Thursday, 17 Jul 2014

Written Answers Nos. 254 - 285

School Staffing

Ceisteanna (254, 255, 256)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

254. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of two teacher schools that lost a teacher in 2012 and 2013 and that will lose a teacher in 2014. [32536/14]

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

255. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of three teacher schools that lost a teacher in 2012 and 2013 and that will lose a teacher in 2014. [32537/14]

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

256. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of four teacher schools that lost a teacher in 2012 and 2013 and that will lose a teacher in 2014. [32538/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 254 to 256, inclusive, together.

The information requested by the Deputy is in the table. The final overall position in relation to staffing will be known in the Autumn when actual enrolments are confirmed and the staffing appeals process has been completed.

Primary schools losing a classroom post as a result of the application of the increased pupil thresholds announced in Budget 2012

Year	4 Teacher to 3 Teacher	3 Teacher to 2 Teacher	2 Teacher to 1 Teacher
2012/13	14	21	5
2013/14	8	9	11
2014/15	7	14	18

Education and Training Boards Funding

Ceisteanna (257)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

257. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the allocated amounts assigned to education and training boards broken down by county since their establishment; the same county-level funding for each former VEC for the years 2000-2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32550/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available. My Department will arrange to compile and forward the details requested as soon as possible.

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Ceisteanna (258)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

258. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on whether teachers are obliged to assist children with the use of assistive technologies which have been approved for the child by the NCSE or if it is at a teacher's discretion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32551/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department's policy in relation to the provision of Assistive Technology support for pupils with Special Educational Needs is set out in Department of Education and Skills Circular 0010/2013. In order to qualify for equipment under the Assistive Technology scheme, a child must have been diagnosed with a physical or communicative disability and must also have a recommendation in a professional assessment that the equipment is essential in order to allow the child to access the curriculum. It must also be clear that the existing I.T. equipment in the school is insufficient to meet the child's needs. As part of the application process, for which parental consent is required, schools set out how and in what manner the equipment which has been recommended in the professional report will be used in the classroom. The Circular also provides that a designated teacher in the school should take responsibility for the management of the equipment and for monitoring its effective use within the school.Should a teacher or parent require clarification regarding the use of the equipment in school this should be raised directly with the school Principal or the Board of Management of the school.

Education and Training Boards Funding

Ceisteanna (259)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

259. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way funding towards the education and training board system is allocated including amounts allocated in the most recent budget; if there is a specific needs and resources model employed to distribute funds equally; the capital funding in respect of each board; the number of schools located in each ETB area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32560/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The financial allocation to an Education and Training Board (ETB) to pay its teachers, special needs assistants, administrative and maintenance staff, for the day to day running of its schools and head offices and for certain other programmes is known as the general and post primary programme grant. The grant is divided between pay and non-pay.The pay grant covers the cost of sanctioned posts directly on an ETB's payroll at authorised rates of pay, and it is broken down by teacher pay, special needs assistant pay, administrative staff pay and maintenance staff pay. Both teaching and non-teaching staff allocations are approved on an ETB basis and it is a matter for each ETB to distribute the staffing allocations concerned within its scheme. The non-pay grant (standard expenditure) to each ETB is determined having regard to pupil enrolment variations, certain other costs, an estimate of the ETB's receipts (mainly receipts from night classes) and the amount available for distribution. The grant is to meet costs associated with the ETB's administrative offices, certain other administrative costs and costs associated directly with schools. ETBs are given a high level of autonomy in the management and appropriation of the grant in respect of standard expenditure, and each ETB is allowed to distribute the grant in line with its priorities and perceptions of need. The non-pay grant also includes provision for, inter alia, the schools services support fund (SSSF), DEIS schools, the book grant, programme grants (e.g. transition year programme) and special class grants (known collectively as associated expenditure). Associated expenditure grants are determined on a per capita basis.The total pay grant in 2014 amounts to some €710m. Of this, the Department's allocation for teacher pay is €572m approximately, for SNA pay is €25m, for administrative pay is €47m approximately and some €24m for maintenance pay. Pay costs across all headings are also funded by receipts retained by the ETBs of €41m, comprised principally of retained superannuation contributions.The total non-pay grant in 2014 amounts to some €69m. This is comprised primarily of Department funding of €61m approximately and by non-pay receipts retained by the ETBs which, it is projected, will be of the order of €8m.Capital funding is available to the ETB sector in respect of approved capital projects. Any ETB with such a project draws down funding as the project progresses.A number of large scale school projects are devolved to the ETB sector for delivery and appropriate funding arrangements are in place in such instances. The current status of all schools on the school building programme may be viewed on my Department's website at www.education.ie There are currently a total of 256 ETB post primary schools. Details of the number of post primary schools in each ETB are set out on the attached table

