Written Answers Nos. 88-107
88. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the reason the insurance compensation fund cannot pay more frequently than once every six months; if the restriction is in primary legislation or in regulations; the specific provision or provisions that imposes this restriction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53468/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that under the Insurance Act 1964, as amended, monies may be paid out of the Insurance Compensation Fund (ICF), with the approval of the High Court, in relation to an insolvent insurer, to meet claims up to a limit of 65% or €825,000 of the claim, whichever is the lesser.
Section 3B(1)(a) of the Insurance Act 1964, as inserted by Section 4 of the Insurance (Amendment) Act 2011, provides that applications to the High Court may be made by the Accountant of the Courts of Justice, where the insurer in liquidation is authorised in a Member State other than Ireland, not more than once in every 6 month period.
This provision was inserted to ensure that excessive legal and administrative costs are not imposed on the ICF and to enable claims to be made in respect of a number of policyholders at a time rather than in respect of each policyholder individually.
It should be noted that heads of the Insurance (Amendment) Bill were approved by Government in July and then sent to the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel for priority drafting and to the Joint Oireachtas Committee for pre-legislative scrutiny. This legislation based on the recommendations of the Review of the Framework for Motor Insurance Compensation in Ireland will amend the relevant Insurance Acts to, inter alia, reduce the limitation on the frequency of applications to 3 month intervals.
The proposed Bill will also provide for the transfer of responsibility for administration of the Fund from the Accountant of the High Court to the Central Bank of Ireland as well a providing for a more formal role for the State Claims Agency. The revised arrangements will provide for a more efficient and effective compensation process in the event of a call on the ICF.
89. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the amount of tax relief claimed on health expenses in each of the past five years; the number of persons or tax units in receipt of this relief in each of the past five years; the number of claims that were investigated in each of the past five years; the number of claims that were disallowed in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53482/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra90. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the amount of tax relief claimed on nursing home expenses in each of the past five years; the number of persons or tax units in receipt of this relief in each of the past five years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53483/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra91. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the amount of tax relief claimed on the costs of employing a home carer in each of the past five years; the number of persons or tax units in receipt of this relief in each of the past five years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53484/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 89 to 91, inclusive, together.
I am advised by Revenue that the Cost of Tax Expenditures Table is available on the Revenue Statistics webpage at https://www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/information-about-revenue/statistics/tax-expenditures/costs-expenditures.aspx.. This sets out, in tabular form, data on a wide range of reliefs, credits and allowances including health expenses, nursing home related health expenses and expenses relating to employing a person to take care of an incapacitated individual. Please note that ‘Person taking care of incapacitated taxpayer’ relates to the cost of employing a person to take care of an incapacitated individual.
The table sets out the numbers of claims reviewed and disapproved for health expenses since 2013. This information covers claims by PAYE cases only. I am advised by Revenue that to include the same information in respect of self assessed cases would require a significant manual review of records, which it is not feasible to undertake.
|
Year |
No. of Claims Reviewed |
Value of Claims |
No. of Claims Disapproved |
Amount Disallowed |
|
2013 |
7,945 |
€3,798,200 |
1,340 |
€908,992 |
|
2014 |
5,859 |
€2,770,178 |
1,092 |
€747,832 |
|
2015 |
6,132 |
€2,766,510 |
1,052 |
€699,290 |
|
2016 |
7,326 |
€3,038,810 |
1,221 |
€785,490 |
|
2017 (to date) |
8,641 |
€4,583,867 |
1,374 |
€1,102,720 |
|
Total |
35,903 |
€16,957,565 |
6,079 |
€4,244,324 |
92. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Finance the role and function of the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF); the way in which the ISIF met its stated function of achieving positive economic impact in addition to its investment returns, in 2016 and to date in 2017; the positive economic activity that is a direct result of the ISIF and would not have occurred otherwise; the co-investment partners the ISIF secured in 2016 and to date in 2017; his plans to change ISIF's mandate to allow it to invest in deadweight or displacement investments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53495/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (“ISIF”) has a statutory mandate to invest on a commercial basis in a manner designed to support economic activity and employment in Ireland.
