Written Answers Nos. 100-109
101. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he has received communication from the various school authorities at primary and second level throughout County Kildare in respect of the provision of new or replacement school buildings, permanent and/or temporary; his plans to meet such requirements in the current year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12201/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 5 Year Construction Programme that I announced in March 2012, together with my recent announcement of the 50 school projects which are scheduled for construction in the current year as part of a €2 billion capital investment programme, outlines the major school projects that will commence construction over the duration of the Plan (2012-2016). 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.
Two of the 50 projects scheduled to proceed to construction in the current year are located in Kildare. The current status of all projects on the school building programme, including those in County Kildare, may be viewed on my Department's website at www.education.ie and this will be updated regularly throughout the year. In addition, my Department will also consider applications by schools for funding for additional mainstream classrooms, which schools may provide on a permanent basis, where an immediate enrolment need is arising.
103. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills if both the principals and deputy principals' allowances are based on the maximum number of teachers based in their school, irrespective of their current staff numbers; the number of schools both primary and post-primary in which such a scenario exists; if he will provide a breakdown of the additional costings associated with same; and his plans to change this system to achieve savings in the future. [12253/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe level of allowance payable to Principals and Deputy Principals in Primary and Post Primary schools is based on the number of authorised teaching posts which have been sanctioned in the year in which the posts of responsibility accrue. Principal and Deputy Principal allowances may increase if the number of teachers in the school increase provided this results in a change of category. However, allowances held by Principals and Deputy Principals are not impacted during the tenure of the Principal/Deputy Principal if the number of teachers in the school decreases. New appointees will be remunerated at the revised allowance applicable at the time of appointment based on staffing levels at that time. Collating information on the numbers of principals and deputy principals within the education system who are in receipt of allowances based on historical teacher numbers and allocating an ongoing cost to this would involve an inordinate amount of administrative time to compile.
104. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a grant application in respect of a person (details supplied). [12259/13]
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 4th March, 2013.
105. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the proposed building project for a school (details supplied) in County Cavan; the stage of this project at present; when it is proposed to have the project proceed to the next stage; the likely timescale for the project to advance to construction stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12271/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Major Building Project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning. The schools Design Team are currently working on a Revised Stage 1 Submission. Due to competing demands on my Department's capital budget, imposed by the need to prioritise the limited funding available for the provision of additional school accommodation to meet increasing demographic requirements, it was not possible to include this project in the five year construction programme. School building projects which have not been included in the five year construction programme, but which were announced for initial inclusion in the building programme will continue to be progressed to final planning stages in anticipation of the possibility of further funds being available to my Department in future years. The project referred to by the Deputy remains available to be considered for progression in that context.
106. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of income paid to the State annually by telecommunications companies for masts on Garda property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12126/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following table shows the income received by the State under licences granted to telecommunications companies in respect Garda masts. The figure for 2003 includes arrears for the previous years due as a result of an arbitration process.
|
Year |
Income Received |
|
1997 |
€282,624.56 |
|
1998 |
€383,615.65 |
|
1999 |
€919,804.26 |
|
2000 |
€72,044.76 |
|
2001 |
€628,308.43 |
|
2002 |
€93,824.74 |
|
2003 |
€4,481,189.61 |
|
2004 |
€921,030.86 |
|
2005 |
€618,610.01 |
|
2006 |
€1,037,798.05 |
|
2007 |
€1,937,793.15 |
|
2008 |
€4,030,487.29 |
|
2009 |
€2,412,593.51 |
|
2010 |
€3,838,876.84 |
|
2011 |
€3,049,043.10 |
|
2012 |
€3,138,696.36 |
107. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total amount of funding allocated under the party leader's allowance in each of the past ten years broken down by party; and the way in which the underlining rate per Member applying to the party leader's allowance scheme has changed in each of these years. [12254/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Party Leader’s Allowance is provided for in the Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) Act, 1938, as amended by the Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices)(Amendment) Act, 2001.
