Thursday, 9 Nov 2017

Written Answers Nos. 93-104

Education Centre Network

Ceisteanna (93)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

93. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the new regulations which state that a director of education can hold the role for five years were not debated before they were introduced; the consultation process undertaken in advance of the regulations being introduced; the reason the regulations were never brought before the Teacher Conciliation Council; the rationale for the regulations; the number of submissions received by his Department on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47506/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

Section 37 of the Education Act 1998 provides the statutory basis for Education Support Centres and outlines the policy framework underpinning their recognition and functions, funding, staffing and governance. The Act empowers me as Minister to make regulations relating to the operation of centres including the appointment and remuneration of staff which includes the post of director.

The regulations I recently promulgated under Section 37(6) of the Education Act underpins my Department's policy for the secondment of teachers to Education Support Centres. These regulations comply with relevant legal and policy requirements. 

Officials of my Department communicated the introduction and the rationale for the regulations to the Education Centres, ATECI as the representative body for Education Centres and the teacher unions. Officials met with ATECI and one of the teacher unions and received a written submission from ATECI.

By way of background, my Department arranges for the secondment of teachers from their teaching posts for the purpose of developing and providing CPD for teachers and for the appointment as Directors of Education Support Centres (ESC's). Secondments are a temporary arrangement renewable on a year to year basis. While on secondment, teachers retain their school post, the terms and conditions that apply to teachers and receive their salary and a secondment allowance which are met in full by my Department.

In 2010, a new policy of secondment was introduced which included a new limit on secondment numbers and established an upper limit of 5 years on the length of a secondment, following which the Directors return to their posts either as a teacher or an inspector.  The policy was agreed by the then Minister for Finance Mr Brian Lenihan T.D., and the then Minister for Education and Science, Mary Coughlan T.D.

There are many benefits from the revised policy for teachers, their boards of management and the system as a whole.  Because an upper limit of 5 years now applies to secondments, there is:

- confidence that the teachers involved in the delivery of CPD have recent experience of the curriculum and of the school environment

- certainty about secondment parameters which assist individual teachers and their boards of management in planning

There are more opportunities for teachers to take on career enhancing roles in the support services and the Centres. Teachers returning to their school after a period of secondment have the potential to enrich their school environment and they become eligible to take on subsequent secondment opportunities after a period back in their school.

Regular turnover of seconded teachers is now an established practice with teachers returning to enrich their schools so the investment in their skills is not lost.  Since 2010, 10 Education Centres have successfully recruited new Directors and the work of the Centres has not been negatively affected.

Special Educational Needs Staff Contracts

Ceisteanna (94)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

94. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the procedure to be followed to return to their former position as a special needs assistant in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47563/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

When an employer has an SNA vacancy to fill, they must undertake the recruitment process in accordance with the provisions outlined in Circular 0042/2017 “Recruitment of Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) –Supplementary Assignment Arrangements for the 2017/18 School Year” - https://www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0042_2017.pdf

The supplementary assignment arrangements for Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) were established on foot of proposals brought forward by the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) when the Haddington Road Agreement was being agreed. These supplementary assignment arrangements for SNAs continue to operate under the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018 - 2020, and both unions representing SNAs, namely SIPTU and IMPACT, have signed up to that agreement. As set out in the LRC proposals, the supplementary assignment arrangements for SNAs only apply to current SNAs who are notified that they are to be made redundant. Accordingly, the purpose of these arrangements is to facilitate eligible SNAs who are being made redundant by one employer in filling SNA vacancies that may become available in another school / ETB. 

It should be noted that this does not prevent any person from applying for SNA vacancies but employers are obliged to give precedence to applicants who are members of the SNA Supplementary Assignment Panel.

Apprenticeship Programmes

Ceisteanna (95)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

95. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the review SOLAS was to commission on pathways to participation in apprenticeship, including participation of persons with a disability; and his plans for developing apprenticeships opportunities for persons with disabilities. [47581/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

SOLAS has commenced the review on pathways to participation in apprenticeship, including participation of persons with a disability. As set out in the Action Plan to Expand Apprenticeship and Traineeship in Ireland 2016-2020, the review will be completed by end the second quarter of 2018.

