Written Answers Nos. 734-747
734. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to have a bilateral meeting with the Italian foreign Minister, Mr. Paolo Gentiloni; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1502/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI meet regularly with my foreign minister colleagues at the monthly Foreign Affairs Council meetings including with my Italian counterpart with whom I have excellent working relations.
I have no immediate plans to meet the Italian Minister outside the Council framework.
735. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the cost of running all embassies and consulates in the past three years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1549/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe work of our missions around the world continues to be important in Ireland’s economic recovery and the restoration of our international reputation. Our embassies’ work in support of Ireland’s interests include:
- Promoting Ireland as a source of high-quality exports, a destination for investment, research, study and tourism to targeted audiences and contacts.
- Supporting trade missions and other trade-focused high-level visits, record numbers of which have taken place in the last four years.
- Directly assisting Irish companies with advice, introductions and working to resolve regulatory or market access issues, in partnership with Enterprise Ireland.
- Providing frontline consular and passport services to Irish citizens overseas;
- Influencing and negotiating for Ireland on issues that could impact our interests and priorities.
The cost of each Embassy and Consulate is set out below. The cost includes staff costs, office costs, building rental and/or maintenance and other overheads.
The figures for 2015 are provisional.
Irish Embassy and Consulate - Costs Arising 2013 - 2014 - 2015
|
2013 |
2014 |
2015 * |
|
|
ABU DHABI |
659,136 |
706,322 |
1,065,297 |
|
ABUJA |
774,066 |
606,671 |
1,019,118 |
|
ADDIS ABABA |
1,386,323 |
1,370,619 |
1,274,334 |
|
ANKARA |
743,962 |
719,245 |
778,864 |
|
ATHENS |
759,871 |
770,084 |
826,762 |
|
ATLANTA |
316,377 |
317,779 |
358,734 |
|
AUSTIN |
n/a |
70,039 |
582,758 |
|
BANGKOK |
n/a |
50,666 |
879,184 |
|
BEIJING |
1,939,846 |
2,174,101 |
1,396,086 |
|
BERLIN |
1,700,837 |
1,779,040 |
1,714,368 |
|
BERNE |
827,661 |
839,305 |
923,235 |
|
BOSTON |
573,242 |
585,333 |
734,578 |
|
BRASILIA |
782,225 |
778,378 |
747,241 |
|
BRATISLAVA |
369,620 |
370,390 |
376,418 |
|
BRUSSELS |
1,004,945 |
942,160 |
898,787 |
|
BUCHAREST |
705,614 |
718,372 |
669,135 |
|
BUDAPEST |
618,626 |
604,538 |
550,779 |
|
BUENOS AIRES |
578,348 |
574,243 |
783,898 |
|
CAIRO |
719,597 |
797,917 |
833,150 |
|
CANBERRA |
1,050,589 |
1,038,499 |
1,120,883 |
|
CHICAGO |
514,782 |
636,641 |
666,397 |
|
COPENHAGEN |
799,947 |
762,001 |
844,062 |
|
DAR ES SALAM |
1,558,291 |
1,241,336 |
1,169,518 |
|
EDINBURGH |
541,120 |
556,060 |
657,541 |
|
FREETOWN |
556,200 |
652,495 |
600,593 |
|
HANOI |
1,213,931 |
1,269,073 |
1,243,931 |
|
HELSINKI |
767,446 |
777,716 |
810,998 |
|
HOLY SEE |
9,946 |
32,461 |
286,955 |
|
HONG KONG |
n/a |
211,741 |
1,439,612 |
|
JAKARTA |
n/a |
687,812 |
1,235,833 |
|
KAMPALA |
1,272,043 |
1,418,132 |
1,354,131 |
|
KUALA LUMPUR |
