Written Answers Nos. 115-124
115. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Finance the number of commissions of inquiries or other formal investigations or inquiries being conducted in his Department; the name of these; the date they were established; the expected date the work is intended to be completed; the cost incurred to date; the estimated final cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6358/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no Commissions of Investigation for which I am the responsible Minister pursuant to the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004 or other equivalent formal investigations or inquiries being conducted in the Department of Finance at present.
116. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if issues referred to by a person (details supplied) at a Westminster committee in relation to border controls and the imposition of same should Britain leave the EU have been discussed at the EU Council of Finance Ministers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6374/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the referendum outcome, I have met with my EU counterparts at the ECOFIN and Eurogroup meetings on a regular basis. In line with the agreement at EU level that there will be no negotiations until the UK has triggered Article 50, the matter was not discussed at these meetings. On the margins of these meetings however, while fully respecting the principle of no negotiations, I have taken the opportunity in exchanges with partners (as have other Government Ministers) to underline Ireland's unique relationship with the UK and our specific concerns in relation to Northern Ireland, North-South relations, the Common Travel Area and the interconnectedness of our trade.
The Government's position is very clear in that we want the closest possible trading relationship with the UK. As articulated by the Taoiseach, any manifestation of a hard border would have very negative consequences. In that regard a key priority is to ensure the continued free flow of trade on the island and the need to avoid a hard border.
117. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of tourism and hospitality skills training positions allocated to counties Meath and Westmeath in 2015 and 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6278/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra118. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Education and Skills the agency or Government body which has oversight and responsibility for hospitality and tourism skills development policy here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6281/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra129. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of tourism and hospitality skills training positions that were allocated to the Meath East constituency in 2015 and 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6210/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra130. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of funding that was allocated to the Meath East constituency for tourism and hospitality skills training in 2015 and 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6211/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra142. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of funding allocated to counties Meath and Westmeath for tourism and hospitality skills training by his Department in 2015 and 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6280/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra145. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of training positions in respect of hospitality skills allocated to Kildare North since 2015 to date in 2017; the amount of funding allocated to this area in respect of training; the body with which responsibility lies for hospitality and tourism skills development policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6286/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 117, 118, 129, 130, 142 and 145 together.
My Department has overall responsibility for policy development for education and training provision across the economy including the hospitality and tourism sector. There are no plans to re-establish a dedicated training organisation for the sector, but rather to deliver the required education and training through the mainstream higher and further education and training sectors, in line with provision for other sectors.
The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGSFN) carried out a study on the future skills needs of the sector and the report of the study was published in November 2015. The objective was to assess demand arising within the sector in Ireland including hotels, restaurants, bars, canteens and catering over the period to 2020. The aim was to ensure that there will be the right supply of skills to help drive domestic hospitality sector business and employment growth. The report provides a clear and coherent framework for the development of talent in the hospitality sector in the years ahead to help drive both hospitality business and employment growth which is one the key goals of the Government’s Tourism Policy Statement – People, Place and Policy-Growing Tourism to 2025.
The Study assesses skills demand at all NFQ levels, with a particular focus on career progression opportunities for those at lower skilled levels to help fill anticipated job openings. The report provides a set of recommendations designed to address the skills requirements of the sector over the period to 2020. A key recommendation in the report was the need to set up of a National Oversight and Advisory Group comprising all the key hospitality stakeholders.
Following on this recommendation, the Hospitality Skills Oversight Group was established early last year, chaired by SOLAS for the first year. To date the group has held seven meetings.
Membership of the Group includes the Restaurant Association of Ireland, the Irish Hotel Federation, Irish Hospitality Institute, Licensed Vintners Association, Vintners Federation of Ireland, Fáilte Ireland, Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Department of Education and Skills, Department of Social Protection, Higher Education Authority, Skillnets, SOLAS, ETBs, IoTs, DIT and Quality and Qualifications Ireland.
The role of the Group is to monitor progress on the implementation of the recommendations of the EGFSN and to provide a forum for on-going collaboration in addressing the skills needs of the sector and to identify and progress actions to overcome barriers on its implementation.
