Written Answers Nos. 216-221
216. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to provide full-time contracts to secretaries, employed by the board of management, in secondary schools, in order for them to be in receipt of the same entitlements as other permanent staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8544/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchemes were initiated in 1978 and 1979 for the employment of Clerical Officers and Caretakers in primary and secondary schools. While a small number of these staff remain in schools, the schemes are being phased out and have been superseded by a more extensive grant scheme. The majority of primary and voluntary secondary schools in the Free Education Scheme now receive capitation grant assistance to provide for secretarial (and/or caretaking) services. Within the capitation grant schemes, it is a matter for each individual school to decide how best to apply the grant funding to suit its particular needs and the Department does not stipulate how secretarial services are to be obtained. Where a school uses the grant funding to employ a secretary, such staff are employees of individual schools. My Department therefore does not have any role in determining the pay and conditions under which they are engaged. These are matters to be agreed between the staff concerned and the school authorities.
Notwithstanding the above, a forum was established under the Towards 2016 Agreement involving my Department, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, IMPACT and SIPTU to examine the factual position in schools regarding the terms and conditions of employment of secretaries (and caretakers) employed using grant funding. However, it was not possible to progress the forum's agenda beyond the initial fact finding survey, due to the State's budgetary and financial position. It was agreed that the forum would consider appropriate measures in relation to the rates of pay of school secretaries and caretakers in the event that a review of the Public Service Agreements recommended changes to the benefit of those public servants earning €35,000 or less per annum. This is currently the priority for the Forum and discussions are ongoing.
Secretaries employed by schools using grant funding are not regarded as public servants except for the purposes of the pay reduction under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No.2) Act 2009, due to the definition of "public servant" used in that Act. The fact that such staff come within the definition of "public servant" solely for the purposes of the Act does not alter their employment status in any other respect.
217. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on correspondence (details supplied) from parents of children with Down's syndrome; her plans to provide children with Down's syndrome with an individualised right to resource teaching hours, outside the general allocation system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8546/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that under the existing allocation system, all pupils with Down's syndrome, including such pupils with mild general learning difficulties, currently are entitled to receive additional teaching support.
Such support is provided either from a school's allocation of Learning Support or Resource Teaching under the General Allocation Model (GAM), or from an allocation of additional resource teacher hours allocated to schools by the NCSE.
I am aware that some parents, and organisations representing children with Down's syndrome, continue to have concerns that the existing system does not give them certainty as to the number of resource teaching hours that may be allocated to their child under the General Allocation Model, as these hours are distributed locally by schools.
I met with Down Syndrome Ireland, and with some parents of children with Down's syndrome on 19th February.
This was an opportunity for me to discuss the concerns that they have regarding the provision of resource teaching support for children with Down's syndrome. I intend to meet with more parents over the coming week or so.
I will consider the issues that have been raised by Down Syndrome Ireland and parents, and will keep the Deputy and the House informed of my developing views on this matter.
218. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 464 of 27 January 2015, if she will provide, for each institute of technology, the number of individual academic staff members, not whole-time equivalents, for each of the following categories of academic staff who hold permanent whole-time contracts; pro rata contracts of indefinite duration; pro rata contracts; hourly paid contracts of indefinite duration; hourly paid contracts; and the total number of academic staff who are on the payroll system. [8556/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile the Higher Education Authority (HEA) routinely gathers information on staffing levels in the institutes of technology, it does not currently compile information on a headcount basis. As part of its "Data and Knowledge Management Strategy for Higher Education 2015-2018", the HEA has committed to the development of a staff database for the higher education sector which will expand on information available under the current reporting requirements for the sector.
However, the information set out below, from December 2014, does breakdown academic staff numbers in the institutes of technology between full-time, pro rata part-time and casual part-time staff, and between those on permanent contracts, contracts of indefinite duration and fixed term/temporary contracts.
