Written Answers Nos. 441-459
441. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills whether he has received correspondence from a person (details supplied) concerning matters relating to teaching probation periods for special education teachers; if so, the reason no response has yet been issued in respect of this correspondence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1770/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Teaching Council is the statutory body with responsibility for professional standards at all stages of the teaching career. It has established standards for post-qualification professional practice, as set out in Droichead, the new model of induction and probation for newly qualified primary and post-primary teachers. The Droichead programme was the subject of a three-year pilot before it was approved by the Council in March 2016. The programme is being introduced on a phased basis since last September.
During the growth and development phase of Droichead, teachers employed in a special education or restricted setting must avail of the Droichead programme to achieve full registration with the Council. While a new policy on teacher probation was adopted by the Teaching Council last December, this does not change the requirement for teachers in a special education setting to avail of Droichead.
The INTO issued a directive to its members not to co-operate with or participate in Droichead from 1 July 2016. This directive has prevented newly qualified teachers employed in special education settings from participating in Droichead since September and thereby closed off the registration pathway. I hope the INTO will review its approach.
My Department is also considering the impact of the new policy adopted by the Teaching Council.
A reply to the correspondence has issued to the person concerned.
442. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills to outline his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1797/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, a process to review the DEIS Programme, which began in 2015 is nearing completion and it is my intention to publish a new Action Plan in the coming weeks.
Included in the review process is the development of a new assessment framework using centrally held CSO and DES data for the identification of schools for inclusion in the new School Support Programme.
The number of schools to be included in the programme will be determined by this proposed new assessment framework, which will assess all schools in the country, including the school in question. Schools are not required to make an application for assessment as the methodology being developed involves the use of centrally held data already available to my Department.
The review is also considering the range and impact of different elements of the School Support Programme, particularly the scope for increased integration of services provided by other Departments and Agencies, in order to improve effectiveness and the opportunity to pilot new and innovative practice in schools.
I envisage that actions arising from a new Action Plan for Educational Inclusion will be implemented from the beginning of the 2017/2018 school year.
Further information on the DEIS Review process is available on the Department's website at http://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Services/DEIS-Delivering-Equality-of-Opportunity-in-Schools-/.
443. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there are counselling and psychotherapy courses that a person would be eligible to apply for and eligible for the SUSI grant. [1836/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students who are attending an approved course in an approved institution and who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment (progression) and means.
Under the Student Grant Scheme, an approved course is defined as a full-time undergraduate course of at least two years duration or a full-time postgraduate course of not less than one year duration, pursued in an approved institution.
It is a matter for the centralised grant awarding authority SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland), in the first instance, to determine eligibility for student grants based on all of the terms and conditions of the relevant scheme.
The decision on the type of course and course provider is a matter for each individual student. Eligibility for a SUSI grant will only be determined when an applicant submits an application for grant support. Perspective students may wish to consult the website of his/her preferred course provider or some of the following websites:
www.Qualifax.ie
www.cao.ie
www.igc.ie - the Institute of Guidance Counsellor's website.
444. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the provisions he has made to mitigate against potential further disruption to learning by possible further industrial action, in view of the fact that students are now approaching the State examination period of the academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1850/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing discussions, the Teachers Conciliation Council published a set of proposals in November for consideration by ASTI members aimed at finding a resolution to their dispute. The ASTI Central Executive Committee took a decision to put the outcome of the talks process to a ballot of members with a recommendation to reject. The ASTI's leadership have taken a view on the proposals. It is now over to the members to form their view.
The proposals provide ASTI members with an opportunity to benefit from the programme of pay restoration which commenced under recent public service agreements and which I have used to negotiate with TUI and INTO for substantial improvements in pay for new teachers. The agreement reached with TUI and INTO will see pay rises of between 15-22% (between €4600 and €6700) for new entrant teachers.
In addition, there are other immediate undoubted benefits for individual ASTI members in accepting the proposals including:
- Avoiding an increment freeze
- Inclusion of the S&S allowance of €1,592 into the pay scale
- Continued alleviation of the FEMPI Act pay reductions
- The Ward Report measures and a revised sequence for filling posts which enable fixed-term and part-time teachers to gain permanent, full-time jobs more easily and quickly than before
- An increase in the quantum of the Croke Park hours that can be worked on other than a whole-school basis
- A review of the usage of the Croke Park hours
- Protection against compulsory redundancy.
