Written Answers Nos. 208-225
208. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance his plans to reform the motor insurance industry; if this will be carried out in conjunction with the Central Bank or the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission in view of the dramatic rise in insurance premiums for motorists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27319/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Cost of Insurance Working Group, chaired by Minister of State Eoghan Murphy TD, is undertaking a review of the factors which are influencing the increased cost of motor insurance.
The Working Group brings together all the relevant Departments and Offices involved with the process, including the Central Bank. Its objective is to identify immediate and longer term measures which can address increasing insurance costs, while bearing in mind the need to maintain a stable insurance sector.
The core areas to be examined by the Working Group in this first phase are the motor insurance sector generally, at present and in recent years; the effects of legal costs and litigation processes on insurance costs; the current claims compensation arrangements and the cost of claims; insurance data and information; the impact of accident rates; the impact of unlawful activity on the insurance sector; and other market issues.
Because the issue of the cost of insurance is complex and in order to get to the heart of these issues as soon as possible, Minister of State Eoghan Murphy has established four sub-groups to review them in detail. Chairs have been appointed to these sub-groups and work has commenced. The sub-groups are meeting weekly and their outputs are feeding into the meetings of the Working Group.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is the independent statutory body responsible for enforcement of competition and consumer protection legislation across the economy. The CCPC has informed me that, following a monitoring exercise that it started in October 2015, the CCPC formally opened an investigation in August 2016 concerning suspected breaches of competition law in the motor insurance sector. The investigation relates to industry participants openly signalling up-coming increases in motor insurance premiums in the State.
The CCPC's investigation is separate from the issues being considered by the Cost of Insurance Working Group and does not interfere with the important work being undertaken there.
By the end of October, the Cost of Insurance Working Group will provide me with an update report which will set out the priority actions required. From November to December, the Working Group will then develop an action plan to enable the relevant Government Departments and Offices to commence the implementation of these priority actions. In this regard, Minister of State Murphy will be consulting regularly with Government colleagues.
209. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the current position regarding Ireland's appeal of the European Commission's ruling regarding the taxation of a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27320/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has authorised me to arrange for annulment proceedings to be brought before the General Court of the European Union in the Apple State case. The Attorney General has been requested to prepare the legal grounds in support of those proceedings and to take all other steps incidental to the conduct of those proceedings.
Dáil Éireann has also passed a motion supporting the Government decision to appeal the European Commission's decision that Ireland provided unlawful State aid to Apple.
The State has a period of two months and 10 days to bring an appeal and the appeal process may take several years. Apple has also indicated that it will exercise its right of appeal. An appeal to the European Courts takes the form of an application to the General Court of the European Union, asking it to annul the decision of the Commission.
Notwithstanding the right of appeal, Ireland is legally obliged to recover the alleged state aid from Apple in the interim. My officials will be engaging with the Commission over the coming months as part of this recovery process.
210. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the reason the Government was caught by surprise by the announcement of the European Commission's adverse ruling on 31 August 2016 given that his Department spent €1 million over three years on legal consultancy and fees in respect of the EU's investigation into the taxation affairs of a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27321/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI first learned of the impending Commission decision following a phone call from Commissioner Vestager on Tuesday 23rd August. In that conversation I was given to understand that the Commission would issue a negative decision early the following week. I was given no confirmation of the date of the decision, no indication of the size of the recovery amount, nor was I provided with any information on the grounds for the Commission's decision.
Until that point I had been working on the basis of intelligence gathered by my officials that the Commission was likely to issue a decision in September or October, but I had not firm indication of the timing or content of the Commission's decision.
Following further contacts with my officials, the Commission indicated that the recovery amount would be large, and in the billions.
It was not until the morning of the decision that the recovery amount and other details of the Commission's decision became available to Ireland.
There has been significant work undertaken by Ireland in anticipation of the Commission decision, which will now enable a robust case to be put before the European Courts on Ireland's behalf. I consider that the money spent on the case to date is reasonable in light of the significance of the issues involved.
211. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the discussions he has had with his European ministerial counterparts regarding Brexit and the impact of this on the economies of Ireland, Northern Ireland and the wider EU economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27322/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile it is not the result that we hoped for, the Government fully accepts and respects the outcome of the democratic process in the UK. The key issues for Ireland associated with such an outcome have been articulated on numerous occasions by me and other members of the Government and relate to the close economic relationship with the UK, Northern Ireland, the Common Travel Area and the EU itself.
Since the referendum outcome, I have met with my EU counterparts at the July ECOFIN meeting, at the July Eurogroup and at the informal meetings of the ECOFIN and Eurogroup in Bratislava in September. In line with the agreement at EU level that there will be no negotiations until the UK has triggered Article 50, the matter was not discussed at these meetings. En marge of these meetings however, while fully respecting the principle of no negotiations, I have taken the opportunity in exchanges with partners (as have other Government Ministers) to underline Ireland's unique relationship with the UK and our specific concerns in relation to the potential economic and political impact on North-South relations, the Common Travel Area and the interconnectedness of our trade.
I met with the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer in London on 22 September 2016 and I set out key issues for Ireland arising from the UK referendum.
212. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the discussions he has had with his European ministerial counterparts regarding the European Commission's adverse ruling against Ireland in respect of the taxation of a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27323/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has authorised me to arrange for annulment proceedings to be brought before the General Court of the European Union in the Apple State case. The Attorney General has been requested to prepare the legal grounds in support of those proceedings and to take all other steps incidental to the conduct of those proceedings. The appeal is to be lodged by 10 November 2016.
Member States have legal standing to intervene in all cases that go before the European courts and do so from time to time if it is considered that the case raises points of relevance for their country.
It is the view of the Government that our appeal is necessary to defend the integrity of our tax system; to provide tax certainty to business; and to challenge the encroachment of EU state aid rules into the sovereign Member State competence of taxation. There are also a number of detailed and technical legal issues relating to state aid and tax that will be raised with the European Courts as part of our appeal.
At the informal ECOFIN meeting in Bratislava last weekend, I updated fellow Finance Ministers on the case from an Irish perspective.
If other Member States found that the issues we are raising are of relevance for their tax system, I would welcome their support for the Irish position. The timeline for other Member States making such an intervention only begins after the Irish appeal is lodged so I wouldn't expect that they will have made up their mind at this early stage in the process.
213. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the discussions he has had with Commissioner Vestager regarding the European Commission's adverse ruling against Ireland regarding the taxation of a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27324/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 30 August 2016, it was announced that the Commission had concluded their single investigation in Ireland and had issued a negative decision in the Apple State Aid case.
Over the course of the three year investigation, detailed and comprehensive responses were provided to the Commission demonstrating that the appropriate amount of Irish tax was charged in accordance with the relevant legislation, that no selective advantage was given and that there was no State Aid. This engagement included meetings both at political and official level, including a meeting between myself and Commissioner Vestager in July 2016.
The Government remains of the view that there was no breach of State Aid rules in this case and that the legislative provisions were correctly applied. By appealing the Decision the Government is taking the necessary course of action to vigorously defend the Irish position.
214. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide favourable consideration to the request of the Irish Hotels Federation to retain the 9% VAT rate; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this issue is of particular concern to the hospitality sector in the Border region as a result of the challenges in retaining business from north of the Border due to the weakness in sterling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27453/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 9% reduced VAT rate for tourism related services was introduced in July 2011 as part of the Government Jobs Initiative. The measure was designed to boost tourism and create additional jobs in that sector. The Programme for a Partnership Government published in May, includes a commitment to retain the hugely successful 9% VAT rate on tourism related services, providing that prices remain competitive. With reports of rising prices within the tourism sector, particularly in Dublin, it is incumbent on the industry to ensure that this relief continues to be passed through fully to the consumer. My Department will continue to monitor developments in this regard. However, I would point out that the UK, which would be considered Ireland's main competitor in the tourism market, applies their standard VAT rate of 20% to tourism services.
215. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance the work undertaken to date by the task force established within his Department to undertake the review of the insurance sector; if his attention has been drawn to the widespread concerns about the increasing costs of premia for motor insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27455/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Finance, I am concerned that there should be a stable insurance sector and that the risks to policyholders and to the wider financial system are limited. An adequately-reserved, cost-competitive insurance sector is a vital component of economic activity and financial stability.
The current high cost of insurance is a concern for the Government. While the provision and pricing of insurance policies is a commercial matter for insurance companies, this does not preclude the Government from introducing measures which may lead to a better claims environment. This is a complex matter to address and it involves a number of Government Departments, State Bodies and private sector organisations.
The Cost of Insurance Working Group, chaired by Minister of State Eoghan Murphy TD, is undertaking a review of the factors which are influencing the increased cost of motor insurance. The Working Group brings together all the relevant Departments and Offices involved with the process. Its objective is to identify immediate and longer term measures which can address increasing costs, while bearing in mind the need to maintain a stable insurance sector.
The core areas to be examined by the Working Group in this first phase are the motor insurance sector generally, at present and in recent years; the effects of legal costs and litigation processes on insurance costs; the current claims compensation arrangements and the cost of claims; insurance data and information; the impact of accident rates; the impact of unlawful activity on the insurance sector; and other market issues.
Because the issue of the cost of insurance is complex and in order to get to the heart of these issues as soon as possible, Minister of State Eoghan Murphy has established four sub-groups to review them in detail. Chairs have been appointed to these sub-groups and work has commenced. The sub-groups are meeting weekly and their outputs are feeding into the meetings of the Working Group.
The Working Group has held four meetings to date and will continue to meet every two to three weeks to the end of 2016. Minister of State Murphy has had meetings with representatives from a number of key stakeholders including: Insurance Ireland, AA Ireland, the Irish Brokers Association, the Injuries Board, IBEC, FBD Insurance, and the Central Bank of Ireland.
The Working Group and the four sub-groups is also meeting with the relevant stakeholders. At its third meeting, the Working Group met with representatives from the Law Society, AA Ireland, the Irish Brokers Association and the Consumers Association of Ireland. Further consultations are being arranged. In addition, submissions received from all interested parties are being considered as part of the process.
By the end of October, the Working Group will provide me with an update report which will set out the priority actions required. From November to December, the Working Group will then develop an action plan to enable the relevant Government Departments and Offices to commence the implementation of these priority actions. In this regard, Minister of State Murphy will be consulting regularly with Government colleagues.
216. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance the cost of abolishing all tax breaks specific to REITs including CGT and rental income, including the projected yield in CGT over the next five years. [27500/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraA Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) is a collective investment vehicle designed to hold properties in a tax neutral manner. The function of the REIT regime is to eliminate the double layer of taxation that is usually associated with holding properties in a corporate or collective vehicle. A REIT is exempt from any tax on its qualifying income and gains from rental property, however, the REIT is obliged to distribute 85% of its profits to shareholders. Individuals are liable to tax at their marginal rates, corporates are liable to tax at 25% and for all foreign investors, the REIT will withhold DWT at the standard tax rate of 20%.
I am advised by Revenue that based on information available, that is not possible to estimate the cost of abolishing all tax exemptions specific to REIT, nor is it possible to estimate the projected yield in Capital Gains Tax in such a measure.
217. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance the projected yield in 2017 of increasing CGT from 33% to 40%. [27501/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by Revenue that a wide range of statistical information is available on the Revenue Statistics webpage at http://www.revenue.ie/en/about/statistics/index.html.
In relation to the Deputy's Question, information on the projected yield from increasing the rate of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) can be found on the webpage under the "Ready-Reckoner" heading (http://www.revenue.ie/en/about/statistics/ready-reckoner.pdf). While the Ready Reckoner does not show the specific rate increase requested by the Deputy, changes can be estimated broadly on a pro-rata or straight-line basis with those displayed in the Reckoner. It should be noted that the potential yields shown in the Reckoner are maximum yields and do not reflect any potential behavioural change by taxpayers.
218. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the rate of interest applied to persons who defer their local property tax; and the cost to the Exchequer in 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively, for every percentage point reduction in this rate. [27525/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraPart 12 of the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012 (as amended) provides for a deferral of Local Property Tax (LPT) where there is an inability to pay and certain specified conditions are met. Once granted a deferral normally remains in place for the particular valuation period (2013-2019).
The annual rate of interest currently applied to deferrals is 4%. The interest is added to the primary LPT liability and the cumulative amount attaches as a charge on the property. The full liability must be paid before the property can be sold or transferred.
Almost 35,000 properties with a cumulative LPT liability of €38m have availed of the deferral option since 1 July 2013. The total interest liability generated to date in respect of these deferrals is €1.6m. It is estimated that this figure will increase to approximately €3m by the end of the valuation period assuming the number of properties availing of the deferral option remains constant.
On this basis a 1% reduction in the interest rate for the entire valuation period would cost the Exchequer €.75m, a 2% reduction would cost €1.5m and a 3% reduction would cost €2.25m. Similar percentage reductions for the years 2017 to 2019 only would cost approximately €.35m, €.7m and 1.05m respectively.
219. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Finance the cost of introducing a minimum wage of €12, €13, €14 or €15 an hour for all employees under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27779/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the Deputy's question, my officials have consulted with Bodies under the Aegis of the Department of Finance, and the information sought is provided in tabular form.
|
Name of body |
Comments |
Cost of introducing minimum wage of €12 an hour |
Cost of introducing minimum wage of €13 an hour |
Cost of introducing minimum wage of €14 an hour |
Cost of introducing minimum wage of €15 an hour |
|
1 Comptroller & Auditor General |
|
€3,168 |
€5,255 |
€7,342 |
€9,429 |
|
2 Central Bank |
These cost figures include Employer PRSI (10.75%) and Employer pensions (15.9%) |
€41,402 |
€124,906 |
€278,528 |
€480,893 |
|
3 Credit Review Office |
Nil |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
4 Credit Union Advisory Committee |
Not applicable payments made by quarterly fee |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
|
5 Credit Union Restructuring Board (ReBo) |
Nil |
nil |
nil |
nil |
nil |
|
6 Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal |
Nil |
nil |
nil |
nil |
nil |
|
7 Financial Services Ombudsman Bureau |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
€2,059 pa |
|
8 Financial Services Ombudsman Council |
Not applicable Council has no staff |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
|
9 Investor Compensation Company Ltd |
|
Circa €1,356 estimated |
Circa €5,412 estimated |
Circa €9,468 estimated |
Circa €13,524 estimated |
|
10 Irish Bank Resolution Corporation |
All remaining employees in IBRC (in Special Liquidation) are salaried employees on a fixed term contract earning in excess of terms laid out in the question
|
nil |
nil |
nil |
nil |
|
11 Irish Financial Services Appeals Tribunal |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
12 Irish Fiscal Advisory Council |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
13 National Asset Management Agency) |
Included in NTMA response below |
|
|
|
|
|
14 National Treasury Management Agency (The Board) |
The NTMA advises that the information they have supplied for this response is inclusive of staff in NAMA and the SBCI (Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland) as they are employed through the NTMA. The NTMA's remuneration model is based on confidential, individually negotiated employment contracts. The NTMA employs all staff on NTMA contracts and then assigns as required to NAMA or the SBCI. There are a very small number of staff who would be affected by changes to their hourly/weekly rate of pay. Disclosing the numbers in the format requested would compromise confidentiality given the small number of staff involved.
|
|
|
|
|
|
15 Tax Appeals Commission |
Answer based on a 40-hour week Current staffing levels and grades and points on scale as at 21 Sept are assumed |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
€1,900 approx in a full year |
|
16 Office of the Revenue Commissioners |
Information based on annualised salary figures provided by PeoplePoint and an average of 43.25 hours per week. The totals also Employer's PRSI |
€4.9m |
€6.9m |
€9.3m |
€12.4m |
|
17 Social Finance Foundation |
Nil response |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
18 Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland |
Included in NTMA response |
|
|
|
|
220. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Finance the cost of introducing a minimum weekly gross wage of €480, €500, €520, €560 or €600 for all full-time employees under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27788/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the Deputy's question, my officials have consulted the Bodies under the Aegis of the Department, and the information requested is provided in tabular form. The question has been answered on the basis that a normal working week is 40 hours.
