Written Answers Nos. 139-162
139. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Finance if land leased under conacre arrangements disposed of on or after 1 January 2017, or which is leased for a minimum of five years to a maximum of 25 years, ending with the disposal, will not affect entitlement to capital gains tax relief as long as the land was farmed for ten years by the person making the disposal. [28332/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by Revenue that land which is let can qualify for capital gains tax (CGT) retirement relief in certain circumstances where that land is disposed of on or after 1 January 2017.
An individual aged 55 or over may qualify for relief in respect of land which has been let at any time in the period of 25 years prior to the disposal. In general, land which is let under conacre will not qualify for relief. There are, however, two exceptions to this general rule. The first exception relates to land which is let under conacre and the disposal is to a child of the individual. The second exception is where, during the relevant 25-year period, land which has been let under conacre is taken out of the conacre system and the owner of the land has entered into a lease for a minimum period of 5 years on or before 31 December 2016 and the disposal is to a person other than a child of the individual.
As regards non-conacre lettings, in general terms, relief will apply in circumstances where the land has been let under a lease or leases for a minimum period of at least 5 years in the relevant 25-year period.
An overriding condition of the relief where land is let is that the land must have been owned and used for the purposes of farming carried on by the individual disposing of the land for a period of at least 10 years immediately before the first letting of the land commenced.
Where the individual disposing of the land is aged between 55 and 65 and the disposal is to a person other than his or her child, full relief from CGT applies where the market value of the land does not exceed €750,000. In the case of individuals aged 66 or over, the threshold is reduced to €500,000. Marginal relief may apply where the market value of the land does not greatly exceed either €500,000 or €750,000, as the case may be.
Where the individual is aged between 55 and 65 and the disposal is to a child of that individual, full relief from CGT applies. Where the individual is aged 66 or over, relief is capped at €3m where the market value of the land disposed of exceeds that amount.
140. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance if the Revenue Commissioners' policy on interest penalties for the self-employed can be reviewed in view of the burden it is putting on small businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28338/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 1080 of the 1997 Taxes Consolidation Act provides for the charging of interest on the late payment of Income Tax. The current rate applied to such late payments is 8% per annum (0.0219% per day). This rate also applies to Corporation Tax, Capital Gains Tax, Capital Acquisition Tax, Local Property Tax and Stamp Duty. The interest rate applied to all other taxes, for example PAYE/PRSI and VAT is 10% per annum (0.0274% per day).
These statutory charges, which Revenue is obliged to apply, are designed to compensate the Exchequer for the late payment of monies due and to maintain a level playing field for the vast majority of taxpayers and businesses that meet their tax obligations in full and on time. The application of interest charges to the late payment of tax is well established as a core strategy for ensuring timely compliance by all sectors, including the self-employed, and I have no plans to review it at this time. The onus is on all taxpayers and businesses, assisted by their agents or tax practitioners, to organise their financial affairs to ensure that tax debts are paid as they fall due thereby avoiding interest charges.
While Revenue is obliged to collect all tax and interest liabilities as they fall due, it recognises that despite the best efforts of normally compliant taxpayers, including the self-employed and small businesses, difficulties can arise that result in failure to meet tax payment obligations. In such scenarios Revenue's overall approach is to work with the taxpayers to overcome these difficulties, including in appropriate cases agreeing to phased payment arrangements. This strategy has worked well over many years and Revenue's ongoing commitment in this regard is clearly evidenced by the almost 8,500 phased arrangements covering €96m of debt that it currently has in place with taxpayers experiencing cash flow difficulties.
142. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the cost to the State of the historical farm rescue package scheme of 1982 to 1985, which included a waiver of corporation tax normally payable by banks involved in the scheme; the amount of tax forgone broken down by financial institution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28485/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is assumed that the Deputy is referring to the Reduced Interest Scheme for Farmers in Severe Financial Difficulty.
I am advised by Revenue that information on the scheme is no longer readily available. Additionally, in accordance with statutory obligations to protect taxpayer confidentiality, the Revenue Commissioners would not be able to provide a breakdown of the tax forgone by each financial institution even if the information were to be retrieved.
