Written Answers Nos. 75 - 87
75. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Finance the amount currently earned in taxation on interest from crowdfunding loans to small and medium enterprises (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6549/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra76. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to schemes in the UK such as (details supplied) which would allow small lenders that lend to Irish small and medium enterprises through vehicles such as to qualify for a tax reduction, either against an investment as a whole, or against small loans which deteriorate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6550/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 75 and 76 together.
Schemes such as crowdfunding and peer-to-peer lending to which the Deputy refers are not currently regulated activities in Ireland. In June 2014 the Central Bank of Ireland issued a Consumer Notice on Crowdfunding which alerts consumers to the fact that crowdfunding is not a regulated activity. The notice can be found via the following link: http://www.centralbank.ie/press-area/press-releases/Pages/ConsumerNoticeCrowdfunding.aspx.
There are currently several crowdfunding platforms active in the Irish market and the Government recognises that crowdfunding can be a valuable source of funding for SMEs either as a complement to, or as an alternative to traditional bank finance. The European Commission recently published a detailed report which finds that several member states of the EU have developed, or are in the process of developing national regulatory regimes but currently there is no evidence of a firm proposal from the Commission to bring forward an EU regulatory initiative.
The Department of Finance is currently undertaking a detailed analysis of crowdfunding and is engaging with the Central Bank of Ireland in advance of holding a Public Consultation on the Regulation of Crowdfunding in Q1 2017. I am not in favour of considering changes to the tax treatment of investments made via such platforms in advance of the conclusion of this review and the regulation of the sector. The Deputy will also note that my Department has published guidelines for tax expenditure evaluation which need to be considered in relation to any new proposals for tax expenditures. Some of the key evaluation questions that need to be addressed as part of such evaluations are:
(i) What objective does the tax expenditure aim to achieve?
(ii) What market failure is being addressed?
(iii) Is a tax expenditure the best approach to address the market failure?
(iv) What economic effect is the tax expenditure likely to have?
(v) How much is it expected to cost?
In relation to the Deputy's second question, I am informed by Revenue that it is not possible to provide the information sought by the Deputy concerning the current yield to the Exchequer from the taxation of investment earnings from crowd-funding loans to small and medium enterprises. Income Tax returns do not seek the information required to enable this data to be separately identified.
77. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance his views on the moves in the US to reduce financial regulation and the potential roll back of the Dodd-Frank law; if he has undertaken a risk assessment of such moves on the Irish banking and financial sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6572/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am not going to directly comment on the speculation of potential changes to financial regulation in the United States or other jurisdictions, which are a matter for the relevant legislators. The Financial Stability Group (the successor to the Principals' Group), which includes the Department of Finance, the Central Bank and the NTMA, is assessing geopolitical risks including changes in other jurisdictions' financial regulation which could affect the global financial system. The Deputy will be aware that at a European and national level, financial legislation and regulation has undergone significant reform and strengthening since the financial crisis.
In an Irish context, these comprehensive reforms, as well as the structural, organisational and cultural changes made within State Institutions, including my Department, were aimed at addressing the weaknesses in our financial system. Ireland has learned the importance of firm action to prevent financial crisis.
Ireland is also a full participant in the reform of financial regulation at the European level. The stability of financial markets has been a central priority for the European Union since the financial crisis and in the interim we have seen the introduction of reformed oversight and resolution regimes to address any emerging vulnerabilities or instabilities in the European Banking Sector.
These reformed oversight and resolution regimes include new European institutions; strengthened regulations; a more intrusive supervisory approach; and a new focus on macroprudential requirements.
The Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM) is now responsible for the prudential supervision framework for euro area banks. The central piece of the SSM supervisory process is the Supervisory Review and Evaluation Process (SREP) under which ECB led joint supervisory teams inspect business models, internal governance, profitability and banking risks.
I can assure the Deputy that financial regulation developments in other jurisdictions, outside of the EU, are subject to continual monitoring by the EU, the Central Bank and my Department.
78. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the progress of the independent review on corporation tax; if the deadline of the end of the second quarter in 2017 is still applicable; if it will include potential changes in tax rates in the UK and the US; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6573/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe review of the Irish corporation tax code is being undertaken by Mr Seamus Coffey. I have not specifically asked Mr Coffey to evaluate the potential changes in tax rates in the UK and the US; however, these matters do form part of the context in which the review is being undertaken.