ASTI members will have to weigh these benefits up for themselves. These benefits are only available to ASTI members if they vote to accept. ASTI's membership now have a decision to make as to whether to accept the TCC proposals and the immediate benefits on offer or to engage again in industrial action. It is for the ASTI leadership to explain its strategy in respect of the latter approach.
ASTI's ballot will take place over the coming weeks. While that process is ongoing it would not be helpful for me to comment further.
In respect of Junior Cycle, as part of the November proposals, it was confirmed that a second calendar window will be provided in the current school year to allow current third year English students to complete their externally assessed Assessment Task (worth 10% of final exam). The arrangements for this have now been communicated to schools.
445. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Skills to outline his plans to provide funding for the refurbishment of a school (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the urgent repairs required at the school which are making it a health and safety risk for children and staff; if he will put in place a timeline to have the refurbishments carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1883/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department received an application from the school in question for significant funding to facilitate major reconfiguration works within the school building.
The school's application must be considered in the context of the very significant challenge facing my Department in meeting demand for extra school places to ensure that every child will have access to a physical school place. All applications for capital funding must be considered in the context of the available funding, which must of necessity, be prioritised for this purpose.
My Department is not in a position at this point to indicate when funding might be available for the works sought by the school and has advised the school accordingly.
In the meantime, the school may use its minor works grant, which all primary schools received last November, to carry out repair and refurbishment works in full or on a phased basis as that grant permits, should the school consider them to be a priority.
446. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address the queries raised in correspondence from a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1974/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Teaching Council Act 2001 the Teaching Council is the body with statutory authority for registration of teachers in this State.
The Teaching Council is also the competent authority for recognition of qualifications obtained in other states.
Accordingly, the applicant for registration with the Teaching Council who is the subject of the question, should continue to communicate directly with the Teaching Council. My Department does not have a role in dealing with individual queries.
447. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills to outline his preferred options to ensure the availability of adequate educational qualifications and skills to meet the demands of the modern workplace; if he is satisfied that all such requirements can be sourced indigenously; if he foresees shortfalls in any category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41579/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Skills Strategy 2025 identifies Ireland's current skills profile, provides a strategic vision and specific objectives for Ireland's future skills requirements, and sets out a road map for how the vision and objectives can be achieved across the education and training sector.
With over 140 Actions, the Strategy sets out the Government's commitment to improving and using skills for sustainable economic growth and outlines how we can develop a well-skilled, adaptable workforce.
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to increase the cumulative number of apprenticeship registrations to 31,000 by 2020, this figure is also in line with the target in the National Skills Strategy to increase registrations on apprenticeships in the period 2016-2020. A detailed action plan to deliver on these commitments will be published shortly.
The Action Plan for Education was launched in September 2016 and the vision of the Plan is that Irish Education and Training across primary, secondary and third level should become the best in Europe over the next decade. The plan contains hundreds of actions to be implemented with particular focus on skills, and continuous improvement within the education system.
The National Skills Strategy, the Action Plan for Education and the Apprenticeship Action Plan will ensure that we have the availability of highly trained and highly skilled personnel to meet existing and emerging skills needs.
448. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the extent to which he expects the special needs teaching request to be met at primary and second level throughout the country in the next 12 months at mainstream and special schools, in line with requirements as set out by school authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41580/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that funding for special education provision in 2016 amounted to some €1.5 billion, which was equivalent to over 17% of the gross overall allocation for education and training and an increase of 10% in spending in the previous two years.
This funding provided for a range of supports and services including additional learning and resource teaching support, access to SNA support, special transport arrangements, building adaptations, enhanced capitation in special schools and special classes, specialised equipment, additional teacher training and the services of the National Educational Psychological Service.
12,900 Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) were available for allocation to schools to the end of 2016, which represents an increase of 23% over the numbers allocated in 2011.
I recently announced that an additional 115 SNA posts will be provided for allocation from January to June 2017 to bring the total number of SNAs available for allocation to schools to 13,015.