The Group plan to publish a progress report later this year. To date work has been undertaken on careers promotion via a range of fora, the launch of the Tourism Insight online programme – aimed at promoting careers in tourism and hospitality with particular reference to transition year and Youthreach participants. Audits of both higher and further education facilities and courses are underway as well as the establishment of a Restaurant and Hospitality Skillnet which aims to address key skills requirements of restaurants and catering companies to help drive the domestic hospitality sector, employment growth, talent attraction and retention.
Funded through the National Training Fund by my Department, the network plans to design tailored programmes covering all aspects of the restaurant, food and beverage industry to SMEs nationally, with a particular focus on career progression for those at lower skilled levels to help fill anticipated job openings and increase retention levels within the sector and is well placed to address key recommendations of the EGFSN 2015 Report on the Future Skills.
Last week, I launched the 2016-2020 Action Plan to expand Apprenticeship and Traineeship in Ireland, setting out how state agencies, education and training providers and employers will work together to deliver on the Programme for Government commitments on the expansion of apprenticeship and traineeship in the period to 2020. The Plan sets out how we will manage the pipeline of new apprenticeships already established through the first call for proposals in 2015 and also commits to a new call for apprenticeship proposals later this year, to provide for the needs of all sectors, including hospitality and tourism.
Over the lifetime of the Action Plan, 50,000 people will be registered on apprenticeship and traineeship programmes representing a doubling of current activity.
Work is progressing on the development of a new Commis Chef Apprenticeship led by the Irish Hotels Federation and the Restaurants Association of Ireland working with Kerry Education and Training Board. It is planned that this programme will commence later this year. The Apprenticeship Council also recently approved development funding for a separate proposal to develop a Chef de Partie Apprenticeship. The Apprenticeship Council will continue to work with the proposers of these new programmes to develop them into sustainable apprenticeships that can be delivered on a nationwide basis. The funding for planned and forecast expansion in 2017 will see an additional €20 million provided.
In 2015 a new Career Traineeship initiative was begun by SOLAS in collaboration with ETBs and enterprise to develop a more effective model of work-based learning, primarily at NFQ levels 4 and 5, incorporating best national and international research and practice. Networks of Employers have been created to facilitate partnerships between ETBs and employers in identifying training needs, designing the training programmes, recruitment of learners and delivery of the training on and off the job. The Career Traineeship model of work-based learning is currently being piloted with the Hospitality and Engineering sectors, with the involvement of seven ETBs.
Given the breadth and range of programmes within the Further Education and Training (FET) sector, it is not possible to provide details of funding and places on a county by county basis across specific sectoral provision. However, one way in which Solas classify FET provision is by the career areas which it serves. The table on provision in the FET sector shows the total number of beneficiaries in the career areas of Food and Beverage and Tourism in each of the sixteen Education and Training Boards for 2015 along with that planned for 2016. As yet, final 2016 figures are not available.
While it is not possible to give details of expenditure at the level of career areas, the scale of total investment in FET and the numbers served on both a full and part time basis are also included in the table.
In relation to the number of tourism and hospitality skills training positions within the higher education sector in 2015 and 2016 and the amount of funding allocated for tourism and hospitality skills training in the same years, it is not possible to give a breakdown by county as students can apply for courses throughout the country, through the CAO application process. However, the table on provision in the higher education sector gives a breakdown outlining the number of training positions and the total estimated funding allocated which is categorised by each individual Institute.
In 2015 the total number of student in higher education courses in this sector was 8,220 with estimated funding allocated of approx. €47.4 million and in 2016 the total number of student for the sector was 8,033 with estimated funding allocated of approx. €48.4m. The funding detailed in this response includes an estimation of grants allocated to these courses, student contribution and free fees. The student numbers are calculated as full time equivalents (FTE) which includes part time and full time student counts.
This analysis of the higher education sector includes all courses within the following categories:
- Tourism/Hotel/Leisure/Event
- Hospitality and Culinary
- Heritage and Cultural
I also understand that a limited amount of complementary tourism-related business development and training supports are provided by Fáilte Ireland, the agency responsible for encouraging, promoting and supporting tourism as a leading indigenous component of the Irish economy. However, I have no role or responsibility in relation to Fáilte Ireland. Matters relating to that agency and its training and business supports are matters for my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.