The allowance is paid to the parliamentary leader of a "qualifying party”, as defined in the legislation underpinning the allowance, in relation to expenses arising from the parliamentary activities, including research, of the party. Payments are made in respect of members of the party elected to Dáil Éireann and members elected/nominated to Seanad Éireann at the last preceding general election, or a subsequent bye-election or, in the case of Seanad Éireann, nominated to it after the last preceding general election.
Under the legislation, the amount of the allowance is calculated based on the number of members elected at the time of election in accordance with the following table:
|
TDs |
Rates: September 2008 to date € |
Rates: September 2008 to date Government Parties* € |
|
First 10 members |
71,520 |
47,680 |
|
11 members to 30 |
57,214 |
38,143 |
|
More than 30 members |
28,616 |
19,077 |
|
Senators |
€ |
|
|
First 5 members |
46,766 |
|
|
Over 5 members |
23,383 |
*The legislation provides that, in the case of a qualifying party forming part of the Government, the combined allowances due in respect of TDs of that party are reduced by one third.
The legislation also provides that payments may be made to a member of Dáil Éireann, who at the last preceding general election or at a subsequent bye-election was elected as a member other than as a member of a qualifying party. Such qualifying Independent TDs are currently entitled to an annual rate of €41,152. A similar provision in the Act provides for an annual payment, currently amounting to €23,383, for Independent Senators.
A table outlining the historic rates applicable for calculating the entitlement of qualifying Party Leaders and qualifying Independent Members for each of the years 2002 to 2012 is set out at Appendix 1.
The total amounts paid to each qualifying party leader in each of the years 2002 to 2012 is set out at Appendix 2. Appendix 2 also illustrates the total amounts paid in respect of all qualifying Independent TDs and all qualifying Independent Senators in each of those years.
The rates of the allowances were adjusted automatically by reference to salary increases in the Civil Service in accordance with legislation.
As part of the reform of the political expenses regime, in the context of the Expenditure Estimates for 2013, I announced that a 10% reduction will be applied to the Party Leaders’ Allowance rates payable to qualifying leaders of political parties and to qualifying Independent Members. I also announced my intention to amend the legislation to amend the legislation to improve the transparency of the allowance by providing for auditing provisions to apply to Independent Members in receipt of such payments. My Department is preparing the changes to primary legislation necessary to effect those changes.
Appendix 1
Rates applicable for calculating entitlement to the Party Leaders Allowance
|
October 2001 |
October 2002 |
January 2004 |
July 2004 |
December 2004 |
June 2005 |
July 2005 |
December 2005 |
June 2006 |
December 2006 |
June 2007 |
March 2008 |
September 2008 to date |
|
|
TDs |
|||||||||||||
|
First 10 Members |
€51,217 |
€53,266 |
€54,864 |
€55,961 |
€57,080 |
€57,936 |
€60,109 |
€61,011 |
€64,795 |
€66,739 |
€68,074 |
€69,775 |
€71,520 |
|
11 to 30 Members |
€40,973 |
€42,612 |
€43,890 |
€44,768 |
€45,663 |
€46,348 |
€48,086 |
€48,807 |