678,812 |
655,499 |
478,023 |
|
LILONGWE |
881,734 |
842,705 |
916,770 |
|
LISBON |
625,933 |
581,539 |
616,833 |
|
LJUBLJANA |
691,621 |
596,435 |
598,735 |
|
LONDON |
5,211,085 |
5,453,778 |
6,070,653 |
|
LUSAKA |
1,338,170 |
881,854 |
734,971 |
|
LUXEMBOURG |
502,355 |
525,757 |
427,138 |
|
MADRID |
1,379,398 |
1,439,721 |
1,475,246 |
|
MAPUTO |
2,006,230 |
1,541,664 |
1,926,430 |
|
MASERU |
718,340 |
517,118 |
n/a |
|
MEXICO |
865,050 |
839,604 |
980,515 |
|
MOSCOW |
1,520,846 |
1,294,529 |
965,164 |
|
NAIROBI |
n/a |
277,937 |
798,077 |
|
NEW DELHI |
1,378,124 |
1,109,847 |
1,362,661 |
|
NEW YORK |
2,168,012 |
2,332,185 |
2,801,064 |
|
NICOSIA |
401,199 |
374,274 |
393,509 |
|
OSLO |
925,928 |
792,583 |
906,783 |
|
OTTAWA |
1,015,006 |
956,667 |
1,106,421 |
|
PARIS |
3,293,890 |
3,330,617 |
3,039,245 |
|
PRAGUE |
710,695 |
633,903 |
759,401 |
|
PRETORIA |
1,258,791 |
1,197,544 |
1,297,521 |
|
RIGA |
274,690 |
271,558 |
298,665 |
|
RIYADH |
615,362 |
690,322 |
777,685 |
|
ROME |
1,609,590 |
1,356,399 |
1,425,647 |
|
SAN FRANCISCO |
566,490 |
643,836 |
975,599 |
|
SAO PAOLO |
n/a |
3,543 |
289,639 |
|
SEOUL |
1,099,901 |
553,871 |
818,009 |
|
SHANGHAI |
966,068 |
1,009,308 |
1,213,274 |
|
SINGAPORE |
1,198,043 |
1,010,812 |
1,001,099 |
|
SOFIA |
611,420 |
557,847 |
550,743 |
|
STOCKHOLM |
768,800 |
737,995 |
813,007 |
|
SYDNEY |
919,299 |
839,808 |
709,315 |
|
TALLINN |
415,732 |
492,693 |
535,888 |
|
TEL AVIV |
1,113,289 |
1,004,707 |
883,352 |
|
THE HAGUE |
1,129,315 |
1,102,539 |
1,138,040 |
|
TOKYO |
2,039,384 |
1,759,801 |
1,783,833 |
|
VALLETTA |
457,034 |
443,603 |
451,907 |
|
VIENNA |
1,408,650 |
1,151,334 |
1,261,405 |
|
VILNIUS |
512,547 |
424,813 |
411,120 |
|
WARSAW |
1,010,102 |
1,070,963 |
1,103,264 |
|
WASHINGTON DC |
2,273,689 |
2,157,206 |
2,247,713 |
|
ZAGREB |
n/a |
34,877 |
456,506 |
*The figures for 2015 are provisional and are subject to audit by Comptroller and Auditor General’s Office.
736. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the cost based on current growth forecasts of reaching 0.38%, 0.39%, 0.4%, 0.41%, 0.42%, 0.43%, 0.44%, 0.45%, 0.46%, 0.47%, 0.48%, 0.49% and 0.5% of the United Nations target for overseas development aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1550/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is strongly committed to Ireland’s overseas aid programme, and to its place at the heart of our foreign policy. “One World, One Future”, our policy for international development, clearly articulates the Government’s commitment to the UN target of providing 0.7% of Gross National Product (GNP) for Official Development Assistance (ODA) and to making progress towards that target once economic conditions permit.
For 2016 we have provided a total of €641 million for Official Development Assistance, the first substantial increase in seven years and a clear demonstration of the Government’s commitment to the aid programme. As the economy continues to grow, I am confident we can make further progress towards meeting the UN target.
A table sets out the volume of ODA which would be required to deliver an ODA/ GNP percentage of between 0.38% and 0.50%, as requested by the Deputy. These calculations are based on the current Department of Finance forecast for GNP in 2016.