The Deputy may be interested to know, however, that based on available records approximately 6,200 farmers were engaged in the scheme with a total estimated cost of £20 million to the Exchequer. This cost includes both direct cash payments as well as the reduced Corporation Tax receipts from the introduction of the scheme.
143. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance if assistance can be provided to the heritage centre in Knightstown, Valentia, County Kerry, with regard to an issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28500/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis question is more a matter for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. However, it would appear from the question that the previous company operating the Heritage Centre in Knightstown, Valentia, Co. Kerry was struck off the Companies Register by the Companies Registration Authority for failure to file accounts. If this company was dissolved more than 12 months ago, then it would appear that in order to access the accounts of that company it would be necessary to apply to the High Court within 20 years of the dissolution of the company to seek to have the company restored to the Companies Register. Such application is to be on notice to the Registrar of Companies, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and the Revenue Commissioners.
144. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Finance the reason for an increase in tax from February 2016 for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28513/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by Revenue that they will make direct contact with the person concerned with a view to confirming the accuracy of the income details they have for him and making sure that he is paying the correct tax based on that income.
145. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider increasing the limit on the amount of shares a member can hold in their credit union account from €100,000 to €200,000; if his attention has been drawn to the negative effect this restriction is having on credit unions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28526/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy role as Minister for Finance is to ensure that the legal framework for credit unions is appropriate for the effective operation and supervision of credit unions.
The Registrar of Credit Unions at the Central Bank is the independent regulator for credit unions. Within her independent regulatory discretion, the Registrar acts to support the prudential soundness of individual credit unions, to maintain sector stability and to protect the savings of credit union members.
The Credit Union Act 1997 (Regulatory Requirements) Regulations 2016 (2016 Regulations) were introduced by the Central Bank and came into effect on 1 January 2016, following commencement of the remaining sections of the Credit Union and Co-operation with Overseas Regulators Act 2012 which provided regulation making powers to the Central Bank. The 2016 Regulations set out an individual member savings limit of €100,000. These Regulations provided that credit unions could apply to the Central Bank to retain individual members' savings in excess of €100,000, which were held at commencement of the 2016 Regulations and also that credit unions with total assets in excess of €100m could apply to the Central Bank for approval to increase individual member savings in excess of €100,000.
The Central Bank has informed me that under the current credit union business model, the need for credit unions to take in large savings from individual members has not been demonstrated to date. The average amount of savings held by individual members is circa €3,900. As at 31 Dec 2015, circa 195 credit unions held individual members' savings in excess of €100,000. The total savings held in excess of €100,000 was circa €165m. The total amount of savings in excess of €100,000 in the credit union sector was circa 1.2% of total member savings and less than 0.13% of all credit union members had savings in excess of €100,000.
The Central Bank has further informed me that as indicated in the Feedback Statement on CP88 it is committed to commencing a review of the continued appropriateness of the savings limit within three years, when the impact of the credit union sector restructuring currently underway can be assessed.
In addition and in line with this Government's commitment set out in the Programme for a Partnership Government, I will be writing to the Central Bank towards the end of this year asking the Central Bank to instigate a review of the continued appropriateness of the savings limit.
146. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider making an amendment to the Credit Union and Co-operation with Overseas Regulators Act 2012 to allow for the reintroduction of the role of treasurer onto the board of credit unions, with no honorarium payment allowed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28527/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Report of the Commission on Credit Unions, published in 2012, made a number of recommendations including in relation to governance requirements for credit unions. Recommendations made were agreed by all stakeholders. These governance requirements set out the role and responsibilities of two key positions within the credit union - those of chair of the board and the manager of the credit union. Section 64 of the Credit Union Act 1997 identifies the treasurer as the 'managing director' of the credit union and his/her responsibilities included executive responsibilities such as submitting financial statements to the board. In order to ensure that the role and responsibilities of board and management do not overlap and that board members have governance rather than executive responsibilities, the Commission recommended that the 1997 Act be amended to remove the role of treasurer and assign executive responsibilities to the management of the credit union. This recommendation was reflected in section 21 of the Credit Union and Co-operation with Overseas Regulators Act 2012. Having regard to the foregoing, I have no plans at this time to introduce such an amendment for credit unions.
