Written Answers Nos. 285-315
285. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if, following the move across Europe to bring budgets into a semester process, the date of budget 2014; and the way the budget is announced will change. [5854/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2011, EU countries launched the European Semester cycle as agreed at the European Council in June 2010. The aim of the Semester is that EU-level discussions on fiscal policy, macroeconomic imbalances, financial sector issues, and growth-enhancing structural reforms will now always take place before governments draw up their draft budgets and submit them to national parliamentary debate in the second half of the year. Additionally, the so-called "six-pack" of economic governance legislative measures came into effect in 2011 in order to enhance economic and budgetary coordination across the EU. The position on the date of budgets raised by the Deputy is as set out in section 6.4 of the Budgetary Reform Chapter of the Medium-Term Fiscal Statement published last November.
One of a further two draft economic and budgetary regulations, known as the "two-pack", nearing finalisation in Europe, will introduce a common budgetary timeline for all euro area Member States. When this regulation is adopted and in force, all euro area Member States will be required to publish their draft budget for central government and the main parameters of all other General Government sub-sectors no later than 15 October each year. The common budgetary timeline also foresees that the final budget should be adopted or fixed upon annually by 31 December.
Accordingly, much of our existing budgetary process, which is currently completed in the first week of December, will have to be finalised earlier in the year.
As the two-pack has not yet been adopted, this requirement has not yet come into force but I can assure the Deputy that we will take the necessary actions to ensure that Ireland will comply with the new requirements once they have been agreed.
289. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to an increase in the standard variable rate mortgages by .25% by a bank (details supplied); if his Department consulted with this bank on the matter and the effect this increase will have on mortgage holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5951/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI, as Minister for Finance, have no statutory role in the setting of the standard variable mortgage interest rates charged by regulated financial institutions. It is a commercial matter for each lending institution concerned. The standard variable mortgage interest rates that financial institutions operating in Ireland charge to customers are determined as a result of a commercial decision by the institutions concerned. This interest rate is determined taking into account a broad range of factors, including European Central Bank base rates, deposit rates, market funding costs, the competitive environment and an institution's overall funding.
Neither I nor my officials contacted the bank referred to by the Deputy.
291. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance the measures he is taking in relation to property tax for those homes where the market value is significantly questionable and problematic as they are unable to secure insurance against flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6061/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe legislation governing Local Property Tax (LPT) is contained in the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012 which was enacted on 26 December 2012. The legislation sets out in detail how the tax is to be administered and provides how a residential property is to be valued for LPT purposes. There is no specific exemption from the Local Property Tax for the type of cases outlined in the question from the Deputy. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that Local Property Tax (LPT) is a self-assessment tax so in the first instance it is a matter for the property owner to calculate the tax due based on his or her assessment of the market value of the property and the impact of serious and regular flooding on a property would be one of the factors that a property owner would take into account in valuing their property.
In addition, one of the advantages of the banding system of values provided for in the legislation is to remove the need for precision in relation to the market value, except for properties worth over €1million. The Revenue Commissioners are preparing valuation guidance and developing a guide to assist liable persons in assessing the value of their property which will take account of location. Where these guidelines are used honestly, together with a liable person’s own knowledge of their property, the property valuation will not be challenged by Revenue in accordance with their normal Customer Service Charter.
292. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Finance the exact amount of health contribution deducted from the incomes/salaries of State employees under the social security contributions and other contributions which are deduced at source; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6067/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI assume the Deputy is referring to the Health Contribution which was introduced in the Health Contributions Act, 1979. The position is that the Universal Social Charge, introduced in Budget 2011 replaced the Health Contribution and Income Levy. Therefore, I am unable to provide the data sought by the Deputy.
293. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance the efforts he has undertaken to reduce service costs such as insurance on business. [3242/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraPricing of insurance is generally determined by an assessment an insurer will make of the risks involved. Generally I understand that previous claims experience will have a major influence on such matters. Therefore, if there has been a major increase in claims in a particular area, then this will be reflected in an increase in premiums. Competition in the market place acts as a constraint in such circumstances, however insurance companies have always to be conscious of their prudential obligations and are required by the Central Bank of Ireland to meet their capital requirements on an ongoing basis in order to ensure the sustainability of their business. In these circumstances when they are exposed to a high level of claims, it is inevitable that their capital position will suffer and put pressure on prices.
It is worth noting that past initiatives, in particular the establishment of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board and legislation to improve road safety which has reduced accidents significantly still continue to make a major contribution to keeping insurance costs at a reasonable level.
Finally, it should be noted that the ability of the Government to influence the competitiveness of insurance costs is limited as neither I as Minister for neither Finance nor the Central Bank can prohibit or restrict an insurance company from increasing its annual premium rates, as this is a commercial decision for the company in question.
294. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of money disbursed in grant aid in each of the years 2000 to 2012 by the Irish Research Council for Humanities and Social Sciences and the Irish Research Council for Science Engineering and Technology, and to detail such disbursements by scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5286/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe position is that the information requested by the Deputy is not readily available at this stage. The information is being compiled by the Higher Education Authority and I will shortly send it to the Deputy.
295. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of people in receipt of the vocational training opportunities scheme in 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; the current number in receipt broken down by county; the total costs of the payment in 2010, 2011 and estimated total costs in 2012; his plans for the future of the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5767/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 6 November 2012, in response to Parliamentary Question 47526/12, I provided the Deputy with the number of Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) participants broken down by county and the total costs of VTOS in both 2010 and 2011. The 2012 provision for VTOS was €80 million, including €45.5 million for VTOS participant allowances. I will forward the number of VTOS participants broken down by county for 2012 to the Deputy when it becomes available later this month.
296. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly may expect a decision on an application for student grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6053/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraStudent Universal Support Ireland has confirmed that the applicant referred to by the Deputy appealed the decision on his grant application and that a letter on the appeal issued on 16th January, 2013. Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down in writing by SUSI and remains of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in his/her case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board. The relevant appeal form will be available on request from SUSI.
297. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly may expect a decision on an application for student grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6054/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials in my Department have been informed by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that the documentation supplied by the student in question in relation to independent residency is not adequate. SUSI is in direct contact with this student to advise him on outstanding documentation in relation to his application.
298. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a decision will issue on a student grant application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5117/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland, that on 31st January 2013, a request for further documentation was issued to the student referred to by the Deputy. When the requested documentation is returned the student will be notified directly of the outcome.
299. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills according to the monthly Exchequer Returns if he will provide a breakdown of the the €69 million of capital funding spent by his Department during December; the reason 16% of his Department’s overall capital spend was held until December; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5134/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraActual capital expenditure in December 2012 in my Department amounted to €50m and this represents 11.6% of the gross capital budget of €430m for 2012. The €50m expenditure consists of €43m on schools, €6m on Higher Education and €1m on FÁS. The December expenditure compares with a €40m or 9.3% expenditure in October and a €38m or 8.8% expenditure in November.I can assure the Deputy that the expenditure incurred was based upon claims submitted by schools and colleges in respect of capital projects or in respect of site acquisitions and that my Department meets its obligations regarding the prompt payment of all valid claims. In addition to the €50m expenditure my Department identified as far back as mid-November a sum of €19m to carryover to 2013. This sum consisted of €10m in the schools sector that arose primarily due to slower than expected progress on site acquisition and €9m in the Higher Education sector that arose due to difficulties associated with the St Patrick's Teacher Training College project in Drumcondra.
300. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a decision will issue on a student grant application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5143/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland, that on 29th January 2013, a request for further documentation was issued to the student referred to by the Deputy. When the requested documentation is returned the student will be notified directly of the outcome.
301. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department has collected data in relation to the problem of early school leaving, suspension or exclusion of students from schools in an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5157/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to early school leaving, my Department has the retention rates by county order only. The full report is available on my Department's website at www.education.ie/en/Publications/Statistics/Retention-Rates-of-Pupils-in-Second-Level-Schools-2005-and-2006-Entry-Cohorts.My Department has been advised by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs that under the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000 all recognised schools are obliged to submit an Annual Attendance Report to the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB), which operates under the remit of that Department on the levels of school attendance each year. The most recent data currently available is for the 2009/2010 school year. The series of reports is available in full on the website of the NEWB at www.newb.ie. The Board advises that data is not collated in such a way as to allow all the breakdowns requested by the Deputy.
302. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 was awarded only 50% student contribution and refused a student maintenance grant; and in view of the considerable financial strain that this has placed on this family, if he will review this application. [5165/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), the new centralised grant awarding authority, that the application of the student referred to by the Deputy is currently under review and SUSI will notify the student directly of the outcome. If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a student grant, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to SUSI. Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down, in writing, by SUSI, and remains of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in his/her case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to the independent Student Grant Appeals Board.
303. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will examine a matter raised in correspondence in respect of a student (details supplied) in Dublin 15 regarding their registration fees; if the student’s concerns will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5174/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the terms of my Department's Free Fee Initiative the Exchequer meets the cost of tuition fees in respect of eligible students who are pursuing full-time undergraduate courses of study which are a minimum of two years duration in an approved institution. Where students are not eligible for free tuition fees, including students attending part-time courses, they are liable to pay the appropriate tuition fee as determined by the third level institution. As the student referred to by the Deputy is studying on a part-time basis the fee payable for the course must be borne by the student.As the Deputy may also be aware, tax relief is available at the standard rate of taxation in respect of expenditure on fees associated with part-time higher education.
304. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education and Skills the average cost to provide a springboard course per person per year; the average cost of a FÁS student per year to the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5183/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe cost of providing either a Springboard or FÁS course varies according to the duration, nature of course, and level of award, and in the case of FÁS, on the level of any trainee allowance payable. The average cost of a Springboard course is calculated with reference to the cost for ten credits of any particular course. Credits form part of the European Credit Transfer System, a European-wide system for quantifying the content and scope of a higher education and training course. The overall average cost of a Springboard 2011 course per student per 10 credits of any course is €794. Springboard courses are part time and the majority of courses provide for between thirty and sixty credits. The average cost per participant in FÁS training, including evening training, in 2012 was €5,017. It should be noted that the average cost includes the cost of trainee allowances, where applicable.
305. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a Student Universal Support Ireland grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [5197/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland, that on 22nd January 2013, a request for further documentation was issued to the student referred to by the Deputy. When the requested documentation is returned the student will be notified directly of the outcome.
306. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if all issues in relation to the processing and awarding of student grants through Student Universal Support Ireland have now been resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5217/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand from Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that grants processing is largely up to date. SUSI is continuing to make weekly payments to ensure those students who have only recently been awarded a grant can be paid as expediously as possible. Student Universal Support Ireland will shortly close outstanding grant applications for the current 2012/2013 academic year to enable them to prepare the system for the next academic year. Some 8,000 students have still not provided any of the necessary supporting documentation to enable their grant applications to be progressed to finality while others have provided some, but not all, of this documentation. SUSI is in the course of offering those students that still wish to proceed with their grant applications a final opportunity to submit the documentation that SUSI has requested, before they close out these applications.
307. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of his Department’s €414 million capital spending for 2013 that will go towards construction projects; the projects are involved; the details of these projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5273/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's total capital allocation for 2013 is assigned to a number of subheads within Vote Number 26. By far the largest allocation is applied to the schools sector in the sum of €357m. It is expected that over 60% of the schools allocation will be expended on large scale projects. The expenditure will be in respect of the 50 school projects that I announced on 10 December 2012 together with the 63 on-going projects from 2012 and outstanding balances from recently completed projects. All these projects are listed on my Department's website. In addition to expenditure on large scale projects, it is expected that over 20% of the schools allocation will be expended under the Additional Accommodation Scheme and the 2012 announced Prefab Replacement measure. These devolved projects to schools provide permanent additional classrooms and assist in the provision of necessary school places. The allocation for the Higher Education sector amounts to €48.5m. This allocation will be expended principally on projects involving University College Dublin, St Patrick's Teacher Training College, Drumcondra and the commencement of preliminary works at DIT Grangegorman as well as some smaller projects that are nearing completion.
308. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Education and Skills the numbers of persons broken down by institution and year, in the years 2009 to 2012 who have left employment from the library services of each of the universities; their grades and the numbers of persons so replaced and their grades; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5285/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraUniversities are autonomous statutory bodies and my Department has no function in their operational management, including matters relating to the recruitment of college staff. The data requested by the deputy is therefore not available in my Department or the Higher Education Authority. I have however asked the Higher Education Authority to request this data from the universities and it will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
309. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the 860 members of a group (details supplied), who have established enormous demand for change of school patronage in their area, and have been waiting since January 2010 for a new multi-denominational school to serve Dublin 8; when he expects to know the outcome of these negotiations; and if he will confirm that the group will be able to open their school in September 2013. [5343/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the considerable demand for the provision of multi-denominational primary school places in the area referred to by the Deputy and that this demand has grown over the last number of years. I can confirm to the Deputy that discussions are ongoing between my Department and the authorities of an existing school in this area with a view to making a school building available for an alternative school patron. It is my Department's wish to be able to conclude these discussions in sufficient time to allow the multi-denominational school concerned to commence at the start of the new school year this coming September.
310. Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide details of all funding programmes in his Department that community, voluntary and sporting organisations may apply to for funding; if he will provide a brief overview of each programme; the opening and closing dates of each programme; the minimum and maximum amounts of funding that may be applied for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5381/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to my Department, funding is provided to a wide range of institutions and organisations that support the education system and education-related activities across all sectors of the Education remit. However, the specific information sought by the Deputy is not held centrally and would involve very significant administrative resources to compile.If the Deputy is interested in a particular programme or scheme my Department's officials can arrange for the provision of further information.
311. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a Student Universal Support Ireland grant will be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5394/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland that the student referred to by the Deputy has been awarded a grant and an award letter issued on 29th January, 2013.
312. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a Student Universal Support Ireland grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [5395/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland, that the documentation requested on 19th December, 2012 is still outstanding. When the requested documentation is returned the student will be notified directly of the outcome.
313. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a Student Universal Support Ireland grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [5396/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland that the student referred to by the Deputy has been awarded a grant and an award letter issued on 20th December, 2012.
314. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a Student Universal Support Ireland grant in respect of a person (details supplied). [5397/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland, that on 28th January 2013, a request for the final course acceptance form was issued to the student referred to by the Deputy. When the requested documentation is returned the student will be notified directly of the outcome.
315. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a Student Universal Support Ireland grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [5398/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland that on the 25th January 2013, a request for further documentation was issued. As soon as the requested information is received, the student will be notified directly of the outcome.
