Written Answers Nos. 102 - 125
102. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a list of all persons, representative organisations or institutions he or his Department consulted or met to discuss the help-to-buy scheme announced in budget 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32538/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI assume the Deputy is asking for all persons or organisations that I or my officials consulted with, rather than all those who raised the Help to Buy scheme with me. As the Deputy will appreciate, I met with a range of bodies prior to the Budget, as part of the annual pre Budget submission and meeting process, and many of these bodies would have raised requests for a scheme to assist with home purchases, following from the reference to the introduction of such a scheme on Budget day, as announced in the Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, launched on the 19th of July last.
The bodies that were consulted include the Central Bank, the Revenue Commissioners, and the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. In addition, discussions were held at a political level. Furthermore, my officials held informal discussions with some of the banks in order to ensure that the final design of the operational aspects of the scheme, would reflect and tie-in with the actual processes employed by financial institutions in the provision of mortgage lending to individuals.
103. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons deemed eligible for the help-to-buy incentive announced in budget 2017 who will be reimbursed by the Revenue Commissioners (details supplied). [32577/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Help to Buy initiative, subject to satisfying the full conditions of the scheme, a first time purchaser will be entitled to claim a refund of income tax and DIRT paid over the previous four years. The terms of the scheme are set out in Finance Bill 2016. The refund will be subject to a maximum of 5% of the purchase price of a new home, or in the case of a self-build 5% of the approved value of the dwelling, up to a value of €400,000. Where new homes are valued between €400,000 and €600,000, the maximum relief will be €20,000 per property (i.e. €400,000 @ 5%).
The payment process for the tax rebate will vary depending on a number of factors, including whether an individual is purchasing a newly built residence or constructing his or her own self-build residence. In the case of a contract to purchase a new residence entered into in the period from 19 July 2016 to 31 December 2016, the tax rebate will be paid directly to the first-time buyer after the Revenue online system comes on stream in January 2017.
In all other cases involving contracts for the purchase of a new residence, the tax rebate will be paid directly to the contractor and will form part of the deposit required from the purchaser. This will be treated by the contractor as a credit against the purchase price of the residence.
In the case of a self-build residence, the tax rebate will be issued to the first-time buyer after he or she draws down the first tranche of the mortgage loan used to finance the construction of the residence.
As the initiative is demand-led, it is not possible to forecast the numbers of first-time buyers that will choose to avail of it on an annual basis or the average benefit that these individuals will receive. However, initial forecasts of the potential costs by my Department for the coming years, as outlined in Budget 2017, are based on figures in relation to the number of new homes built in recent years and the proportion of which that were purchased by first-time buyers.
104. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will list all measures announced in the Finance Bill 2016 that still require EU approval; if he will list all measures still pending EU approval from previous years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32608/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that there are no measures in Finance Bill 2016 which require EU approval, nor are there any Finance Bill measures from previous years for which EU approval is pending.
105. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify an issue (details supplied) in respect of inheritance tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32669/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by Revenue that a double taxation treaty between Ireland and the UK provides for the relief of double taxation in respect of inheritances that are taxed in both jurisdictions. The treaty is based on the credit method of relief, i.e. both countries impose tax on inheritances under their own domestic law and, in relation to property, the country where the property is situated generally has primary taxing rights, with the country imposing tax for some other reason (for example, based on the residence of the disponer/beneficiary) giving credit for the tax payable in the country where the property is situated.
There are two important dates that are relevant for the taxation of an inheritance in Ireland. These dates are used for different purposes and have separate status. Firstly, the date of death of a disponer is the date by reference to which the Group Thresholds and tax rates are determined. Therefore, whatever thresholds and rates are in force on this date apply for the purpose of taxing the value of an inheritance. Secondly, the date on which probate or administration is granted is generally used as the 'valuation date'. These rules are based on statute and are strictly applied. The valuation date is the date on which the value of the assets/property comprising the inheritance is to be established. This value is then compared to the relevant Group Threshold and the tax rate applied as appropriate on any excess of the market value over the threshold. This date also determines when any inheritance tax is to be paid and a tax return submitted to Revenue. The UK applies a different treatment in that the estate of the deceased person is valued at the date of death.