More generally, in terms of board composition and competence and capability, under the Credit Union Act, 1997 the board of directors of a credit union must be of sufficient number and expertise to adequately oversee the operations of the credit union while the nomination committee must review the composition of the board for the purpose of identifying any deficiencies. In addition, under the Fitness and Probity Regime for credit unions, a credit union must not permit a person to perform a Controlled Function (which includes all members of the board) unless it is satisfied on reasonable grounds that the person is, amongst other things, competent and capable to perform their role.
147. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider relaxing the criteria for decision-making with regard to the granting of credit union loans; if his attention has been drawn to the negative effect that the current lending limits have on the persons that need loans the most; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28528/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy role as Minister for Finance is to ensure that the legal framework for credit unions is appropriate for the effective operation and supervision of credit unions.
The Registrar of Credit Unions at the Central Bank is the independent regulator for credit unions. Within her independent regulatory discretion, the Registrar acts to support the prudential soundness of individual credit unions, to maintain sector stability and to protect the savings of credit union members.
While it is important to distinguish this division of roles, it is equally important to recognise that both the Registrar of Credit Unions and myself as Minister for Finance work together for the safety of members' savings and the security of the credit union sector.
Section 35 of the Credit Union Act, 1997 states that the ability of the loan applicant to repay shall be the primary consideration in the underwriting process of the credit union. Section 35 also states that a credit union shall manage and control lending to ensure the making of loans does not involve undue risk to members' savings taking into account the nature, scale, complexity and risk profile of the credit union. The Central Bank has indicated that all applications for credit should be appropriately assessed to ensure that the applicant's financial position, including commitments to other financial institutions is fully disclosed. Advancing credit to individuals who do not have the capacity to repay does not assist those individuals but can potentially exacerbate their difficulties.
In November 2015 the Personal Microcredit Scheme was launched as a pilot scheme in 30 credit unions on a voluntary basis and is now being made available to all credit unions. The initiative was first developed by bodies with an interest in social finance and these later joined an implementation group which included the Central Bank, the Department of Finance, the Department of Social Protection and credit union representative bodies. The main purpose of the Personal Microcredit Scheme is to provide small loan amounts, of between €500 and €2,000, to financially excluded people whose only other financial recourse would be to moneylenders.
Separately, on 29 June 2016 the Credit Union Advisory Committee (CUAC) presented me with a Review of Implementation of the Recommendations in the Commission on Credit Unions Report. This Review makes many recommendations, one of which is a full review of lending and concentration limits, including the basis of the calculation of those limits together with the associated liquidity requirements. I have stated previously that I intend to implement all recommendations in CUAC's Report and to that purpose the main credit union representative bodies has each been invited to nominate an individual to participate in an Implementation Group to be established for one year, which will oversee, monitor and report regularly to me on the implementation of those recommendations.
In February 2015 the Central Bank commenced a lending restriction review initiative, whereby credit unions subject to a lending restriction that are satisfied they have made the necessary improvements and have embedded these improvements in robust risk sensitive lending practices, could apply for a review of their lending restriction. The closing date for receipt of applications to review lending restrictions under this initiative was 30 September 2015. I have been informed by the Central Bank that as of July 2016, 26% of credit unions operate under lending restrictions, compared with 52% of credit unions at the start of the review process. While 13 credit unions have a monthly maximum lending restriction imposed, almost all credit unions with a lending restriction in place have a maximum individual loan size restriction. In the majority of cases, the maximum individual loan size is in excess of €10,000. The average new credit union loan in 2015 was €3,400.
148. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Finance his plans to maintain the 9% VAT rate for tourism accommodation in line with Ireland's tourism competitors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28529/16]
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 tourism sector is a key sector in the Irish Economy and the introduction of the 9% VAT rate was aimed at reducing costs during a very challenging time for the sector. The objective was to boost tourism and create additional jobs. While the VAT rate was due to revert to 13.5% in 2014, I retained the 9% rate on tourism activity in Budget 2014 because the initiative had proved to be a major success. Between the second quarter of 2011 and first quarter of 2016, on a seasonally adjusted basis, the number of people working in the Accommodation & Food Services Sector nationally increased by 31,000, taking total employment from 114,900 to 145,900. This increase of 27% compares to an increase of 7.2% in overall employment over the same period indicating that the measure may have been successful in terms of job creation and has made a significant impact on the competitiveness of the tourism product.
