Written Answers Nos. 538-555
538. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to extend the library in the University of Limerick in view of the fact that the current student to seat ratio within the UL library is 12 students per seat, with the national average being 5.5 students per seat; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40429/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to inform the Deputy that €10m will be made available next year for the library project to which he refers. This project is designed to meet requirements for additional library space and information services at University of Limerick. The UL library project is one of the three major capital projects in Irish universities which will benefit from the €20m of funding in 2015 that formed part of my budget announcement on Tuesday, 14th October.
539. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the additional expenditure her Department will need to incur in 2015 and 2016 to deal with demographic pressures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40437/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe increase in my Department's 2015 current expenditure allocation detailed in Budget 2015 provided in large part for additional numbers of mainstream teachers, resource teachers, special needs assistants and capitation payments for schools. These additional costs amount to approximately €88 million. In the region of three-quarters of these costs are accounted for by increased numbers of pupils at first and second level. The precise impact of demographic factors in respect of 2016 expenditure is difficult to project at this stage and will depend partly on actual 2014 and 2015 pupil and teacher number outturns. However, it is considered that demographic factors could give rise to increased expenditure in 2016 of up to the same level as 2015. My Department's capital allocation for 2015 stands at €530m of which almost €470m is in respect of the school sector including PPPs. The focus under the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Programme 2012-2016 in the education sector is on the provision of sufficient school places to meet demographic demand and my Department will continue to meet this challenge in 2015 and 2016 through Large Scale Project delivery and the Additional Accommodation Scheme.
540. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the funds available to University College Dublin that are ring-fenced for the funding of student societies and clubs. [40450/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department allocates recurrent funding to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) for direct disbursement to the HEA institutions. The HEA allocates this funding to institutions to cover free fees, core grant and other specific earmarked initiatives. It is then a matter for each institution to determine how such funding is allocated internally. Students who qualify under my Department's free fees schemes must pay a Student Contribution directly to their higher education institution, which for the current academic year stands at €2,750. Students who qualify under my Department's Student Grant Scheme have the Contribution paid on their behalf by the Exchequer. A Framework of Good Practice for the provision of student services is in place which provides that a report on expenditure on student services must be prepared by each institution annually. One of the categories for such reporting is sports and recreation, clubs and societies and the HEA has advised that such expenditure by University College Dublin amounted to €1.844m in the 2012/13 academic year.
541. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department has examined the changing of demographics in the context of the potential recategorisation of some new schools as DEIS in view of the existence of significant socio-economic disadvantage in certain new communities, particularly in the greater Dublin area. [40451/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the DEIS programme is the subject of ongoing evaluation by both the Educational Research Centre and my Department's Inspectorate who have produced a series of evaluation reports to date, (copies of which are available on my Department's website). I have also recently commissioned a further overall report in relation to DEIS to provide recommendations for a renewal of Government policy in relation to educational disadvantage, including DEIS. Work on this report is currently underway. The current focus of my Department is on this ongoing evaluation and distilling the learning from the research to date while awaiting the outcome of the aforementioned report. My key priority is to continue to prioritise and target resources at schools with the most concentrated levels of disadvantage and there are no plans for any additonality to the DEIS programme at this time.
542. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if all discretionary or ex-quota teachers to allocated schools in socio-economically disadvantaged areas will be retained. [40452/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraBudget 2012 provided for the phased withdrawal of approximately 428 posts allocated to some schools under disadvantage programmes prior to the introduction of DEIS in 2005. These posts were in 173 DEIS Band 1 and Band 2 Schools, 163 post primary schools, 16 rural DEIS schools and 17 non DEIS schools. My Department produced a report on the impact of the withdrawal of these legacy posts from Band 1 and Band 2 Schools. Subsequently, under the Government's decision of 21 February 2012, a number of schools continued to retain disadvantaged legacy posts from previous disadvantaged schemes on a year to year basis and only where warranted, based on the enrolment of the previous 30th September. As the Deputy may be aware, a range of factors contribute to determining the staffing requirement for individual schools including changes to enrolment and the reforms to the teacher allocation process in 2012. The overall objective of the reforms is to enable the teacher allocation and redeployment process to operate more smoothly and efficiently, to give a more equitable distribution of existing posts between schools, give earlier certainty to schools about their staffing allocations and, where possible, simplify and streamline existing processes and give greater autonomy to schools. This also removed the need to directly notify every DEIS school of its staffing levels each year. As the teaching allocation to schools, including disadvantaged legacy posts, are enrolment-based, this determines whether schools gain or lose teaching posts from year to year. Some schools seemed to be under the impression that the Government decision of February 2012, in relation to legacy posts, implied that they would retain legacy posts, regardless of changes in enrolment. I wish to clarify that legacy posts are retained in schools from year to year, only where warranted, based on the enrolment of the previous 30th September. It is not my intention to review this decision.
543. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on a decrease in class sizes in senior DEIS schools such that there would be a pupil-teacher ratio of 20:1 in these schools. [40453/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the DEIS Action Plan, the 150 urban primary schools serving communities with the highest concentrations of disadvantage have maximum class size of 20:1 in all junior classes and 24:1 in all senior classes. There are no plans to change this programme measure. As the Deputy may be aware, the DEIS programme is the subject of ongoing evaluation by both the Educational Research Centre and my Department's Inspectorate who have produced a series of evaluation reports to date, (copies of which are available on my Department's website). I have also recently commissioned a further overall report in relation to DEIS to provide recommendations for a renewal of Government policy in relation to educational disadvantage, including DEIS. Work on this report is currently underway. The current focus of my Department is on this ongoing evaluation and distilling the learning from the research to date while awaiting the outcome of the aforementioned report. My key priority is to continue to prioritise and target resources at schools with the most concentrated levels of disadvantage.
544. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will put the early start preschool programme on a permanent footing; and if she will extend the early start pre-school programme to all DEIS schools. [40454/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department published a Focused Policy Assessment of the Early Start pre-school programme in June 2014. This report is available on my Department's website. The assessment indicates that the programme continues to serve the requirements of children who are in need of additional supports to develop to their full potential. The programme has particular benefits in fostering children's social, emotional and cognitive development, and in engaging parents in their children's learning. The report contains recommendations to strengthen the future operation of the programme. These include measures to provide professional development opportunities for those working in Early Start units and the establishment of advisory groups in each unit to include parents. Implementation of these recommendations, in partnership with key stakeholders, will ensure that the Early Start programme continues to be my Department's flagship initiative in the pre-school sector. A Forum will take place on 14th November 2014 at my Department's Dublin campus to discuss the key findings and recommendations in this report. This forum will be attended by Early Start Teachers, Childcare workers and Principals of Primary Schools which have an Early Start Unit among other relevant stakeholders. In the current financial climate there are no plans to extend the programme beyond the 40 units that currently operate in areas of urban disadvantage.
545. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will liaise with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs in evaluating the operation of the home school community teacher service; and if she is satisfied with the changed nature of the service such that the service may be provided by professionals other than teachers. [40455/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department liaises with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs on an ongoing basis to progress delivery policies relating to improved educational outcomes for all children and young people. My colleague the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs has a statutory role in relation to attendance, participation and retention in schools and to the administration of the Home School Community Liaison Scheme and the School Completion Programme both of which are key components of DEIS School Support Programme. My Department is currently participating in a review of the School Completion Programme commissioned by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and will co-operate with any similar review of the operation of the Home School Liaison Scheme that may be initiated. My Department has not been made aware of plans by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to evaluate the operation of the Home School Community Liaison Scheme or to change the nature of the scheme such that it may be provided by professionals other than teachers.
546. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on restoring the grant available to some non-DEIS schools in recognition of the educational supports provided to students who have significant socio-economic disadvantage. [40456/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraDEIS is my Department's main policy initiative to address educational disadvantage and its aim is to ensure that the educational needs of children and young people from disadvantaged communities are prioritised and effectively addressed. As the Deputy may be aware, the DEIS programme is the subject of ongoing evaluation by both the Educational Research Centre and my Department's Inspectorate who have produced a series of evaluation reports to date, (copies of which are available on my Department's website). I have also recently commissioned a further overall report in relation to DEIS to provide recommendations for a renewal of Government policy in relation to educational disadvantage, including DEIS. Work on this report is currently underway. The current focus of my Department is on this ongoing evaluation and distilling the learning from the research to date while awaiting the outcome of the aforementioned report. My key priority is to continue to prioritise and target resources at schools with the most concentrated levels of disadvantage and there are no plans for any additonality to the DEIS programme at this time.
547. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the effect of the allocation of 1,700 teaching professionals in budget 2015 in increasing staffing allocations for DEIS schools. [40457/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe staffing schedule at primary level operates on the basis of 1 classroom teacher for an average of every 28 pupils. More favourable ratios operate in DEIS schools. Teachers are allocated at post-primary level on the basis of 1 teacher for every 19 pupils (23 pupils in the case of fee-charging schools and 18.25 pupils for DEIS schools). The staffing arrangements for the 2015/16 school year will be published early in 2015 and this will enable schools to determine their staffing levels for that school year. Staffing schedules were not increased in Budget 2015. I have already stated publicly that because of increasing demographics my Department requires additional resources to simply maintain existing levels of service. In my pre-budget discussions with the education partners I expressed the hope that continued improvement in the economy over a sustained period will take us to a position where we can make improvements in some areas. The Government's approach to restoring the economy has helped Ireland to return to a position where we are seeing economic growth. It is a continuing improvement in our economic growth over a sustained period that will enable us to move to a point where we can look again at providing for additional teacher resources in schools which could bring about an improvement in PTR, class size and support for classroom teachers.
548. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on the introduction of a targeted library service for DEIS schools. [40458/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra30 DEIS schools currently have a demonstration library through the Junior Certificate School Programme (JCSP). While I have no plans to expand this particular scheme, it may be noted that all DEIS schools are free to use funds from their DEIS grant to meet identified educational needs within their pupil cohort, including library facilities.
549. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the minor works grant scheme; if the scheme is to be continued; if she will provide details as to the future operation of the scheme; if not, the schemes in place to replace it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40467/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraCircular Letter 0062/2013 which was published as the Minor Works Grant for the school year 2013/2014 issued last November states "the grant will only be paid in future years as funding permits". The focus under the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Programme 2012-2016 is on meeting the demand for additional school places. Consequently, there is no funding provided at this time in the 2014 capital allocation for the payment of a Minor Works Grant. I am aware that whenever my Department is in a position to issue a Minor Works Grant (to all primary schools with permanent recognition) it is welcomed by school communities and management bodies as a valuable contribution towards the cost of maintaining school infrastructure.
550. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will review compliance mechanisms at all school and other educational building sites to ensure workers are paid the proper rate for jobs and in keeping with legislation and EU directives. [40475/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool building projects which are funded from public monies, are required to use the forms of contract provided under the Capital Works Management Framework which includes a suite of public works contracts, standard conditions of engagement, model forms, suitability assessment questionnaires and guidance notes published by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP). The OGP is an office within the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform which has been tasked with centralising public sector procurement arrangements for common goods and services. As the Deputy is aware my Department appointed Contractors Administration Services (CAS), to conduct random audits on school building projects. Should irregularities be uncovered in terms of non-compliance with relevant employment law, enforcement and prosecution falls under the remit of NERA and my Department will report any discrepancies found to it. If the 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.
551. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 has received a motor tax bill for vehicles which they do not drive and are housed in a warehouse despite having a declaration of non-use which they thought was an ongoing declaration and not an annual one as now it transpires; and the option they have to remove the charges levied on them. [39874/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Act 2013 came into effect on 1 July 2013. The primary purpose of the Act is to replace the system whereby a vehicle was declared off the road retrospectively with a system under which the vehicle must be declared off the road in advance. The system of making retrospective declarations had become a means of evasion of motor tax estimated to have cost the taxpayer some €50m annually. The Act provides that a vehicle can be declared off the road for a minimum period of three months and a maximum period of twelve months. Where the owner of a vehicle wishes to make a declaration of non-use, he or she must do so during the final month of an existing tax disc or a previously made declaration of non-use. The declaration can be made on-line at www.motortax.ie or through the local motor tax office.
Where a declaration of non-use is not made in the final month of a tax disc or previously made declaration of non-use, a vehicle must be taxed for the minimum period provided for in motor tax legislation, which is three months in the case of a car and twelve months in the case of a motorcycle. A new declaration can then be made at any stage during the final month of the new motor tax disc if the vehicle is thereafter not going to be in use in a public place.
Exemptions are not provided for in individual cases. This is to protect the new arrangements; allowing an owner to declare a vehicle off the road after the expiry of a current declaration of non-use could potentially be a move back to the system of retrospective declarations, thereby undermining the overall objective of the legislative change.
552. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the actions he has taken to address the homeless crisis here; the actions he will take to ensure homelessness is ended within two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40230/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra560. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which he expects to be in a position to alleviate the most serious elements of homelessness in the coming year with particular reference to the need to address the most acute problems in that area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40368/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 552 and 560 together.
On 20 May 2014, the Implementation Plan on the State's Response to Homelessness was published in which the Government's approach to delivery on its objective of ending involuntary long-term homelessness by the end of 2016 was outlined. A copy of this plan is available on my Department's website at,
http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/SpecialNeeds/HomelessPeople/.
This plan sets out a range of measures to secure a ring-fenced supply of accommodation to house homeless households within the next three years and mobilise the necessary supports. Progress in implementing the plan is reported quarterly through the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and a copy of the Quarter 2 2014 Progress Report is also available on my Department's website at the link provided above.
553. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views regarding plans by the British Government to build a new nuclear power plant 240 km off the Irish coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40235/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra554. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the Government will take a case to the European Court of Justice regarding plans by the British to build a new nuclear power plant 240 km off the Irish coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40236/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra555. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he directed the Irish EU Commissioner to express concerns on behalf of the Government regarding plans by the British to build a new nuclear power plant 240 km off the Irish coast; the details of these concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40237/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 553 to 555, inclusive, together.
The position as outlined in the reply to Questions Nos. 158, 159, 132, 133, 134 and 135 of 15 October 2014 is unchanged.
Full written details of the decision by the European Commission in relation to State Aid rules are not yet available from the Commission. When these details are received, they will be examined and a decision will be made as to what action, if any, is required to be taken by Ireland.