ETB	Post Primary Schools
Cavan and Monaghan	11
City of Dublin	22
Cork	27
Donegal	15
Dublin and Dún Laoghaire	30
Galway and Roscommon	19
Kerry	8
Kildare and Wicklow	20
Kilkenny and Carlow	13
Laois and Offaly	8
Limerick and Clare	18
Longford and Westmeath	8
Louth and Meath	15
Mayo and Sligo and Leitrim	18
Tipperary	11
Waterford and Wexford	13
TOTAL	256

SOLAS Funding

Ceisteanna (260)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

260. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the capital budget for SOLAS; if she will provide an inventory of SOLAS assets; the further capital spending planned for SOLAS; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32562/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The capital allocation to SOLAS for 2014 was €2.5m., which relates to the training centre network formerly managed by FÁS and now transferred to the Education and Training Boards (ETBs). This funding is now allocated by SOLAS as appropriate to the relevant ETBs managing those training centres. All major assets of SOLAS (Training Centres, Equipment and Machinery) were transferred to the Education and Training Boards in line with legislation. While there is no dedicated capital budget for further education (former VEC) programmes, a small amount of funding is allocated annually to ETBs in response to applications for funding for emergency works. In 2013 a total of €736,000 in such funding was allocated. The recent FET strategy suggested that a dedicated capital funding provision should be a feature of allocations to the ETBs in order to support changes set out in the strategy and the development of further education and training services to learners. This will be considered in the context of the overall capital funding needs of the education and training sector.

Schools Building Projects Status

Ceisteanna (261)

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

261. 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 current stage of this project; when the project is likely to proceed to the next stage; the likely timescale for construction; if this project will be progressed as quickly as possible in view of the increased enrolments over recent years and the very high rental costs for temporary accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32563/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The Major School Building Project referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of Architectural Planning. The Stage 2b Detailed Design Submission has been reviewed by my Department and the Design Team have been requested to carry out a final review and submit written confirmation of compliance with the Departments tender documentation requirements. 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 the project referred to by the Deputy in the five year construction programme. School building projects, including the project referred to by the Deputy, which have been initiated but not included in the current five year construction programme continue to be progressed to final planning stages of architectural planning in anticipation of the possibility of further funds being available to my Department in the future. The project for the school referred to by the Deputy remains available to be considered for progression in that context.

Departmental Funding

Ceisteanna (262)

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

262. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the fact that funding from the Christian Brothers for a centre (details supplied) in County Cork has come to an end; her intentions in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32600/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I am aware that the difficult situation in which the centre in question finds itself arises from the decision of the Christian Brothers to withdrawal financial support to it. In 2014 my Department will provide 968 teacher co-operation hours, under the Co-operation Hours Scheme operated by the local Education and Training Board (ETB), and non-pay funding of €47,500, to the centre. This Government is committed to addressing educational disadvantage and while services such as this centre meet a particular demand, it is also important to reflect on the significant additional targeted resources which are deployed for the purpose of combating educational disadvantage and early school leaving. These include intensive literacy and numeracy programmes, out-of-school, after school and holiday time supports as well as special needs supports provided to assist young people at risk. It should be noted that there has been a substantial expansion of these initiatives since the establishment of this facility by the Christian Brothers in 1996. The major budgetary pressures within my Department place significant constraints on its capacity to support existing programmes and, consequently, given the significant range of educational disadvantage interventions already supported by my Department, there is no scope to meet a request for addition funding for this organisation beyond the level of support currently allocated.The Educational Welfare Services of the Child and Family Agency, TUSLA, which has a statutory remit in relation to school attendance, can provide assistance to parents or guardians in finding appropriate educational placements for all children including those currently in the centre which is the subject of this question.