The review is currently underway and I expect to receive recommendations by the end of the second quarter of this year.
79. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if exemption from LPT applies in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6630/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs previously advised in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 85 of 29 September 2016, the Finance Local Property Tax (LPT) Act 2012 does not provide entitlement to exemption from LPT on foot of pyritic damage where remediation was carried out prior to the commencement of the tax in 2013, as was the case with the property in question.
However, on the basis of the revaluation now confirmed by the Deputy, the property owner will be able to reduce the value of his property by one Band for the current LPT valuation period (2013 2019) once he provides the necessary supporting documentation (a copy of the revaluation certificate) to Revenue.
Revenue has advised me that a member of the LPT team will make direct contact with the person to expedite the reduction and to agree payment arrangements for the remaining liability.
80. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of tourism and hospitality skills training positions allocated to counties Carlow and Kilkenny in 2015 and 2016; the amount of funding allocated to counties Carlow and Kilkenny for tourism and hospitality skills training in 2015 and 2016; the agency or State body that has oversight and responsibility for hospitality and tourism skills development policy nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6524/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy 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, Licenced 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.
On the 26th January 2017, 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 following 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 attached 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. €47.4million 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
|
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 |
|
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 |
81. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills when schools can expect the summer works scheme to be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6399/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that nearly 50% of schools have applied for inclusion under the scheme which reflects a very high demand. Details of successful school applicants in respect of Categories 1 and 2 were announced in April last and are published on my Department’s website www.education.ie. Assessment of valid projects in further categories is now being undertaken by my Department, subject to the overall availability of funding, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the scheme as outlined in Circular Letter (0055/2015), which may be accessed on my Department's website. It is my intention to publish a list of successful applicants in due course.
82. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6400/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of a Category 6 application, Roof Project, under the Summer Works Scheme (2016-2017) from the school to which she refers.
Nearly 50% of schools have applied for inclusion under the scheme which reflects a very high demand. Details of successful school applicants in respect of Categories 1 and 2 were announced in April last and are published on my Department's website www.education.ie.
Assessment of valid projects in further categories is now being undertaken by my Department, subject to the overall availability of funding, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the scheme as outlined in Circular Letter (0055/2015), which may be accessed on my Department's website. The application from the school in question is available to be considered in this context.
83. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department will provide funding to replace a flat roof in a school (details supplied) which is in bad repair and urgently needs work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6401/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that the Summer Works Scheme (SWS) is designed to allow schools to carry out small and medium scale building works that will improve and upgrade existing school buildings. This scheme is additional to other capital funding schemes that are operated by my Department such as the additional accommodation scheme, Emergency Works Scheme i.e. for projects of such urgency that they would prevent some or all of the school from opening, and Minor Works Schemes. The current SWS was announced in late 2015 and is being applied on a multi-annual basis for the years 2016 and 2017.
Nearly 50% of schools have applied for inclusion under the scheme which reflects a very high demand. It is a matter for school authorities to identify and decide on the project they regard as being most urgent for their school. The school in question has prioritised an application for mechanical works, Category 3, under the current scheme. Details of successful school applicants in respect of Categories 1 and 2 were announced in April last and are published on my Department's website, www.education.ie. Assessment of valid projects in further categories is now being undertaken by the Department, subject to the overall availability of funding, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the scheme as outlined in Circular Letter (0055/2015) which may be accessed on the Department’s website. The school’s application for mechanical works is available to be considered in this context.
In the meantime, primary schools also have access to the minor works grant i.e. €5,500 for each primary school plus €18.50 per pupil or €74 per special needs pupil, which all primary schools received last November, that may be utilised to carry out works in full or on a phased basis as that grant permits. It is open to the school in question to consider this option in the context of the roof works.
84. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education and Skills the names and locations of the 24 schools in County Laois which are without access to a NEPS psychologist. [6417/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware my Department’s National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides an educational psychological service to schools through the direct assignment of a NEPS psychologist and in some cases by providing schools access to the Scheme for Commissioning Psychological Assessments (SCPA) where schools can have an assessment carried out by a member of the panel of private psychologists approved by NEPS, and NEPS will pay the psychologist the fees for this assessment directly. SCPA is utilised, in the main, where as yet unfilled vacancies exist in NEPS staffing provision locally or where staffing resource is lost through extended leave (maternity, sick or carer’s leave)
I attach for the Deputy’s information a list of schools who currently derive this service through the above mentioned SCPA scheme rather than through a NEPS psychologist. In the case of these schools, NEPS psychologists may no longer be assigned to those schools as a result of retirement, resignation or transfer to another NEPS region.
