working and the reason it is not working is that the power has remained with the banks.

I will offer the Minister two examples involving two constituents I have dealt with recently. One took out a loan of €135,000 to buy an apartment. That was the value of the apartment at the time. Today, it is valued at €50,000. That man is lucky to be working and he approached the bank for some help. Its offer was a take it or leave it choice. It wants €1,000 per month for 30 years. That is €360,000 for a loan of €135,000 for an apartment worth €50,000. The banks have the power to say "take it or leave it." My other constituent was seeking to enter the mortgage to rent scheme. The bank, permanent tsb in this instance, offered the market value of the house to a housing body and intended to put this lady in the house. She was going to pay rent to the housing agency and then pay a mortgage on the difference between what was owed and what the bank was giving the housing authority. She would have been €500 per month worse off. Again, she was told she could take it or leave it.

I understand this is not the Minister's Department or his direct responsibility, but somebody must tell the Government that it must wake up. This crisis is very real. It is wrong that tens of thousands of families are approaching the Christmas period thinking that this will be their last Christmas in their family home.

Deputy Damien English

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important issue on behalf of the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, and to set out recent developments in this area.

There is no doubt that some families across the country are experiencing genuine difficulties in meeting their monthly mortgage repayments. The Government is fully aware of the impact this is having on these families and their lives. As the Minister said previously, we cannot have a situation where some families are living under the stress of mortgage arrears, unable to enjoy even a modest standard of living and excluded from participating in the economy and effectively living their lives because of their debt problem. It is important to note, however, that there are relationship frameworks in place with the State owned banks which preclude the State from intervening in the day-to-day operations of the banks or their management decisions.

The Government has developed a comprehensive cross-departmental strategy to support households in arrears, in line with the main recommendations of the 2011 Keane report. The primary focus of the strategy is to support those homeowners in difficulty with their mortgage repayments. The implementation of the strategy is overseen at Government level by the Construction 2020, housing, planning and mortgage arrears sub-committee which is chaired by the Taoiseach and at official level by a mortgage arrears steering group which is chaired by the Department of Finance. The Government's strategy is built around the four pillars for action as recommended in the Keane report. These are: engagement with the banks to develop appropriate measures for their customers in mortgage arrears; personal insolvency law reform and implementation; mortgage to rent; and a mortgage advisory function. A number of key measures have been advanced in this regard. It is worth noting, however, that of the 760,238 private residential mortgage accounts for principal dwelling houses, PDH, in the Republic of Ireland, some 117,889 accounts or 15.5% were in arrears at the end of September.

The Government has provided an enhanced range of information and guidance services for mortgage holders, including a dedicated information website, a mortgage arrears information and advice helpline and the provision of independent financial advice for mortgage holders who are being presented with long-term mortgage resolution proposals by their lenders. This advice is provided by qualified accountants drawn from members of the main accountancy institutes in Ireland who have agreed to participate and support this independent service. We must encourage people to avail of this service. Like the Deputy, I am dealing with clients who are not engaging fully with the service and who have been offered solutions but who require proper advice. They should avail of the service, if they can.

The Central Bank has put many protections in place to ensure people in mortgage arrears are treated fairly by the banks, including the code of conduct on mortgage arrears, CCMA, and the mortgage arrears resolution process, MARP. The key indicator of success in dealing with mortgage arrears is the development and application, where appropriate, of long-term solutions. In March 2013 the Central Bank published the mortgage arrears resolution targets, or MART framework, which set out the performance targets for mortgage arrears resolution at six mortgage lenders - AIB, Bank of Ireland, permanent tsb, Ulster Bank, KBC Bank Ireland and the ACC. Under this rolling process, quarterly performance targets have been set to require the banks to propose and put in place durable long-term solutions to address individual cases of mortgages in difficulty where the mortgage is more than 90 days in arrears. In that context, the Deputy will be aware that the Central Bank set progressive targets in 2013 and throughout 2014 for banks in respect of the numbers of proposed and concluded mortgage restructure arrangements. The most recent information from the Central Bank is in respect of the end of September 2014 targets and proposed solutions and indicates that the banks have exceeded their targets under the three headings.