Table
CIT
|
Academics |
Total shown as WTE |
Permanent |
Contracts of Indefinite Duration |
Fixed Term/ Temp |
Non approved staff-to incl those substituting for staff on paid leave(sick, maternity etc. |
Nursing |
Total Core Staff - ECF 2.1 |
||
|
Replacements |
Fixed term |
CID |
|||||||
|
Full Time Staff |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown |
469.00 |
330.00 |
124.00 |
15.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
469.00 |
|
Pro Rata - Part Time (incl worksharers) |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown: |
68.59 |
9.80 |
46.22 |
9.88 |
2.69 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
68.59 |
|
Casual Part Time (Including Visiting Lecturers) |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown |
21.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
21.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
Summary |
|||||||||
|
Total Academic Staff |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown |
558.59 |
339.80 |
170.22 |
45.88 |
2.69 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
537.59 |
Table
DIT
|
Academics |
Total shown as WTE |
Permanent |
Contracts of Indefinite Duration |
Fixed Term/ Temp |
Non approved staff-to incl those substituting for staff on paid leave(sick, maternity etc. |
Nursing |
Total Core Staff - ECF 2.1 |
||
|
Replacements |
Fixed term |
CID |
|||||||
|
Full Time Staff |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown |
777.00 |
615.00 |
111.00 |
51.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
777.00 |
|
Pro Rata - Part Time (incl worksharers) |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown: |
55.89 |
5.33 |
43.86 |
6.70 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
55.89 |
|
Casual Part Time (Including Visiting Lecturers) |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown |
18.99 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
18.99 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
18.99 |
|
Summary |
|||||||||
|
Total Academic Staff |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown |
851.88 |
620.33 |
154.86 |
76.69 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
851.88 |
Table
DKIT
|
Academics |
Total shown as WTE |
Permanent |
Contracts of Indefinite Duration |
Fixed Term/ Temp |
Non approved staff-to incl those substituting for staff on paid leave(sick, maternity etc. |
Nursing |
Total Core Staff - ECF 2.1 |
||
|
Replacements |
Fixed term |
CID |
|||||||
|
Full Time Staff |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown |
252.40 |
158.60 |
54.40 |
7.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
32.40 |
252.40 |
|
Pro Rata - Part Time (incl worksharers) |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown: |
10.61 |
0.00 |
8.17 |
1.50 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.50 |
0.44 |
10.61 |
|
Casual Part Time (Including Visiting Lecturers) |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown |
0.40 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.40 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.40 |
|
Summary |
|||||||||
|
Total Academic Staff |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown |
263.41 |
158.60 |
62.57 |
8.90 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.50 |
32.84 |
263.41 |
Table
IADT
|
Academics |
Total shown as WTE |
Permanent |
Contracts of Indefinite Duration |
Fixed Term/ Temp |
Non approved staff-to incl those substituting for staff on paid leave(sick, maternity etc. |
Nursing |
Total Core Staff - ECF 2.1 |
||
|
Replacements |
Fixed term |
CID |
|||||||
|
Full Time Staff |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown |
73.57 |
55.09 |
14.48 |
4.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
73.57 |
|
Pro Rata - Part Time (incl worksharers) |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown: |
30.03 |
4.24 |
18.87 |
6.92 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
30.03 |
|
Casual Part Time (Including Visiting Lecturers) |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown |
8.14 |
0.00 |
0.56 |
7.58 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
8.14 |
|
Summary |
|||||||||
|
Total Academic Staff |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown |
111.73 |
59.33 |
33.91 |
18.49 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
111.73 |
Table
GMIT
|
Academics |
Total shown as WTE |
Permanent |
Contracts of Indefinite Duration |
Fixed Term/ Temp |
Non approved staff-to incl those substituting for staff on paid leave(sick, maternity etc. |
Nursing |
Total Core Staff - ECF 2.1 |
||
|
Replacements |
Fixed term |
CID |
|||||||
|
Full Time Staff |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown |
287.73 |
172.00 |
95.00 |
6.13 |
1.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
13.60 |
287.73 |
|
Pro Rata - Part Time (incl worksharers) |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown: |
48.40 |
0.00 |
30.40 |
18.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
48.40 |
|
Casual Part Time (Including Visiting Lecturers) |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown |
6.72 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
6.72 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
6.72 |
|
Summary |
|||||||||
|
Total Academic Staff |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown |
342.85 |
172.00 |
125.40 |
30.85 |
1.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
13.60 |
342.85 |
Table
LYIT
|
Academics |
Total shown as WTE |
Permanent |
Contracts of Indefinite Duration |
Fixed Term/ Temp |
Non approved staff-to incl those substituting for staff on paid leave(sick, maternity etc. |