All ISIF investments are considered in terms of their potential risk - adjusted commercial return prospects and the potential economic impact. The Fund targets those areas for investment which have higher potential economic and employment impact, these will form the majority – approximately 80% - of the ISIF portfolio over time. Some of the sectors with the lowest levels of deadweight and displacement and highest levels of additionality would be those involved in exports, manufacturing, and internationally-traded services.
Key figures from the ISIF’s most recent Economic Impact Report show that as at 31 December 2016:
- approximately 22,000 jobs are supported directly and indirectly by ISIF investments
- 140 Irish companies and projects are benefitting from ISIF investments
Updated economic data as at 30 June 2017 will be published by the NTMA shortly.
The ISIF seeks co-investors, where possible, to ensure the commerciality of its investments and leverage the economic impact that can be obtained from ISIF resources. As at 30 September 2017, the ISIF’s €3 bn has unlocked third party capital to generate an estimated total investment commitment of €8.4 bn in Ireland.
I continue to monitor and consider ISIF's future strategy, but have no plans to change ISIF's statutory mandate to sanction any actions that would allow it intentionally engage in deadweight or displacement investment.
93. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the planned parking works at Farnanes Garda station, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53499/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra97. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the planned parking works at a Garda station (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53451/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 97 together.
I can confirm that the Office of Public Works (OPW) received an enquiry from local Gardaí about developing the parking facilities at the Garda Station in question.
All requests for capital works at Garda Stations must be approved by Garda Estate Management (GEM) of An Garda Síochána and funding confirmed before they can be scheduled by OPW for delivery. At present, the OPW regional office is assisting local Garda management in developing and costing a proposal for consideration by GEM.
94. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the supports made available to meet the housing needs of those affected by flooding in Finn Valley and Inishowen in August 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53287/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has provided many supports to assist those households affected by flooding in Donegal last August.
The Local Authorities would have the principal responsibly for housing needs in their area and Donegal County Council would be able to provide information regarding the status of any supports that they have provided.
The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP) operates a humanitarian assistance scheme to assist households in the immediate aftermath of emergency events such as flooding.
The purpose of the humanitarian assistance scheme is to prevent hardship by providing income-tested financial support to people whose homes are damaged from flooding and severe weather events and who are not in a position to meet costs for essential needs, household items and in some instances structural repair.
DEASP have advised that there is a time-lag between the flooding event and claims for financial support as the full extent of the damage to homes only becomes known when the flood water abates and the properties dry out. As such, that Department can be contacted for a full breakdown of their work in Donegal in the aftermath of the flood event in August 2017.
Homeowners affected by the flooding in August 2017 may be considered for humanitarian assistance for relocation under the 2017 Voluntary Homeowners Relocation Scheme if they also flooded in Winter 2015/2016 and meet the terms of that scheme. My officials are working with Donegal County Council to identify properties in this regard.
A core element of national flood policy is to assess areas at potentially significant risk from flooding and develop Flood Risk Management Plans through the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. The Programme is focussing on 300 Areas for Further Assessment (AFAs) including 90 coastal areas, mainly in urban locations nationwide, identified as being at potentially significant risk of flooding. It is the principal vehicle for implementing the EU Floods Directive and national flood policy.
There are a number of AFAs in the Finn Valley and Inishowen areas and the details that outline any proposed measures for these AFAs will be included in the Flood Risk Management Plans.
The final Plans are currently undergoing an independent review of the strategic level environmental assessments by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Once this independent review of all Plans is completed and observations addressed, in early 2018, I expect to seek approval from the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform for the 29 Flood Risk Management Plans developed under the CFRAM Programme.
Thereafter, I would hope to announce the proposed structural measures contained within those Plans that will be taken, through a prioritised approach over the coming years, to detailed design to protect those communities at assessed risk.
95. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if consideration will be given to making a vacant Garda station (details supplied) in County Kerry available for community use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53372/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe former Garda station at Camp, Co. Kerry closed on 31 January 2013 as part of An Garda Síochána’s 2013 Policing Plan.
As part of the Programme for a Partnership Government, the Policing Authority was asked to oversee a review of all closed Garda stations with a view to the possible reopening of some stations. While An Garda Síochána has identified six former stations for reopening, the final outcome of the review has yet to be published. The Commissioners of Public Works are required to await the result of this review before any decision can be reached on the future use of these closed Garda stations
The policy of the Office of Public Works (OPW) with regard to non-operational (vacant) State property, including the former Garda station at Camp, Co. Kerry is to:
1. Identify if the property is required/suitable for alternative State use by either Government Departments or the wider public sector.
2. If there is no other State use identified for a property, the OPW will then consider disposing of the property on the open market if and when conditions prevail, in order to generate revenue for the Exchequer.
3. If no State requirement is identified or if a decision is taken not to dispose of a particular property, the OPW may consider community involvement (subject to a detailed written submission, which would indicate that the community/voluntary group has the means to insure, maintain and manage the property and that there are no ongoing costs for the Exchequer).
In light of the above, the former Garda station at Camp is therefore not available for use by the local Community Council.
96. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the sectors within the public service which will not benefit from the phased increase of the retirement age from 65 to 70 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53404/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are certain groups of employees in the public service who, due to the nature of their work, are currently required to retire early. Members of An Garda Síochána, the Permanent Defence Force, Firefighters and Prison Officers are the constituent groups in this category, which are collectively referred to as the uniformed pension fast accrual group.
These public servants currently have earlier compulsory retirement ages (the age at which they must retire) than other public servants. In recognition of this, their superannuation terms are such that they accrue pension benefits at an accelerated rate.
The Government agreed that the compulsory retirement age for these groups of employees can only be dealt with at sectoral level where the detailed policy, operational and manpower issues relevant to those groups can be appropriately considered. On that basis, the increases in the compulsory retirement age for pre 2004 public servants announced last week will not apply to those groups of public servants. Retirement ages for those groups will remain a matter for individual consideration in the context of the particular operational considerations arising for such groups, which can best be addressed by the respective Ministers.
98. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the cost of running the creative youth pull-out section in a newspaper (details supplied); the Department that authorised it; if his Department authorised it; if his Department was consulted before authorisation was provided; if this was an initiative by the strategic communications unit, SCU; the role of the SCU in this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53498/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is not a matter for my Department, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Matters in relation to the Strategic Communications unit are for the Department of Taoiseach in the first instance.
99. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of school places in mainstream schools that have been made available to accommodate children with special needs nationally for the school years 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18, by county, in tabular form; the adequacy of the provision of these additional school places for children with special needs in relation to demand nationally for the same period, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53291/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is the policy of my Department that all children with Special Educational Needs can have access to an education appropriate to their needs, preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network.
Such placements facilitate access to individualised education programmes which may draw from a range of appropriate educational interventions, delivered by fully qualified professional teachers, with the support of Special Needs Assistants and the appropriate school curriculum.
Some students, although academically able to access the curriculum in mainstream, may find it too difficult to manage full-time placement there. This can be due to significant difficulties in areas such as behaviour or sensory needs which have not been ameliorated, even with appropriate intervention, in mainstream.
Special classes are sanctioned in mainstream schools for students with special educational needs arising from certain disabilities.
Enrolment in a special class should only be considered where it has been demonstrated that a student requires the support of a special class because he/she is unable to learn effectively in a mainstream class for most or all of the school day even with appropriate supports.
