Written Answers Nos. 91-100
91. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the detailed and comprehensive proposal submitted by Cavan-Monaghan Education and Training Board for the provision of training in counties Cavan and Monaghan; if she will approve this proposal without further delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31995/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe reform of the further education and training (FET) sector envisages a key role for education and training boards (ETBs) in relation to the future delivery of FET in an integrated manner. Part of this involves the transfer of training centres from SOLAS to ETBs. 7 training centres and their staff transferred to ETBs on 1 January 2014 and the remaining 12 training centres transferred to 7 ETBs on 1 July 2014. Each training centre, including the training centre in Dundalk which provides training services within the functional area of Cavan and Monaghan ETB, is coming under the ETB in whose functional area the centre is located. 5 ETBs, including Cavan and Monaghan ETB, are not receiving a training centre. There has been extensive discussion on this matter between ETBs, SOLAS and the Department. While recognising that the Education and Training Boards Act 2013 provides for all ETBs having training functions, the paramount consideration for my Department is the continuity of training services for learners. An agreed position for 2014 is in place whereby ETBs with training centres retain primary responsibility for training and continue to provide services to areas which do not have training centres.
There is a process underway to consider the position for 2015 and beyond and a number of options are being examined. As part of this process, my Department received a proposal on 24 June last from Cavan and Monaghan ETB regarding the delivery of training in Cavan and Monaghan for 2015 onwards. A meeting between the CEOs of Louth and Meath ETB and Cavan and Monaghan ETB has been agreed with a view to planning for training provision in Cavan and Monaghan from 2015 onwards. This meeting is expected to take place shortly. Both parties and SOLAS have also agreed that a representative from SOLAS will attend the meeting having regard to the experience and knowledge of SOLAS in this area. My Department will await the outcome of this meeting before considering this matter further.
92. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide in tabular form those Acts currently in force for which she has lead responsibility that have parts or sections yet to be formally commenced; the details or purpose of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32001/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe attached table sets out the main Acts under my remit which contain Sections yet to be commenced, the Sections concerned and the purpose of the un-commenced Sections.
|
Act |
Sections yet to be commenced |
Details |
|
Teaching Council Act 2001 |
Sections 7(2), 39, 41-47, 60, |
The provisions which are not yet commenced relate to two areas, fitness to teach and continuing professional development |
|
Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2007 |
Sections 1,2,4, 6-8. |
Section 1 relates to definitions. Section 2 relates to a textual amendment of a definition contained in the Education Act 1998. Section 4 relates to factors which a Section 29 Committee must consider in hearing and determining appeals relating to expulsions and suspensions. Section 6 relates to powers of the NEWB in taking appeals under Section 29 of the 1998 Education Act. Section 7 deals with the transfer of ownership of the Crawford Municipal Art Gallery. Section 8 is the standard expenses provision. |
|
Student Support Act 2011 |
Sections 8(3) & 16(5) |
Section 8(3) deals with part-time approved courses and Section 16(5) deals with the inclusion of part-time courses in the student grant scheme. |
|
Redress Statutory Fund Act 2012 |
Section 43 |
Section 43 relates to the setting up of a special account for moneys received under Section 42 of the Act in relation to relevant costs. |
|
Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 |
Sections 3-13, 14(1)(b), 14(1)(d), 14(1)(e), 14(1)(f), 15-18, 38 and 39 |
The sections of the EPSEN Act that have not yet been commenced are those mainly concerned with the assessment of need process, preparation and review of individual education plans and the associated appeals provisions in relation to these areas. A small number of sections refer to interaction between the NCSE and the health services. |
93. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide the 20 oldest and most important locations and sites of historical and archaeological interest throughout the country; the degree to which the sites are marketable for educational and tourism purposes; the number of visitors each receives on an annual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31947/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of its responsibilities for the care and maintenance of a significant element of the State's heritage property portfolio, the Commissioner of Public Works manage approximately 780 National Monument and Historic Property sites around the country. These properties include many iconic locations such as the Rock of Cashel or Newgrange which are known both nationally and internationally and attract large numbers of visitors, both domestic and foreign. Approximately 70 of these sites are presented to visitors with guided services, either fulltime or seasonally, and these places form a significant part of the offering in the growing cultural and heritage tourism sector. Apart from guided locations, there are also a large number of other sites in the portfolio which, while they are in State care, do not have guide services provided, although they are perhaps themselves very well known and attract significant numbers of visitors in their own right. Properties in this category would include locations such as the Phoenix Park, St. Stephens Green and the Garden of Remembrance to give three examples. The number of visitors to OPW managed sites is quite significant; approximately 4.2 million visitors were recorded in 2013 to guided sites and, given that many of these visitors are paying for admission, it is clear that this represents a significant element of commercial tourism activity. The figure attending all OPW managed sites is more difficult to quantify, since the vast majority are unattended and therefore accurate numbers are not recorded, but it is reasonable to suggest that the total number is in excess of 15 million annually.