Apprenticeship Data

Ceisteanna (96)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

96. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the targeted apprentice registrations forecasted for all craft-based apprenticeships and registrations planned under new consortia led apprenticeship programmes; the apprenticeship population forecasted between craft-based and new consortia led apprenticeships; the number of existing and new apprenticeship programmes forecasted in each of the years 2016 to 2020, in tabular form; and the actual numbers released, apprenticeship registrations and new programmes operationalised for these targets in 2016 and to date in 2017. [47582/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

The information requested by the deputy is set out in the following table:

-	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020
Projected Number of Craft Apprenticeships	27	27	27	27	27
Forecast Registration for Craft Apprenticeships	3,390	4,147	4,697	5,087	5,587
Projected Number of New Consortia Apprenticeships	2	15	25	35	40
Forecast Registrations for New Consortia Apprenticeships	82	800	1,500	2,297	3,413
Total Target Registrations	3,472	4,947	6,197	7,384	9,000
Forecast Population Craft Apprenticeships	11,025	13,582	16,243	18,956	21,729
Forecast Population New Consortia Apprenticeships	82	882	2,370	3,994	6,069
Total Forecast Population	11,107	14,464	18,613	22,950	27,798

Springboard Programme

Ceisteanna (97)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

97. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the budget allocation for expenditure on Springboard in each of the years 2011 to 2017; the allocation made for 2018; the number of persons enrolled in such courses in each such year; and the projections for the period to 2020 in tabular form. [47586/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

Springboard+ which incorporates the ICT skills conversion programme, is a specific initiative which provides free part-time and full-time courses aimed at addressing the current skills needs of employers and supporting jobseekers to return to employment. 

Springboard+ courses are at Level 6 (Certificate) to Level 9 (Masters) on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) and are delivered in public and private higher education providers around the country.  All Springboard+  courses are in areas of identified skills need.

To date over €144m has been allocated to Springboard+ providing for over 35,000 places.  Courses have been delivered in areas such as, ICT, Manufacturing which includes the biopharma sector, Construction, Entrepreneurship, Cross-Enterprise Skills, the Hospitality Sector and International Financial Services.  90% of courses (with the exception of entrepreneurship-based courses) have a work placement.

Springboard+ is managed by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on behalf on my Department.  An evaluation of Springboard+ 2011-2016 published by the HEA in 2016 showed that:

 80% of Springboard+ participants 2011-2015 are no longer on the live register

- Employment rates 3-6 months after graduation have increased from 37% in 2011 to 61% in 2014.

- ICT Conversion Graduates has the highest employment rates 3-6 months after graduation at 73% in 2014.

The attached file contains:

- The budget allocation and the number of participants enrolled in Springboard+ for the years 2011 to 2016

- The budget allocation and the proposed number of places for Springboard+ 2017 and Springboard+ 2018, and

- The estimated budget allocation and proposed number of places for Springboard+ 2019 and Springboard+ 2020.

Springboard+

Year	Funding by academic year	Participant Numbers
2011/12	€16,706,405	4,836
2012/13	€23,532,410	6,335
2013/14	€24,902,092	6,183
2014/15	€26,396,291	5,178
2015/16	€34,047,356	7,800
2016/17	€18,720,495	5,326
*2017/18	€27,438,000	6,471
*2018/19	€30,438,000	7,471
*2019/20	€30,438,000	7,471
2020/21	€30,438,000	7,471

*€27,438,00 has been allocated to Springboard+ 2017 providing for 6,471 places

*€30,438,000 has been allocated to Springboard+ 2018 providing for 7,471 places

Funding for 2018/19 to 2020/21 is dependent on budget allocations, and this may increase, with corresponding increase in places

National Training Fund

Ceisteanna (98)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

98. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the budget allocation for expenditure on Skillnets in each of the years 2011 to 2017; the allocation made for 2018; the number of persons enrolled in such courses in each year; and the projections for the period to 2020. [47587/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

I can inform the Deputy that the budget allocation for expenditure on Skillnets in each of the years 2011 to 2018 is outlined in the table:

2011 – 2016 Actual

Year	NTF Allocation	Numbers Enrolled
2011	€14.5 Million	42,113
2012	€14.5 Million	44,000
2013	€15.1 Million	45,878
2014	€15.7 Million	46,449
2015	€16.2 Million	48,923
2016	€16.2 Million	50,373

2017 - 2018 Allocations

Year	NTF Allocation	Numbers Enrolled
2017	€18.2 Million	52,000 (projected)
2018	€21.7 Million	55,000 (projected)

It is not possible to supply projections for the years 2019 and 2020 as the allocation figures form part of the of the Annual Budget process.

