Written Answers Nos. 81 - 89
81. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question Numbers 275 and 278 of 16 April 2013 if he will indicate the total pension funds affected, including those contained in client accounts;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19463/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been advised by the Special Liquidators that the total value of the 23 individual Irish pension fund accounts placed on deposit with Irish Bank Resolution Corporation at the time of liquidation was €1m. I am advised that this excludes any funds placed on deposit with the Bank in client accounts opened on behalf of beneficiaries, where these beneficiaries are Irish pension funds. Funds in client accounts are placed by intermediaries, including brokers and the Special Liquidators and/or the bank would not have the details of the underlying deposit holders. The Special Liquidators are therefore unable to confirm the total value of pension funds that could be contained in client accounts at the time of liquidation. The status of all deposits in IBRC is currently under review with the respective Guarantee Scheme Operators, regarding consideration for payment under the respective schemes.
82. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Questions Nos 275, 276, 277 and 278 of 16 April 2013, if he will confirm that the €1 million specified in the answer is the sum total of the 23 individual pension fund accounts also specified in the answer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19464/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been advised by the Special Liquidators that the €1m specified previously is the sum total of the 23 individual pension fund accounts.
83. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding a HPL1 form request in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19471/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that, according to their records, the Form HPL1 submitted on behalf of the taxpayer and spouse was completed and returned on the 5th March. A further Form HPL1 received from the taxpayer on the 5th April has today been completed and returned to him.
84. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Finance if he will expedite a request in relation to a property tax application form in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19479/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the PPSN provided by the Deputy does not refer to the person in question. Revenue would like to make direct contact with the person to assist him in meeting his Local Property Tax (LPT) obligations. If the Deputy makes direct contact with Ms. Jane Scanlan at 061 488021 or jascanla@revenue.ie to confirm the person’s details, Revenue will make immediate contact and ensure the person has every assistance he requires to file his LPT Return and pay the tax amount due.
85. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education and Skills with regard to circular 0013/2013, as it relates to the primary school staffing appeals, if he will clarify the aspects of this circular which a school (details provided) in County Cork did not meet in respect of its appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19172/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe criteria used for the allocation of teachers to schools is published annually on the Department's website. The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September. The staffing arrangements for the coming school year 2013/14 are set out in Circular 0013/2013 which is available on the website. The staffing appeal process at primary level includes the provision whereby schools with a high concentration of pupils requiring English as an additional language (EAL) can apply for further additional temporary language support posts. The appeal criteria are set out in Circular 0013/2013.
The school referred to by the Deputy submitted an appeal under the EAL criterion. Having considered the school's application in the context of the published grounds, the Board refused the appeal at its meeting in 27th/28th March 2013. The school was notified accordingly. The Primary Staffing Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.
86. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide clarification regarding reports of the amalgamation of two schools (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19182/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that there is no record in my Department of any amalgamation proposal being received from the schools to which the Deputy refers.
87. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider setting up a pilot project in primary and secondary schools to start coding clubs with the aim of incorporating coding skills into the national curriculum. [19206/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraCurrently the NCCA is developing a short course that includes coding/ programming which will be available to schools for their Junior Cycle programme from September 2014. Through participation in this course it is expected that they will learn core computational concepts. All the key skills in the Framework for Junior Cycle highlight the use of digital technology. It will permeate the experiences of all Junior Cycle students as the new Framework is implemented. The NCCA is aware of the "Scratch" and other coding type initiatives currently taking place in schools which would inform their deliberations.
88. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills when an application for a Student Universal Support Ireland grant will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19294/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland, that on 19th April 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.
89. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Education and Skills the resolution available to a leaving certificate student (details supplied) in County Cork who is faced with a clash of examination times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19324/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the case of certificate examinations, students are prohibited under the Rules and Programme for Secondary Schools (2004/2005) from taking certain subject combinations, for example Classical Studies and Latin or Economics and Agricultural Economics, in the same Leaving Certificate examination. This is specified in Rule 37 (g).
