Written Answers Nos 56-80
56. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost to his Department to end the two-tier pay disparity between pre and post-2011 teachers immediately and base all teachers' salaries on the pre-2011 scales. [33086/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra60. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Education and Skills the costs to his Department if two-tier pay disparity between pre-2011 and post-2011 teachers was ended immediately and all teachers' salaries were based on the pre-2011 scales; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33139/16]
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 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 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 reached with TUI and INTO in effect reverses the decision to withdraw qualification allowances from post-1 February 2012 entrant teachers. The estimated value of these increases over a teacher’s career is €135,000. This new arrangement will apply to members of the teacher unions which have signed up to the Lansdowne Road Agreement i.e. TUI and INTO.
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.
57. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills when an application for a new school (details supplied) will be approved; if the school is on his Department's building programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33087/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school referred to by the Deputy has submitted an application to my Department for a new school building. The Deputy will be aware that my Department’s current priority is focused on the provision of essential classroom accommodation to meet demographic demand and this will be the main focus for capital investment in the coming years.
As a project for the two teacher school in question was not included in my Department’s 6 year Construction Programme (2016 – 2021), it is not possible to provide an indicative timeframe for the progression of a building project for the school at this time.
58. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33091/16]
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. However, I understand from Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) that the following is the position in this instant case.
This case relates to a student wishing to progress onto a level 8 engineering programme following completion of a level 7 programme. The conditions of entry are ratified by Engineers Ireland and stipulations are put in place to ensure that students progressing are likely to succeed in the higher level programmes. To be eligible to progress to the level 8 programme, the prospective student with a Level 7 award, is required to meet one of four conditions, as set out below:
- An Upper Merit or Distinction (60 % or above) in the level 7 graduate award;
- A Lower Merit award (50-59 %) together with 70% or above in mathematics in the award year (Engineers Ireland criterion);
- A Lower Merit award (50-59 %) together with < 70 % in mathematics in the award year and a successful interview before a DIT panel.
Generally, the criterion here is that the applicant should demonstrate by their results in the award year of the ordinary degree and performance at interview that they are likely to succeed in the honours degree. Aspects considered include (i) strong performance in mathematics and / or analytical modules (ii) an outstanding performance (in comparison with their peers) in the design project or electrical distribution and control and (iii) a Merit Upper or Distinction performance in a series of individual modules while not achieving Merit Upper or Distinction in the overall grade;
- For those returning with work experience but with Lower Merit and < 70 % in mathematics advanced entry is allowed provided candidates have (i) a minimum of one year (12 calendar months) post qualification relevant design experience (ii) a report (endorsed by their employer) detailing their experience in the discipline (iii) a successful interview before a DIT panel;
- Based on Level 7 results achieved, formal offers are made to eligible students for places on the level 8 programme during the summer - in 2016, offers were made by 01 July 2016, with acceptance required within two weeks of the offer. Following acceptance of the offer, the students are then invited to register in time for the academic year. In the case of students sitting supplemental exams, notification of such eligibility and offer of a place, where applicable, occurs mid September, i.e. after the commencement of the academic year;
In this specific case, the student did not meet the advanced entry criteria and thus was not offered a place or made eligible to register for the programme in the 2016/17 academic year. Under the conditions of entry of the course the only option available to him was Option 4 as outlined above. Furthermore, the assistance of the Careers Service in DIT has been made available to the student.
59. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason there has been a change from the plan to build a two-phase extension to a school (details supplied) to a complete new replacement school; the timeframe for the new building; if there is a revision of the capital plan to ensure that it is delivered in time for the growing population in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33096/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, a major extension project for the school in question, to meet the demographic demands in the area, is included in my Department’s 6 Year Construction Programme (2016-21).
Given the complexities and constraints presented by inter alia the school site and location of existing school buildings, the Department will be proceeding with a single construction project rather than a phased approach in the case of this school.
My Department will continue to liaise with the school, in question, in relation to the project development and is committed to progressing the project as expeditiously as possible.
61. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the teacher exchange programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33140/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provisions of the teacher exchange scheme are set out in my Department’s Circular Letter 0017/2015 the contents of which were agreed under the auspices of the Teacher Conciliation Council (TCC). The scheme is designed to facilitate primary teachers to temporarily exchange their posts for educational purposes. The minimum period for which an exchange may occur is one year and the maximum is five years.