Immigrant Investor Programme Administration

Ceisteanna (99)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

99. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will report on the immigrant investment programme and recent changes in the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47373/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice and Equality

I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service of my Department that the most recent changes to the Immigrant Investor Programme occurred  in December 2016.  At that time the Tánaiste and then Minister for Justice and Equality announced the intention to restore the minimum investment for an enterprise under the Immigrant Investor Scheme, from €0.5 million to €1.0 million with effect from 1 January 2017.  At the time, developments and trends surrounding the Immigrant Investor Programme indicated to the Expert Committee that the restoration of the Investment threshold to its original level of €1 million was warranted.

I am advised that the increase in the investment threshold has in no way impacted negatively on the number of applications received.  Indeed, the quality of application received has improved and the current threshold also provides for a greater commitment from investors.

Garda Strength

Ceisteanna (100)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Ceist:

100. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in County Kildare by station on 30 April 2016 and 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47343/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice and Equality

As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources.

I am informed by the Commissioner that the Garda strength of the Kildare Division on 30 September 2017, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 341. There are also 20 Garda Reserves and 29 civilians attached to the Division. When appropriate, the work of local Gardaí is supported by a number of Garda national units such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.

I am further informed by the Commissioner that since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, close to 1,400 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide, 72 of whom have been assigned to the Kildare Division.  In addition, another 200 trainee Garda are scheduled to attest later this year which will see Garda numbers, taking account of projected retirements, increase to around the 13,500 mark by year end - an increase of 500 since the end of 2016.  

This Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and to deter crime.  The substantial increase in Garda numbers is tangible progress on achieving this Government’s vision of an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians.

I am pleased to say that Budget 2018 will support the continuation of this high level of investment in the Garda workforce and ensure that the vision of an overall workforce of 21,000 by 2021 remains on track. A further 800 new Garda Recruits will enter the Garda College, an additional 500 civilians will also be recruited to fill critical skills gaps across the organisation and to facilitate the redeployment of Gardaí from administrative and technical duties to front-line operational duties. There are plans to strengthen the Garda Reserve with new Reserves expected to commence training early in 2018.

This focus on investment in personnel is critical. The moratorium on recruitment introduced in 2010 resulted in a significant reduction in the strength of An Garda Síochána.  We are now rebuilding the organisation and providing the Commissioner with the resources needed to deploy increasing numbers of Gardaí across every Garda Division, including the Kildare Division, in the coming years.

This investment in personnel is complemented by substantial investment in resources across the board for An Garda Síochána. Some €330 million, including €205 million under the Capital Plan, is being invested in Garda ICT infrastructure over the period 2016 to 2021.

The Capital Plan 2016 – 2021 provides for an investment of €46 million the Garda fleet to ensure that An Garda Síochána has a modern, effective and fit for purpose fleet. This is in addition to the investment of almost €30 million in the period 2013 to 2015. In the period 2013 to end of 2017 almost €44 million will have been invested in the fleet with some 2,000 vehicles coming on stream in that period.

This investment in resources will facilitate the provision of more effective policing services and I expect that the Kildare Division, like all other Garda Divisions will benefit from these new resources becoming available.