School Transport Applications

Ceisteanna (263)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

263. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an application for a school bus service (details supplied) in County Kerry will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32621/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

Under the terms of my Department's Primary School Transport Scheme a minimum of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the establishment of school transport services, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits. Bus Éireann, which operates the Primary School Transport Scheme on behalf of my Department, has advised that applications for transport to the school in question are currently being assessed. The families in question should liaise with their local Bus Éireann office in Tralee in relation to their applications.

School Transport Eligibility

Ceisteanna (264)

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

264. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to lower the requirement that ten pupils are needed to secure a school bus service; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that this criterion is having a detrimental effect on enrolment in smaller schools and is posing further difficulties for such schools in planning for the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32703/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

The change to the minimum number requirement was one of a number of changes derived from recommendations contained in the Value for Money Review of the School Transport Scheme and introduced following a budgetary decision by the previous government.Under the terms of my Department's Primary and Post Primary School Transport Schemes a minimum of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the establishment or retention of school transport services, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits. Families of eligible children, for whom there is no school transport service available, may be eligible for the remote area grant towards the cost of making private transport arrangements.The terms of the School Transport Schemes are applied equitably on a national basis and I am satisfied with the current criteria for the establishment or retention of school transport services.

Ministerial Advisers Appointments

Ceisteanna (265)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

265. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide in tabular form a detailed breakdown of the name and number of ministerial special advisers in her Department; their annual remuneration; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32744/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

As I have only accepted my seal of office on Friday the 11th, July 2014 the matter of the appointment of special advisers at my Department has yet to be formally processed. When the appointments are made I will forward the information requested to the Deputy.

Appointments to State Boards

Ceisteanna (266)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

266. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills the gender quota targets for the boards of State bodies and agencies under their remit; the level reached to date; and their future plans to meet and maintain the targets. [32759/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The Programme for Government includes a commitment that the Government will take steps to ensure that all State Boards have at least 40% of each gender represented among the members. In 2013, 45% of new appointees to State Boards in the Education sector were women. This resulted in women members representing 38.5% of board membership of State Boards in the Education sector in 2013. I aim to ensure that the Programme for Government commitment of 40% is achieved in the Education sector.

Legislative Programme

Ceisteanna (267)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

267. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills her priorities for the remainder of her term in office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32774/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I can confirm to the Deputy that my priority for my term in office is the implementation of the relevant commitments in the Programme for Government, published in 2011, and in the Statement of Government Priorities 2014-2016, issued by the Taoisech and the Tánaiste last week.

Ministerial Briefing

Ceisteanna (268)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

268. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide a copy of the briefing she has received upon entering office from her Departments; if she will publish the briefing and if so, when the briefing will be published. [32789/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

For the Deputy's information, the Ministerial briefing provided to me is currently being prepared for publishing on my Department's website in the near future.

Departmental Contracts

Ceisteanna (269)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

269. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made in the investigation of sites of State-awarded contracts where it is claimed that widespread social welfare fraud is being carried out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32802/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

Since the appointment of Contractors Administration Services (CAS) a total of 31 complaints have been received in respect of 26 school/college building projects. CAS have completed 16 Random Audits on School/College Construction Sites with 1 audit on-going. (An audit may be in respect of 1 or more complaints received) As a result of the Random Audits information in relation to 5 projects have been referred to the Revenue Commissioners, 1 to the Department of Social and Family Affairs and 1 to National Employment Rights Authority (NERA). CAS is continuing to conduct audits on school and college building projects and any issues of non-compliance brought to the attention of my Department will be audited by CAS and should irregularities be uncovered in terms of non-compliance with employment law, enforcement and prosecution falls under the remit of NERA. My Department will liaise with NERA on the progress of the random audits by CAS and will report any discrepancies found to it. If an audit uncovers any other matters of concern regarding tax compliance or social welfare fraud, such matters will be referred to either the Revenue Commissioners and/or the Department of Social Protection as appropriate.

Pension Provisions

Ceisteanna (270)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

270. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will examine the case of staff in Blackrock College who have no public service pension entitlement and are not paid by the State but are private employees of the college, and yet subject to the pension levy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32875/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

In accordance with the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009 the Pension-Related Deduction (PRD) is applicable to staff of public bodies (including schools) who are entitled to receive a public service pension. The PRD is not applicable to staff of public bodies who are not entitled to receive a public service pension and I am not aware of any case where privately paid staff who are employed by schools and who are not entitled to receive a public service pension have had the PRD applied to them. If the Deputy is aware of any case where the PRD may have been improperly applied to privately paid staff in a school, I would invite him to provide details to my Department and the matter will be examined.