The TCC is part of the scheme of Conciliation and Arbitration for Teachers and was set up to deal with claims and proposals relating to the Terms and Conditions of employment of teachers. The Council is composed of representatives of teachers, school management, the Department of Education and Skills, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and is chaired by an official of the Workplace Relations Commission.
Following further discussion under the auspices of the TCC it was agreed that the teacher exchange scheme is to remain as a temporary measure as in the published circular. Teaching posts are to be filled by redeployment under the current arrangements or in accordance with the recruitment and appointment procedures as set out in the Governance Manual for Primary Schools 2015-2019.
62. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the targets in place for the number of construction-related apprenticeships in each of the next five years with a breakdown by apprenticeship type; the target for apprenticeship completions in this time period with a breakdown by apprenticeship type; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33175/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra63. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimate by his Department of the number of apprenticeships required to meet construction-related activity here in the next five years with a breakdown by apprenticeship type; if he will detail any deficits identified by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33176/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 62 and 63 together.
The forecast registrations for existing apprenticeships is set out in the following table.
As the Deputy will be aware, the route to an apprenticeship is through gaining employment with an approved employer. SOLAS has informed me that the forecast for future apprenticeship registrations is strong and the number of apprentices being registered by employers at the end of October 2016 is 19% higher than at the corresponding time in 2015. The increase in apprentice registration is primarily being driven by employers in the electrical, engineering and motor sectors, with modest growth occurring in the construction related apprenticeships.
The Programme for Government commits to providing 50,000 apprenticeship and traineeship places up to 2020. SOLAS and the Apprenticeship Council are preparing a detailed 3 year plan to deliver on this commitment, which will include managing the pipeline of new apprenticeships and setting out the timing and nature of new calls for proposals. This plan will be published shortly and will set out specific annual targets as well as bringing forward a range of specific actions to enable and support the development of new apprenticeships and traineeships.
A campaign to promote apprenticeship is currently being developed by SOLAS in consultation with key partners including the Apprenticeship Council. The campaign will raise awareness and promote the value of apprenticeship for individual apprentices and for employers and it will cover both existing apprenticeships and the new apprenticeships now coming on stream.
|
- |
Forecast Registrations 2016 |
Actual Registrations as at October 31st '16 |
Forecast Registrations 2017 |
Forecast Registrations 2018 |
Forecast Registrations 2019 |
Forecast Registrations 2020 |
|
Construction |
989 |
742 |
1319 |
1724 |
2024 |
2434 |
|
Electrical |
1194 |
1241 |
1554 |
1659 |
1709 |
1754 |
|
ENGINEERING |
537 |
392 |
512 |
542 |
577 |
622 |
|
Motor |
662 |
626 |
750 |
760 |
765 |
765 |
|
Print Media |
8 |
2 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
|
OVERALL TOTAL |
3,390 |
3,003 |
4,147 |
4,697 |
5,087 |
5,587 |
64. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on giving the HEA extra powers of investigation in respect of concerns raised regarding the spend in Irish universities funded by the taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33202/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is a Code of Governance in place in the universities whereby universities make annual returns to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) in respect of their compliance regarding a range of issues consistent with the requirements of the Code. As part of the HEA role to promote, monitor and ensure good practice with regard to governance and accountability for the higher education sector, the HEA is required to review and improve processes for monitoring higher education institutions’ (HEIs) compliance with codes of governance and take appropriate action where required. In order to discharge this role more effectively, the HEA in conjunction with my Department has instigated a number of changes to governance oversight processes since 2015. This represents the culmination of a process to build on the significant existing governance and accountability infrastructure already in place with a series of new and improved mechanisms which will provide more robust assurance of compliance with legislative and other requirements and more timely and responsive interventions to address any issues arising. It is reflected in a new Governance Framework for Higher Education.
Changes include reviewing the annual governance reporting formats submitted by HEIs with a view to achieving more consistency and depth in returns with any non-compliance to be clearly identified. There is also in place a process of ongoing engagement between the HEA and the C&AG to serve as an early warning system of potential issues. All institutions are required to comply with an annual Financial Memorandum with the HEA that requires e.g. balanced budgets and financial plans, compliance with Government policy on pay and public sector procurement rules. In 2016 the HEA also commenced a series of rolling reviews of corporate governance compliance with relevant Codes of Practice will be conducted across the higher education sector. The first such review into procurement practices has recently been completed.