|
Name of body |
Comment |
Cost of introducing minimum weekly gross wage of €480 for all full-time employees |
Cost of introducing minimum weekly gross wage of €500 for all full-time employees |
Cost of introducing minimum weekly gross wage of €520 for all full-time employees |
Cost of introducing minimum weekly gross wage of €560 for all full-time employees |
Cost of introducing minimum weekly gross wage of €600 for all full-time employees |
|
1 Comptroller & Auditor General |
|
€3,168 |
€4,211 |
€5,255 |
€7,342 |
€9,429 |
|
2 Central Bank |
These cost figures include Employer PRSI (10.75%) and Employer Pension (15.9%) |
€41,042 |
€ 61,376 |
€124,906 |
€278,528 |
€480,893 |
|
3 Credit Review Office |
|
nil |
nil |
nil |
nil |
nil |
|
4 Credit Union Advisory Committee |
Not applicable - Payment by quarterly fee
|
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
|
5 Credit Union Restructuring Board (ReBo) |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
6 Disabled Drivers medical Board of Appeal |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
7 Financial Services Ombudsman Bureau |
|
nil |
nil |
nil |
€537 pa |
€4,399 pa |
|
8 Financial Services Ombudsman Council |
Not applicable Council has no staff |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
|
9 Investor Compensation Company Ltd |
|
Circa €2,604 estimated |
Circa €4,684 estimated |
Circa €6,764 estimated |
Circa €10,924 estimated |
Circa €15,804 estimated |
|
10 Irish Bank Resolution Corporation |
Not applicable to IBRC (in special liquidation) remaining employees are salaried employees on fixed-term contracts earning in excess of terms laid out in the question |
nil |
nil |
nil |
nil |
nil |
|
11 Irish Financial Services Appeals Tribunal |
Nil. No full-time employees |
nil |
nil |
nil |
nil |
nil |
|
12 Irish Fiscal Advisory Council |
Nil |
nil |
nil |
nil |
nil |
nil |
|
13 National Asset Management Agency |
Included in NTMA response (see below) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
14 National Treasury Management Agency |
The NTMA advises that the information they have supplied for this response is inclusive of staff in NAMA and the SBCI as they are employed through the NTMA. The NTMA's remuneration model is based on confidential, individually negotiated employment contracts. The NTMA employs all staff on NTMA contracts and then assigns as required to NAMA (National Asset Management Agency) or the SBCI (Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland). There are a very small number of staff who would be affected by changes in hourly/weekly rate of pay as set out in this PQ. Disclosing the numbers in the format requested would compromise confidentiality given the small number of staff involved. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
15 Tax Appeals Commission |
Based on current staffing levels and grades and points on scale as at 21 September |
nil |
nil |
nil |
nil |
€1,900 approx in a full year |
|
16 Office of the Revenue Commissioners |
Information based on annualised salary figures provided by PeoplePoint and on average of 40 hours per week. The totals also include Employers PRSI |
€1.7m |
€2.3m |
€3.0m |
€4.7m |
€6.7m |
|
17 Social Finance Foundation |
|
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
18 Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland |
Included in NTMA response (See above) |
|
|
|
|
|
221. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration will be give to the case made directly to him, through correspondence dated 13 September 2016, relative to the school transport system and the way it affects a school (details supplied); if he will intervene in this issue and support small rural-based schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26574/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
During the 2015/16 school year in the region of 114,000 children, including some 10,000 children with special educational needs, were transported in approximately 4,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually.
Under the terms of the Primary School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
In general children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis subject to a number of terms and conditions that are detailed in the scheme. The availability of concessionary transport may vary from year to year and is not available on public scheduled services.