Summary of 2015-2016 Tourism and Hospitality Courses Higher Education Sector
|
Institute |
2015 |
2016 |
Total |
|||
|
Student No's |
Amount € |
Student No's |
Amount € |
Student No's |
Total Amount € |
|
|
AIT |
427 |
2,538,000 |
384 |
2,477,000 |
811 |
5,015,000 |
|
ITB |
231 |
1,541,000 |
223 |
1,541,000 |
454 |
3,082,000 |
|
ITC |
109 |
730,000 |
143 |
910,000 |
252 |
1,640,000 |
|
CIT |
896 |
5,161,000 |
885 |
5,261,000 |
1781 |
10,422,000 |
|
DKIT |
450 |
2,272,000 |
462 |
2,521,000 |
912 |
4,793,000 |
|
DIT |
2482 |
14,143,000 |
2471 |
14,085,000 |
4953 |
28,228,000 |
|
DLIADT |
21 |
10,000 |
56 |
21,000 |
77 |
31,000 |
|
GMIT |
1130 |
6,051,000 |
1065 |
5,934,000 |
2195 |
11,985,000 |
|
LYIT |
219 |
1,475,000 |
203 |
1,455,000 |
422 |
2,930,000 |
|
LIT (incl LIT Tipp) |
447 |
2,657,000 |
438 |
3,015,000 |
885 |
5,672,000 |
|
ITS |
331 |
1,746,000 |
301 |
1,696,000 |
632 |
3,442,000 |
|
ITTD |
241 |
1,573,000 |
270 |
1,861,000 |
511 |
3,434,000 |
|
ITTR |
649 |
3,844,000 |
596 |
4,129,000 |
1245 |
7,973,000 |
|
WIT |
587 |
3,667,000 |
536 |
3,560,000 |
1123 |
7,227,000 |
|
Total |
8220 |
47,408,000 |
8033 |
48,468,000 |
16,253 |
95,874,000 |
|
- |
2015 |
2016 |
|||
|
Inputs |
|||||
|
ETB |
Skill Cluster |
Provision type |
Total Actuals |
Total Projected |
|
|
CAVAN AND MONAGHAN ETB |
Food and Beverage |
Total FULL TIME PROVISION |
94 |
114 |
|
|
Total PART TIME PROVISION |
222 |
162 |
|||
|
Total COMMUNITY EDUCATION |
33 |
0 |
|||
|
Total PROVISION |
349 |
276 |
|||
|
Tourism |
Total FULL TIME PROVISION |
90 |
127 |
||
|
Total PART TIME PROVISION |
9 |
0 |
|||
|
Total COMMUNITY EDUCATION |
0 |
0 |
|||
|
Total PROVISION |
99 |
127 |
|||
|
CITY OF DUBLIN ETB |
Food and Beverage |
Total FULL TIME PROVISION |
244 |
368 |
|
|
Total PART TIME PROVISION |
47 |
50 |
|||
|
Total COMMUNITY EDUCATION |
0 |
0 |
|||
|
Total PROVISION |
291 |
418 |
|||
|
Tourism |
Total FULL TIME PROVISION |
1269 |
685 |
||
|
Total PART TIME PROVISION |
0 |
3 |
|||
|
Total COMMUNITY EDUCATION |
0 |
0 |
|||
|
Total PROVISION |
1269 |
688 |
|||
|
CORK ETB |
Food and Beverage |
Total FULL TIME PROVISION |
366 |
422 |
|
|
Total PART TIME PROVISION |
43 |
36 |
|||
|
Total COMMUNITY EDUCATION |
24 |
0 |
|||
|
Total PROVISION |
433 |
458 |
|||
|
Tourism |
Total FULL TIME PROVISION |
763 |
524 |
||
|
Total PART TIME PROVISION |
0 |
40 |
|||
|
Total COMMUNITY EDUCATION |
0 |
0 |
|||
|
Total PROVISION |
763 |
564 |
|||
|
DONEGAL ETB |
Food and Beverage |
Total FULL TIME PROVISION |
0 |
0 |
|
|
Total PART TIME PROVISION |
0 |
0 |
|||
|
Total COMMUNITY EDUCATION |
32 |
8 |
|||
|
Total PROVISION |
32 |
8 |
|||
|
Tourism |
Total FULL TIME PROVISION |
95 |
0 |
||
|
Total PART TIME PROVISION |
0 |
0 |
|||
|
Total COMMUNITY EDUCATION |
0 |
0 |
|||
|
Total PROVISION |
95 |
0 |
|||
|
DUBLIN AND DUNLAOGHAIRE ETB |
Food and Beverage |
Total FULL TIME PROVISION |
3 |
46 |
|
|
Total PART TIME PROVISION |
56 |
28 |
|||
|
Total COMMUNITY EDUCATION |
0 |
0 |
|||
|
Total PROVISION |
59 |
74 |
|||
|
Tourism |
Total FULL TIME PROVISION |
119 |
269 |
||
|