There is currently no provision in legislation for the HEA to carry out investigations in relation to universities. However the Universities Act 1997 (Sections 19-21 refer) makes provision for the Government, after consultation with the President of the High Court, to appoint a retired judge as Visitor to inquire into any matter giving rise to the opinion that that there are reasonable grounds for contending that the functions of a university are being performed in a manner which prima facie constitutes a breach of the laws, statutes or ordinances applicable to the university. If the Visitor is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for such an opinion, he/she shall report to my Department on the results of his/her inquiry.
65. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied with the corporate governance arrangements of Irish universities funded by public funds; if he is aware of a situation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33203/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is a Code of Governance in place in the universities whereby universities make annual returns to the Higher Education Authority(HEA) in respect of their compliance regarding a range of issues consistent with the requirements of the Code. As part of the HEA role to promote, monitor and ensure good practice with regard to governance and accountability for the higher education sector, the HEA is required to review and improve processes for monitoring higher education institutions’ (HEIs) compliance with codes of governance and take appropriate action where required. In order to discharge this role more effectively, the HEA in conjunction with my Department has instigated a number of changes to governance oversight processes since 2015. This represents the culmination of a process to build on the significant existing governance and accountability infrastructure already in place with a series of new and improved mechanisms which will provide more robust assurance of compliance with legislative and other requirements and more timely and responsive interventions to address any issues arising. It is reflected in a new Governance Framework for Higher Education.
Changes include reviewing the annual governance reporting formats submitted by HEIs with a view to achieving more consistency and depth in returns with any non-compliance to be clearly identified. There is also in place a process of ongoing engagement between the HEA and the C and AG to serve as an early warning system of potential issues. All institutions are required to comply with an annual Financial Memorandum with the HEA that requires e.g. balanced budgets and financial plans, compliance with Government policy on pay and public sector procurement rules. In 2016 the HEA also commenced a series of rolling reviews of corporate governance compliance with relevant Codes of Practice will be conducted across the higher education sector. The first such review into procurement practices has recently been completed.
Section 17 (7) The Universities Act, 1997 contains the following provisions:
7) In the case of the governing authority of Trinity College or a constituent university, the person holding the office of chief officer (by whatever name known) on the commencement of this Part shall be the chairperson of the governing authority of that university under this Act until his or her term of office as chief officer expires, he or she is sooner removed from the office of chairperson in accordance with subsection (6), or the office otherwise becomes vacant.
The Universities Act also makes the following provision in relation to the Chief Officer (Fourth Schedule)
5. A chief officer shall be entitled to be a member of and preside over any and every committee appointed by the governing authority
The HEA continually monitors the governance and budgetary situation of all institutions and particularly engages with those institutions who are projecting deficits. All institutions who have deficits are required to submit 3-5 year financial plans demonstrating return to a balanced/surplus position.
66. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to ongoing situations in Irish universities where some staff get permanency whereas others only have recourse to one, two and three year fixed term contracts; if he has correspondence on this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33204/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing a lengthy consultation process with all stakeholders, the Report of the Expert Group on Fixed Term and Part Time Employment in Lecturing was published in July 2016. The Report contains a number of recommendations that will assist in addressing concerns raised about the level of part-time and fixed-term employment in lecturing in the third level sector. My officials are currently taking steps to implement the recommendations contained in the Report.
67. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if surplus pension contributions will be reimbursed to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33207/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is a requirement of the secondary teachers superannuation scheme that pension contributions are paid on all pensionable service. A person is therefore liable for contributions in respect of personal pension and lump sum for all service notwithstanding that pension is calculated based on a maximum of 40 years’ service.
For the duration of his membership of the scheme the person to whom the Deputy refers was paying modified (or D Class) PRSI and pension contributions comprised of 5% of pensionable remuneration towards his personal pension and lump sum. As the person retired with in excess of 40 years pensionable service there is no provision for the refund of contributions for years in excess of the service required to qualify for a full pension under the scheme. This is a standard feature in occupational pension schemes across the public sector generally.
68. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 112 of 1 June 2016, the status of the application to construct a boundary wall between a school and a residential area (details supplied) given that all issues have now been resolved and all requested information has been provided. [33221/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraDuring the Summer, my Department gave approval in principle for the works in question to be carried out at the school. The nature of the project, however, has many inherent risks and it is important that all of these risks are identified and addressed during the design process. The Department will need to be satisfied that this is the case before final approval can issue for the project. The Department is examining recent information supplied by the school and it will be in direct contact with it again shortly with its views as to how the project should proceed.
69. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the details of all cash sums and properties, with their values, transferred to the State by the religious orders under the institutions redress scheme, in tabular form; the total cash amount outstanding and, in the case of property, the total estimated value of property and the location of each property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33225/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, contributions from religious congregations towards the costs of redress are being made under two separate rounds.
Under the 2002 Indemnity Agreement, the 18 participating religious congregations are contributing €128m in cash, counselling services and property. The cash contributions of €54.42m under the Indemnity Agreement have been received while information has been provided to my Department that confirms that counselling services in excess of the €10m provided for in the agreement have been funded directly by the contributing congregations.
Under the 2002 Indemnity Agreement, my Department agreed, in principle, with CORI that a total of 64 properties would be accepted subject to good and marketable title and agreed valuations. This number was reduced to 61 when the Department accepted and received a cash sum in lieu of three properties where good and marketable title could not be established. 48 Properties have been fully transferred and there are no outstanding issues. A list of these properties is attached. Work is continuing to finalise the arrangements in relation to the remaining properties.
In response to the call for further substantial contributions towards the costs of redress made in the aftermath of the publication of the report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (the Ryan Report), many of the congregations that were party to the 2002 Indemnity Agreement made voluntary offers which they valued at €348.51m, including cash, property and other elements. Subsequent offers and the value of a particular property offer amounted to €4.1m, bringing the total contribution offers to €352.61m. The Government agreed to use the €110m in cash contributions to fund the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund (Caranua). To date, some €96.1m, comprising post Ryan Report contributions from congregations, associated interest and cash from property disposals has been lodged to the special investment account opened by the National Treasury Management Agency pursuant to the Residential Institution Statutory Act, 2012. I understand that the remaining cash contributions will be received from congregations between now and 2018. The figure of €96.1m referred to above includes contributions of €94.7m as follows:
|
- |
Amount |
|
Brothers of Charity |
€1.5m |
|
Christian Brothers |
€20m |
|
Daughters of Charity |
€5m |
|
Daughters of the Heart of Mary |
€1.5m |
|
De La Salle Brothers |
€1m (€0.055m interest) |
|
Dominican Order |
€6.5m |
|
Oblates of Mary Immaculate |
€20m |
|
Hospitaller Order of St. John of God |
€1m |
|
Presentation Brothers |
€3.6m |
|
Presentation Sisters |
€4m |
|
Religious Sisters of Charity |
€2m |
|
Sisters of Our Lady of Charity |
€1.5m |
|
Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy |
€25.1m (€1.044m interest) |
|
Sisters of St. Clare |
€1m |
|
Sisters of St. Louis |
€1m |
Work is underway on the transfer of those properties offered by the congregations in the aftermath of the publication of the Ryan Report and which were accepted in principle. To date, the transfers of four properties to the State have been fully completed. The properties in question, which are in the course of being valued, are included in the attached list.
Properties which have been fully transferred under the 2002 Indemnity Agreement
|
Property |
Value |
|
|
1 |
Doon, Co. Limerick |
€640,000 |
|
2 |
St Coleman's, Rushbrooke, Co. Cork |
€571,380 |
|
3 |
Playing Field, Carna, Co. Galway |
€175,000 |
|
4 |
Secondary School & Site, Ennistymon, Co. Clare |
€980,000 |
|
5 |
Mohill Community School Site, Co. Leitrim |
€520,000 |
|
6 |
Terenure Secondary School, Dublin 6 |
€4,500,000 |
|
7 |
Site at Merrion, Dublin 4 |
€8,900,000 |
|
8 |
Two Properties at Tuam, Co. Galway |
€3,020,000 |
|
9 |
Nursery Buildings, Goldenbridge, Dublin 12 |
€570,000 |
|
10 |
24 Westcourt, Tralee, Co. Kerry |
€184,110 |
|
11 |
Site at Glenamaddy, Co. Galway |
€600,000 |
|
12 |
11 Acre Site at Virginia Road, Kells, Co. Meath |
€825,000 |
|
13 |
Deenagh House, Killarney, Co. Kerry |
€215,265 |
|
14 |