As with any tax or duty, key dates relating to the charging and administration of a particular tax or duty are given a statutory basis. This is a necessary part of any taxation system and ensures that both taxpayers and tax authorities have certainty in relation to the rules that determine how tax is to be charged. To vary these dates as the values of, say, shares, property, or currency fluctuate, or depending on how particular taxpayers are impacted by such fluctuations, would make for a very arbitrary and uncertain taxation system and would ultimately undermine the tax system. As with any value fluctuations, there will be both winners and losers and, unfortunately, for this particular person the recent sterling volatility has resulted in a higher than expected tax liability.
106. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if Ireland's knowledge development box scheme is compatible with the EU's proposed common consolidated corporate tax base; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32725/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe European Commission's proposal for a Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base was published on 25 October. This is a Commission proposal which has not yet been discussed or considered by Member States. The proposal will now be discussed by Member States and it is likely to be subject to significant reshape and renegotiation as these discussions progress. These discussions are likely to go on for some time given the highly technical and complex nature of the proposals. Ultimately, the unanimous agreement of all Member States will be needed before any common corporate tax base or any consolidated tax base could be introduced. As these discussions have not even begun, it is impossible to state with any certainty at this time whether the Knowledge Development Box or any similar patent box incentives would ultimately be compatible with any common consolidated corporate tax base that is eventually agreed by all Member States. What is certain is that the Knowledge Development Box is fully compliant with the internationally agreed rules for such incentives, namely the OECD "modified nexus". These rules were agreed at the OECD as part of the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) project and have also been endorsed by all EU Member States through the EU Code of Conduct group.
107. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if the interdepartmental flood policy co-ordination group has completed its report; the current status of the matter; his views on ensuring that flood insurance cover is provided in areas where OPW flood relief schemes have been completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32815/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn Inter-Departmental Flood Policy Co-ordination Group has been established to examine the issue of flooding, and to ensure a whole of Government approach in the area of Flood Policy. This Group is chaired by Seán Canney TD, Minister of State with special responsibility for the OPW and Flood Relief. The OPW are the lead agency and have responsibility for co-ordinating and submitting the final report of the group to Government. A second interim report of the Interdepartmental Group is currently being finalised and is expected to be brought to Government next week.
As an input to the Inter-Departmental Group's work the Department of Finance has carried out a review of flood insurance with a particular focus on the strategies that other jurisdictions have implemented to increase the availability of flood insurance cover. This work examined a number of policy options and has made a number of recommendations. The completed report has been provided to OPW to feed into the report of the Inter-Departmental Group.
I am aware of the difficulties that the absence or withdrawal of flood insurance cover can cause to both homeowners and businesses and the flooding crisis in late 2015 raised issues in relation to insurance and flooding. However, the provision of insurance cover and the price at which it is offered is a commercial matter for insurance companies and is based on an assessment of the risks they are willing to accept and adequate provisioning to meet those risks.
In my role as Minister for Finance, I have responsibility for the development of the legal framework governing financial regulation. Neither I, nor the Central Bank of Ireland, can interfere in the provision or pricing of insurance products or have the power to direct insurance companies to provide flood cover to specific individuals or businesses.
Government policy in relation to flooding is focused on the development of a sustainable, planned and risk-based approach to dealing with flooding problems, with a view to addressing the increased availability of flood insurance. This involves working to improve the availability of flood cover by:
- prioritising spending on flood relief measures by OPW and relevant local authorities; and
- improving channels of communication between the OPW and the insurance industry in order to reach a better understanding about the provision of flood cover in marginal areas.
To achieve this aim the Office of Public Works (OPW) is carrying out assessments of 300 areas under the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) programme and each area is on target to have a Flood Risk Management Plan (FRMP) by the end of 2016. Decisions on future investment in relation to flood risk management will be informed by the FRMP's
I am strongly of the view that flood insurance cover should be provided in areas where OPW flood relief schemes have been completed. The Government strategy is complemented by a Memorandum of Understanding between the OPW and Insurance Ireland which provides for the exchange of data in relation to completed flood defence schemes which should provide a basis for the increased provision of flood insurance in areas where works have been completed.
108. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the circumstances of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32829/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by Revenue that the person concerned failed to pay either his 2015 or 2016 Local Property Tax (LPT) liabilities totalling €630, excluding interest, despite receiving a number of notifications reminding him to do so.