Ministerial Advisers Appointments

Ceisteanna (271)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

271. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide full details, including salary, of every appointment she has approved since coming into office of special advisers under her remit; the salary cap that is in place with respect to special adviser appointments; the number of appointments she has approved with salary in excess of the cap; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32893/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

As I have only accepted my seal of office on Friday the 11th, July 2014 the matter of the appointment of special advisers at my Department has yet to be formally processed. When the appointments are made I will forward the information requested to the Deputy.

Flood Relief Schemes Funding

Ceisteanna (272)

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

272. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding funding in respect of a flood relief project (details supplied) in County Cork; and when a decision will issue. [32167/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Brendan Howlin)

Cork County Council submitted an application in 2013 under the Office of Public Works (OPW) Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for funding to carry out a flood risk assessment and to produce an outline design of flood relief proposals for Ballinhassig.

The OPW wrote to the Council in August of last year indicating that it was not in a position to approve funding as this area was already the subject of study under the Lee CFRAM (Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management) Study.

The OPW's consultants for the South Western CFRAM study reviewed the Lee CFRAM outputs in 2013 and indicated that the hydrology for the Owenboy River needed to be updated.

The CFRAM work on the Owenboy Catchment is now completed. The OPW intend to undertake a flood relief Feasibility Study for Carrigaline which will also cover Ballinhassig, using the existing outputs from the Lee CFRAM Study and the review above.

Depending on the outcome of the Feasibility Study, flood relief measures for Ballinhassig may be progressed if viable, and subject to resources being available.

Haddington Road Agreement Savings

Ceisteanna (273, 274, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 281, 282)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

273. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in respect of the Defence Forces, arising from the Haddington Road agreement the targeted savings in respect of reductions in salaries for persons over €65,000 for 2013; the actual savings achieved in 2013; the additional targeted savings in 2014 under this heading and the expected savings to be actually achieved in 2014; the additional targeted savings under this heading in 2015 and 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32197/14]

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

274. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in respect of the Health Service Executive, arising from the Haddington Road agreement the targeted savings in respect of reductions in salaries for persons over €65,000 for 2013; the actual savings achieved in 2013, the additional targeted savings in 2014 under this heading; the expected savings to be actually achieved in 2014; the additional targeted savings under this heading in 2015 and 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32199/14]

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

275. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in respect of local authorities, arising from the Haddington Road agreement the targeted savings in respect of reductions in salaries for persons over €65,000 for 2013 and the actual savings achieved in 2013, the additional targeted savings in 2014 under this heading and the expected savings to be actually achieved in 2014 and the additional targeted savings under this heading in 2015 and 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32210/14]

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

276. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in respect of primary, second level and third level education, arising from the Haddington Road agreement the targeted savings in respect of reductions in salaries for persons over €65,000 for 2013; the actual savings achieved in 2013; the additional targeted savings in 2014 under this heading and the expected savings to be actually achieved in 2014; the additional targeted savings under this heading in 2015 and 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32211/14]

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

277. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in respect of the Defence Forces, arising from the Haddington Road agreement the targeted savings in the Department for 2013; and the savings actually achieved in 2013, the targeted additional savings for 2014; and the amount expected to be achieved in 2014 and the additional targeted savings for 2015 and 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32213/14]

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

278. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in respect of primary, second level and third level education arising from the Haddington Road agreement the targeted savings in the Department for 2013 and the savings actually achieved in 2013; the targeted additional savings for 2014 and the amount expected to be achieved in 2014; the additional targeted savings for 2015 and 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32218/14]

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

279. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in respect of local authorities, arising from the Haddington Road agreement the targeted savings in the Department for 2013 and the savings actually achieved in 2013; the targeted additional savings for 2014 and the amount expected to be achieved in 2014; the additional targeted savings for 2015 and 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32219/14]

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

281. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the targeted savings in his Department in respect of the Haddington Road agreement for 2013; the targeted additional savings for 2014 and the amount expected to be achieved in 2014 and the additional targeted savings for 2015 and 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32081/14]

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

282. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide in tabular form the overall savings in expenditure for the Exchequer under the Haddington Road agreement for the targeted savings in 2013; the actual savings achieved in 2013; the additional targeted savings in 2014; the expected actual additional savings in 2014; the additional target for savings for 2015 and 2016; the expected annual savings thereafter as a result of the Haddington Road agreement; the cumulative savings under the Haddington Road agreement from 2013 to 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32183/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

I propose to take Questions Nos. 273 to 279, inclusive, and 281 and 282 together.