The Government, in the Programme for Partnership Government, has committed to increasing revenue from overseas visitors, growing employment in the tourism sector and increasing the number of visits to Ireland, through the retention of the 9% VAT rate on tourism related services, among other measures, 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.
149. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Finance his views on an issue in regard to vehicle registration tax (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28590/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 135(1)(aa) of the Finance Act 1992 (as amended) provides that a vehicle which is provided to an employee who is resident in the State as part of that employee's contract of employment by an employer who is established in another Member State and that vehicle is owned or leased by the said employer and that vehicle is used principally for business use in another Member State, temporary exemption from registration is possible subject to an application being made to Revenue.
If the conditions of the above section are not met, applications will be refused and registration of the vehicle and payment of VRT is required.
150. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance his plans in relation to the possible introduction of income tax averaging for farmers in recognition of the drastic fluctuations in farm income in recent years and the need for greater flexibility in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28606/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, income averaging is already available to farmers in recognition of the potential for volatility of their income. The normal basis of arriving at the taxable profit figure for a business is the net profit per accounts adjusted for certain tax rules. Income averaging is an alternative method of arriving at the taxable profit figure for farmers using an average of 5 years. The objective is to help to counteract the high volatility in income that is associated with the sector.
The Agri-Tax review recommended retaining and enhancing the income averaging scheme, by extending the period of averaging from 3 to 5 years, in order to give more scope for income smoothing within a commodity price cycle. I introduced that change in Finance Act 2014.
I am considering proposals around income volatility put forward from a number of organisations, including the Irish Farmers Association and the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association as part of my deliberations for the Budget, and I have met these organisations to discuss their proposals. The introduction of any agri-taxation measures in this regard will be a matter for consideration by the Government, and any decisions made will be announced in the context of the Budget and Finance Bill.
151. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Finance his plans to reflect and deliver on a public duty (details supplied) in his Department's statement of strategy due to be published in October 2016; the way in which his Department is engaging with the programme for a partnership Government commitment to equality and gender proofing in the departmental and budgetary process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28648/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that our new Strategy Statement, which is currently being drafted, is consistent with the new collaborative approach outlined in the Programme for a Partnership Government. To this end, all Government Departments as well as the Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform and the Programme for Government Office at the Department of the Taoiseach are being consulted and their views will be taken into consideration in preparation of the Strategy Statement, its strategic goals and underlying action plans for the coming years. In developing our new Strategy Statement my Department is cognisant of the commitment of Government to equality evidenced by the many Programme for Government commitments that reflect this equality agenda and our new strategy will reference our Public Sector Duty.
The Department of Finance is committed to develop the process of budget and policy proofing as a means of advancing equality, reducing poverty and strengthening economic and social rights. Each year, the Department of Finance, independently and in conjunction with other Departments, conducts a number of analyses to examine the distributional impact of possible Budget options and of the final Budget package. These provide an evidence base on equality issues which can be integrated alongside other budgetary considerations. As a means of assessing this the Department carries out distributional analyses of budgetary options using the Economic and Social Research Institute's (ESRI) Simulating Welfare and Income Tax Changes (SWITCH) model.
Furthermore, as part of the reformed Budget Process in 2016, papers were brought to the Tax Strategy Group (TSG) much earlier than was the case in previous years. Included in the 2016 TSG Income Tax & USC paper are details of the distribution of the burden of these taxes, international comparisons, and analysis of potential impacts on different groups of a range of possible reforms. The TSG papers were circulated to the Oireachtas Committees in July, well in advance of the Budget and facilitating the Committees in considering distributional issues. They were subsequently published on the Department of Finance website. Overall, the analysis and transparency of the decision making process, as well as awareness and assessment of the impact of these decisions on different members of the population, has undergone constant improvement over recent years and continues to do so.
152. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Finance the number of retired public sector employees in his Department, including bodies under its aegis, that are in receipt of a public sector pension and have been re-employed either part-time or full-time, temporary or otherwise by the public sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28979/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that there are currently no public sector employees in my Department in receipt of a public sector pension who have been re-employed either part time or full time, temporary or otherwise by the public sector.