€51,835 |
€53,390 |
€54,458 |
€55,819 |
€57,214 |
|
31 Members and over |
€20,491 |
€21,311 |
€21,950 |
€22,389 |
€22,837 |
€23,180 |
€24,049 |
€24,410 |
€25,925 |
€26,703 |
€27,237 |
€27,918 |
€28,616 |
|
Senators |
|||||||||||||
|
First 5 Members |
€33,489 |
€34,829 |
€35,874 |
€36,591 |
€37,323 |
€37,883 |
€39,304 |
€39,894 |
€42,368 |
€43,639 |
€44,512 |
€45,625 |
€46,766 |
|
over 5 Members |
€16,745 |
€17,415 |
€17,937 |
€18,296 |
€18,662 |
€18,942 |
€19,652 |
€19,947 |
€21,185 |
€21,821 |
€22,257 |
€22,813 |
€23,383 |
|
Independent Members |
|||||||||||||
|
Independent TDs |
€29,470 |
€30,649 |
€31,568 |
€32,199 |
€32,843 |
€33,336 |
€34,586 |
€35,105 |
€37,283 |
€38,401 |
€39,170 |
€40,149 |
€41,152 |
|
Independent Senators |
€16,745 |
€17,415 |
€17,937 |
€18,296 |
€18,662 |
€18,942 |
€19,652 |
€19,947 |
€21,185 |
€21,821 |
€22,257 |
€22,813 |
€23,383 |
Party Leaders Allowance - Total amounts paid in each year from 2002 to 2012
|
Party |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
|
Fianna Fáil |
€2,094,432.49 |
€2,257,360.56 |
€2,348,307.96 |
€2,472,866.29 |
€2,704,170.67 |
€2,730,839.76 |
€2,867,494.65 |
€2,915,876.00 |
€2,871,363.60 |
€1,746,500.88 |
€1,674,402.96 |
|
Fine Gael |
€1,826,963.57 |
€1,754,505.96 |
€1,825,202.03 |
€1,927,929.22 |
€2,115,053.75 |
€2,435,377.93 |
€2,845,636.90 |
€2,921,385.00 |
€2,909,462.34 |
€2,579,029.69 |
€2,678,402.64 |
|
Labour |
€1,052,611.19 |
€1,175,537.04 |
€1,222,906.50 |
€1,296,764.51 |
€1,417,104.63 |
€1,399,650.66 |
€1,536,056.85 |
€1,564,039.00 |
€1,499,736.06 |
€1,634,607.19 |
€1,789,782.96 |
|
Progressive Democrats |
€331,620.05 |
€423,401.28 |
€440,463.36 |
€467,066.43 |
€510,410.09 |
€308,167.94 |
€185,080.70 |
€47,223.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
Sinn Féin |
€182,322.65 |
€266,325.00 |
€277,062.48 |
€293,795.41 |
€321,059.17 |
€297,321.50 |
€326,078.34 |
€332,846.00 |
€335,424.57 |
€933,875.54 |
€1,084,353.96 |
|
Socialist Party |
€50,304.58 |
€53,265.00 |
€55,412.52 |
€58,759.09 |
€64,211.90 |
€22,408.31 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€120,902.86 |
€137,080.00 |
|
Green Party |
€232,628.76 |
€319,596.00 |
332475.00 |
€352,554.50 |
€385,271.00 |
€347,518.10 |
€371,893.05 |
€383,509.00 |
€426,378.00 |
€75,583.10 |
€0.00 |
|
People Before Profit |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€120,902.86 |
€143,040.00 |
|
Independent TDs |
€328,472.72 |
€398,436.48 |
€414,485.63 |
€467,272.68 |
€514,158.64 |
€313,283.67 |
€201,581.62 |
€147,682.00 |
€164,607.84 |
€505,091.31 |
€652,552.50 |
|
Independent Senators |
€85,400.80 |
€87,075.00 |
€90,582.60 |
€96,054.30 |
€104,970.85 |
€116,334.65 |
€160,354.39 |
€157,835.00 |
€140,297.76 |
€208,794.15 |
€275,601.20 |
|
Total |
€6,184,756.81 |
€6,735,502.32 |
€7,006,898.08 |
€7,433,062.43 |
€8,136,410.70 |
€7,970,902.52 |
€8,494,176.50 |
€8,470,395.00 |
€8,347,270.17 |
€7,925,287.58 |
€8,435,216.22 |
108. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total funding allocated under the Electoral (Amendment) Act, 2001 to the qualifying parties in each of the past ten years broken down by party; and the way in which the underlining rate applying to allocations under this Act has changed in each of these years. [12255/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibility for the Electoral Acts is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government.