The Public Appointments Service (PAS) maintains regional recruitment panels of qualified personnel to fill these vacancies. During 2016, despite my Department's best efforts the panels did not produce recruits for NEPS in relation to all vacancies, the panels were therefore closed.
A new national recruitment competition was put in place last Autumn by PAS to fill all vacancies within all NEPS Regions. The resulting interview process associated with this competition was completed last week and recruitment panels for each NEPS region, including Dublin, will now be formed. PAS will finalise the processing of the candidates, including Garda vetting, and propose each candidate in series to my Department Human Resources Section for contract negotiations and formal job offer.
It is envisaged that the process will produce new NEPS psychologists for assignment to schools, including that to which the Deputy refers in his question, by the end of the current academic year.
However it is important to point out that in cases where NEPS service is not available through staffing vacancy or temporary absence of staff, as described above, the schools affected continue to have access to a psychologist through the Scheme for Commissioning Psychological Assessments to undertake pupil assessment work.
I would also confirm that all schools are able to access full NEPS supports in the event of a critical incident irrespective of their having ongoing access to an assigned NEPS psychologist or not.
List of Co. Louth Schools who do not currently have access to a NEPS Psychologist to undertake pupils assessment but who have instead access to the SCPA Scheme for this purpose.
|
07/02/2017 |
||||||||
|
Roll No. |
Region |
County |
School |
Address 1 |
Address 2 |
Address 3 |
Address 4 |
|
|
01556F |
Primary |
South-East |
SCOIL BHRIDE |
BALLYROAN |
PORTLAOISE |
CO LAOIS |
1 |
|
|
07442U |
Primary |
South-East |
St Josephs National School |
BORRIS IN OSSORY |
PORTLAOISE |
CO LAOIS |
1 |
|
|
07636K |
Primary |
South-East |
ST FINTANS N S |
NEW LINE ROAD |
MOUNTRATH |
CO LAOIS |
1 |
|
|
10544W |
Primary |
South-East |
COSBY N S |
STRADBALLY |
CO LAOIS |
1 |
||
|
13173F |
Primary |
South-East |
PADDOCK N S |
PADDOCK |
MOUNTRATH |
PORTLAOISE |
CO LAOIS |
1 |
|
13386W |
Primary |
South-East |
S N AN CHROI RO NAOFA |
PORTLAOISE |
CO LAOIS |
1 |
||
|
13741Q |
Primary |
South-East |
RATH MIXED N S |
RATH |
BALLYBRITTAS |
PORTLAOISE |
CO LAOIS |
1 |
|
16070K |
Primary |
South-East |
MOUNTMELLICK BOYS N S |
MOUNTMELLICK |
CO LAOIS |
1 |
||
|
16667W |
Primary |
South-East |
TOBAR AN LEINN |
RAHEEN |
MOUNTRATH |
CO LAOIS |
1 |
|
|
17084D |
Primary |
South-East |
CILL AN IUBHAIR N S |
CILL AN IUBHAIR |
MOUNTRATH |
CO LAOIS |
1 |
|
|
17271C |
Primary |
South-East |
SCOIL MHUIRE MUIGHEO |
CRETTYARD |
CARLOW |
CO CARLOW |
1 |
|
|
17555Q |
Primary |
South-East |
SCOIL NAOMH ABBAN |
CRETTYARD |
CARLOW |
CO CARLOW |
1 |
|
|
17604D |
Primary |
South-East |
RAITHIN AN UISCE N S |
RAITHIN AN UISCE |
PORTLAOISE |
CO LAOISE |
1 |
|
|
18203N |
Primary |
South-East |
SCOIL NÁISIÚNTA CÚIL an tSÚDAIRE 2 |
SANDYLANE |
PORTARLINGTON |
CO LAOIS |
1 |
|
|
18294T |
Primary |
South-East |
BARR NA SRUTHAN N S |
BARR NA SRUTHAN |
MOUNTMELLICK |
CO LAOIS |
1 |
|
|
18368W |
Primary |
South-East |
MHUIRE FATIMA N S |
TIGH MOCHUA |
PORTLAOISE |
CO LAOIS |
1 |
|
|
18547W |
Primary |
South-East |
FAOLAN NAOFA N S |
BAILE UI RUAIN |
PORTLAOISE |
CO LAOIS |
1 |
|
|
18641O |
Primary |
South-East |
S N NAOMH EOIN |
PORTARLINGTON |
CO LAOIS |
1 |
||
|
19369G |
Primary |
South-East |
ST PAULS N S |
ST PAULS RECTORY |
MOUNTMELLICK |
CO LAOIS |
1 |
|
|
19747M |
Primary |
South-East |
SCOIL BHRIDE NS |
PORTLAOISE |
CO LAOIS |
1 |
||
|
20224K |
Primary |
South-East |
GAELSCOIL AN TSLI DALA |
BOIRIS MOR OSSARI |
CONTAE LAOISE |
1 |
||
|
20353V |
Primary |
South-East |
St Coleman's National School |
Stradbally |
Laois |
Co Laois |
1 |
|
|
68068R |
Post-primary |
South-East |
Coláiste Íosagáin |
Portarlington |
Co. Offaly |
1 |
||
|
91426A |
Post-primary |
South-East |
Mountmellick Community School |
Mountmellick |
Co Laois |
1 |
||
|
24 |
85. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to increase capacity at a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6441/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is aware of the demand for junior infant places at the school referred to and is liaising with the school directly in this regard.