Figures in € millions
|
ODA as a % of GNP |
Expected level of ODA required to meet the ODA / GNP percentage € millions |
|
0.38% |
721 |
|
0.39% |
740 |
|
0.40% |
759 |
|
0.41% |
778 |
|
0.42% |
797 |
|
0.43% |
816 |
|
0.44% |
835 |
|
0.45% |
854 |
|
0.46% |
873 |
|
0.47% |
892 |
|
0.48% |
911 |
|
0.49% |
930 |
|
0.50% |
949 |
737. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills when and where an apprenticeship programme for bricklaying will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46477/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is an operational matter for Solas, who manage the apprenticeship programme. I have asked Solas to contact the Deputy directly to clarify the position.
738. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Education and Skills if favourable consideration will be given to the request for additional funding to complete a building project (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1477/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn December 2014 the school to which the Deputy refers was sanctioned a devolved grant under my Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme. The school authority recently submitted an application for additional funding for the project. This application will be reviewed as soon as possible and the school authority will be informed of the outcome.
739. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a community council (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46431/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra786. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 550 of 17 December 2015, to what party the ownership of a building (details supplied) in County Kerry was transferred when it ceased to function as a primary school, given that the Land Registry states there is no registered owner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46914/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 739 and 786 together.
As the Deputy may be aware, the primary school referred to by the Deputy has ceased to exist since the 1960's and is not in the ownership of the Minister for Education and Skills. Inquiries are being made regarding the ownership of the property and we will revert to the Deputy in this regard as soon as possible.
740. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of attendees recorded by the teacher education section at continuing postponed Department seminars for post-primary teachers, including detailed whole-day workshops and evening seminars, in tabular form. [46449/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is assumed that the Deputy's question refers to attendance at all continuing professional development (CPD) events.
Teachers at primary and post primary level can access a range of CPD through the teacher support services funded by my Department. Attached is a table detailing the number of CPD places provided through this mechanism for the period 2008-2014In addition to this provision there are other publicly funded CPD options for teachers including local courses provided by the network of education centres, support offered by subject associations and teacher networks, support for further studies through the Refund of Fees Scheme and CPD offered through organisations supported by my Department such as COGG, NAPD, IPPN.
There are also a range of CPD options which teachers can access which are provided privately.
|
Year |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
No. CPD Units |
163,180 |
146,862 |
122,385 |
130,679 |
129,702 |
167,939 |
170,719 |
A CPD unit is defined as an interaction between a teacher support service and teachers. A CPD Unit ranges from a 2 hour session in a local education centre to a suite of sessions on a particular issue or, in the case of college based events, a full post graduate course. The actual number of teachers attending CPD Units is not recorded.
741. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the research budget she administers and the budgets administered by agencies of her Department; how the spending of these budgets is prioritised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46461/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe services provided by my Department are delivered through a combination of provision by the Department directly and by a number of bodies and agencies operating under the aegis of the Department. Details of expenditure on these services, including the allocations for certain Departmental bodies and agencies, are set out in the Revised Estimates Volume (REV) for Public Services. The REV for 2016 is available on the website of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform at http://www.per.gov.ie/en/rev/. Further details regarding the Education and Skills estimate are available on my Department's website at http://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Estimates/.
Research activity forms an element of a number of programmes and services funded from my Department's Budget. Specific provision of €37.6 million in 2016 is also, however, made in my Department's Estimate, under Subhead C.12 - Research Activities. This provision supports the development of research capabilities across the broad range of disciplines in third level institutions through the funding of human capital – generally PhD students and early-stage postdoctoral researchers - and also funds underpinning e-infrastructure for the research system. The Higher Education Authority administers the funding under this subhead on behalf of my Department.
The determination of the expenditure allocations across Government Departments and within individual Departments forms part of the annual Estimates and Budgetary process and is informed by priorities as set out in programmes for Government.
742. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools in temporary accommodation; and the number of these that are Gaelscoileanna. [46471/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra468 primary and post-primary schools currently rent some level of accommodation of which 54 are Gaelscoileanna.
743. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide urgent funding to make safe a school yard (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46473/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to inform the Deputy that funding has been approved for replacement of a boundary wall at the school in question and the school authority has been notified.
744. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the extension of a national school (details supplied) in County Galway, if this will be prioritised, when work will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46488/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe project for the School to which the Deputy refers is one of the research strands in the programme for the introduction of Nearly Zero Energy School Buildings. Nearly zero-energy means a building that has a very high energy performance. The research and design stages for this school are substantially complete and the tender documentation is currently being finalised.
745. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the rationale for the differential in the pupil-teacher ratio between 16-teacher and 17-teacher schools; and her plans to address this. [46497/15]
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 Band 1 schools. Under an agreement reached with the Education Partners for the 2010/11 school year my Department provided 50 additional posts to the primary sector and 100 additional posts to the post-primary sector. At primary level as these posts were additional to those required to cater for demographic growth, some improvements were made to the staffing schedule for the 2010/11 school year. These improvements were targeted at medium-to-larger schools typically under the greatest pressure in relation to class sizes. At post-primary level, additional supports were targeted at co-educational schools in single post-primary catchment areas and at schools that join together with other local post primary schools to increase subject choice in a town.The application of these additional posts to the primary staffing schedule resulted in the schedule operating on the basis of 1 classroom teacher for an average of every 27 pupils between the bands of 8 classroom teachers and 16 classroom teachers. The 37 pupil difference arises only at the point between 16 and 17 classroom teachers. However given that the standard size of a school is 16 classrooms this issue does not typically arise. An average of 28 to 1 applies for the bands of 18 classroom teachers upwards.
The Deputy will be aware that I have announced a 1 point improvement to the primary staffing schedule in the context of Budget 2016. The improved staffing schedule which is available on the Department website will be implemented for the 2016/17 school year.
The application of this 1 point improvement to the primary staffing schedule will result in the schedule operating on the basis of 1 classroom teacher for an average of every 26 pupils between the bands of 8 classroom teachers and 16 classroom teachers.
The staffing arrangements for all schools for the 2016/17 school year will be published early in 2016.
746. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to provide information regarding construction works (details supplied) in Dublin 4. [46500/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with the Safety Health and Welfare (Construction) Regulation 2013 the Department appointed a Project Supervisor Design Process (PSDP) for this project. The PSDP has confirmed that any risk to workers and/or the general public has been fully considered throughout the design process and that mitigation measures to deal with any risks have been examined in detail and included in the construction works. The project commenced on site on 7th December 2015 and it is envisaged that it will take approximately 18 months to complete.
With regard to asbestos removal, I can confirm that a full Type 3 Refurbishment and Demolitions Asbestos Survey was completed by a qualified asbestos surveyor in Autumn 2012. Some Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM's) have been identified in areas of the existing building, and will be carefully removed prior to commencement of demolitions.
The removal and disposal of all ACM's will be carried out by the contractor in accordance with Health & Safety Legislation and Health & Safety Authority Codes of Practice. The methodology for the disposal of all construction waste, including ACM's, will be submitted to the Local Authority for their approval before this work commences.
With regard to vermin and pest control, an extensive pest (rat and pigeon) extermination programme was carried out in October/November to eliminate the rodent population around the existing school building which is to be demolished. A pest control programme will be maintained by the contactor during the demolition phase of the works, to deal with any remaining rodents or pests on the site.
In relation to any possible road closures during the course of the contract, the Contractor has completed a Construction Management Plan for the construction stage of the works, which has been submitted to the Local Authority, Dublin City Council, for approval in line with the Planning Conditions. Local residents will be notified in advance of any road closures which may be required during construction.
747. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Education and Skills when an application for a project (details supplied) in County Cork under the summer works programme will be processed; when a decision will be communicated to the applicants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46502/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that commensurate with the level of funding available for the Summer Works Scheme, applications including that from the school referred to by the Deputy will be assessed on a top down basis in accordance with the prioritisation criteria outlined in the governing Circular Letter for the Scheme. This Circular Letter (0055/2015), is available on my Department's website www.education.ie.
It is my intention to publish a list of successful applicants at the end of February/early March 2016.