Under section 17 of the Electoral Act 1997, as amended by section 50(c) of the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2001, provision is made for two payments to be made to qualified political parties.
Section 17(1)(a) of the Electoral Act 1997, as amended, provides for a fixed payment of €126,973.81 to be made to each qualified party in each period of 12 months.
Section 17(1)(b) of the Electoral Act 1997, as amended, provides for an annual sum to be shared among qualified political parties. When introduced in 2001, the legislation provided for this sum to be shared to amount to €3,809,214 (£3,000,000). In accordance with the legislation, the sum was increased in line with general increases in Civil Service remuneration, as set out in Appendix 1. The current sum shared amongst qualified parties amounts to €4,948,201.68, and €5,456,096.88 when the fixed amount referred to above is included.
Payments are calculated on the basis of the share of first preference votes obtained by an individual qualified party at the previous general election. These shares are calculated by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government. The variable percentages applicable in the time frame requested by the Deputy, are set out in Appendix 2.
Payments under the Electoral Acts are made from the Central Fund. The annual amounts paid to each party for the period requested by the Deputy are as set out in the tables in Appendix 3.
Appendix 1
Rates of the first preference votes payments under section 17(1)(b) of the Electoral Act 1997, as amended by section 50(c) of the 2001 Act
|
Civil Service increases |
2001 Amount - €3,809,214.24 |
|
Final increase under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness 1 October 2002 |
€3,961,582.80 |
|
Sustaining Progress 1 January 2002 |
€4,080,430.29 |
|
Sustaining Progress 1 July 2004 |
€4,162,038.89 |
|
Sustaining Progress 1 December 2004 |
€4,245,279.67 |
|
Sustaining Progress 1 June 2005 |
€4,308,958.97 |
|
Sustaining Progress 1 December 2005 |
€4,373,593.35 |
|
Sustaining Progress 1 June 2006 |
€4,482,933.18 |
|
Towards 2016 – 1 December 2006 |
€4,617,421.18 |
|
Towards 2016 – 1 March 2008 |
€4,827,513.84 |
|
Towards 2016 – 1 September 2008 |
€4,948,201.68 |
Appendix 2
Percentage shares applied to Electoral Act Funding under section 17(1)(b) of the Electoral Act 1997, as amended by the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2001
|
First Preference Votes in the 1997 General Election |
|
Party First preference votes as a % of total first preference votes of qualified parties |
|
Fianna Fáil 43.62% |
|
Fine Gael 30.99% |
|
Labour 11.53% |
|
Progressive Democrats 5.19% |
|
Green Party 3.06% |
|
Sinn Féin 2.83% |
|
Democratic Left 2.78% |
|
Total 100% |
|
First Preference Votes in the 2002 General Election |
|
Party First preference votes as a % of total first preference votes of qualified parties |
|
Fianna Fáil 46.58% |
|
Fine Gael 25.24% |
|
Labour 12.10% |
|
Progressive Democrats 4.45% |
|
Green Party 4.32% |
|
Sinn Féin 7.31% |
|
Total 100% |
|
First Preference Votes in the 2007 General Election |
|
Party First preference votes as a % of total first preference votes of qualified parties |
|
Fianna Fáil 44.510% |
|
Fine Gael 29.262% |
|
Labour 10.844% |
|
Progressive Democrats 2.924% |
|
Green Party 5.025% |
|
Sinn Féin 7.435% |
|
Total 100% |
|
First Preference Votes in the 2011 General Election |
|
PartyFirst preference votes as a % of total first preference votes of qualified parties |
|
Fianna Fáil 21.036% |
|
Fine Gael 43.533% |
|
Labour 23.449% |
|
Sinn Féin 11.983% |
|
Total 100% |
Appendix 3
Total Electoral Act Funding under sections 17(1)(a) and 17(1)(b) of the Electoral Act 1997, as amended by the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2001
|
- |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
|
Fianna Fáil |
€1,757,617.36 |
€1,972,279.08 |
€2,023,301.77 |
€2,107,850.06 |
€2,176,239.20 |