St Anne's Secondary School, Dublin |
€2,600,000 |
|
15 |
28 The Woodlands, Celbridge, Co. Kildare |
€270,000 |
|
16 |
Vacant Buildings and Land at Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow |
€349,200 |
|
17 |
Gate Lodge, Goldenbridge, Dublin 12 |
€220,000 |
|
18 |
1 Garravogue Road, Raheen, Co Limerick |
€228,550 |
|
19 |
23 Wooodlea, Tralee, Co Kerry |
€152,370 |
|
20 |
Goldenbridge Group Homes |
€1,269,700 |
|
21 |
Ballymote, Co Sligo |
€38,000 |
|
22 |
15 The Willows, Mallow, Co. Cork |
€114,280 |
|
23 |
Presentation Convent, Hospital, Co Limerick |
€175,000 |
|
24 |
Traveller Site at Blackrock, Co. Dublin |
€3,045,000 |
|
25 |
St Teresa's, Temple Hill, Blackrock, Co. Dublin |
€3,045,000 |
|
26 |
Belmullet, Co Mayo |
€140,000 |
|
27 |
59 Hollybank Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9 |
€570,000 |
|
28 |
Mount St Joseph, Passage West, Co. Cork |
€914,210 |
|
29 |
Building & Site at Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford |
€598,045 |
|
30 |
Avondale, Waterford Road, Kilkenny |
€330,000 |
|
31 |
Site at Longmile Road, Walkinstown, Dublin 12 |
€325,000 |
|
32 |
Presentation Convent, Hospital, Co. Limerick |
€254,000 |
|
33 |
Convent Land at Barrack Street, Limerick |
€625,000 |
|
34 |
2 Moyle Crescent, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 |
€325,000 |
|
35 |
.28 Acre Site at Dolphin Park, Crumlin, Dublin 6 |
€250,000 |
|
36 |
Holy Cross Gardens, Killarney, Co. Kerry |
€1,270,000 |
|
37 |
23 Parnell Square, Dublin 1 |
€1,270,000 |
|
38 |
Convent at Newport, Co. Mayo |
€635,000 |
|
39 |
Ballina, Co. Mayo |
€38,000 |
|
40 |
Airne Villa, Rock Road, Killarney, Co Kerry |
€221,615 |
|
41 |
6 Mount Vincent Terrace, Limerick |
€400,000 |
|
42 |
Gentili, Farahoe, Innishannon, Cork |
€228,600 |
|
43 |
Roseboro, 2 Firgrove Gardens, Bishopstown, Cork |
€292,100 |
|
44 |
4 The Hawthorns, Macroom Road, Bandon, Cork |
€215,900 |
|
45 |
5 Avondale Drive, Bandon, Co. Cork |
€190,500 |
|
46 |
The Vineyard Centre, Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow |
€349,250 |
|
47 |
Lands at Mullaghmonaghan, Co. Monaghan |
€825,000 |
|
48 |
Benvon, 5 Bishopstown Road, Bishopstown, Cork |
€279,400 |
|
€43,754,475 |
Post Ryan Report voluntary property transfers which have been fully transferred
|
Property |
|
|
1 |
Convent and Boarding School, Clonakilty, Co. Cork to the Minister for Education and Skills |
|
2 |
Old Primary School, Trim, Co. Meath to the Minister for Education and Skills |
|
3 |
Scoil Fatima, Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim to the Minister for Education and Skills |
|
4 |
St Joseph’s Primary School (former), Abbey Street, Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo to Mayo County Council |
70. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 110 of 20 October 2016, the position in respect of the minor works grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33228/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFurther to parliamentary question number 110 of 20 October, the position on the minor works grant remains unchanged. It remains the case that the issue of the Minor Works Grant 2016/2017 will be considered in the context of my Department's overall capital position later this year.
71. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure that a person who returns here and attends college, following the ending of an apprenticeship in football abroad, will be eligible for the maintenance grant (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33236/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the terms of the 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.
The Deputy will appreciate that, in the absence of all of the relevant details that would be contained in an individual's application form and supporting documentation, it is not possible to say whether or not a particular student(s) would qualify for a grant.
With regard to residency, in order to be eligible for a grant, a "student", as defined in Section 14 of the Student Support Act 2011, must demonstrate that he/she has been resident in the State for at least 3 years out of the 5 year period ending on the day before the start of his/her approved course of study.
This requirement takes cognisance of students who wish to take time out to travel or work abroad. Such students can still meet the residency requirement if they have not been outside the State for more than two of the previous five years. Similar and in some cases more restrictive residency requirements apply in other EU Member States.