Nursing |
Total Core Staff - ECF 2.1 |
||
|
Replacements |
Fixed term |
CID |
|||||||
|
Full Time Staff |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown |
156.90 |
99.88 |
29.29 |
13.08 |
4.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
10.65 |
156.90 |
|
Pro Rata - Part Time (incl worksharers) |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown: |
18.85 |
0.00 |
16.85 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
2.00 |
18.85 |
|
Casual Part Time (Including Visiting Lecturers) |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown |
6.09 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
6.09 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
6.09 |
|
Summary |
|||||||||
|
Total Academic Staff |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown |
181.84 |
99.88 |
46.14 |
19.17 |
4.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
12.65 |
181.84 |
Table
LIT
|
Academics |
Total shown as WTE |
Permanent |
Contracts of Indefinite Duration |
Fixed Term/ Temp |
Non approved staff-to incl those substituting for staff on paid leave(sick, maternity etc. |
Nursing |
Total Core Staff - ECF 2.1 |
||
|
Replacements |
Fixed term |
CID |
|||||||
|
Full Time Staff |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown |
254.72 |
187.55 |
52.5 |
14.27 |
0.4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
254.72 |
|
Pro Rata - Part Time (incl worksharers) |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown: |
24.78 |
1.25 |
10.648 |
8.9905 |
3.8888 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
24.78 |
|
Casual Part Time (Including Visiting Lecturers) |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown |
11.97 |
0 |
0 |
9.37 |
2.6 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
11.97 |
|
Summary |
|||||||||
|
Total Academic Staff |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown |
291.47 |
188.80 |
63.15 |
32.63 |
6.89 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
291.47 |
Table
ITTD
|
Academics |
Total shown as WTE |
Permanent |
Contracts of Indefinite Duration |
Fixed Term/ Temp |
Non approved staff-to incl those substituting for staff on paid leave(sick, maternity etc. |
Nursing |
Total Core Staff - ECF 2.1 |
||
|
Replacements |
Fixed term |
CID |
|||||||
|
Full Time Staff |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown |
164.90 |
144.79 |
14.33 |
3.00 |
0.78 |
2.00 |
0.00 |
164.90 |
|
|
Pro Rata - Part Time (incl worksharers) |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown: |
14.34 |
6.50 |
7.84 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
14.34 |
|
|
Casual Part Time (Including Visiting Lecturers) |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown |
8.92 |
0.00 |
0.94 |
0.00 |
0.72 |
7.26 |
0.00 |
8.92 |
|
|
Summary |
|||||||||
|
Total Academic Staff |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown |
188.16 |
151.29 |
23.11 |
3.00 |
1.50 |
9.26 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
188.16 |
Table
ITTra
|
Academics |
Total shown as WTE |
Permanent |
Contracts of Indefinite Duration |
Fixed Term/ Temp |
Non approved staff-to incl those substituting for staff on paid leave(sick, maternity etc. |
Nursing |
Total Core Staff - ECF 2.1 |
||
|
Replacements |
Fixed term |
CID |
|||||||
|
Full Time Staff |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown |
151.00 |
115.00 |
19.00 |
2.00 |
4.00 |
11.00 |
151.00 |
||
|
Pro Rata - Part Time (incl worksharers) |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown: |
46.34 |
8.22 |
12.45 |
21.11 |
4.56 |
46.34 |
|||
|
Casual Part Time (Including Visiting Lecturers) |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown |
1.00 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
||||||
|
Summary |
|||||||||
|
Total Academic Staff |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown |
198.34 |
123.22 |
31.45 |
24.11 |
4.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
15.56 |
198.34 |
Table
Tipp Institute
|
Academics |
Total shown as WTE |
Permanent |
Contracts of Indefinite Duration |
Fixed Term/ Temp |
Non approved staff-to incl those substituting for staff on paid leave(sick, maternity etc. |
Nursing |
Total Core Staff - ECF 2.1 |
||
|
Replacements |
Fixed term |
CID |
|||||||
|
Full Time Staff |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown |
46.00 |
37.00 |
2.00 |
7.00 |
46.00 |
||||
|
Pro Rata - Part Time (incl worksharers) |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown: |
6.12 |
2.25 |
3.25 |
0.62 |
6.12 |
||||
|
Casual Part Time (Including Visiting Lecturers) |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown |
3.78 |
3.74 |
0.04 |
3.78 |
|||||
|
Summary |
|||||||||
|
Total Academic Staff |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown |
55.90 |
39.25 |
5.25 |
11.36 |
0.04 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
55.90 |
Table
WIT
|
Academics |
Total shown as WTE |
Permanent |
Contracts of Indefinite Duration |
Fixed Term/ Temp |
Non approved staff-to incl those substituting for staff on paid leave(sick, maternity etc. |
Nursing |
Total Core Staff - ECF 2.1 |
||
|
Replacements |
Fixed term |
CID |
|||||||
|
Full Time Staff |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown |
422.50 |
228.00 |
140.50 |
18.00 |
15.00 |
21.00 |
422.50 |
||
|
Pro Rata - Part Time (incl worksharers) |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown: |
53.90 |
13.53 |
37.37 |
1.17 |
1.83 |
53.90 |
|||
|
Casual Part Time (Including Visiting Lecturers) |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown |
5.60 |
5.60 |
5.60 |
||||||
|
Summary |
|||||||||
|
Total Academic Staff |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown |
482.00 |
241.53 |
183.47 |
0.00 |
19.17 |
16.83 |
0.00 |
21.00 |
482.00 |
|
Academics |
Total shown as WTE |
Permanent |
Contracts of Indefinite Duration |
Fixed Term/ Temp |
Non approved staff-to incl those substituting for staff on paid leave(sick, maternity etc. |
Nursing |
Total Core Staff - ECF 2.1 |
||
|
Full Time Staff |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown |
3829.59 |
2625.10 |
854.00 |
193.19 |
39.18 |
17.00 |
0.00 |
101.11 |
3829.59 |
|
Pro Rata - Part Time (incl worksharers) |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown |
448.21 |
63.69 |
267.31 |
96.65 |
10.29 |
2.77 |
0.50 |
7.00 |
448.21 |
|
Casual Part Time (Including Visiting Lecturers) |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown |
97.41 |
0.00 |
7.10 |
76.15 |
6.90 |
7.26 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
97.41 |
|
Summary |
|||||||||
|
Total Academic Staff |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown |
4375.21 |
2688.79 |
1128.41 |
365.99 |
56.37 |
27.03 |
0.50 |
108.11 |
4375.21 |
|
Academics |
Total shown as WTE |
Permanent |
Contracts of Indefinite Duration |
Fixed Term/ Temp |
Non approved staff-to incl those substituting for staff on paid leave(sick, maternity etc. |
Nursing |
Total Core Staff - ECF 2.1 |
||
|
Replacements |
Fixed term |
CID |
|||||||
|
Full Time Staff |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown |
230.67 |
141.50 |
54.00 |
22.71 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
12.46 |
230.67 |
|
Pro Rata - Part Time (incl worksharers) |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown: |
22.61 |
13.01 |
9.60 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
22.61 |
|
|
Casual Part Time (Including Visiting Lecturers) |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
Summary |
|||||||||
|
Total Academic Staff |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown |
253.28 |
141.50 |
67.01 |
32.31 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
12.46 |
253.28 |
|
Academics |
Total shown as WTE |
Permanent |
Contracts of Indefinite Duration |
Fixed Term/ Temp |
Non approved staff-to incl those substituting for staff on paid leave(sick, maternity etc. |
Nursing |
Total Core Staff - ECF 2.1 |
||
|
Replacements |
Fixed term |
CID |
|||||||
|
Full Time Staff |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown |
111.20 |
83.20 |
17.00 |
7.00 |
4.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
111.20 |
|
Pro Rata - Part Time (incl worksharers) |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown: |
6.75 |
1.10 |
4.21 |
0.50 |
0.00 |
0.94 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
6.75 |
|
Casual Part Time (Including Visiting Lecturers) |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
Summary |
|||||||||
|
Total Academic Staff |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown |
117.95 |
84.30 |
21.21 |
7.50 |
4.00 |
0.94 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
117.95 |
|
Academics |
Total shown as WTE |
Permanent |
Contracts of Indefinite Duration |
Fixed Term/ Temp |
Non approved staff-to incl those substituting for staff on paid leave(sick, maternity etc. |
Nursing |
Total Core Staff - ECF 2.1 |
||
|
Replacements |
Fixed term |
CID |
|||||||
|
Full Time Staff |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown |
164.00 |
107.00 |
32.00 |
20.00 |
5.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
164.00 |
|
Pro Rata - Part Time (incl worksharers) |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown: |
41.00 |
11.47 |
14.16 |
12.83 |
2.54 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
41.00 |
|
Casual Part Time (Including Visiting Lecturers) |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown |
4.81 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
1.27 |
3.54 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
4.81 |
|
Summary |
|||||||||
|
Total Academic Staff |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown |
209.81 |
118.47 |
46.16 |
34.10 |
11.08 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
209.81 |
|
Academics |
Total shown as WTE |
Permanent |
Contracts of Indefinite Duration |
Fixed Term/ Temp |
Non approved staff-to incl those substituting for staff on paid leave(sick, maternity etc. |
Nursing |
Total Core Staff - ECF 2.1 |
||
|
Replacements |
Fixed term |
CID |
|||||||
|
Full Time Staff |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown |
268.00 |
150.50 |
94.50 |
21.00 |
2.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
268.00 |
|
Pro Rata - Part Time (incl worksharers) |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown: |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
Casual Part Time (Including Visiting Lecturers) |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
Summary |
|||||||||
|
Total Academic Staff |
|||||||||
|
Breakdown |
268.00 |
150.50 |
94.50 |
21.00 |
2.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
268.00 |
219. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress in relation to the accommodation needs and water treatment system upgrade, or replacement, at a school (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; her views on the provision of prefabricated or permanent structures on this site; and if she will expedite the request from the school to deal with accommodation and site issues. [8674/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn February 2012 the school referred to by the Deputy was approved devolved funding under my Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme for the provision of 4 mainstream permanent classrooms.