Total PART TIME PROVISION |
0 |
65 |
|||
|
Total COMMUNITY EDUCATION |
22 |
0 |
|||
|
Total PROVISION |
141 |
334 |
|||
|
GALWAY AND ROSCOMMON ETB |
Food and Beverage |
Total FULL TIME PROVISION |
0 |
21 |
|
|
Total PART TIME PROVISION |
65 |
176 |
|||
|
Total COMMUNITY EDUCATION |
0 |
0 |
|||
|
Total PROVISION |
65 |
197 |
|||
|
Tourism |
Total FULL TIME PROVISION |
0 |
74 |
||
|
Total PART TIME PROVISION |
30 |
73 |
|||
|
Total COMMUNITY EDUCATION |
0 |
||||
|
Total PROVISION |
30 |
147 |
|||
|
KERRY ETB |
Food and Beverage |
Total FULL TIME PROVISION |
56 |
94 |
|
|
Total PART TIME PROVISION |
20 |
20 |
|||
|
Total COMMUNITY EDUCATION |
0 |
0 |
|||
|
Total PROVISION |
76 |
114 |
|||
|
Tourism |
Total FULL TIME PROVISION |
31 |
164 |
||
|
Total PART TIME PROVISION |
0 |
0 |
|||
|
Total COMMUNITY EDUCATION |
0 |
80 |
|||
|
Total PROVISION |
31 |
244 |
|||
|
KILDARE AND WICKLOW ETB |
Food and Beverage |
Total FULL TIME PROVISION |
27 |
144 |
|
|
Total PART TIME PROVISION |
42 |
105 |
|||
|
Total COMMUNITY EDUCATION |
10 |
8 |
|||
|
Total PROVISION |
79 |
257 |
|||
|
Tourism |
Total FULL TIME PROVISION |
93 |
122 |
||
|
Total PART TIME PROVISION |
29 |
54 |
|||
|
Total COMMUNITY EDUCATION |
0 |
0 |
|||
|
Total PROVISION |
122 |
176 |
|||
|
KILKENNY AND CARLOW ETB |
Food and Beverage |
Total FULL TIME PROVISION |
0 |
||
|
Total PART TIME PROVISION |
42 |
54 |
|||
|
Total COMMUNITY EDUCATION |
192 |
111 |
|||
|
Total PROVISION |
234 |
165 |
|||
|
Tourism |
Total FULL TIME PROVISION |
0 |
47 |
||
|
Total PART TIME PROVISION |
9 |
0 |
|||
|
Total COMMUNITY EDUCATION |
0 |
0 |
|||
|
Total PROVISION |
9 |
47 |
|||
|
LAOIS AND OFFALY ETB |
Food and Beverage |
Total FULL TIME PROVISION |
23 |
||
|
Total PART TIME PROVISION |
17 |
121 |
|||
|
Total COMMUNITY EDUCATION |
182 |
25 |
|||
|
Total PROVISION |
199 |
169 |
|||
|
Tourism |
Total FULL TIME PROVISION |
0 |
0 |
||
|
Total PART TIME PROVISION |
13 |
36 |
|||
|
Total COMMUNITY EDUCATION |
0 |
0 |
|||
|
Total PROVISION |
13 |
36 |
|||
|
LIMERICK AND CLARE ETB |
Food and Beverage |
Total FULL TIME PROVISION |
127 |
186 |
|
|
Total PART TIME PROVISION |
178 |
158 |
|||
|
Total COMMUNITY EDUCATION |
0 |
0 |
|||
|
Total PROVISION |
305 |
344 |
|||
|
Tourism |
Total FULL TIME PROVISION |
151 |
147 |
||
|
Total PART TIME PROVISION |
0 |
0 |
|||
|
Total COMMUNITY EDUCATION |
0 |
0 |
|||
|
Total PROVISION |
151 |
147 |
|||
|
LONGFORD AND WESTMEATH ETB |
Food and Beverage |
Total FULL TIME PROVISION |
18 |
44 |
|
|
Total PART TIME PROVISION |
45 |
0 |
|||
|
Total COMMUNITY EDUCATION |
0 |
0 |
|||
|
Total PROVISION |
63 |
44 |
|||
|
Tourism |
Total FULL TIME PROVISION |
40 |
147 |
||
|
Total PART TIME PROVISION |
0 |
0 |
|||
|
Total COMMUNITY EDUCATION |
0 |
0 |
|||
|
Total PROVISION |
40 |
147 |
|||
|
LOUTH AND MEATH ETB |
Food and Beverage |
Total FULL TIME PROVISION |
58 |
155 |
|
|
Total PART TIME PROVISION |
0 |
0 |
|||
|
Total COMMUNITY EDUCATION |
0 |
0 |
|||
|
Total PROVISION |
58 |
155 |
|||
|
Tourism |
Total FULL TIME PROVISION |
93 |
40 |
||
|
Total PART TIME PROVISION |
0 |