It is also possible for students, who did not meet the residency requirement at the commencement of their studies, to have their eligibility reviewed if they meet the residency requirement during the course of their studies.
72. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills the proposals his Department has to provide facilities for Kildare and Wicklow education training board, KWETB, to enable it to carry out its statutory functions to deliver training programmes for Kildare and Wicklow in view of the fact that KWETB is one of five education and training boards nationally that is without a training centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33253/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe reform of the Further Education and Training (FET) sector involves the future delivery of further education and training in an integrated manner. This involved the transfer of training centres from SOLAS to ETBs. Seven training centres and their staff transferred to four ETBs on 1 January 2014 while a further twelve training centres transferred to seven ETBs on 1 July 2014.
Five ETBs, including Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB) did not receive a training centre. The Education and Training Boards Act 2013 makes no distinction between the ETBs which received centres and the ones which did not as all ETBs must ensure the delivery of both education and training.
Having regard to the legislation and to the policy objective of integrating Further Education and Training, the ETB/SOLAS Programme Board established by my Department, which includes representation from the ETB Sector and from SOLAS, decided that each ETB without a training centre should be allocated staffing and resources to deliver contracted and community training and to deal with the management of the apprenticeship employers in its area.
Accordingly, a process which was undertaken to facilitate the transfer of these training functions to those ETBs to which training functions were to be transferred resulted in the formal transfer of training functions to KWETB on 2 November 2015. I am satisfied that as a result of this process and transfer of functions, Kildare and Wicklow ETB is now in a position to discharge its statutory functions.
73. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the expected timeframe for the introduction of the repair and lease scheme in County Louth as outlined in budget 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33065/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraRebuilding Ireland: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness recognises the important source of potential accommodation vacant private properties present. A new Repair and Leasing Scheme (RLS) has been developed to assist private property owners and local authorities or Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) to harness this potential, and bring these vacant houses into social housing use to provide homes for families on local authority waiting lists.
The new scheme was launched in Waterford and Carlow on a pilot basis in October, and depending on the take-up from private property owners, will be rolled out to further local authorities early in 2017. The purpose of the pilot is to ensure that the scheme is workable from local authorities’ and AHBs’ perspectives. It is anticipated that other local authorities will come into the scheme on a rolling basis, with full roll-out expected within 6 months. My Department is engaging with individual local authorities, including Louth County Council, in order to arrange a schedule for the roll-out of the new scheme nationally.
AHBs have a proven record in managing the refurbishment of properties and being good landlords puts them in an excellent position to play a key role in the success of the scheme. Several AHBs will be working together with Waterford and Carlow local authorities to manage the scheme in those particular areas. As the scheme is rolled out in other local authority areas, more AHBs around the country will become involved with local authorities in the delivery of the scheme.
The scheme is targeted at owners of vacant properties who cannot afford or access the funding required to bring them up to the standard for rental property. Subject to the suitability of the property for social housing, and the agreement of the property owner, the cost of the necessary repairs will be met up-front by the local authority or the AHB. This allows for the property owner to sign-up to a lease arrangement for a length that is linked to the value of the repairs, subject to a minimum of 10 years. The value of the repairs will then be offset incrementally against the agreed rental payment over a defined period within the lease.
A property owner can either choose to arrange a contractor to carry out the repairs themselves, or the local authority or AHB can arrange this instead. Property owners will not be required to take on landlord responsibilities and the local authority or AHB will have on-going management and maintenance responsibilities in respect of the properties.
The local authority will determine the eligibility for the scheme having regard to the location and the suitability of the property for social housing and also taking into consideration the extent of the repairs that may be required. The maximum costs of repairs allowable under this initiative will be €40,000.
Early estimates are that at least 150 units will be secured in 2017 and up to 3,500 properties will be targeted over the next five years. I have provided €6 million in capital funding in 2017 for the cost of the repairs, and €140 million over the lifetime of the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan.
74. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of wet and dry hostels in Dublin; and the location of same. [33120/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. In accordance with section 37 (2) of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless services, including accommodation, rests with individual housing authorities. My Department has no function in relation to operational issues, such as those outlined in the Question, which are a matter for the relevant housing authorities.
75. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of local authorities which excluded from their scheme tenants who do not occupy every bedroom in their house, with regard to the current tenant purchase scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33127/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe new Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme came into operation on 1 January 2016. The Scheme is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the Scheme and applies to all existing local authority houses, other than those classes of houses excluded under legislation. To be eligible, tenants must meet certain criteria, including having been in receipt of social housing support for a minimum period of one year and having a minimum reckonable income of €15,000 per annum.
The Housing (Sale of Local Authority Houses) Regulations 2015 governing the Scheme provides for a number of specified classes of houses to be excluded from sale. Housing authorities may, within the provisions of the Regulations, exclude certain houses which, in the opinion of the authority, should not be sold for reasons such as proper stock or estate management. It is a matter for each individual housing authority to administer the Scheme in its operational area in line with the over-arching provisions of the governing legislation for the scheme, and in a manner appropriate to its housing requirements. The Department does not hold any records relating to exclusions from the scheme by Local Authorities.
In line with the commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government and reaffirmed in Rebuilding Ireland - Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, it is intended that a review of the Scheme will be undertaken in January 2017 following the first 12 months of operation and any changes to the terms and conditions of the scheme which are considered necessary based on the evidence gathered at that stage will be brought forward.
76. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the amount pent to date or the funding approved by his Department for the process by which a three man boundary review commission was established to examine the boundary between Kilkenny and Waterford, from establishment in 2015 to date. [33129/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe review referred to is one of 4 boundary reviews which were initiated together. The overall estimated cost to the Department in relation to all 4 boundary reviews is some €87,500. To date, some € 41,316 has been paid.
77. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if additional funding is available to provide emergency accommodation in South Dublin County Council; if he and his Department have been in discussions with officials in South Dublin County Council to identify potential sites for this emergency accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33132/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides funding to housing authorities towards the operational costs of homeless accommodation and related services under Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988. Under ‘Section 10’ funding arrangements, funding is provided regionally and on a delegated basis whereby responsibility for decision-making in relation to particular services rests with the Statutory Management Group of the respective region al Joint Homelessness Consultative Forum. The funding needs of the various regions are kept under review on an on-going basis.
The four Dublin housing authorities have agreed that Dublin City Council acts as the lead local authority with regard to the provision and oversight of homeless services in the Dublin region and the Dublin Region Homeless Executive carries out these functions under a shared service agreement with the authorities. Accordingly, my Department primarily liaises with the Dublin Region Homeless Executive in relation to funding and service needs across the Dublin Region, and such liaison occurs on an ongoing basis. In addition, my Department also engages with all four Dublin authorities directly on a range of social housing and homelessness issues as necessary and, in that context, is continuing to engage with the authorities to explore a range of homeless accommodation options in the Dublin area.
78. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the large number of persons who remain in direct provision following receipt of their stamp four visas and the threat of these persons and families being made homeless by the Reception and Integration Agency; if with his responsibility for homelessness policy he has raised this matter with the Minister for Justice and Equality to put in place housing solutions that will prevent persons becoming homeless in the transition from direct provision. [33133/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, matters relating to direct provision and the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) are a matter for my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality.
In terms of the number of persons in RIA accommodation who have been granted some form of status, I am advised that there are in the region of 500 such persons among the 4,200 residents across the system. This number fluctuates based on the numbers of status grants and the movement of such persons into private accommodation over time.
RIA, its centre managers, the Community Welfare Service (including Rent Supplement), Citizens Information and those City and County Councils operating the Housing Assistance Payments Scheme link with such persons in accessing the appropriate supports and services, including in respect of sourcing and securing private accommodation.
I am further advised that following on from the McMahon Working Group Report, the Department of Justice and Equality developed a Guide to Independent Living for persons with status to provide practical assistance for them. The Guide is available in all centres and has been published on the RIA website (www.ria.gov.ie) in a number of different languages. This was published in parallel with information sessions coordinated by the Citizens Information Bureau in accommodation centres which gave an opportunity for such persons to seek assistance and clarification on the services provided.
While it is the case that once some form of status is granted, residents cease to be ordinarily entitled to the accommodation supports provided through the RIA, such persons are not threatened with eviction and, in fact, continue to be supported in accommodation until they secure their own alternative accommodation.
79. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if a tenant of 30 years of Tipperary County Council can purchase their home from the council with a lump sum which is not a loan and the lump sum is not secured against the property; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33158/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe new Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme came into operation on 1 January 2016. Under this Scheme, the tenant is responsible for raising the money to finance the purchase of their home and they can do so from savings, a lump sum or a mortgage loan etc. The tenant must pay the purchase money in full at the time the house purchase is completed. If they can afford it, the tenant can buy the house without a mortgage loan as long as they meet all the eligibility criteria including having sufficient reckonable income to cover the cost of maintaining the property over the longer term.