The key objective of the Haddington Road Agreement is to facilitate an underlying cost reduction of €1 billion in the Public Service Pay and Pensions Bill by 2016. The clear measure on which the delivery of the Haddington Road Agreement must be judged, therefore, is the impact that the various measures have on the overall Public Service Exchequer Pay and Pensions Bill, while facilitating the maintenance and provision of necessary public services in a period of intense resource constraint.

It is clear that the Agreement has facilitated, and will continue to facilitate, significant reductions in the Public Service Exchequer Pay and Pensions Bill. This is evident from the fact that the net Public Service Exchequer Pay Bill reduced by €210 million in 2013. This reduction was enabled, in large part, by the implementation of various measures in the first 6 months of the Haddington Road Agreement. The underlying savings have also allowed some recruitment to frontline services, particularly in the Health and Education Sector. More generally, it should be noted that the Public Service Exchequer Pay Bill will have been reduced by 22% from €17.5 billion gross in 2009 to an estimated €14.6 billion gross, or €13.6 billion net, by the end of 2014.  

The savings arising from the implementation of various measures in the Agreement are incorporated in advance in the context of the Estimates process each year. It is then the responsibility of Public Service Management and each Department's Accounting Officer to deliver the required level of savings through complete implementation of the various reforms and workplace changes which the Agreement enables to ensure that their respective Pay Bill targets are met. 

In 2013, the total amount of allocated savings arising from the implementation of measures under the Agreement was almost €300 million. Of this total, approximately €251 million was allocated to Exchequer pay savings with further savings of €46 million arising from pensions and a number of other non-Exchequer sources (e.g. Local Authorities, Central Bank). 

In 2014, a further €465 million in savings arising from the implementation of measures under the Agreement was incorporated into the budgetary arithmetic. This reflects the full year impact of various measures implemented in 2013, as well as measures which are to be implemented in 2014, such as the deferral of incremental progression.  This brings the total amount of savings allocated to date under the Agreement to €762 million.   

Specifically, the pay reduction to those earning over €65,000, will deliver approximately €210 million of the targeted €1 billion in savings over the lifetime of the Agreement. Other central measures, including pension reductions and increment pauses, will deliver in the order of €130 million, bringing the total amount of savings from central measures to over €340 million by 2016.

Summary of savings from Central measures

	Full year
Reduction in higher pay	€210 million
Increment deferrals	€60 million
Other measures - including pensions	€72 million
Total	€342 milllion

 

With approximately two years remaining in the lifetime of the Agreement, over 75% (€762 million) of the €1 billion reduction targeted has been incorporated into the relevant Votes. The Agreement has also facilitated additional recruitment in front line posts. In relation to further savings to be delivered under the Agreement, these savings will be reflected in the various Vote allocations as appropriate, in the context of the overall Estimates process.

Public Sector Pensions Levy

Ceisteanna (280)

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

280. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will set out in tabular form the yield from the public service pension reduction in each year since its introduction; the number of people subject to the PSPR; the projected yield in 2014 and 2015; his plans to amend the PSPR; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32441/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The Public Service Pension Reduction (PSPR) was introduced on 1 January 2011 under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2010. PSPR is an actual reduction of pension, rather than a levy or deduction from pension. This means there is no actual flow of funds to the Exchequer or to the public finances generally from PSPR, and therefore there is no annual time series of PSPR inflows.

In each of the years 2011 and 2012, PSPR saved an estimated €100 million for the public finances in the shape of reduced public service pension outgo. The saving in the year 2013 is estimated to have been about €113 million, reflecting in particular increased PSPR rates and wider PSPR application from 1 July 2013 under the terms of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2013.  The projected saving in each of the years 2014 and 2015 is €125 million.

Pensioners with public service pension income below €12,000 are in all cases exempt from PSPR. A higher exemption threshold of €32,500 applies to pension awards to persons who have retired since the end of February 2012. In overall terms PSPR is estimated to affect the pensions of about 90,000 persons.