I am informed by the Commissioner that the Garda strength of the Kildare Division on 30 April 2016 and the 30 April 2017 is as set out in the following table:

STRENGTH OF THE KILDARE DIVISION

DISTRICT	STATION	30 APRIL 2016	30 April 2017
KILDARE	ATHY	27	28
	CASTLEDERMOT	3	4
	KILDARE	34	36
	MONASTEREVIN	4	5
	NEWBRIDGE	49	42
	RATHANGAN	2	3
	TOTAL	119	118
LEIXLIP	CARBURY	8	7
	CELBRIDGE	11	11
	KILCOCK	9	9
	LEIXLIP	37	49
	MAYNOOTH	13	14
	TOTAL	78	90
NAAS	CLANE	7	7
	KILCULLEN	2	2
	NAAS	102	104
	ROBERTSTOWN	3	2
	TOTAL	114	115
KILDARE TOTAL		311	323

Garda Data

Ceisteanna (101, 111, 113)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Ceist:

101. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in County Laois by station on 30 April 2016 and 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47344/17]

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

111. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí to be recruited to counties Laois and Offaly; the number recruited for these counties since 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47509/17]

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

113. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if additional community gardaí will be made available to counties Laois and Offaly in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47511/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice and Equality

I propose to take Questions Nos. 101, 111 and 113 together.

As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources.

I am informed by the Commissioner that the Garda strength of the Laois/Offaly Division on 30 September 2017, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 324, 8 of whom are community Gardaí. There are also 17 Garda Reserves and 25 civilians attached to the Division. When appropriate, the work of local Gardaí is supported by a number of Garda national units such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.

I am further informed by the Commissioner that since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, close to 1,400 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide, 66 of whom have been assigned to the Laois/Offaly Division, 37 of whom were assigned since 2016. In addition, another 200 trainee Garda are scheduled to attest later this year which will see Garda numbers, taking account of projected retirements, increase to around the 13,500 mark by year end - an increase of 500 since the end of 2016.

This Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and to deter crime. The substantial increase in Garda numbers is tangible progress on achieving this Government’s vision of an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians.

I am pleased to say that Budget 2018 will support the continuation of this high level of investment in the Garda workforce and ensure that the vision of an overall workforce of 21,000 by 2021 remains on track. A further 800 new Garda Recruits will enter the Garda College, an additional 500 civilians will also be recruited to fill critical skills gaps across the organisation and to facilitate the redeployment of Gardaí from administrative and technical duties to front-line operational duties . There are plans to strengthen the Garda Reserve with new Reserves expected to commence training early in 2018.

This focus on investment in personnel is critical. The moratorium on recruitment introduced in 2010 resulted in a significant reduction in the strength of An Garda Síochána. We are now rebuilding the organisation and providing the Commissioner with the resources needed to deploy increasing numbers of Community Gardaí across every Garda Division, including the Laois/Offaly Division, in the coming years.

This investment in personnel is complemented by substantial investment in resources across the board for An Garda Síochána. Some €330 million, including €205 million under the Capital Plan, is being invested in Garda ICT infrastructure over the period 2016 to 2021.

The Capital Plan 2016 – 2021 provides for an investment of €46 million the Garda fleet to ensure that An Garda Síochána has a modern, effective and fit for purpose fleet. This is in addition to the investment of almost €30 million in the period 2013 to 2015. In the period 2013 to end of 2017 almost €44 million will have been invested in the fleet with some 2,000 vehicles coming on stream in that period.

This investment in resources will facilitate the provision of more effective policing services and increased Garda visibility within our communities and I expect that the Laois/Offaly Division, like all other Garda Divisions will benefit from these new resources becoming available.

I am informed by the Commissioner that the Garda strength of the Laois/Offaly Division on 30 April 2016 and the 30 April 2017 is as set out in the following table:

STRENGTH OF THE LAOIS/OFFALY DIVISION

DISTRICT	STATION	30 April 2016	30 APRIL 2017
BIRR	BANAGHER	5	5
	BIRR	27	29
	CLOGHAN	1	1
	FERBANE	5	4
	KILCORMAC	2	2
	KINNITTY	1	1
	SHINRONE	1	1
	TOTAL	42	43
PORTLAOISE	ABBEYLEIX	19	20
	ARLES	1	1
	BALLYLINAN	2	2
	BORRIS-IN-OSSORY	1	1
	CLONASLEE	1	1
	DURROW	1	1
	MOUNTMELLICK	6	5
	MOUNTRATH	3	3
	PORTARLINGTON	11	14
	PORTLAOISE	103	117
	RATHDOWNEY	2	2
	STRADBALLY	2	2
	TOTAL	152	169
TULLAMORE	CLARA	3	5
	DAINGEAN	2	2
	EDENDERRY	12	12
	RHODE	1	1
	TULLAMORE	74	72
	TOTAL	92	92
LAOIS/OFFALY TOTAL		286	304

