Thursday, 19 Sep 2013

Written Answers Nos. 62-69

Tax Code

Ceisteanna (62)

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

62. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance the steps he will take to ensure that the VAT and PRSI initiative, which were launched in 2011 are retained on a permanent basis for a minimum of five years as these are extremely important in the context of economic stimulation of the hotel and tourism sectors whereby these measures allow the hotel sector to respond with increased offers of employment in the wider tourism industry; if he will ensure that these important pro-tourism measures are retained in the forthcoming budgets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39042/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Finance

The 9% reduced VAT rate for tourism related services and the halving of the Lower Rate of Class A Employer PRSI from 8.5% to 4.25% were both introduced in July 2011 as part of the Government Jobs Initiative. These measures were introduced as temporary measures and are due to revert to their original levels at end December 2013. The tourism sector and the numbers employed in the sector have benefitted from these measures. However, the retention of these lower rates beyond 2013 is very difficult as it would be very costly to the Exchequer and would require an equivalent increase in taxation or reduction in expenditure elsewhere.

The Government will have to consider all of these factors in determining whether any extension of the measures is possible in the forthcoming budget.

Student Grant Scheme Administration

Ceisteanna (63)

Anthony Lawlor

Ceist:

63. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Education and Skills the measures his Department has put in place to ensure that the Student Universal Support Ireland system of awarding third level maintenance grants will work more effectively and efficiently for the forthcoming academic year of 2013-14; if he is satisfied that all the problems which arose during the 2012-13 academic year will not occur again this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38868/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I am informed by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that in preparation for the 2013/2014 Academic year the application assessment process was further developed to enhance effectiveness and efficiency and respond to experiences from year 1. In addition, a number of new initiatives have been implemented as recommended by the independent review by Accenture. The initiatives include direct information sharing between SUSI and Government bodies and agencies including the Revenue Commissioners, the Department of Social Protection, the General Register Office (GRO) and the Central Applications Office (CAO). These links should reduce significantly the number of documents required from students in processing their grant applications. SUSI introduced a self-service online application tracker. This now allows all applicants (new and old) to identify the status of their application personally, by tracking their application online. SUSI is also working closely with all third level institutions to improve the payments process.

Remedial Building Works

Ceisteanna (64)

Jack Wall

Ceist:

64. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding restoration works (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38871/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I can confirm to the Deputy that some remedial works have been carried out on the premises to which he refers, following recent fire damage. My Department holds the premises on a leasehold basis and is currently in discussion with representatives of the owners of the freehold in relation to a full refurbishment/restoration of the premises.

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Ceisteanna (65, 76)

Jack Wall

Ceist:

65. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a submission (details supplied) regarding fee paying schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38880/13]

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

76. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the wide-spread concerns of Boards of Management and Parents' Associations of smaller fee-charging schools in relation to the increase in the pupil/teacher ratio; if his attention has been drawn to the serious impact such increases will have on such schools, particularly schools under the patronage of Protestant Churches; his views on whether such schools provide a very important educational resource for many children in rural areas; the proposals he has to assist such schools to remain viable; his views on whether those schools play an important role in the plurality and diversity in educational provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39029/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 65 and 76 together.

The issues raised in each of these questions relate to budgetary matters. The budget for education, including the number of teaching posts that we can afford to fund in schools is a matter that I will have to consider with my colleagues in Cabinet in the context of the forthcoming budget. The decisions in relation to such matters will be announced at budget time.

The Government will endeavour to protect frontline education services as best as possible. However, this must be done within the context of bringing our overall public expenditure into line with what we can afford as a country. The challenge will be to ensure that the resources that can be provided are used to maximum effect to achieve the best possible outcome for pupils.

Schools Complaints Procedures

Ceisteanna (66, 67)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

66. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the basis on which a school's complaints procedure does not apply in the case of a student who has left the school. [38884/13]

Clare Daly

Ceist:

67. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department is in a position to assist students who have relevant complaints against a school in which they no longer attend and in cases where it is found that the particular school's complaints procedure is inadequate for such circumstances. [38885/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 67 together. The Deputy will be aware from my previous reply of the role of the Ombudsman for Children where appropriate on such matters. In addition, I wish to clarify for the Deputy that the issue of quality of teaching within a school falls within the remit of the board of management and principal of that school. It is the duty of the board to provide, or cause to be provided an education for all students attending the school. In September 2009 my Department issued circulars 59/2009 and 60/2009. These circulars provide a framework for schools to manage underperformance and conduct cases. The new school self-evaluation system requires principals and teachers to identify what they are doing well and what needs to improve. Also, there is a well-established system of external inspection covering all schools. The Inspectorate's evaluations are based on classroom observations of teaching and a strong focus on learner outcomes.

Further guidance to parents on progressing a concern in relation their child's school is available on my Department's website at www.education.ieThe Deputy may be aware of my commitment to the creation of a parents' charter, to strengthen the relationships between parents and schools and to set out the rights of parents. This charter may be underpinned by legislation if necessary. I believe there is a need to look at how a stronger culture of valuing parental involvement in the level of each individual school can be created.

Schools Building Projects Administration

Ceisteanna (68)

Andrew Doyle

Ceist:

68. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure that his Department follow up with the architects of a school being built (details supplied) in County Wicklow and ensure that a pedestrian crossing is installed for the safety of pupils at the school, as is required by the approved planning by the local authority; if he will clarify the ownership of the section of the road where the crossing is to be built; the persons who are financing the construction of the crossing and the cost of same; if he will detail the persons who will be undertaking the construction; when the construction will begin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38893/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that the pedestrian crossing will be completed under the contract for the building project to which he refers.

The road has now been taken in charge by the Local Authority. The cost of installing the pedestrian crossing will be covered as part of the overall cost of the project. However, owing to commercial sensitivities the cost cannot be disclosed at this time. The works will be carried out by the main contractor on the school building project and is expected to be completed by the end of October.

Teacher Training Provision

Ceisteanna (69)

Ciaran Lynch

Ceist:

69. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the difficulty experienced by newly qualified teachers who, because of the oversupply of teachers, are unable to gain the diploma within the requisite three years (details supplied); the strategy that is in place to address this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38905/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The issue of teacher supply is kept under review by my Department. I acknowledge that the various budget measures that have taken place in recent years can limit the employment opportunities for newly qualified teachers. However, there are limits to the number of teaching posts that we can afford to fund as a country.

A number of measures have been taken to alleviate difficulties for new teachers. My Department has directed managerial authorities of schools to recruit unemployed teachers ahead of retired ones, in an effort to ease the difficulties for those who cannot find work in the profession. In addition, the JobBridge National Internship Scheme can provide newly qualified teachers with opportunities to gain experience and to undertake the necessary teaching duties to complete the process of probation.

The Teaching Council is the body with statutory responsibility for the procedures and criteria for the probation of teachers including periods of probation. In recent years, the minimum service requirement for probation purposes has been decreased from 170 days to 100 days. A newly qualified teacher who may not be able to complete the probationary requirements within the period specified by the Teaching Council may apply to the Council for an extension to the period allowed.