As a consequence the debt was referred to the Sheriff for collection. The person concerned subsequently paid the 2015 liability to the Sheriff and has very recently agreed to a phased payment arrangement in respect of the 2016 liability. The Sheriff has confirmed to Revenue that he has not seized any items from the person concerned.
Revenue has also confirmed that there is no deferral in place in respect of the property in question nor is there any record of the person concerned having ever claimed the relief. Revenue will however make contact with the person concerned to clarify any entitlement in this regard.
109. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the position on the savings cap of €100,000 in respect of credit unions; the number of credit unions that have been given an exemption from this requirement; his plans in respect of this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32855/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn tandem with my commencement on 1 January 2016 of the final sections of the Credit Union and Co-operation with Overseas Regulators Act 2012 providing regulation making powers to the Central Bank, the Central Bank introduced new regulations - the Credit union Act 1997 (Regulatory Requirements) Regulations 2016 (the Regulations).
The Regulations set out, inter alia, an individual member savings limit of €100,000. The Regulations also provided that individual 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 Regulations and that individual 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 consulted with my Department on the application process and accepted the Department's observations, thereby making the application process less onerous. Separately, the Registrar met with the representative bodies to obtain their feedback on the application process. The submission deadline for applications to retain savings in excess of €100,000 was 27 June 2016. The application form to increase savings in excess of €100,000 does not have a submission deadline and will be accepted on an ongoing basis.
I have been informed by the Central Bank that c.195 credit unions held individual members' savings in excess of €100,000 of c.€165m on 1 January 2016. The Central Bank has indicated that c. one third of those credit unions have applied to retain individual member savings in excess of €100,000. Although the review process is nearing completion, it is currently still ongoing, thus the Central Bank cannot provide a final figure at this time.
For those credit unions that are not approved to retain individual member savings in excess of €100,000 the transitional arrangement as set out in the Regulations apply, this means all individual member savings in excess of €100,000 held by these credit unions must be returned by 1 January 2017.
Regarding applications to increase individual members' savings in excess of €100,000, I have been informed by the Central Bank that those applications are assessed primarily by reference to the business case and related financial projections which must be submitted along with the application form. I have further been informed that to date 6 credit unions have made such an application, with 1 subsequently being withdrawn by the credit union and the remaining 5 currently under review by the Central Bank.
The Central Bank has committed to review the savings limit three years from commencement of the regulations. I intend to issue a letter to the Central Bank by the end of the year requesting an accelerated review of the savings limit.
In recognising the important role of credit unions as a volunteer co-operative movement in this country, the Government's priorities remain the protection of members' savings, the financial stability of credit unions and the sector overall and it is determined to continue to support a strengthened and growing credit union movement.
110. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the amount of VAT taken by the Revenue Commissioners at the 9% rate for each year to date in tabular form since the rate was introduced, broken down by sector and service provided (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32860/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra111. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the amount of VAT forgone by the Revenue Commissioners at the 9% rate for each year to date in tabular form since the rate was introduced, broken down by sector and service provided (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32861/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 110 and 111 together.
I am advised by Revenue that, based on Personal Expenditure Consumption (PCE) data, an estimate of the VAT yield and the VAT foregone at the reduced rate of 9% for each year from 2011 to 2016 is provided in the following table. As 2016 PCE data are not yet available, figures provided for 2016 are provisional estimates.
|
Year |
Yield 9% (€m) |
VAT foregone (€m) |
|
2011 (July to December) |
336 |
168 |
|
2012 |
710 |
355 |
|
2013 |
990 |
495 |
|
2014 |
1,116 |
558 |
|
2015 |
1,152 |
576 |
|
2016 (Estimate to years end) |
1,252 |
626 |
I am advised by Revenue that as the information furnished on VAT returns does not require identification of the yield from a particular activity or product, the receipts in respect of the activities specified in the question is not available.
112. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance the amount it would cost in a full year if the 13.5% VAT rate on constructing new houses and apartments was reduced to 11.5%. [32905/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe VAT rating of goods and services is subject to the requirements of EU VAT law with which Irish VAT law must comply. Article 98 of the EU VAT Directive limits to two the number of reduced rates a Member State may have. Since Ireland has two reduced rates, the 13.5% and the 9% rate, it would not be possible to introduce a third reduced rate for a category of construction activities. Accordingly, I am not in a position to provide the projected figures for the reduction of the VAT rate suggested by the Deputy.
113. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance the amount that his Department spent on external legal advice in each of the years 2013, 2014 and 2015; the names of each of the legal firms that provided advice to his Department in each of those years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32911/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is contained in the following table and is taken from the information already published on my Department's website.
|
External Legal Advice |
2015 |
|
Alexander Caffrey |
€24,364 |
|
Aoife Goodman |
€55,052 |
|
Arthur Cox |
€934,654 |
|
Dillon Eustace |
€36,900 |
|
Emma Doyle |
€20,139 |
|
GEON Legal Solutions |
€120,036 |
|
Hayes Solicitors |
€74,251 |
|
Kate Hanley |
€44,129 |
|
Mason, Hayes and Curran |
€23,567 |
|
Matheson |
€6,150 |
|
Matheson |
€27,183 |
|
Maurice G. Collins |
€89,184 |
|
Nick Reilly |
€18,304 |
|
Philip Baker Q.C |
€151,691 |
|
Sarah-Jane Hillery |
€9,997 |
|
Silvia Martinez |
€21,842 |
|
Vincent Madigan |
€5,100 |
|
William Fry |
€346,744 |
|
William Fry |
€223,725 |
|
2014 |
|
|
A & L Goodbody |
€53,283 |
|
Alexander Caffrey |
€29,459 |
|
Aoife Goodman |
€23,764 |
|
Arthur Cox |
€824,247 |
|
Byrne Wallace |
€6,605 |
|
Emma Doyle |
€29,217 |
|
Hogan Lovells International Ltd. |
€3,936 |
|
Mason Hayes & Curran |
€10,455 |
|
Matheson |
€79,950 |
|
Matheson |
€8,364 |
|
Maurice G. Collins |
€25,461 |
|
Nick Reilly |
€29,217 |
|
Philip Baker QC |
€56,271 |
|
Silvia Martinez |
€29,217 |
|
VM Forensics Ltd |
€14,804 |
|
William Fry |
€20,664 |
|
2013 |
|
|
Arthur Cox |
€1,728,407 |
|
Matheson |
€717,923 |
114. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Finance if he will instruct the Revenue Commissioners to apply a temporary exemption from VRT to employees working for an organisation (details supplied) in Northern Ireland who reside here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32954/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provisions relating to temporary exemption are set out in section 135 of the Finance Act 1992 (as amended).
The administration of these provisions (and, indeed, the administration of all tax legislation) is a function independently carried out by Revenue and I cannot instruct them in how to apply legislative provisions either on a case-by-case basis or in a general way.
The case referred to by the Deputy has been the subject of two recent questions, by the Deputy in July and Deputy Grealish in October. The position remains that the case is at appeal and the outcome of that appeal is awaited.
115. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Finance if Ireland has drawn down any funding under the COSME loan guarantee fund; and, if so, the instrument or financial intermediary under which it has been disbursed. [32969/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra116. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland, SBCI, report and financial statements to 31 December 2015; and his plans to utilise the SBCI for the purposes of acting as the requisite instrument or financial intermediary for the EU COSME fund. [32971/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 115 and 116 together.
The Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland's (SBCI) objective is to increase the availability of low cost, flexible credit to Irish SMEs. The SBCI published its first Annual Report and Accounts, for the period 1 September 2014 to 31 December 2015, on 21 July 2016. The Annual Report and Accounts were sent by the board of the SBCI to me for consideration and my Department subsequently laid them before the Houses of the Oireachtas. These documents are published on the SBCI website and are available at: http://sbci.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/SBCIAnnualReport2015.pdf
The Government is committed to supporting the financing needs of SMEs in all sectors of the economy and ensuring that there is an adequate supply of affordable and appropriate credit to meet their needs. One of the means by which this objective can be achieved is through the use of European Financial Instruments, such as the COSME programme. The SBCI has been in active discussions with the European Investment Fund (EIF) on the use of European financial instruments in order to optimise the funding support available to Irish SMEs.
Following a detailed due diligence procedure, the SBCI has obtained initial approval from EIF and intends to reach final agreement on a financial instrument supported by the COSME programme in the coming months. The purpose of this financial instrument will be to facilitate the deployment of additional funding, and to enhance access to finance for Irish SMEs.
117. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an analysis of the pay differential between new entrants to the teaching profession and those employed before 1 February 2012 has been completed; if that analysis includes a figure for the estimated cost of creating pay parity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32566/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs a consequence of the financial crisis, there was a need to enact a number of measures to reduce public expenditure so as to stabilise the country's public finances. A previous Fianna Fáil led Government reduced the salaries and allowances payable to all new entrants to public service recruitment grades by 10% with effect from 1 January 2011. This decision also required that such new entrants would start on the first point of the applicable salary scale, which in the case of teachers had the effect of reducing their starting pay by a further 4-5%. Later in 2011, the Fine Gael/Labour Government placed a cap on the overall level of qualification allowances that could be earned by teachers.
Subsequently in 2012, following the public service-wide review of allowances, the Government withdrew qualification allowances for new teachers altogether. However, the Government partially compensated for this by deciding that new entrant teachers would henceforth commence on a new salary scale which had a starting point higher than the starting point of the old scale.
The recent agreement with TUI and INTO in the context of the Lansdowne Road Agreement substantially addresses the current difference in pay between those recruited since 2011 and those recruited since 2012 and will mean a significant pay increase for new entrant teachers. It is estimated that over a teacher’s career the value of these increases will be €135,000. This, in combination with measures already agreed and implemented under the Haddington Road Agreement, will restore approximately three quarters of the reductions for new entrants put in place since 2011 in terms of career earnings.
The full year cost of this agreement is €20 million.
When other Lansdowne Road increases are also factored in, there will be a 15% increase in the starting pay of new entrant teachers between 31 August 2016 and 1 January 2018 (from €31,009 to €35,602). For an individual TUI/INTO member who started teaching in September 2015, they will see a 22% increase in their pay (including increment) between 31 August 2016 and 1 January 2018 (from €31,009 to €37,723).
In addition to this, it must be borne in mind that the pay reduction for post-2011 entrants to the public service applied to all public servants and not just teachers, and that any restoration of these measures in respect of teachers would be expected to be applied elsewhere across the public service. While I am not in a position to provide an estimate of the total cost of restoring all post-1 January 2011 entrants in all areas of the public service to the pre-2011 pay scale arrangements, I can say that in the case of education and training sector employees, including teachers, the estimated cost would be between €65 and €70 million per annum. Clearly, the cost across the entire public service would be substantially higher.
The agreement on new entrant pay 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.
In addition, the Government has committed to establishing a Public Service Pay Commission to examine pay levels across the public service, including entry levels of pay. The Government also supports the gradual, negotiated repeal of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts, having due regard to the priority to improve public services and in recognition of the essential role played by public servants.
118. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will examine the matter of redressing the refused appeal. [32809/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of a comprehensive customer service and communications strategy provided by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), to ensure that all necessary avenues are open to applicants to receive the information they need, a dedicated email and phone line service is provided by SUSI for Oireachtas members. This was established to meet an identified need for applicants who choose to engage the assistance of their public representatives in making enquiries about their grant applications.
This service complements the established channels provided by SUSI which include online application tracking, a dedicated website, a telephone helpdesk, email and social media, including Facebook and Twitter.
Enquiries may be emailed direct to SUSI at oireachtas@susi.ie. Staff in SUSI are responding to email queries within a matter of days.
If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a student grant or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to SUSI.
Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down in writing by SUSI and remains of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in his/her case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board within the required timeframe.
If an individual has a change in circumstances, between 1 January 2016 and the end of the 2016/17 academic year, which is likely to continue for the foreseeable future or the duration of the course, he/she may request a review of his/her grant application. Where an awarding authority is satisfied that a change in circumstances has occurred the application will be reassessed based on current annualised income.
119. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will examine the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32810/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of a comprehensive customer service and communications strategy provided by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), to ensure that all necessary avenues are open to applicants to receive the information they need, a dedicated email and phone line service is provided by SUSI for Oireachtas members. This was established to meet an identified need for applicants who choose to engage the assistance of their public representatives in making enquiries about their grant applications.
This service complements the established channels provided by SUSI which include online application tracking, a dedicated website, a telephone helpdesk, email and social media, including Facebook and Twitter.