There are also over 12,500 Learning Support and Resource Teacher posts in mainstream primary and post primary schools for the 2016/2017 school year. The NCSE has allocated 7430 resource teacher posts to schools for the 2016/17 school year; this represents an increase of 41% in the number of resource teachers which have been allocated since the 2011/12 school year, at which point 5265 posts were allocated. In addition, over 5000 learning support posts are allocated to schools under the General Allocation Model for primary schools and Learning Support allocations for post primary schools. I also recently announced that approximately 900 additional resource teacher posts will be provided for in the 2017/2018 school year in order to introduce a new model for allocating resource teachers to schools.
There are over 1,150 Special Classes in place in comparison to 548 in 2011, with approximately 150 new classes having been made available for the current school year, 2016/17.
125 special schools also provide specialist education for those pupils who need it, from infants to eighteen years of age.
The combination of supports, and the extent of resources provided, means that educational provision can continue to be for all children with special educational needs, regardless of their level of need, and will ensure that their needs can continue to met throughout the country in the next twelve months, at both mainstream and special school level.
449. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if the River Lee basin management plan has been completed and submitted to the European Commission; the process that has been undertaken, including public consultation; the body responsible for the preparation of such plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41230/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraPursuant to the European Union (Water Policy) Regulations 2014, I am responsible for the making of River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) in accordance with Article 13 of the Water Framework Directive (Directive 2000/60/EC of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy). That Directive establishes a common framework for the protection of inland surface waters, transitional waters, coastal waters and groundwater. The overall aim of the Directive is to maintain high and good status waters where they exist and to restore waters that do not currently adequately support aquatic ecosystems.
In the context of the ongoing development of the second- cycle RBMP for Ireland, for the period up to 2021, it is intended that there will be a single national River Basin District (RBD) resulting from a merger of the Eastern, South Eastern, South Western, Western and Shannon River Basin Districts that had been provided for in the first- cycle RBMPs. In addition, a single administrative area will be established for the purpose of co-ordinating water management with authorities in Northern Ireland for both the North Western and Neagh Bann International RBDs.
A draft single national RBMP is scheduled to be published in the coming weeks. A mandatory six-month public consultation process will then take place, with the finalised second-cycle RBMP due for completion by, approximately, the end of 2017. Once finalised, the second-cycle RBMP will be submitted to the European Commission within three months of its publication.
450. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government further to the current review of the nitrates directive and the derogation the pig production industry has from phosphates levels, whether this derogation will remain in place until the review is completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41308/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe European Union (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2014, as amended, give legal effect in Ireland to the Nitrates Directive and to our Nitrates Action Programme (NAP). The objective of the Regulations is to protect ground and surface waters, including drinking water sources, primarily through the management of livestock manures and other fertilisers.
The arrangement in Ireland's Nitrates Action Programme, as negotiated with the European Commission, whereby the intensive sectors (pig, poultry and mushroom composts) were allowed to apply manures in excess of crop requirement, expired at the end of 2016. The arrangement was put in place in 2006 to assist the industry to comply with the regulations and has been moving the industry towards full compliance over the intervening 10 years. However, in order to allow time for all possible options to be explored during the forthcoming Nitrates Action Programme review, pig slurry imported in the closed period from 2017 and not applied by the year-end will be treated as inventory for application in the following year rather than being considered as applied in the year of importation.
My Department, in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, has commenced the process of review of the Nitrates Action Programme prior to formal engagement with the European Commission with a view to having a new Nitrates Action Programme in place by 2018 to run up to 2021. A request for a new nitrates derogation will be submitted to the Commission as part of the review process. A full consultation process will be carried out in early 2017 as part of this review and any issues raised by stakeholders will be considered as part of that process.
451. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government to set out the amount of moneys that accrued from the Local Government Fund under the Local Government Act 1998 in each of the years from 2007 to 2015, inclusive; the estimated returns from the legislation in 2016 and the forecasted returns from the legislation in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41684/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe audited accounts of the Local Government Fund, with a breakdown of all income and expenditure for the years 2003 – 2015, are available on my Department's website at the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/search/archived/archived/archived/current/type/publications?query=Local%20Government%20Fund%20Accounts.