The terms of the School Transport Scheme are applied equitably on a national basis
222. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will set up a working group to examine the school bus transport system and the way it operates in rural Ireland in view of the fact that the current system is chaotic and the criteria to qualify for the service poses a threat to small rural schools; if he will request the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General to carry out a value for money audit on the service; if he will intervene immediately to ensure that all those attending schools who rely on the school bus service and have not been allocated a place or have lost their place on the bus are accommodated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26575/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
During the 2015/16 school year in the region of 114,000 children, including some 10,000 children with special educational needs, were transported in approximately 4,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually.
The Programme for Government commits to review the concessionary charges and rules element of the School Transport Scheme prior to Budget 2017.
This Review which has commenced will encompass an overview of the School Transport Scheme including the current position regarding school transport on a concessionary basis, identify issues regarding the concessionary charges and rules element and make recommendations on concessionary school transport.
Pending this review, there was no planned programme of downsizing school buses in the current school year. There were route changes and variations in line with normal operational decisions that occur from year to year, and any impacts in terms of increases or decreases of available places nationally was marginal, in line with what occurs every year.
It is important to point out that there has been no impact on children who are eligible for school transport.
Furthermore, as announced in July, a cross party group was established to feed into this review.
A Value for Money Review of the School Transport Scheme was published in March 2011. Changes to the school transport scheme, which were implemented from the commencement of the 2011/12 school year, derived from recommendations contained in this Value for Money review of the scheme.
223. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Education and Skills if asylum seekers who arrived here as children and have completed their second-level education and leaving certificate will be permitted to attend third-level educational institutions; and to set out the financial supports they may be eligible to apply for. [27000/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraUniversities and institutes of technology, under the Universities Act 1997 and the Institutes of Technology Acts, are autonomous bodies and, as such, have responsibility for their own academic affairs, including issues relating to the admission of students. Therefore it is a matter for the institutes themselves to set admissions requirements for individual programmes of education and training and to ensure that students meet those requirements before commencing their studies.
The following financial supports are available for eligible third level students.
1. SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland)
Under the terms of the statutory based student grant scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.
2. Pilot Support Scheme
My Department's Pilot Support Scheme is targeted at students in the Protection System or at the Leave to Remain (but not deportation order) stage. Students who do not qualify for support under the statutory based scheme may be eligible to apply for this pilot scheme.
To qualify for this scheme prospective students have to meet a number of criteria, including a requirement to have 5 years in the Protection system at the 31st of August 2016; 5 years in the Irish school system as at the 31st of August 2016; and have obtained a Leaving Certificate.
The closing date for receipt of applications for the 2016/17 academic year is 4th November 2016.
Application forms can be accessed at www.education.ie/en/Learners/Services/Pilot-Support-Scheme/
3. Tax Relief on Tuition Fees
Further information on this tax relief is available from the Revenue Commissioners on www.revenue.ie.
4. The Student Assistance Fund
Students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Information on the fund is available through the Access Officer in the third level institution attended. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.
5. Free Fees Initiative
In order to qualify for tuition fee funding, students must be first-time undergraduates, hold inter alia EU/EEA/Swiss nationality in their own right, and have been ordinarily resident in the EU/EEA/Swiss state for at least three of the five years preceding their entry to an approved third level course. Where students do not qualify for free fees funding they must pay the appropriate fee - either EU or Non-EU, as determined by each higher education institution.
224. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of Irish Sign Language interpreters and Irish Sign Language tutors and teachers who currently operate here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27036/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra278. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of requests that have been made in each county for an Irish Sign Language interpreter for both primary and secondary schools in 2016; the number of these requests which were met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27079/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra279. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of hours of Irish Sign Language interpretation currently awarded to students in each county and the way this is determined. [27080/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra282. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Education and Skills the additional supports that exist within mainstream primary and post-primary settings for students who have a diagnosis of deaf or hearing-impaired; if he is satisfied that current supports are sufficient to meet the needs of these students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27083/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 224, 278, 279 and 282 together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department provides for an extensive range of supports to assist pupils who are deaf or hard of hearing.