Under section 12 of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2013, I am required to review the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts 2009-2013 annually and cause a written report of my findings to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas. As part of that review I am required to consider whether the various measures, including the PSPR, continue to be necessary, having regard to the purposes of the legislation. My last such report was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas in June 2014. In that report I concluded, inter alia, that PSPR continued to be necessary, and I have no plans to amend it at present.

Questions Nos. 281 and 282 answered with Question No. 273.

State Bodies

Ceisteanna (283)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

283. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the role of the Irish Government's economic and evaluation service; the number of staff assigned to the body, the annual cost associated with it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32230/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES) is being developed as an integrated cross-Government service to build capacity and expertise and to enhance the role of economics and value for money analysis in public policy making.

The goals of the new Service are to: 

- develop a professional economic and evaluation service that will provide high standards of economic and policy analysis to assist the Government decision-making process;

- ensure application of established best practices in policy evaluation in support of better value for money and more effective policy and programme interventions by State authorities;

- facilitate more open policy dialogue with academia, external specialists and stakeholders across the broad socio-economic spectrum.

There are currently just over 80 IGEES members across a range of civil service grades, made up of existing, suitably qualified staff and new specialist graduate recruits brought in during 2012 and 2014.  These staff operate in designated economic/evaluiation units in participating Government Departments. There are currently 14 Government Departments involved in the IGEES. In some Departments evaluation and economic units were already in place and have either been expanded or will be expanded as part of the development of IGEES. In other Departments, new units have been set up.

The costs of the IGEES are almost entirely associated with the salary and training of staff and are met from within the existing resources of each participating Department.     

Further information on the IGEES and some of the analytical output from the Service is available at  http://igees.gov.ie/.   

State Bodies Mergers

Ceisteanna (284)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

284. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of money which will be saved from current expenditure in 2014 from the announced closure and amalgamation of certain State bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32231/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

As the Deputy is aware, in 2011 the Government undertook a wide ranging and detailed review of State agencies across the public service, and this review process formed the basis of the State agency rationalisation programme.  This unprecedented programme of reform has resulted in almost 190 fewer State agencies, and there are a number of further measures in the process of being implemented.  More detailed information on the implementation of the rationalisation programme is available on my Department's web site, at http://www.per.gov.ie/summary-of-agency-rationalisation, which provides information on progress up to end Quarter 1 2014.   

As already set out in the Government's Public Service Reform Plan, published in November 2011, and as outlined in PQ replies since then, the overall targeted savings from the rationalisation programme is €20 million in enhanced service efficiencies and value-for-money.  The bulk of the savings are derived from a reduction in the number of public servants working in the merged entities, which is reflected in the overall reduction in the Exchequer pay bill, and from other administrative efficiencies.  The share of the overall savings target achieved in 2014 will be determined by the progress made by individual departments, by end-year, on the outstanding measures provided for in the programme.       

From the outset, I have maintained that the lasting and most important benefit from the rationalisation of State Bodies will be a less crowded administrative landscape, resulting in greater democratic accountability, less duplication of effort and clearer lines of responsibility for the citizen.   

Ministerial Advisers Appointments

Ceisteanna (285)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

285. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide full details, including salary, of every appointment he has approved since coming into office of special advisers under his remit; the salary cap that is in place with respect to special adviser appointments; the number of appointments he has approved with salary in excess of the cap; if he will provide details of the requests from ministerial colleagues that he has refused which would have involved breaching the salary cap; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32232/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The table below sets out the salary for the two Advisors in my Department. One Special Adviser, Mr Ronán O'Brien, was appointed at a single point salary, currently at €106,880, having regard to his previous earnings immediately before taking up this position. 

Name	Title	Salary (on commencement)
Anne Byrne	Special Adviser (D/PER)	€85,608, currently €84,706- reduced as a result of Haddington Road adjustment)
Ronan O'Brien	Special Adviser (D/PER)	€114,000 (currently 106,880 -reduced as a result of the Haddington Road adjustment)

 

With regard to the Deputy's query on the salary cap in place for special advisors, the number of appointments approved by me and the details of requests from Ministerial colleagues refused by me a response will be forwarded directly to the Deputy in the coming days.