However, from time to time my Department and the Public Appointments Service (PAS) engage former employees to sit on Interview Boards for Internal / External Competitions.
I am awaiting information regarding Bodies under the aegis of my Department and will communicate with the Deputy directly on this.
153. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Finance the number of staff employed by his Department or seconded to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28992/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that as at 30th September, 2016 there were 326 staff employed in my Department. There are 7 staff seconded into my Department from: the Central Bank of Ireland, the Central Statistics Office, the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform, the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, the Revenue Commissioners and the Office of the Attorney General. There are also 11 staff seconded from the National Treasury Management Agency to the Shareholding Management Unit of my Department.
154. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a place on a school bus has not been provided for a person (details supplied). [28122/16]
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 my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Bus Éireann has advised that the child in question is eligible for school transport but the family was late in submitting their payment details, at which stage all seats on the buses had been allocated for the 2016/17 school year.
155. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for capital funding for two new classrooms by a school (details supplied). [28169/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has approved capital funding to the school in question to construct two resource rooms and a letter of confirmation issued to the school last July. My Department considers that the school has sufficient classrooms for its needs and grant aid was not therefore provided for this purpose.
156. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools located in the Dublin mid-west constituency that have applied for capital funding; the number that have been allocated capital funding and have had applications refused; and the number of applications that are pending for 2016, 2017 and 2018. [28170/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that the Six Year Construction Plan for the period 2016 to 2021, announced in November 2015, outlines the building projects and major extensions that will progress over the lifetime of the Plan. The Plan prioritises projects that in addition to meeting increases in enrolments, have a major deficit of mainstream accommodation capacity for current enrolments, require major refurbishment and replacement of poor accommodation.
My Department does not hold the data to which the Deputy refers on an electoral or constituency area basis. Details of schools who have been approved capital funding are published on my Department's website and this is updated regularly.
Applications from schools for capital funding for future years must be considered in the context of the very significant challenge facing my Department in meeting demand for extra school places to ensure that every child will have access to a physical school place. All applications for capital funding must be considered in the context of the available funding, which must of necessity, be prioritised for this purpose and where an additional teacher is being appointed.
157. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the criteria used by his Department for deciding on applications for capital funding by junior, senior and post primary schools. [28171/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe delivery of school projects so that all schools in an area can between them cater for all students seeking a school place is the main focus of my Department’s capital budget. To this end, my Department uses a Geographical Information System to identify the areas under increased demographic pressure nationwide. The system uses a range of data sources in carrying out nationwide demographic exercises to determine where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level. The outcome of the latest demographic exercises was that in November 2015, 13 new schools were announced to open nationwide in 2017 and 2018.
The November 2015 announcement also detailed the new building projects and major extensions, including special schools, that will be progressed in areas where significant demographic need has been established. In addition, the 6 Year Programme (2016-21) prioritises projects that in addition to meeting increases in enrolments, have a major deficit of mainstream accommodation capacity for current enrolments, require major refurbishment and replacement of poor accommodation. School projects that were announced under my Department's 5 Year Plan (2012-16) will also be advanced in the Capital Programme.
While all projects included in the Programme are based on the educational and demographic needs of the particular school and area, the decision of when exactly each individual school building project can proceed to tender and construction is based on a number of factors including the stage reached by the project in architectural planning, the level of overall funding available and the other contractual commitments and profiled expenditures extant under the Programme at that time.
The Capital Programme also provides for devolved funding for smaller scale projects for schools, where an immediate accommodation requirement has been identified, such as the appointment of an additional teacher. In that regard, it is open to schools to apply for funding for additional classroom accommodation, where required.
158. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress to date to meet 74% of industry demands domestically for information and communications technology professionals by 2018 as set out in the 2014 ICT skills action plan; the annual numbers for this target in total and the percentage rate, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28241/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn March 2014, my Department and the Department of Jobs Enterprise and Innovation, launched an ICT Skills Action Plan 2014 - 2018. The Plan was developed in close collaboration with industry. The plan sets out a collaborative, system-wide response, across Departments, agencies and the education and enterprise sectors aimed at building the domestic supply of graduates from the education system and ensuring Ireland maintains a strong ICT talent pool and promotes Ireland internationally as a centre for high-level ICT skills. Implementation of the Plan is under way, with oversight of a high level steering group comprising DES, DJEI and representatives from industry and the education sector.