€2,247,246.89 |
€2,258,340.04 |
€2,329,418.08 |
€2,329,418.08 |
€1,635,707.59 |
1167856.24 |
|
Fine Gael |
€1,168,425.88 |
€1,126,877.28 |
€1,154,524.62 |
€1,200,338.26 |
€1,237,395.84 |
€1,361,733.52 |
€1,528,187.91 |
€1,574,916.36 |
€1,574,916.36 |
€1,996,637.88 |
2281054.64 |
|
Labour Party |
€602,203.68 |
€606,325.32 |
€619,579.40 |
€641,542.35 |
€659,307.67 |
€665,763.21 |
€646,239.94 |
€663,556.68 |
€663,556.68 |
€1,036,050.21 |
1287266.72 |
|
Progressive Democrats |
€292,366.40 |
€303,264.24 |
€308,138.67 |
€316,215.96 |
€322,749.48 |
€307,361.31 |
€266,989.88 |
€67,914.98 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
Green Party |
€243,747.03 |
€298,114.16 |
€302,846.21 |
€310,687.54 |
€317,030.19 |
€338,588.66 |
€367,596.48 |
€375,620.88 |
€375,620.88 |
€151,291.76 |
€0.00 |
|
Sinn Féin |
€286,183.26 |
€416,565.52 |
€424,572.71 |
€437,841.25 |
€448,573.85 |
€467,226.64 |
€482,999.60 |
€494,872.56 |
€494,872.56 |
€629,275.48 |
719919.28 |
|
Total |
€4,350,543.61 |
€4,723,425.60 |
€4,832,963.38 |
€5,014,475.42 |
€5,161,296.23 |
€5,387,920.23 |
€5,550,353.85 |
€5,506,299.54 |
€5,438,384.56 |
€5,448,962.92 |
€5,456,096.88 |
109. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will ensure that there will be widespread consultation both North and South in relation to the criteria for the new successor programme to the Peace III Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12266/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 8 February 2013 the European Council agreement on the MFF included provision for funding of €150 million towards a new PEACE Programme as part of the new EU Budget. This budget is subject to European Parliament agreement. The total size of the programme, including funding from Ireland and the UK, will depend on the outcome of programme planning.
The planning process for a possible successor Programme for PEACE III was initiated last April, when my Department and the Northern Ireland Department of Finance and Personnel asked the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) to commence preparation of detailed programme proposals in close consultation with the relevant Government Departments. The programme preparation process began with a consultation process, including public consultation events organised by SEUPB across the eligible region.
The first consultation with stakeholders across the eligible regions (Northern Ireland/Border Region of Ireland/Western Scotland (for INTERREG only) ran from 28 August until 20 November 2012. Almost 1,000 people attended consultation events. A total of 173 responses have been received. The majority of responses relate to the PEACE Programme, with a total of 76 respondents answering the questions on this programme only. A total of 48 responses relate to the INTERREG Programme and 49 responses relate to both programmes.
The majority of these responses, a total of 103, were submitted by organisations from Northern Ireland, with 48 responses from Ireland and 13 responses from Scottish organisations. A total of 9 responses were received from cross border organisations. The responses received are from a range of organisations, with the highest number submitted by the local government sector, followed by the community and voluntary sector. Responses have also been received from political parties, government agencies, the education sector, youth sector, business organisations and current project partners.
On the 21st February 2013 the SEUPB published a summary of the responses received. The consultation responses will inform the drafting of the operational programmes. All responses received and the summary document are available on the SEUPB website at www.seupb.eu. Under the guidance of a Programme Development Steering Committee representing government departments, local representatives and social partners, the SEUPB will draft programme proposals and a further consultation period will then commence.