My Department is keeping the area where the school is located, together with all areas nationally, under review to take account of updated demographic data. My Department will contact the school further in this matter as soon as possible.
86. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Education and Skills the proposed timeframe for the Technological Universities Bill; when it will be before Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6443/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government outlines that this Government will continue to support the creation of Technological Universities.
This is in line with the National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030 which provides a framework for the development of the higher education sector to 2030. With regard to the institute of technology sector, the Strategy recommended significant reforms to position the sector to meet national strategic objectives. In particular, the Strategy recommended consolidation within the sector and a pathway of evolution for those consolidated institutes of technology, to allow them to demonstrate significant progress against robust performance criteria and to apply to become technological universities.
In relation to the legislation, the third Government Legislative Programme of this Partnership Government was published on 17 January 2017, and the Technological Universities Bill is listed on the Dáil Order Paper and is awaiting Committee Stage.
I recognise that there were a significant number of matters raised previously in respect of the Bill at both Committee and Report Stage. It is my intention to consult with all of the relevant stakeholders in relation to both the matters raised during the legislative process and the commitments contained in the Programme for Government.
Following the finalisation of this consultation process I will then advance the legislation having determined a position in relation to any matters raised as part of this consultation process.
87. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there have been a number of write-offs with regard to recouping paid funds in each of the years since SUSI was formed in relation to discovered overpayment of maintenance grants by SUSI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6445/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe City of Dublin Education and Training Board (CDETB) was appointed as the national student grant awarding authority in 2012. To deliver this statutory function, CDETB set up a business unit called SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland).
The assessment of student grant applications by SUSI is a significant undertaking each year involving in excess of 100,000 applications. While every effort is made to prevent error and the overpayment of grants, some overpayments will nevertheless occur.
Where overpayments do occur, SUSI treats the overpayment as a debt to the exchequer and seeks to ensure that all such payments are recovered from the student. This approach is consistent with the general policy and principle regarding the recovery of debt, as set out in the Student Support Act 2011.
Some difficulties were encountered by SUSI in its first year of operations when processes and procedures were being rolled out for the first time. In light of the circumstances in which these overpayments incurred, the approval of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform was obtained for write-off of these specific overpayments as an exceptional measure in 2016.
Since 2013, SUSI has made significant improvements to its internal control systems and procedures to enhance control and reduce the potential of future overpayments occurring.
It operates a comprehensive set of processes and controls to manage the assessment process and to minimise the risk of incorrectly awarding grants. Such measures include comprehensive training for new staff as well as updates for existing staff on new scheme rules, and improved quality control procedures including random sample checking of ongoing grant applications by SUSI’s Quality Assurance Team.
SUSI has also strengthened data sharing processes with other relevant agencies such as the Department of Social Protection (DSP) and the Revenue Commissioners, as a means of ensuring significantly improved accuracy when assessing grant eligibility.