The MART initiative has resulted in significant numbers of long-term restructured arrangements being put in place. At the end of March 2013, when the MART targets were set, Central Bank statistics showed that 79,600 restructures were in place for principal dwelling houses; at the end of September 2014, this number had increased to almost 110,000 restructures. There is some progress, but I accept that not everybody is getting the solutions he or she needs. The Central Bank's latest mortgage arrears and restructures publication for the end of the third quarter of 2014 shows that the number of mortgage accounts for principal dwelling houses in arrears fell for the fifth consecutive quarter. That is slightly different from the information the Deputy has provided, but we can reconcile the figures, if he wishes. However, there has been a decrease. A total of 80% of the PDH mortgage accounts classified as restructures were deemed to be meeting the terms of their current restructuring arrangement, which is a significant achievement for all involved. I hope that will progress.

The Deputy referred to a case regarding the mortgage to rent scheme. Perhaps he might forward the details because it does not sound like the way the scheme is supposed to be administered. I will have it checked for him.

Deputy Robert Troy

I thank the Minister of State for offering to have the individual case checked. That is welcome. However, the Minister of State still does not understand. He referred to a website. That is damn-all good for somebody-----

Deputy Damien English

There is a helpline.

Deputy Robert Troy

I will deal with the three mechanisms the Minister of State mentioned. The website is no good for somebody who risks losing the roof over his or her head.

With regard to the personal insolvency legislation, the point is that the power rests with the banks. The banks' sole objective is to return to profitability and they do not care about the consequences for families throughout the country. The banks' response to the mortgage arrears resolution targets programme was to issue letters with threats of legal proceedings to the people concerned.

The Minister of State referred to restructuring. It is acknowledged that there has been some restructuring, but we do not know how sustainable that restructuring will be. I gave an example of what one of the banks had done with one of my constituents. The banks have added the arrears to the capital and just extended the period of time. If the people involved could not afford the mortgage in the first instance, how will they be able to afford it plus the arrears over a longer period of time?

My party put forward real and progressive proposals to solve these problems. One was to establish an independent arbitrator who could instruct the banks to take a particular course of action. It would remove the power from the banks and give the people who had got into difficulty through no fault of their own a better chance of securing a sustainable solution for the future. Consider what is expected to happen next year. According to a recent report, a number of buy-to-let mortgages that were taken out during the boom with interest-only repayments are due to revert to interest and capital repayments. In some instances, the repayment will be quadruple the current repayment. I am told that will happen next year. This will lead to more problems as investors will sell rental properties. That will leave more people out on the streets and we already have a homelessness crisis. We must amend the personal insolvency legislation to remove the banks' veto over a resolution.

Deputy Damien English

I will raise the Deputy’s concerns with the Minister, who will have time to read over the debate. He is sorry he could not be here. The Deputy asked whether the restructures were working. The review shows that 83% of restructures are meeting their terms and my evidence as a Deputy matches it. That would generally mean they are working. I have had very few people coming back to me who are in difficulty with a restructured arrangement. Naturally, they try to have the mortgages restructured at a level they can manage. Most cases we are dealing with in our offices are ones for which there is not yet a restructured arrangement. The Deputy is right that we need to keep an eye on it.

The idea of the restructures, in some cases, is to find a long-term solution, and it may involve adding arrears to the capital. It is also about making the mortgage sustainable in the short term, reducing the person’s monthly mortgage payment, giving him or her a chance, hopefully, to get a job and try to get back into it. We must watch it. The guidelines are very clear that repossession of the family home is a last resort, and it is wrong of the Deputy to say tens of thousands of people will be homeless as a result of repossessions in the new year. This is inflaming the situation. While there are difficult situations, there are rules to deal with them. There is always room to improve the scheme.

Deputy Robert Troy

They will lose their homes.

Deputy Damien English

The figures for the past couple of years have not shown this. The Deputy raised the issue of buy-to-let properties and I can ask the Minister to reply to him on that directly as it is separate. Most of the initiatives we have put in place are to protect the family home. We have put codes of conduct in place, which have been addressed. The Deputy is scaring people by talking about tens of thousands of evictions. It is not the case.

Deputy Robert Troy

Almost 40,000 people are in arrears of two years.

Deputy Damien English

Three years ago some of the Deputy’s party colleagues told us there would be tens of thousands of repossessions, but this has not happened. The Deputy is scaring people. While some people, after all the efforts, may have to give up their family homes for whatever reason, it will not be tens of thousands. It is wrong to give that impression. The Government inherited this mess and is dealing with the mortgage crisis as best it can. A range of measures are in place. Every effort is being made to protect family homes, and it is a little unfair to say tens of thousands will lose their homes.