The Scheme is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the Scheme. To be eligible, tenants must meet certain criteria, including having a minimum reckonable income of €15,000 per annum, having been in receipt of social housing support for at least 1 year and having been allocated a house under a local authority allocation scheme.
In determining reckonable income, the income of the tenants of the house, including adult children that are joint tenants can be included, as can the income of the spouse, civil partner or other partner-cohabitant of a tenant who lives in the house with them.
Reckonable income is calculated as gross income. Income from social welfare payments is included in the reckonable income but only where these payments constitute a secondary source of income.
In order to ensure the sustainability of the scheme, it is essential that an applicant’s income is of a long-term and sustainable nature. This is necessary to ensure that the tenant purchasing the house is in a financial position, as the owner, to maintain and insure the property for the duration of the charged period. This ensures compliance with the conditions of the order transferring the ownership of, and responsibility for, the house from the local authority to the tenant.
In line with the commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government and reaffirmed in Rebuilding Ireland - Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, it is intended that a review of the Scheme will be undertaken in January 2017 following the first 12 months of operation and any changes to the terms and conditions of the scheme which are considered necessary based on the evidence gathered at that stage will be brought forward.
80. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will address the crisis in estates around the country that are not completed to the satisfaction of the local council to allow them to be taken in charge where the development company are no longer in business and the council have not been provided funding by Government to complete the work as these estates are deteriorating and in some cases do not have completed public lighting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33162/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 180 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, provides that, as soon as possible following a request by the developer or by the majority of the house-owners, a planning authority must initiate procedures to take in charge a residential housing estate completed to its satisfaction in accordance with the planning permission.
Section 180 also provides that, following a request by the majority of the house-owners, a planning authority must initiate procedures to take an unfinished estate in charge where the authority has not commenced enforcement proceedings in respect of the estate within seven years of the expiry of the planning permission concerned.
In the case of an unfinished estate, where the planning authority has commenced enforcement proceedings within seven years of the expiry of the planning permission or considers that enforcement proceedings will not result in the satisfactory completion of the estate, section 180 provides that, following a request by the majority of the house-owners, the authority may at its absolute discretion initiate procedures to take in charge the roads and some or all of the other services in the estate. A planning authority may, for the purposes of section 180, hold a plebiscite to ascertain the wishes of the house-owners.
My Department, by way of Circular letter PD 1/2008 dated 26 February 2008, issued updated policy guidance to planning authorities on Taking in Charge of Residential Developments/Management Arrangements. This advised each planning authority to develop or update, as appropriate, its policy on taking in charge by the end of June 2008, based on the following principles (among others):
- Certain core facilities/infrastructure to be taken in charge on request;
- public roads and footpaths, unallocated surface parking areas, public lighting, public water supply, foul and storm water drainage and public open spaces;
- The procedures for taking in charge to begin promptly on foot of a request by the majority of the residents in the development or by the developer, as appropriate. Protocols, including time frames, must be set out by planning authorities to respond to requests for taking in charge.
Each planning authority’s policy on taking in charge is required to be made available to the public and published on its website, and the policy is reported on to the elected members on a regular basis, and at least once annually.
In addition, my Department has launched in April 2016 a National Taking in Charge Initiative (NTICI) with a pilot scheme funding of €10 million. The aim of the NTICI is to accelerate the taking-in-charge process of housing estates and to develop new working methods from the pilot funding that can be deployed in tackling further taking-in-charge requirements into the future.
The initiative draws upon data gathered from each of the 31 local authorities and collated by my Department in December 2015, following which funding was allocated for a number of developments on the basis of proposals submitted to my Department by the local authorities.
The information collated in December 2015 indicated that of the 5,566 developments yet to be taken in charge, there are approximately 914 estates with developer-provided infrastructure (DPI) and work is continuing on finalising this figure.
Under the terms of the NTICI, only those developments subject to valid taking-in-charge applications were eligible for inclusion in the call for proposals for pilot funding, but it is my Department’s intention that the knowledge and experience gained under the Initiative will be applied to deal with further estates to be taken in charge over time.
Further information on NTICI can be found on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/search/archived/current?query=Taking%20in%20Charge