48 |
|||
|
Total COMMUNITY EDUCATION |
0 |
0 |
|||
|
Total PROVISION |
93 |
88 |
|||
|
MAYO, SLIGO AND LEITRIM ETB |
Food and Beverage |
Total FULL TIME PROVISION |
110 |
127 |
|
|
Total PART TIME PROVISION |
76 |
172 |
|||
|
Total COMMUNITY EDUCATION |
86 |
0 |
|||
|
Total PROVISION |
272 |
299 |
|||
|
Tourism |
Total FULL TIME PROVISION |
168 |
197 |
||
|
Total PART TIME PROVISION |
0 |
15 |
|||
|
Total COMMUNITY EDUCATION |
0 |
0 |
|||
|
Total PROVISION |
168 |
212 |
|||
|
TIPPERARY ETB |
Food and Beverage |
Total FULL TIME PROVISION |
10 |
13 |
|
|
Total PART TIME PROVISION |
56 |
50 |
|||
|
Total COMMUNITY EDUCATION |
0 |
0 |
|||
|
Total PROVISION |
66 |
63 |
|||
|
Tourism |
Total FULL TIME PROVISION |
67 |
49 |
||
|
Total PART TIME PROVISION |
0 |
0 |
|||
|
Total COMMUNITY EDUCATION |
0 |
0 |
|||
|
Total PROVISION |
67 |
49 |
|||
|
WATERFORD AND WEXFORD ETB |
Food and Beverage |
Total FULL TIME PROVISION |
55 |
70 |
|
|
Total PART TIME PROVISION |
55 |
94 |
|||
|
Total COMMUNITY EDUCATION |
75 |
64 |
|||
|
Total PROVISION |
185 |
228 |
|||
|
Tourism |
Total FULL TIME PROVISION |
160 |
286 |
||
|
Total PART TIME PROVISION |
16 |
75 |
|||
|
Total COMMUNITY EDUCATION |
0 |
0 |
|||
|
Total PROVISION |
176 |
361 |
|||
|
Total ETB Provision |
Food and Beverage |
Total FULL TIME PROVISION |
1168 |
1827 |
|
|
Total PART TIME PROVISION |
964 |
1226 |
|||
|
Total COMMUNITY EDUCATION |
634 |
216 |
|||
|
Total PROVISION |
2766 |
3269 |
|||
|
Tourism |
Total FULL TIME PROVISION |
3139 |
2878 |
||
|
Total PART TIME PROVISION |
106 |
409 |
|||
|
Total COMMUNITY EDUCATION |
22 |
80 |
|||
|
Total ETB PROVISION |
3267 |
3367 |
|||
|
Total FULL TIME PROVISION |
4307 |
4705 |
|||
|
Total PART TIME PROVISION |
1070 |
1635 |
|||
|
Total ETB Provision |
Food and Beverage & Tourism |
Total COMMUNITY EDUCATION |
656 |
296 |
|
|
Total ETB PROVISION |
6033 |
6636 |
|||
|
Momentum |
Food and Beverage & Tourism |
Total FULL TIME PROVISION |
1144 |
134 |
|
|
Total FULL TIME PROVISION |
5451 |
4839 |
|||
|
Total PART TIME PROVISION |
1070 |
1635 |
|||
|
Total FET Provision |
Food and Beverage & Tourism |
Total COMMUNITY EDUCATION |
656 |
296 |
|
|
Total FET PROVISION |
7177 |
6770 |
|||
|
Inputs |
|||||
|
ETB |
Skill Cluster |
Provision type |
Total Actuals |
Total Projected |
|
|
2015 |
2016 |
|
- |
2015 |
|
|
Beneficiaries Actual |
Actual Expenditure |
|
|
Total FULL TIME PROVISION |
126,567 |
€405,919,922 |
|
Total PART TIME PROVISION |
152,212 |
€65,033,976 |
|
Total COMMUNITY EDUCATION |
66,616 |
€10,914,066 |
|
2016 |
||
|
Beneficiaries Planned |
Planned Expenditure |
|
|
Total FULL TIME PROVISION |
126,153 |
€400,622,733 |
|
Total PART TIME PROVISION |
134,839 |
€65,373,528 |
|
Total COMMUNITY EDUCATION |
51,999 |
€10,727,731 |
119. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of long-term renting or purchase of prefabs for schools here over the past eight years to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6158/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that information in relation to the cost in the case of schools with purchased prefabs is not readily available. However, information requested by the Deputy in relation to the cost of rented accommodation is contained in the table.