A number of significant developments have taken place since the ICT Action Plan was published in 2014. In 2015, my Department published the Digital Strategy for Schools and commenced work on the development of the Regional Skills Fora. The Department has also commenced funding for the Associate Profession ICT and new Apprenticeship models are now being developed. The National Skills Strategy 2025 was published in January 2016, which includes a range of relevant actions.
In this context, the Action Plan for Education includes an action related to the review of the existing ICT Action Plan and publication of a new Plan. This review has already commenced and it is expected to be completed by Q4 2016.
Updated data on progress in increasing the supply of ICT graduates levels 8 to 10 and updated projections for the period to 2018 are set out in the following table. The updated figures show that the actual number of graduates on mainstream programmes at levels 8 to 10 was higher than previously projected for 2014. The First Destinations Report for the 2014 graduate cohort also shows that a higher proportion of graduates entered the labour market as opposed to pursuing further studies compared with the 2013 cohort.
These new projections include data for graduate output from publicly funded programmes (publicly funded HEI mainstream programmes at levels 8 to 10 and all Springboard+ programmes) and output from private colleges.
ICT Action Plan target update 3.10.16
|
Source |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
|
L 8/9/10 mainstream net graduate supply |
2,699 |
2,669 |
2,984 |
3,035 |
3,435 |
|
L8 ICT Conversion Graduate Supply (1-year full-time) |
523 |
633 |
852 |
888 |
888 |
|
L8 ICT Conversion Graduate Supply (2-year part-time) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
499 |
|
Total L8/9 Springboard part-time graduate supply |
574 |
674 |
436 |
203 |
203 |
|
Private Colleges (excluding Springboard) L8/9/10 graduate output |
225 |
225 |
225 |
225 |
225 |
|
Total Irish-based Level 8+ graduate supply |
4,021 |
4,201 |
4,497 |
4,351 |
5,250 |
|
Projected Level 8+ Job Openings |
5,849 |
6,512 |
6,891 |
7,114 |
7,284 |
|
74% Target |
4,328 |
4,819 |
5,099 |
5,264 |
5,390 |
|
Total NFQ Level 8 - 10 graduates supply as % of job openings |
70% |
66% |
66% |
62% |
73% |
159. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the action points and deliverables which are laid out in Enterprise 2025; Innovative, Agile, Connected to increase the number of females enrolled in apprenticeships in view of the very imbalanced ratio of female to male apprentices at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28242/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra175. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the specific action points and deliverables which are laid out in the national skills strategy 2025 to increase the number of females enrolled in apprenticeships in view of the very imbalanced ratio of female to male apprentices at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28243/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra176. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the specific actions committed to under the programme for Government to increase the number of females in rolling out new apprenticeship categories; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28244/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 159, 175 and 176 together.
As the Deputy is aware, in order to be registered as an apprentice by SOLAS, a person must be employed by an approved employer in one of the 27 existing trades. Recruitment to apprenticeship is therefore driven by employers rather than by SOLAS or education and training providers.
The 2014 Review of Apprenticeship in Ireland acknowledged that the number of women employed in craft apprenticeships is low as they operate in sectors that have traditionally low levels of female employment.
SOLAS offers a bursary to employers to encourage women to take up apprenticeships in these areas. Despite this the number of female apprentices remains low.
Currently the Apprenticeship Council is overseeing the expansion of the apprenticeship system into a range of new areas, following a call for proposals from employers and education and training providers. 25 proposals have been prioritised by the council for development. The first of these new apprenticeships, the Insurance Practitioner Apprenticeship, was launched last month with further new apprenticeships to be launched later this year and early next year.
Many of these new apprenticeships are in sectors where there is a different gender balance in the workplace. I am confident that this will lead to a strong increase in female participation when these new apprenticeships are launched in the coming months.
Accompanying the renewal and expansion of apprenticeship in Ireland will be a new branding and marketing campaign. SOLAS will examine how this campaign can assist with promoting apprenticeship to women and their potential employers.
160. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of home tuition for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28090/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Purpose of the Home Tuition Scheme is to provide a compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of reasons such as chronic illness, are unable to attend school. The scheme also provides a compensatory educational service for children with special educational needs seeking an educational placement. Provision is also made for early educational intervention for children with autism.
It is a requirement of the scheme that, in order to be eligible for Home Tuition support, there is evidence that placement in a school has been sought. Home tuition cannot be provided as an optional alternative to an available placement within the school system.
Eligibility for children seeking an educational placement is determined in consultation with the local Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO).
My Department has been informed by the NCSE that they have identified a school placement for the child referred to by the Deputy. Accordingly, home tuition cannot be granted in this case.
The parents of the child should continue to liaise with their local SENO in planning the transition of their child to school.
161. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to ensure that all newly qualified teachers since 2011 get equal pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28124/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe recent agreement reached with TUI and INTO on the issue of new entrant pay will result in increases of up to €2,000 per year for new teachers at the start of their careers. The estimated value of these increases over a teacher’s career is €135,000. This new arrangement will apply to members of the teachers’ unions that have signed up to the Lansdowne Road Agreement, i.e. TUI and INTO.
This agreement will result in increases of up to €2,000 per year for new teachers at the start of their careers. It is estimated that over a teacher’s career the value of these increases will be €135,000. This improvement for new teachers follows on from the recent increase of €796 per year for every teacher covered by the Lansdowne Road Agreement in respect of substitution and supervision payments. A further €796 in respect of substitution and supervision is to be added to the pay scales for teachers covered by the Lansdowne Road Agreement in September 2017.
The announcement of the improved pay scale is great news for new teachers and shows what is possible through dialogue and negotiation within the Lansdowne Road Agreement. The Government is wholly committed to the implementation of the Lansdowne Road Agreement as the most appropriate way for progress to be made on pay restoration and reform of our public services into the future. This agreement shows how the LRA can resolve issues of concern for public servants.
The implementation of the revised salary arrangement will be implemented in two phases on 1 January 2017 and 1 January 2018. The effect of this will be to assimilate all post-1 January 2011 and post-1 February 2012 new entrants to teaching onto a single new salary scale which will incorporate the honours primary degree allowance. This new arrangement will apply to members of the teachers’ unions which have signed up to the Lansdowne Road Agreement (INTO and TUI).
In addition to the agreed improvement in pay for new teachers, the teachers covered by the Lansdowne Road Agreement already benefit from the following terms:
- Avoiding a 2 year increment freeze;
- Addition of the S&S allowance of €1,592 into the teacher pay scale;
- The Ward Report measures and a revised sequence for filling posts which enable fixed-term and part-time teachers to gain permanent, full-time jobs more easily and quickly than before;
- Continued alleviation of the FEMPI Act pay reductions;
- An increase in the quantum of the Croke Park hours that can be worked on other than a whole-school basis;
- A review of the usage of the Croke Park hours; and
- Protection against compulsory redundancy.
162. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there is currently a leaving certificate chemistry textbook as Gaeilge available for those persons studying leaving certificate chemistry through the Irish language; if not, his plans to make such a textbook available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28136/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Education and Skills does not generally approve, commission, sponsor or endorse educational text-books. Books are commissioned and published by educational publishers, and schools select their books from those available from a number of publishers.
Where there is very little or no demand for a book in Irish on a particular subject the publishers will not enter the market. However all Gaeltacht schools have the opportunity to avail of the wide range of books and other resources through Irish for most subject areas that have been made available by an Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta. A list of such resources is available at www.cogg.ie. There is no Leaving Certificate Chemistry text book available in Irish at present and there are no plans to develop a text book for the current Leaving Certificate Chemistry syllabus. The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment is currently developing a new Leaving Certificate Chemistry specification.
The Department of Education and Skills is carrying out a review of Gaeltacht education with a view to identifying options for Irish medium education in Gaeltacht areas and clarifying the Department's policy with regard to such provision in Gaeltacht schools. Issues such as the language of the textbooks and teaching resources used in Gaeltacht schools will be considered in light of the findings of the review.