Enquiries may be emailed direct to SUSI at oireachtas@susi.ie. Staff in SUSI are responding to email queries within a matter of days.
If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a student grant or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to SUSI.
Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down in writing by SUSI and remains of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in his/her case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board within the required timeframe.
120. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that more than 100 children aged between five and 12 years are expected to be without a school place in the Dundrum area following the sudden closure of a school (details supplied); if so, his plans to find school places for these children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32820/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that the Trust of the school in question recently made a formal announcement regarding their decision to begin winding down this fee charging junior school. The school will continue operating until the end of the current academic year in June 2017 and will then close. In general, where a school is closing, the onus is on the Patron to assist in ensuring that any remaining pupils in the school are accommodated elsewhere. I understand that the Trust in question is committed to assisting parents in the transition of existing students to other schools where appropriate. To facilitate the process, my Department has provided the Trust with a list of the primary schools in the area. There are a number of primary schools in the surrounding area who have capacity.
I also wish to advise the Deputy that the enrolment of a child in a school is a matter in the first instance for the parents/guardians of the child and the Board of Management of the school concerned.
121. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will confirm the special needs assistants hours for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32867/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE), which is an independent statutory agency, is responsible, through its network of Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports, including S support.
The NCSE allocates S support to schools in accordance with the criteria set out in my Department's Circular 0030/2014, which is available on my Department's website at www.education.ie in order that students who have care needs can access S support as and when it is needed.
Responsibility for deciding on the quantum of educational supports and resources to be allocated to schools to support individual pupils rests with the NCSE.
It should be noted that S allocations are not made to individual children, but are made to schools to support the care needs of children with assessed special educational needs in the school.
Where a school wishes to appeal the S support allocation which has been made to them, they may do so through the NCSE appeal process, details of which are set out at www.ncse.ie. The option to invoke the NCSE appeals process is open to the school in question.
All schools have the contact details of their local SENO. Contact details are also available on the NCSE website. The local SENO is also available to discuss any concerns that parents have about the present or future educational needs of their child.
As the question raised by the Deputy relates to support for an individual child, I have arranged for this question to be forwarded to the NCSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
122. Deputy Michael D'Arcy asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will have an educational needs assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32874/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that my Department's National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides educational psychology service to all primary and post primary schools through an assigned NEPS psychologist and in some cases through the Scheme for Commissioning Psychological Assessments (SCPA), full details of which are on the Department's website. Under this scheme schools can have an assessment carried out by a member of the panel of private psychologists approved by NEPS, and NEPS will pay the psychologist the fees for this assessment directly.
In common with many other psychological services and best international practice, NEPS has adopted a consultative model of service. The focus is on empowering teachers to intervene effectively with pupils whose needs range from mild to severe and transient to enduring. Psychologists use a problem solving and solution oriented consultative approach to maximise positive outcomes for these pupils. NEPS encourages schools to use a continuum based assessment and intervention process whereby each school takes responsibility for initial assessment, educational planning and remedial intervention for pupils with learning, emotional or behavioural difficulties. Teachers may consult their NEPS psychologist should they need to at this stage in the process. Only in the event of a failure to make reasonable progress, in spite of the school's best efforts in consultation with NEPS, will the psychologist become involved with an individual child for intensive intervention or assessment.
This system allows psychologists to give early attention to urgent cases and also to help many more children indirectly than could be seen individually. It also ensures that children are not referred unnecessarily for psychological intervention.
If the parents of the child, the subject of this question, have specific concerns about his educational progress I would advise, in the first instance, that they speak to the Principal of the school with a view to raising these concerns with the assigned NEPS psychologist or local NEPS office.
123. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools, by county, that have fewer than six classes per school registered with his Department, in tabular form. [32511/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMainstream National Schools with fewer than 6 classes (refers to Mainstream Classes only)
|
County Name |
<6 Classes |
>=6 Classes |
Total |
|
Carlow |
21 |
21 |
42 |
|
Cavan |
52 |
23 |
75 |
|
Clare |
85 |
27 |
112 |
|
Cork |
172 |
172 |
344 |
|
Donegal |
130 |
45 |
175 |
|
Dublin |
57 |
384 |
441 |
|
Galway |
152 |
78 |
230 |
|
Kerry |
95 |
37 |
132 |
|
Kildare |
29 |
72 |
101 |
|
Kilkenny |
41 |
31 |
72 |
|
Laois |
40 |
25 |
65 |
|
Leitrim |
29 |
9 |
38 |
|
Limerick |
77 |
58 |
135 |
|
Longford |
23 |
14 |
37 |
|
Louth |
22 |
49 |
71 |
|
Mayo |
134 |
30 |
164 |
|
Meath |
50 |
63 |
113 |
|
Monaghan |
43 |
19 |
62 |
|
Offaly |
40 |
28 |
68 |
|
Roscommon |
78 |
13 |
91 |
|
Sligo |
50 |
17 |
67 |
|
Tipperary |
113 |
43 |
156 |
|
Waterford |
39 |
35 |
74 |
|
Westmeath |
45 |
28 |
73 |
|
Wexford |
54 |
50 |
104 |
|
Wicklow |
38 |
44 |
82 |
|
Grand Total |
1709 |
1415 |
3124 |
Source: National School Annual Census 2015/2016
124. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding a project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32568/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department welcomes and values the engagement of providers in supporting all aspects of curriculum delivery, in particular in the important area of healthy lifestyles for young people. The Apprentice Chef Programme is one such initiative. Much is being done already in this area by my Department, both in terms of the curriculum delivery and in resourcing. My Department issued guidance to post primary schools in September 2015 on promoting healthy lifestyles, which includes healthy eating policies. Similar guidance was provided to primary schools in February 2016.
The issue of promoting healthy eating is addressed in schools through subjects such as Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE), and Home Economics as well as in Physical Education. With such skills and knowledge, it is hoped that our young people will make appropriate choices so that this informed approach will help to reduce the incidence of obesity in our young people. The SPHE syllabus at both primary and post-primary levels contains modules which educate students on the elements of a balanced diet and the importance of healthy eating for physical and mental well-being.
Schools and the wider education sector have a vital role to play in contributing to the Government's 'Healthy Ireland' agenda set out in the Framework for Improved Health and Wellbeing 2013-2025. Healthy Ireland was published by the Department of Health in 2013, and is one of the most ambitious programmes we have ever seen focused on improving the health of the nation.
Teachers are supported through quality continuous professional development provided by my Department in order that they can equip students with the key skills and knowledge to enable them to make healthier life choices. Schools' efforts should be complemented by students' families and their community. My Department is not in a position to support a national roll out of the initiative referred to by the Deputy. However, schools have the discretion to supplement the Department-provided supports with other external resources, such as the Apprentice Chef Programme, as they wish.
125. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) who requires a special needs assistant, SNA; and the process for accessing an SNA for preschool children. [32554/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Early Start centres funded by my Department are staffed by primary school teachers and a childcare assistant also works with each group. This teacher-led staffing arrangement and comparatively favourable staff to child ratio is intended to support a range of special educational needs associated with concentrated disadvantage. However, no S allocation is provided until the child is enrolled in junior infants.
The Special Education Support Service (SESS), also provides access to supports and teacher training that will help teachers in Early Start centres to support students with special educational needs.
In circumstances where a child enrols to a pre-school service other than an Early Start unit, a new Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) programme of supports is in place to support children who have needs in those settings. AIM is a child-centred model, involving seven levels of progressive support, moving from the universal to the targeted, depending on the needs of the child and the pre-school. It is available only to pre-schools funded under the ECCE scheme, which is the remit of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. The supports include:
A new Inclusion Charter for the Early Years sector, alongside updated and strengthened Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Guidelines for Early Childhood Care and Education; A new higher education programme for early years practitioners (LINC) which will commence from September 2016; A new national specialist service which is based in the Better Start National Early Years Quality Development Service will provide expert advice, mentoring and support to pre-school providers from a team of 50 specialists in early years care and education for children with disabilities; A new national scheme will provide specialised equipment, appliances and minor alterations which are necessary to support a child's participation in the ECCE programme; A new national scheme will also provide additional capitation to pre-school providers where this is critical to fund extra support in the classroom and enable a child's participation in pre-school. It is estimated that only 1 to 1.5% of children in pre-school will require, and therefore be eligible for, this scheme of additional capitation.
Details of the supports which will be available under AIM can be found at www.preschoolaccess.ie which contains comprehensive information on the access and inclusion model and on how to apply for the new schemes and supports.