The Deputy should be aware that prior to 2013, separate information on the rental of prefabs, buildings and land was not compiled by my Department so that the information provided for the years, 2009 to 2012 inclusive, relates to expenditure on all types of rented accommodation. The information provided for the years 2013 and onwards relates to the rental of prefab accommodation only.
|
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
|
€38,903,960 |
€29,309,300 |
€28,963,380 |
€24,672,145 |
€24,463,515 |
€15,130,375 |
€16,874,955 |
€23,354,175 |
€3,222,715 |
120. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress of the review into the operations of Caranua. [6169/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that I have recently approved the terms of reference for the review of eligibility for services which are supported by Caranua. The draft terms of reference will be published shortly and the views of interested parties sought. Once the terms are finalised, it would be my intention to proceed quickly thereafter to select suitably qualified persons, through an appropriate procurement process, to undertake the review.
121. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the role his Department plays in monitoring the operations of Caranua; and if he satisfied himself that the organisation is meeting its objective. [6170/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, Caranua is an independent statutory body established under the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012. That legislation sets out the respective responsibilities of the Board and executive of Caranua and of the Minister for Education and Skills. In summary, the key statutory responsibilities assigned to me, as Minister for Education and Skills, under the 2012 Act, that are directly relevant to Caranua are:
- the approval of contracts and consultancies (section 7(7));
- approving additional classes of services (section 8);
- the appointment of Board members (section 11);
- approving the appointment of a Chief Executive (section 13);
- approving the number of staff, their terms and conditions and remuneration, etc. (all with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform) (section 17);
- the receipt of annual reports and laying them before the Houses of the Oireachtas (section 19);
- matters relating to the independent appeals officer (sections 21 and 22); and
- the receipt of annual accounts and laying them before the Houses of the Oireachtas (section 31).
I am satisfied that the arrangements that are in place for the monitoring and oversight of Caranua by my Department are appropriate and operate effectively while respecting the statutory independence of that organisation and complying with the provisions of the 2012 Act and other requirements including the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.