Medical Card Administration

Deputy Terence Flanagan

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity of raising this very important issue. I welcome the changes the Government announced recently to improve the medical card system to make it fairer and ensure people with terminal illnesses will not be subject to review of their medical cards, which is very welcome. I seek to raise a number of issues that my constituents are having with the processing of their medical card applications by the primary care reimbursement service, PCRS. Like many Deputies, I deal with many medical card queries on behalf of my constituents. Recently, I wrote to the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, about a case in which a constituent of mine encountered serious problems with her application and the information that PCRS received. While I am aware that the issue does not fall under the Minister's direct responsibility, as it is a matter for the HSE, it is very important that he be kept up to date with what is happening on the ground, and he needs to take an active interest in what is happening in the PCRS.

I am concerned that some constituents have reported submitting the same documents, including application forms and medical forms, up to five times, with the PCRS stating it has no record of receiving any application. I am asking constituents to send the information by registered post to ensure the PCRS can confirm it has received the applications. The fact that information is being mislaid is very frustrating, particularly for ill or elderly constituents. They must go through the bureaucracy of pulling together an application. Having to do it a second, third and fourth time is embarrassing and shows up a very dysfunctional system which does not work. If the PCRS is saying An Post is not delivering the post, what investigation has it been seeking? If the difficulty is within the PCRS, what is it doing about it? There seems to be no issue with information leaving the building, given that constituents are receiving letters with updates on their applications. There is a major privacy and data protection issue. If private and personal information about people's bank accounts and medical histories falls into the wrong hands, it could open the door to abuse and identity fraud.

A constituent who wanted to renew her medical card in March 2014 sent in everything except her bank statements. When she contacted the PCRS in April for an update on the status of her card, she was advised that no documents had been received with the renewal application, although she had stapled them to the application. She had to resend all her documents, including a second copy of her private and confidential medical report, which costs €15 each time she requests it from her doctor. In July, she contacted the HSE and was told that while some of her documents had been received, the bank statements and medical report had still not been received, although she had sent them in the same envelope. Her doctor is, naturally, concerned about her private medical information going astray, as well as her confidential bank statements possibly lying around somewhere, where somebody can read it. Recently, two members of PCRS staff told her that all her documents had been received, including her bank statements. A week later, another staff member told her no bank statements had been received and that her medical card had been revoked. There are major issues, and this is just one example.

Deputy Damien English

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. I am taking the debate on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health, Deputy Varadkar, who apologises for the fact that he could not be here, although he makes an effort to try to hear all Topical Issue debates. The Government is conscious of the importance of the medical card system in ensuring that people whose needs do not enable them to access GPs and other health services are provided with such supports, in line with the legislative provisions. There is always room for improvement in how public services operate, and the Minister, Deputy Varadkar has made it clear to the HSE that it must continue to improve the level of service provided to applicants for medical cards. The Deputy raised a specific case, on which neither I nor the Minister could comment. Most of us in the House have heard similar stories.

Deputy Terence Flanagan

I have multiple cases.

Deputy Damien English

People have put such cases on the record, and the Minister has made it very clear that it is unacceptable. It is certainly unacceptable that information gets lost, mislaid or delayed. He has made it clear that this aspect is not good enough and needs to be reformed. There have been many such stories, and it was part of the review of the application process which the Minister has organised. The HSE has a structured protocol in place for the medical card application and review process, and every effort is made to ensure ongoing engagement between the HSE and applicants during this process. However, I will outline some of the steps being taken to improve the quality of the service.

The Deputy will be aware of the publication of the reports of the expert panel on medical need and medical card eligibility and the external review of the medical card process. The external review was commissioned to examine how the HSE currently administers the medical card application process and to recommend ways in which the process could be made more efficient, simple and user-friendly in the future. Efficiency is the one the Deputy is seeking. In the light of the conclusions of the two reports, ten key actions have been identified to improve the operation of the medical card system, particularly for people with significant medical needs, and these are most welcome. To deliver on these, a range of actions are being put into effect or will be pursued in the short-term by the HSE. As an example, the HSE will ensure a more integrated and sensitive processing of applications, involving greater exchange of information between the central assessment office and the local health offices about people's medical circumstances and needs. In addition, the HSE has appointed a senior manager to lead the reform of the systems for handling medical card applications and reviews, with a focus on a high-quality customer service and easy-to-understand information and processes.