Stardust Fire

Ceisteanna (102)

John Lahart

Ceist:

102. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the ongoing review into the Stardust fire; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47350/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice and Equality

The Government established an independent Stardust Assessment to evaluate the claim of new and updated evidence presented by the Stardust Victims’ Committee relating to the Stardust tragedy. Judge McCartan’s assessment report was formally submitted to my Department on 17 October 2017. The report was considered by my Department and was sent to the Office of the Attorney General for advices.

I brought the report to the Cabinet meeting on 7 November 2017, following receipt of those advices. The report was accepted by the Government and furnished to the Stardust Victims’ Committee immediately afterwards.

I published the report later on 7 November and also laid the report before the Houses of the Oireachtas on the same date, given that the assessment process was initiated on foot of a Dáil Motion in January.

I would like to express my gratitude to Judge McCartan for the work he undertook in preparing his report.  The judge was nominated by the relatives as a person they trusted and I am grateful to him for his willingness to undertake this important public service.

Having carefully considered the two previous independent reports on the Stardust tragedy and considered all material made available to him, Judge McCartan concluded that no further new enquiry is warranted.

The Stardust Fire was undoubtedly one of the greatest tragedies in the history of this country and the Government established this independent assessment process to ensure that all available evidence, including any new material that may have come to light, could be assessed as a matter of urgency. I acknowledge the terrible pain and loss of the relatives of the victims and the fact that the report does not come to the conclusion that they would have wished for.

Residency Permits

Ceisteanna (103)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

103. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when stamp 4 will be renewed in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47380/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice and Equality

I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person referred to by the Deputy was granted Long Term Residency (Stamp 4) on 03 February 2009 for five years.  INIS did not receive an application for renewal of this Long Term Residency permission (Stamp 4).  This person, however, currently holds a Stamp 1 permission to remain in the State valid to 20 August 2018. 

Based on the information supplied, INIS is unable to advise on whether the person referred to by the Deputy is eligible for Stamp 4 permission.  It is open to the person concerned to submit an application for Stamp 4 to Long Term Residency Division, INIS, 13/14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2 for examination.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.

Garda Commissioner Appointment

Ceisteanna (104)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

104. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to appoint a Garda Commissioner before the work of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland is completed. [47401/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice and Equality

As the Deputy is aware the Policing Authority under section 9 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, as amended, has responsibility for nominating persons for appointment by the Government to the post of Garda Commissioner.

This will be the first time that the new legislative process is utilised and I have consulted with the Chair of the Authority about a process to identify and appoint a permanent Commissioner to An Garda Síochána.  We are agreed that it is crucial that a deliberate and considered recruitment process takes place so that the best possible candidate is appointed following a selection process. We are also agreed that an overly long delay in the appointment of a new Commissioner would not be optimal for the organisation in terms of performance and morale.

I am pleased to say that the Authority has commenced the groundwork for the recruitment process in advance of the formal triggering of the statutory process by Government. I see this process taking a number of weeks during which the Authority will engage with my Department and with the Public Appointments Service which will undertake the competition on behalf of the Authority. Importantly, it will also allow the Authority to explore with the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland how it sees the future role and responsibilities of the new Commissioner. As the Deputy is aware the Commission is undertaking a comprehensive review of all aspects of policing in the State and has considerable experience and expertise. I very much welcome the willingness of the Commission to share its perspective with the Authority in advance of completing its work in September 2018. This will assist in ensuring that potential candidates have as much information as possible in relation to the future direction of policing in the State. 

Subject to the progress that the Authority makes over the coming weeks I would expect that the Government will be in a position to formally approve the Authority to invite the Public Appointments Service to conduct the selection process in the coming weeks. Once the process is triggered I would anticipate that it will take between four to six months to identify and appoint a successful candidate.