The Deputy will wish to be aware that up to the end of December 2016 Caranua had received over 5,600 applications and had spent over €56 million on supports to or on behalf of almost 4,200 applicants. Thus a significant level of funding has been provided to a large number of former residents, a fact which is to be particularly welcomed. I believe that the lives of many former residents will have been improved as a result of this support.
122. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills if fibre broadband is rolled out nationwide, if schools will have access to this technology under the present filtered system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6190/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThrough the Schools Broadband Access Programme, the Department provides for the supply of internet connectivity for all recognised primary, post-primary and special schools. The overall policy of my Department is to offer the best quality connectivity to all schools in line with technical solutions available in the market and within required financial parameters.
A framework involving 14 providers was put in place in 2012 which has ensured improved solutions are available to primary schools. The most recent draw down off that framework saw approximately 90% of school connections retendered, with over 1,100 schools awarded connections of 30Mbit/s or greater.
The Department has upgraded more than 1,000 school connections to fibre broadband in fibre broadband enabled areas. Under the current programme, the Department continually reviews the availability of services and upgrades schools where the opportunity arises, within the parameters of the programme and in compliance with procurement and contractual obligations. Connecting schools to fibre broadband where and when available will be considered in that context.
The recently announced ICT Infrastructure Grant represents the first tranche of funding committed to under the Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020 Enhancing Teaching, Learning and Assessment, launched in October 2015. This outlines the Department’s vision to further embed technology and digital learning in primary and post-primary schools, through detailed actions in areas including curriculum, digital content, teacher education and CPD, and advice and support. The circular announcing details of the scheme can be referenced at (http://www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0001_2017.pdf).
123. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna an bhfuil sé i gceist aige a chinntiú go mbeidh múinteoir breise ex quota ag na scoileanna Gaeltachta ó Mheán Fómhair ar aghaidh mar a gealladh i mBeartas na Roinne ar Oideachas Gaeltachta; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [6191/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMaidir leis an ngníomh sa Pholasaí don Oideachas Gaeltachta 2017-2022 a bhaineann le socrúcháin scoile bliana i mbunscoileanna agus iar-bhunscoileanna aitheanta Gaeltachta, do chéimithe ó na cláir nua um oiliúint tosaigh múinteoirí (ITE) bunscoile agus iar-bhunscoile, is gníomh amháin é sin de roinnt gníomhartha a dhéanfar. Cuirfear gníomhartha an pholasaí i bhfeidhm ar bhonn céimnithe ó Mheán Fómhair 2017. Ní thosóidh an gníomh seo i Meán Fómhair 2017, ach ag céim níos déanaí sa chur i bhfeidhm.
124. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna an bhfuil sé i gceist an leithroinnt múinteoirí do scoileanna ar oileáin a mhéadú ó aon mhúinteoir amháin go 2.5 mhúinteoir ag pointe scála bunúsach; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [6193/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTar éis athbhreithniú a bheith déanta ar leithdháileadh foirne i gcomhair Bunscoileanna Beaga, forálann ceann de na bearta a fógraíodh i gCáinaisnéis 2017 do bhunscoileanna aon oide ar oileáin. Sa chás gurb í an scoil an t-aon bhunscoil ar an oileán, is féidir an dara hoide a cheapadh sa scoil. Beidh éifeacht leis seo ó mhí Mheán Fómhair 2017 agus leagfar amach é sa chiorclán maidir le sceideal foirne don scoilbhliain 2017/18 a bheidh ar fáil ar shuíomh gréasáin mo Roinne sna seachtainí seo amach romhainn.
Maidir leis an ngníomh sa Pholasaí don Oideachas Gaeltachta 2017-2022 a bhaineann le socrúcháin scoile bliana i mbunscoileanna agus iar-bhunscoileanna aitheanta Gaeltachta, do chéimithe ó na cláir nua um oiliúint tosaigh múinteoirí (ITE) bunscoile agus iar-bhunscoile, is gníomh amháin é sin de roinnt gníomhartha a dhéanfar. Ní thosóidh an gníomh seo i Meán Fómhair 2017, ach ag céim níos déanaí sa chur i bhfeidhm.