An estimate of the income and expenditure of the Local Government Fund for the years 2016 and 2017 is available in the published Revised Estimates for Public Services 2017 (page 174), which is available on the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform website at the following link: http://www.per.gov.ie/en/rev/.
452. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government whether the conversion of passenger vehicles to crew cab commercial vehicles is recognised for the purposes of the vehicle being eligible for the commercial vehicle rate of motor tax at present, provided the vehicle is being used to carry out a trade; if not, when same ceased to be recognised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41870/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn order to qualify for the commercial rate of motor tax, a vehicle must be constructed or adapted for use as a goods vehicle and used solely for the carrying of goods in the course of trade or business. In the case of an adapted vehicle, the vehicle must meet the criteria currently in place for conversion from a passenger vehicle to a goods vehicle.
The conveyance of persons other than the driver is prohibited where a vehicle is taxed commercially, except that the carriage of employees is permitted provided they are employed by the registered owner of the vehicle, the carriage takes place in the course of their employment and the vehicle is ordinarily used for the conveyance of goods in the course of trade or business. In the case of a crew cab, an applicant must fulfil all of the foregoing requirements in order to qualify for the commercial rate of tax.
453. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government to outline his plans to change the planning process relating to the persons or bodies that can lodge submissions or objections to strategic infrastructure development projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1087/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016, any person or body may, within the requisite period and on payment of the appropriate fee, make a submission or observations to An Bord Pleanála in respect of an application for permission for a proposed strategic infrastructure development (SID).
I have no proposals to change the planning process for SID projects in this regard.
454. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government to set out in tabular form the amounts paid under the housing assistance payment scheme for each county in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1156/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMore than 16,500 households are currently having their housing needs met through the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme, which has now been rolled out to all categories of households in 28 local authority areas. The Dublin Region Homelessness Executive (DRHE) is also managing a HAP Homeless Pilot for the four Dublin local authorities. 12,075 HAP tenancies were set-up in 2016 meeting the scheme's Rebuilding Ireland target for the year. The national roll-out of HAP will be competed with the introduction of the scheme to Dublin City Council, Fingal County Council and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council areas from 1 March, 2017.
The HAP scheme is funded through a combination of Exchequer monies and tenant differential rents collected in respect of HAP tenancies. The provisional Exchequer outturn for the HAP scheme in 2016 was in excess of €57 million. The majority of this funding is to support the ongoing costs of tenancies established in 2015 that continued into 2016, and the costs of the 12,075 new households supported by the scheme in 2016. Budget 2017 has increased the Exchequer funding for the HAP scheme to €152.7 million, in order to meet the continuing costs of existing HAP households, and the costs of an additional 15,000 households to be supported by HAP in 2017.
A 2016 breakdown of HAP expenditure by local authority will be compiled and will be provided to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
455. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government to outline his views on the loss of jobs here in book-selling arising out of the outcome of the national public library tender and the academic library tender; whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that no Irish company was awarded full marks in the tender process in view of the fact that certain technology has not been introduced here; his plans to delay the sanctioning of these tenders pending an investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1203/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra508. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government to outline the criteria in awarding the national public library tender; if separate criteria were applied to companies based outside the State; if any company based here fulfilled all the criteria in the tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1432/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 455 and 508 together.
The provision of public library services is a matter for each local authority in its capacity as a library authority under the Local Government Act 2001. This includes the procurement of books and other library related services. My Department has no direct role in these matters.
However, a national tender for book stock procurement is being progressed by the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) on behalf of local authorities. The Request for Tender, published on the 'e-Tenders' website in October 2016, set out the award criteria and the marking scheme for the tender. The LGMA has confirmed that the process was conducted in a fair and transparent manner and in full compliance with all regulations, policies and guidelines governing public procurement in Ireland. There was no discrimination against any supplier. Indeed, the publication of the tender in six lots sought, as much as possible, to ensure equality of opportunity for all suppliers. At this stage in the process, Irish companies have been successful in four of the six lots.
The procedures for unsuccessful tenderers seeking remedies are clearly prescribed in the relevant regulations and my Department has no authority under the procurement legislation to intervene in an independent procurement process. As the tender process has not been finalised it would be inappropriate for me to comment further on the process or the outcome at this time.
456. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government when construction is due to commence on the new Ballinamore fire station, County Leitrim; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the current building has been condemned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1268/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of fire services in local authority areas, including the establishment and maintenance of fire brigades, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of premises, is a statutory function of the individual fire authorities under the provisions of the Fire Services Act, 1981. My Department supports the fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for priority infrastructural projects.
In February 2016, my Department announced a five-year Fire Services Capital Programme with an allocation of €40 million, based on the current annual €8 million allocation, to be used for the purchase of fire appliances and specialist equipment, building or upgrading of prioritised Fire Stations, an upgrade of the Communications and Mobilisation system and improvements to Training Centres.
With regard to Ballinamore fire station, correspondence was initially received in August 2007 outlining works required. Further to this, a Capital Appraisal was requested in January 2008 and received by my Department in March 2010. A further report was submitted by Leitrim County Council in August 2015 detailing a remedial works/refurbishment project costing €120,000. This fire station project has been approved under the five-year Fire Services Capital Programme and is listed as one of the stations to undergo remedial/upgrade works.
My Department is liaising with Leitrim County Council to progress this project. Once a capital appraisal and detailed cost plan is received in respect of Ballinamore it will be possible to outline the timeframe for delivery of this project. The projects in the capital programme are reassessed on an annual basis and priority may be adjusted to bring forward projects offering best value-for-money and to take account of the state of readiness of the projects.
457. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government to outline his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1364/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra458. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of applications which have been received regarding planning for solar energy farms in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1446/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra522. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government to outline his plans to establish guidelines surrounding planning applications for solar farms; if his attention has been drawn to concerns of local authority members regarding the number of applications being made for solar farms in the absence of guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1618/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 457, 458 and 522 together.
There are no specific planning guidelines in place in respect of solar farms. Proposals for individual solar farm developments are subject to the statutory requirements of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, in the same manner as other proposed developments. Planning applications are made to the relevant local planning authority with a right of appeal to An Bord Pleanála.
Under the Planning and Development Act, each planning authority's development plan must set out an overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of the area concerned. Section 10 of the Act requires a development plan to include, inter alia, objectives for the provision or facilitation of the provision of infrastructure, including energy facilities, and many local authorities have developed renewable energy strategies for their areas in this context.
In making decisions on planning applications, planning authorities and the Board must consider the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, having regard to the provisions of the local development plan, any submissions or observations received and relevant Ministerial or Government policies, including any relevant guidelines issued by my Department. Planning authorities must then make their own decisions based on the specific merits or otherwise of individual planning applications.
I am satisfied that the planning code is sufficiently robust to facilitate the assessment of individual planning permission applications for solar farm developments. However, the matter will be kept under review, in consultation with my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, and his Department - which leads on renewable energy policy - in the context of the Government's White Paper on Energy Policy, published in December 2015, the development of a Renewable Electricity Policy and Development Framework, as well as the finalisation of a new support scheme for renewable electricity by that Department, expected in late 2017.
Planning statistics are submitted by planning authorities on an annual basis and are subsequently collated by my Department. Such statistics include information on the number of planning applications received and the number of applications which were granted or refused permission by each planning authority. However, the detailed information sought by the Deputy in relation to the number of applications received in specific counties relating to a particular class of development is not available in my Department.
459. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the way the variable interest rate is applied by local authorities; if it is linked to ECB rate reductions or increases; if changes are proposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41026/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current standard variable interest rate charged to local authority borrowers, applicable since 1 July 2016, is 2.3% which is circa 1.5% below the average variable mortgage rate charged by commercial lenders, delivering interest savings of approximately €1,500 per annum on a mortgage of €100,000.
The rate charged by local authorities is arrived at taking into account their cost of funds from the Housing Finance Agency plc (HFA) (currently 1%), and the local authorities' costs for administration and mortgage arrears resolution (1.3%).
The interest rate charged is not linked to the ECB rate. It is the case that as the cost of funding for the HFA has declined, six different interest rate cuts, totalling 1.5%, have been passed on to local authorities, since 2012. This has resulted in the rate charged to borrowers being significantly lower than the average market rate.
There are currently no plans to change the rate charged, which represents excellent value to borrowers.