Improved communications and information will be developed and provided for the public, health sector staff and health advocacy groups to ensure a better understanding of people's entitlements and the rules of the medical card scheme. Furthermore, a clinical advisory group will be established by the HSE in the new year to develop guidance on assessing applications involving significant medical conditions in order to take account of the burden involved and the needs arising from the condition and to ensure that appropriate services are provided to people who need them.

Other actions the Health Service Executive, HSE, will progress in the short term will be the development of a single, integrated process for people to apply for a medical card, a GP-visit card, the long-term illness scheme and the drugs payment scheme, as well as the establishment of access points nationwide in health offices to support and assist people to make applications. This will enable the HSE to make every effort to provide applicants with the benefits or services most suited to their needs. The Minister, Deputy Varadkar, also has asked the HSE to examine, with his Department, the best way to meet the needs of people with significant medical conditions who need the support of the public health system. This work includes considering the best way to make available medical aids and appliances to persons who do not hold a medical card, the provision of services to children with severe disabilities and to enable people with particular needs to have these met on an individual basis, rather than awarding a medical card to all family members.

The Minister for Health will continue to oversee the implementation of these actions and, if it emerges that further improvements are deemed necessary, he will consider them. It is important to note that under the relevant legislation, there is no role for the Minister for Health in assessing an individual's medical card eligibility, as the Deputy himself recognised, or give a direction to the HSE relating to a decision concerning the eligibility of an individual. Notwithstanding this, should the Deputy wish to give me details of the case he raised, I certainly will bring it to the Minister's attention and will ask the officials to pursue it further.

Deputy Terence Flanagan

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy English, for replying on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Varadkar, and I acknowledge the Minister sent his apologies for his absence this evening. In respect of the Minister of State's response, what I seek is an investigation into the primary care reimbursement service, PCRS, at this point in time. The major problem appears to be with the processing of applications, as applications either are not being received by the PCRS or are being received and basically are being kept in bags of mail or whatever. There is a black hole in the system at present and every single piece of paper sent in to the PCRS should be scanned, computerised and put onto a computer system. The age of manual systems is past, particularly in respect of information so sensitive as people's confidential bank details and medical records. All that information must be scanned and retained and huge efficiencies are required in the system, as it appears to be outdated.

There also is an issue regarding the processing of applications, in that different sections process different parts of the application form within the PCRS. Does the Minister of State agree that the entire system must be streamlined in order that one person will deal with one file from beginning to end? Recently, one of my constituents was informed that she needed to submit a new application to renew her medical card, whereas when I made a representation directly to the PCRS on her behalf, I was informed that her medical card was valid until the summer of 2015 and that she would not be obliged to renew it until then. Consequently, I obviously have major concerns about the integrity of the system when different messages are sent by different staff within the service. There also is a difficulty about delays in sending out information to constituents. Recently, a case was brought to my attention in which, although one is meant to have 21 days in which to appeal a medical card application decision, the person concerned had less than seven days in which to make an appeal because once the letter had been printed off, a delay arose in getting that letter signed and sent out. From my perspective and I am sure from those of others - Deputy Ellis may have the same experience - there are multiple problems within the system that must be investigated thoroughly. People's information is too confidential for it be lost. There appears to be a problem with the integrity of the system and I ask the Minister to investigate.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Thank you Deputy but I must now call on the Minister of State to conclude.

Deputy Damien English

I again thank Deputy Terence Flanagan for raising these issues. I certainly will pass on to the Minister the Deputy's desire for an investigation into where information is stored or where it has gone. As for the examples the Deputy has given, as well as others provided by other Members - I believe all Members probably have had negative experiences of the process - this is why, when the Minister took up office, one of the first issues with which he dealt was to have an external review of the entire manner in which the HSE was administering the medical card application process and making decisions. Arising from that are the recommendations and the ten new actions the Minister believes and hopes, as do I, will fix this process and system that has been a cause of concern for the Deputy and many others. It certainly has not been satisfactory for applicants.

Deputy Terence Flanagan

The Minister needs to visit the PCRS to walk through the processes.

Deputy Damien English

While I understand he has visited, I certainly will tell him again that the Deputy wishes him to do that.