The policy of my Department is that children with special educational needs, including deaf and hard of hearing pupils, should be included in mainstream placements with additional supports provided. All schools and all school places are therefore available for children with special educational needs. In circumstances where children with special educational needs require more specialised interventions, special school or special class places are also provided.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports, including the allocation of resources to schools for children who are deaf and hard of hearing. The NCSE operates within my Department's established criteria for the allocation of Special Education supports and the staffing resources available to my Department.
Depending on the needs of the child, deaf and hard of hearing pupils may receive additional teaching support in mainstream schools, either from a school's general allocation of Learning Support Teaching, or from an allocation of additional Resource Teacher hours to the schools from the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
My Department currently provides staffing and funding for two Special Schools for the Deaf - the Holy Family School for the Deaf (an amalgamation of St. Mary’s and St. Joseph’s Schools for the Deaf) and the Mid West School for the Deaf.
My Department also provides funding for 16 special classes for pupils with hearing impairment (11 special classes are attached to mainstream primary schools and 5 classes at post-primary level).
An enhanced capitation grant is provided to the special schools and special classes for hearing impaired pupils.
Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support is also provided for pupils in those special schools and special classes, as required. Pupils who have care needs may receive access to Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support in schools. Many deaf and hard of hearing children have access to such SNA support.
For preschool children and school-going pupils, funding is provided for a weekly tuition service to promote, develop and implement ISL, in order that it will achieve greater recognition and use in the education system, whereby tutors visit the homes of deaf and hard of hearing to provide training in Irish Sign Language (ISL) for these children, their siblings and parents. An application form is available on my Department’s website at www.education.ie. Grants under this scheme are made to parents to fund ISL tuition and 80 ISL tutors were nominated to deliver tuition through the ISL tuition scheme during the 2015/2016 school year.
Grant-aid is provided to schools towards the provision of special equipment such as soundfield systems and radio aids in accordance with my Department's Circular 0010/2013.
Funding is also made available through the Special Education Support Service (SESS) to enable individual teachers and whole school staff to undertake courses in Irish Sign Language which are available throughout the country, through a variety of providers.
In addition, the Visiting Teacher Service for Children and Young People with a Hearing Impairment is provided by my Department from the time of referral through to third level education. The Visiting Teacher service provides advice and support to ensure that the needs of children and young people with hearing impairment are met. This service is available at pre-school, primary and post-primary levels.
My Department, through the Higher Education Authority (HEA), has established and funds a Centre for Deaf Studies in Trinity College, Dublin which provides diploma courses for ISL/English interpreters, deaf tutors and in deaf studies. The course modules deal with issues such as sign linguistics, bi-lingualism and socio-linguistics of sign language. The course is delivered in seminar sessions/group work and the award of the diploma is based on continued assessment and a project and course design. Details can be accessed at: https://www.tcd.ie/courses/undergraduate/az/course.php?id=DUBLS-DEAS-1F09.
The NCSE has also published a parental information leaflet for parents of children who are Deaf of Hard of Hearing, which provides details of the supports which are available.
The Deputy may be aware that assessment, rehabilitation and information services for children with hearing impairment and their families are also funded by the Health Service Executive (HSE), either directly or indirectly. Services provided include communication therapy and lip reading classes as well as sign language classes. Other Departments, parents, or external organisations, may also independently source or contract services from ISL tutors.
In relation to the provision of ISL interpreters in schools, I wish to advise that my Department’s Circulars 0071/2011 and 0030/2014 specifically restated the role of the SNA to ensure that it includes the necessary duties that are required to support the care needs of deaf and hard of hearing students, including in relation to the provision of ISL support and assistance.
The mechanism for the provision of communication support for children who are deaf or hard of hearing in schools is therefore provided through the SNA scheme.
Circular 0030/14, states that when SNA support is allocated to schools to cater for the needs of deaf or hard of hearing students, the schools should ensure that SNAs who work with deaf and hard of hearing children are equipped with the skills necessary to support the particular needs of these pupils, including capacity to use Sign Language where required.