The following are currently the twenty most popular Heritage sites ranked in order of their recorded attendance figures in 2013:
|
Site Name |
Attendance Figures |
|
National Botanic Gardens |
550,000 |
|
Farmleigh Estate |
435,476 |
|
Kilmainham Gaol |
326,205 |
|
Rock of Cashel |
255,338 |
|
Castletown House & Parklands |
244,416 |
|
Kilkenny Castle |
241,302 |
|
Clonmacnoise |
139,394 |
|
Phoenix Park Visitor Centre |
137,755 |
|
Newgrange |
133,616 |
|
Dún Aonghasa |
105,539 |
|
Dublin Castle |
103,307 |
|
J F Kennedy Arboretum |
95,841 |
|
Glendalough Visitor Centre |
80,922 |
|
Ross Castle |
77,154 |
|
Charles Fort |
69,265 |
|
Cahir Castle |
67,713 |
|
Battle of the Boyne |
60,702 |
|
Altamont House and Gardens |
53,541 |
|
Knowth |
51,138 |
|
Garnish Island |
49,706 |
The strategy in relation to the promotion and marketing of sites is not an entirely commercial proposition and needs to be nuanced according to the needs of each site, particularly having regard to the particular conservation demands that must be accommodated. Thus, for example, while Newgrange is obviously a World Heritage Site with an International profile and is very popular with visitors, it clearly has limits in terms of what can be sustainably and physically accommodated. The visitor management strategy therefore is focused on diverting people to other satellite sites locally such as Knowth, Dowth, Mellifont, Trim Castle etc. This illustrates a key policy of the OPW which is conservation led and operates on the principle that the heritage must be valued and protected first and foremost while still remaining encouraging and accommodating to visitors. This approach fits well with the strategy of addressing in particular the educational dimension and OPW is active in terms of, for example, providing free schools access and supporting the education system message of the importance of our history and cherishing the past.
Notwithstanding the primacy of the conservation and education ethos, it is nevertheless clear that the exploitation of heritage sites from a tourism point of view is very important. Recent research has indicated the significance of the cultural and heritage tourism sector and OPW is actively engaging with Failte Ireland in relation to the promotion of our heritage sector with regard to key OPW managed sites in particular. While the sites referenced in the top 20 table provided above are clearly important in this regard, there are some significant capacity constraints evident at certain locations and there is potentially better scope for visitor growth in the next tier of sites, which are currently attracting visitors in the range of approximately 10,000 - 40,000 annually. These sites are less well known but still include many historically important and valuable sites such as Donegal Castle, Ceide Fields, etc.
While the greater attention and focus will inevitably centre on sites with greater footfall and premium services available to visitors, there is also considerable attraction for many visitors in the large number of unattended/unguided sites which have been referred to above. There are possibilities for tourism development in these locations and this remains a significant part of Ireland's tourism offering. The marketing and promotion of these locations will, in large part, entail the provision of better information about the sites and this is being addressed by both the OPW and its partner heritage agency, the Department of Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht. Promotion of these sites will however depend on issues such as provision of better road signage and wayfinding facilities. Recent developments such as the Wild Atlantic Way initiative will help greatly in this regard and will assist in opening up many more sites of interest to independent travellers.
94. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to the panel for clerical officers in the public service established in 2007-08, the number of persons employed from this panel on a region basis and, in particular, the numbers that were employed in the Carlow-Kilkenny area and Laois-Offaly-Westmeath area; the numbers of persons with disabilities who were on this panel and were employed overall, and in each region, with particular reference to the Carlow-Kilkenny and the Laois-Offaly-Westmeath region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31789/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is not possible to provide the information requested by the Deputy within the available timeframe. I have asked the Public Appointments Service to provide the information directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
95. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of persons expected to be employed arising from the advertising of positions for clerical officers in the public service; the expected numbers to be employed in each of the regions throughout the country; the timescale for same; the numbers that are expected to be recruited in 2014, 2015 and subsequent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31809/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Public Appointments Service (PAS) is currently conducting a competition to recruit Clerical Officers (CO) for the public service, including the Civil Service, Health Service Executive and local authorities. In my role as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, I have overarching responsibility for Civil Service recruitment. Given the impact of the moratorium and the lack of recruitment since 2009, it is clear that there is a requirement for additional staff at CO level in the Civil Service, within the limits set for overall numbers and the pay bill. However, precise figures for numbers and locations are not yet available given that Departments will make future staffing decisions in the context of Employment Control Frameworks (ECF) and budgetary allocations.
96. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on progress on the flood relief plans for Skibbereen, County Cork; the timetable for the completion of this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31837/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra97. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on progress on the flood relief plans for Bandon, County Cork; the timetable for the completion of this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31838/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 97 together.
I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works in relation to the proposed flood relief scheme for Skibbereen the position is that the detailed design of the Scheme is nearing completion. The first stage of the procurement process for a civil works contractor to undertake the works has been commenced by Cork County Council, which is the Contracting Authority for the Scheme. Tender documents are likely to be issued to a short listed number of contractors in early August with a contractor expected to be appointed in late 2014, subject to Confirmation of the Scheme i.e. formal approval by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform as required under the Arterial Drainage Acts.
In relation to Bandon, detailed design of the flood relief scheme is now almost completed. The first stage of the procurement process for a civil works contractor was commenced in November 2013. However, following a legal challenge the OPW terminated the process. The OPW will recommence the pre-qualification process very shortly. The effect of having to re-run the process has meant that construction works are now expected to commence in the first quarter of 2015 rather than the previously anticipated start time of September 2014. However, the delay in starting the works does not affect the completion date of the Scheme, which will still be programmed for completion towards the end of 2016. The reason for this is that the Scheme requires two summer seasons of channel works due to environmental constraints, and the scheme programme provides that works would take place in the summers of 2015 and 2016. The commencement of construction will of course, be dependent upon Confirmation of the Scheme. Construction of each of the schemes is likely to take 18–24 months to complete. The OPW has provided for the cost of the schemes in its multi-annual budget profiles for the period 2014-2017.
98. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 80 of 14 November 2013, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the option of further review is not published in the section 15 and 16 freedom of information manual of the Commission for Public Service Appointments nor are details to be found on its website; if he or the commission has plans to publish the existence of this review process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31865/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA) is an independent statutory body and as such I have no role in the setting of its review procedures. My Department has been informed, however, that following the recent judgement on a Judicial Review case relating to, inter alia, the review procedures available under its Codes of Practice, the Commission has no plans to make any changes to its current published review procedures.
99. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide in tabular form those Acts currently in force for which he has lead responsibility that have parts or sections yet to be formally commenced; the details or purpose of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32008/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the Deputy's question the only Act currently in force, for which I have lead responsibility, that has parts or sections yet to be formally commenced is the Construction Contracts Act 2013. The aim of the Construction Contracts Act 2013 is to have a new system which will both reduce the non-payment exposure of subcontractors and provide some effective remedy for them should non-payment occur. The Bill passed all stages of the Houses of the Oireachtas in July 2013 and was signed into law on the 29 July 2013.
Two further steps are necessary for the operation of the legislation prior to its commencement. The first, a comprehensive code of practice for the conduct of adjudication, has been the subject of consultation with key stakeholders. The final draft of the code of practice was circulated to stakeholders in March. The second element requires the establishment of a panel of adjudicators and a chair of that panel to be appointed. Officials in my Department are working on the details of the structure for the panel, its set up and operation and this will shortly be circulated to stakeholders for consultation. Once this process is concluded, applications for the panel will be advertised and when the appointment process to the panel is complete the Act will be commenced.
100. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the action being taken to attract investment to Baldoyle industrial estate in Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31783/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by IDA Ireland that they do not own any marketable land on the Baldoyle Industrial Estate. The Agency is aware of privately owned industrial space on the estate and has assured me that it will promote this land as part of its marketing efforts, in response to specific client queries and also where the opportunities arise for the purpose of winning FDI projects for the county. To date in 2014 there have already been approximately 20 company announcements for Dublin.