The Minister has made clear that he expects all the changes that will happen in the new year, as well as the new actions, will address the problems with the process. He has stated clearly that if this does not happen, further changes must take place and he will address that as well. Most Members are aware that it is not satisfactory. A key part that probably will help is the establishment of the access points around the country in health offices to support and assist people to make applications because all Members are aware that, at present, many people believe they must approach the office of a Deputy or a Minister to try to get help with the process alone, that is, with the forms and so on. They should not be obliged to do this and should not think they must go to that level. Ultimately, I believe the access points will address that issue and should address the handing over and the seeking of information. However, the Deputy is correct that it would not be good enough were any information to get lost or mislaid and the Minister also is clear at that point. The changes arising from the external review and the recommendations regarding the processes across the board should make a difference. It certainly should put right matters and the Minister expects that to happen.

School Completion Programme

Deputy Dessie Ellis

As the Minister of State is aware, the school completion programme, SCP, is a support system for children and young people who are at risk of early school leaving. The programme seeks to increase school participation, attainment and retention among this group of students. It is quite clear that in areas of generational educational, economic and social disadvantage, a scheme that encourages young people to stay in school and which aids them in achieving their potential at all levels of education, is a vital support. Low educational attainment and educational disadvantage have been shown to have a highly detrimental effect on individuals affected, their families, their community and society at large, not to mention the economic problems caused when young people are failed by the education system. Educational disadvantage is closely linked to the prevalence of poverty and Members are aware this State has at least three quarters of a million people living in poverty, many of whom are children and there has been an increase of 10% in child poverty in recent years.

The vast preponderance of research on the issue indicates clearly that children from poorer socioeconomic backgrounds and communities are much more likely to underachieve in education when compared with those from middle and high-income backgrounds. Children in poverty deal on a daily basis with a range of personal, social and economic conditions that make educational attainment a much more difficult goal. The good news is that education is a key to solving many of these peripheral conditions that harm educational attainment in poor communities. It is a vicious cycle that can be broken only by providing resources to educational programmes that take a step towards those affected by poverty and educational disadvantage. The school completion programme is such a support. It supports school readiness, helps with the development of social and emotional competence and eases the transition from primary to post-primary education.

In the areas of Finglas and Ballymun, which I represent, educational disadvantage and poverty are major problems. Thankfully, we benefit from the wonderful efforts of schools involved in the SCP, such as Scoil na Maighdine Muire, Scoil an tSeachtar Laoch and St. Joseph's senior school, all of which are located in Ballymun. They have contacted me regarding their concerns for the future of the programmes. SCP in Ballymun gives vital support to approximately 300 children and young people each year. The schools involved give glowing accounts of the positive impact of the SCP. They state more can be done but not while less is being given. Since 2008, the school completion programme budget has been cut by 33%. Continuous reductions have hurt badly the programme's ability to do its work. Since Fine Gael and the Labour Party took office, the annual budget has been cut by €5.3 million, which is a cut of 18%. This is a cut to a service for some of the most vulnerable young people in the country. It is a line no Government should cross or consider crossing and this comes on top of other cuts to vital educational supports for disadvantaged children. This year's allocation remains well below funding for 2011, while the top rate of tax has been cut.

The Ballymun education support team, BEST, completion programme works with eight DEIS schools and provides targeted intervention through a range of programmes and activities, including school breakfast clubs, small work groups, one-to-ones, the incredible years programme to prevent and treat emotional and behavioural difficulties as well as a transition programme that supports children moving from primary to post-primary school. This helps and supports pupils and children most at risk to engage in school programmes and curricula.

Deputy Damien English

I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Reilly, who sends his apologies for not being here to debate this important issue.

The aim of the school completion programme is to retain young people in the formal education system to completion of senior cycle and generally to improve school attendance, participation and retention of its target cohort. It is a targeted intervention aimed at those school communities identified through the Department of Education and Skills DEIS action plan for educational inclusion. It involves 124 locally managed projects and related initiatives operating across 470 primary and 224 post-primary schools to provide targeted supports to approximately 36,000 children and young people.

Since 1 January 2014, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has operational responsibility for the school completion programme, including the allocation of funds to local projects. The programme is one of three service strands within the continuum of education welfare service being implemented by the agency to support children, their families and schools. The other service strands are the home-school community liaison scheme and the educational welfare service.

In 2014, an allocation of €24.756 million was provided for the school completion programme. The agency has approved local projects' school retention plans for the 2014-15 academic year. The amount provided in 2014-15 for the school completion programme takes account of the savings requirements in the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure 2012-14. The first instalment of 2014-15 funding issued to local school completion projects last September. Further payments, totalling approximately €9.5 million, will issue this month, with a third instalment being paid in May 2015. The estimate for the Child and Family Agency for 2015 is €635 million, which is a 4.3% increase on its 2014 allocation. The Department of Children and Youth Affairs will shortly issue a performance statement under section 45 of the Child and Family Agency Act 2013. This will include the Minister's priorities for consideration in the development of the agency's 2015 business plan. The business plan will set out the agency's proposed activities, programmes and priorities for 2015, including provision for the school completion programme, in light of the moneys available.