It also states that where existing SNA staff are required to be trained to provide Sign Language or specialist training to assist in the provision of support for children with a specific sensory impairment, schools should ensure that the most senior SNA staff in the school are the staff that are trained in order to avoid a situation where staff trained in specialist skills may leave the school due to a reduction in the overall level of SNA support allocated to a school in future years.
I can advise, however, that my Department has received correspondence from three primary schools who have sought additional funding for Irish Sign Language communication, or interpretation, support for children who are deaf or hearing impaired, outside of the SNA scheme, on the grounds that resources under the terms of SNA Circular, 0030/2014, could not be accessed to provide SNA support with competence in ISL, as there was already surplus SNA support, but no existing ISL support available in the schools.
As an exceptional measure, a time-bound communication grant was recommended for two schools to provide ISL support, which will allow the schools to provide for the pupils' current learning needs, as well as allowing the schools time and in-school expertise to develop its capacity to provide for the pupil’s ongoing needs in school. These grants were made for the provision of one additional staffing post at each of the schools concerned, while the actual number of hours to be worked and the employment contract is a matter between the schools and the employees.
In relation to the third application for support, the NCSE has allocated additional SNA support to the third school to support the care needs of the children involved.
I am satisfied that the totality of the resources being provided within the education system can ensure that all pupils who are deaf or hard of hearing can partake in education and be supported in our school system.
225. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the National Council for Special Education will be undertaking a review of the model for allocating special needs assistants as recommended by the focused policy assessment by the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service; and the terms of reference of this review. [26437/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government publically announced its decision of 14th June 2016 to increase the number of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) posts available for allocation in schools by 860 posts. In keeping with the recommendation of the Focused Policy Assessment of the SNA scheme the Government also agreed and announced that the SNA scheme would be comprehensively assessed by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
In line with the provisions of Section 20 (j) of the Education of Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004, I have requested the NCSE to lead a comprehensive assessment of the SNA scheme, in consultation with other relevant Departments and State Agencies, including the National Disability Authority (NDA). My officials have also asked the NCSE to ensure that bodies representing the interests of SNAs are also fully consulted in this process.
The NCSE has already commenced work in preparation for the review and it is expected that with the necessary research and comprehensive consultation it is envisaged that the review would be substantially finalised by the summer of 2017.
The Terms of Reference of the comprehensive review is set out as follows for the Deputy’s information.
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE SPECIAL NEEDS ASSISTANT (SNA) SCHEME
TERMS OF REFERENCE
August 2016
The Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton, T.D., requests the NCSE to lead a comprehensive review of the SNA scheme, in consultation with other relevant Departments and State Agencies, including the National Disability Authority (NDA) and in that context to:
1. Identify and recommend how, in the future, the additional care needs of students, over and above those needs that could be reasonably expected to be managed by teaching staff, should be met and
2. Identify and recommend the most appropriate form of support options to provide better outcomes for students with Special Educational Needs who have additional care needs, having regard to the significant amount of State investment in this area.
The Minister also requests the NCSE, as part of the review, to:
1. Examine whether the SNA scheme continues to meet its purpose as set out in Circular 0030/2014.
2. Consider whether the scheme is being used to meet needs, other than care needs, and if so, what are those needs, taking into account the primary and secondary care needs outlined in Circular 0030/2014.
3. provide advice on appropriate SNA qualifications and training levels
4. Evaluate the role of professional reports in providing a robust basis for the allocation of additional care supports under the scheme
5. Conduct a detailed analysis of the current allocation and distribution of SNAs focussing on what support is being given, to whom and why?
6. Define and examine outcomes of students under current arrangements, taking into account the findings of the Altered Provision Pilot Project
7. In preparing its report, to have regard to the commitments set out in the programme for a Partnership Government in relation to the introduction of an in-school speech and language service.
8. In preparing its Report to take account of the findings and recommendations of the Report on the Role of the special Needs Assistant which was published by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection in January 2016.