The school authorities have sought additional funding for a new waste water treatment system on the basis that the existing septic tank at the school is non-compliant with Environmental Protection Agency regulations and is not sufficient to cater for the new approved accommodation.
Officials from my Department are liaising with the school authorities and Irish Water on the most appropriate way for the school to address the wastewater issue.
220. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total severance packages, individually detailed, received by any special advisers in her Department or those under her aegis since January, 2014, specifically in respect of persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9091/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraA severance payment totalling €45,836 was paid to a former Special Adviser in 2014 in respect of her service to the former Minister for Education & Skills. The three persons mentioned in the Deputy's question were not engaged at any time as Special Advisers at my Department.
221. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extra staffing that has been put in place to administer the forthcoming introduction of the housing assistance payment scheme; the number, and the locations; the amount that has been allocated for this; the new information and communications technology systems that have been put in place to administer the scheme; and the amount that has been spent on same to date [8700/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe implementation of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a key Government priority and a major pillar of the Social Housing Strategy 2020, which was published in November 2014. To this end an ambitious target has been set for the scheme for 2015, with 8,400 households to have their housing needs met though HAP by the end of the year. €23.2 m has been made available for the scheme in 2015.
The delivery of the HAP Programme is being overseen by an Oversight Group co-chaired by my Department and the Department of Social Protection, which includes senior management from local authorities. A detailed business process design exercise for HAP was undertaken in 2013, which included a preliminary examination of the organisational structure required, including change management issues that may arise.
The statutory pilot phase of HAP commenced in September 2014 and is now in effect in the following 7 local authority areas: Cork, Louth, Kilkenny, South Dublin and Monaghan County Councils, Waterford City and County Council , and Limerick City and County Council. Significant numbers of households are moving on to the scheme on a weekly basis and this rate of transfer continues to increase each week. Over 900 households are in receipt of HAP at present across these 7 local authority areas. Dublin City Council is also part of the statutory HAP pilot with a specific focus on accommodating homeless households, as provided for in the Action Plan to Address Homelessness. Dublin City Council is implementing the HAP pilot for homeless households in the Dublin region on behalf of all 4 Dublin local authorities.
In order to provide efficiencies and to test processes in the statutory pilot phase of the scheme, Limerick City and County Council is providing a transactional shared service to the participating local authorities. Generally, existing staff resources and financial management systems are being utilised to implement HAP in these local authorities. Training on the implementation of the scheme has been provided to the local authorities involved by Limerick City and County Council.
To date, the Department has recouped €17,500 to Limerick City and County Council in respect of costs incurred in the utilisation of and amendments to a Customer Relationship Management system, which is used to store landlord and tenant information and manage the implementation of HAP.
To take account of the increasing workload being undertaken by Limerick City and County Council in providing the transactional services to the relevant local authorities, my Department has provided sanction to the Council for the public recruitment of 15 additional temporary staff at Clerical Officer level. This recruitment is taking place on a phased basis as the number of HAP recipients increase. Sanction has also been provided for two Acting Grade V (Staff Officer – Team Leader) posts for an initial 12 month period. Resource requirements for the other local authorities involved in the statutory pilot phase of the scheme are being kept under on-going review by my Department , and by the Oversight Group, in the context of the continued roll-out of the programme.