A review of the school completion programme has commenced. The programme has been in operation since 2002 and it is timely that a review of it be undertaken. The review is an important initiative in relation to planning for the future development of the school completion programme. It is anticipated that the review will assist in identifying the reforms necessary to consolidate the programme on a sustainable footing for the future and to ensure that it is in line with the aims of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures - the national policy framework for children and young people 2014-2020.

The aim is to ensure that available funds are targeted to those services that provide the greatest contribution to good educational outcomes for children and young people at risk of educational disadvantage. The review will, among other things, examine the school completion programme structures and how they can best support an integrated approach to address early school leaving. It will analyse the interventions provided and make recommendations for evidence informed supports designed to secure the best educational outcomes for young people. The plan for the review includes arrangements to capture the views of a range of stakeholders, including staff and all those involved in the organisation and administration of the school completion programme. It includes a survey to gather the views of project co-ordinators and chairpersons of the 124 local school completion programme projects throughout the country, case studies of projects involving staff and participating schools and interviews with national stakeholders who have a direct interest in the programme.

Preliminary information gathered on the programme indicates that it encompasses a broad and diverse range of measures and interventions that have been developed by local projects over the years. It is hoped that following the review we will be in a better position to identify the most successful of these measures and interventions and to share that learning right across the school completion programme to the greater benefit of all the children participating. It is envisaged that the review will be completed during the 2014-15 academic year.

Deputy Dessie Ellis

Many of the children who are targeted by the school completion programme obtain huge benefits from that engagement. Great benefits also accrue to their families. This is evident from their school attendances, their attitudes to their teachers and their confidence to engage with other people and make friends. This leads to less disruption in their lives and the lives of others around them. Front-line services must be protected. The Ballymun Education Support Team, BEST, SCP board of management was recently notified that there might be further cuts to its programme in 2015 as the national SCP budget is no longer ring-fenced.

The Minister of State referred to a review of the SCP. A review often spells trouble. I hope that in this case the school completion programme will not be affected in any way. There are huge concerns among a range of schools across the country about proposed cuts. I am speaking on behalf of the management of schools in Ballymun who are seriously concerned that attempts will be made to cut funding for the school completion programme. This programme is aimed at the most disadvantaged of people. We cannot go down the road of affecting them. It is essential funding for this programme is maintained. Any review must take this into account.

The Minister of State said that responsibility for funding under the SCP is now the responsibility of Tusla. The previous mechanism for funding worked very well. I hope the serious concerns of all the schools in regard to attempts to manage this funding in a different way to their detriment will not be realised. I ask that the Minister of State bring to the attention of the Minister, Deputy Reilly, my concerns and those of my constituents and others across the country in this regard. Too much progress has been made to go backwards. That is the last thing we want to happen.

Deputy Damien English

I will bring the Deputy's concerns to the attention of the Minister, Deputy Reilly. I ask that he bring to the people concerned the message that this is not about imposing cuts. The review is an attempt to try to bring about best practice in this area given the variance between projects around the country. Some projects work extremely well and achieve great results. Like the Deputy, I am familiar with some of those projects, particularly the one in my constituency.

On cuts to funding, funding was cut across the board over the past number of years because the Government had €30 billion less to spend. The cuts were not imposed because the Government did not believe these schemes were working well. We recognise the great results they are achieving and want to continue them. I reiterate the review is a review to plan for the future of the scheme. The purpose of the review is not to identify areas where cuts can be made. It is important that the Deputy puts people's minds at ease in this regard. The purpose of the review is not to see if we can scrap the programme. While others might wish to pedal that message that is not the case. The purpose of the review is to see how the programme can be sustainable into the future, while ensuring we are getting the best value for our money. We must ensure the highest standards in all areas. That is the aim. Also, there are other areas with growing populations, such as my constituency in Navan, which do not yet avail of the programme and this will require more money to be spent in this area. Funding for the programme in 2015 has been increased, which should indicate the Government's intent in this area. It is important we ensure we get the best service possible. I will bring the Deputy's concerns to the attention of the Minister and ask that the Deputy also bring back the message to his constituents that the Government supports this programme.