In order to access a special class a student must have a report from a relevant professional or team of professionals (for example, psychologist, speech and language therapist, psychiatrist) stating that:
- S/he has a disability (in line with the designation of the special class in question) and
- S/he has complex or severe learning needs that require the support of a special class setting and the reasons why this is the case.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), in consultation with the relevant education partners, is responsible for organising and planning education provision for children with Special Educational Needs and the establishment of special class and special school placements in various geographical areas where there is an identified need.
The NCSE, in looking to open special classes, must take into account the present and future potential need for such classes, taking particular account of the educational needs of the children concerned. The NCSE will also take account of location and sustainability in looking to establish special classes in certain areas.
Since 2011, the NCSE has increased the number of special classes by over 130% from 548 in 2011 to 1,302 for the 2017/18 school year.
The number of students in special classes has almost doubled from 3,286 in 2011 to 6,392 in the 2016/17 school year. This reflects the priority which the Government has put on helping children with Special Educational Needs to achieve their potential.
While it is not always possible to ensure that a special class placement will be available in a child’s local school, the NCSE has informed my Department that, in general, they are satisfied that sufficient special class placements were/are available to meet demand in the years referenced by the Deputy.
My Department continues to work with the NCSE to ensure that there is appropriate planning in place to ensure that all children who require special class or special school placements can access such placements.
Statistics in relation to special classes, including those sought by the Deputy, are available on the NCSE website, www.ncse.ie.
100. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to put the minor works funding on a statutory footing in order that it will be a guaranteed payment to schools each year in view of the fact that schools rely heavily on the minor works grant as part of their operational capital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53322/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are significant demands placed on the education capital budget annually due to demographic pressures, and the imperative of ensuring a school place for every child.
This year we will deliver nearly 19,000 permanent school places in state of the art facilities around the country. This compares to 8,900 permanent school places provided in 2010.
As part of our longer term infrastructural planning, my Department will explore whether it will be possible to give greater certainty to primary schools in relation to the payment of the Minor Works Grant taking account of the Government's 10 Year Public Capital Investment Plan, which is currently under development.
101. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost in a full year if the student-to-staff ratio in institutes of technology decreased from 23:1 to 21:6. [53353/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile currently the staff: student ratio across the University sector is 23:1, it is lower in the Institutes of Technology sector, with the current ratio at 19:1.
Higher education is a key priority for this Government. This is evidenced in the fact that we will be investing €60 million in additional funding in 2018. Combined with the increase in funding in 2017, this means that we will be investing €100m more in higher education in 2018 than in 2016.
102. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 50 of 6 December 2017, the seven County Wexford schools benefitting from major building projects under the school capital investment programme; the status of each project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53369/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, a total of seven schools in County Wexford are included on my Department's 6 Year Construction Programme.
The current status of the building projects for these schools is as follows:
Loreto Secondary School, Wexford - the new school building is under construction and is due to be completed within the coming weeks.
St Joseph's Primary School, Gorey - an extension to the existing school is under construction and it is expected that the project will be completed in early 2018.
Sites are required to facilitate the construction of permanent school buildings for Wexford Educate Together N.S. and Meanscoil Gharman, Enniscorthy and my Department is currently engaging with the Local Authority regarding the acquisition of suitable sites. When acquired, the architectural planning process to provide the new school buildings will be initiated.
A building project is also proposed for St Canice's Convent N.S. Rosbercon, New Ross and my Department is currently liaising with the school in relation to matters associated with the site.
In addition, extensions to Bridgetown College and Vocational College, Bunclody are proposed. In this regard, site visits to both schools have taken place as part of the preparatory work required for the projects.
103. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to address the shortage of primary school and secondary school places for children in the Wexford town district area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53370/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, my Department’s capital programme continues to address the challenge posed by a rapidly increasing school population. To meet this demographic challenge, my Department’s Capital Investment Programme (2016-2021), details the school projects that are being progressed through the architectural planning process towards tender and construction. The Capital Programme also provides for devolved funding for essential mainstream classrooms to meet the demand for extra school places and in cases where additional teachers have been appointed.
The progression of the seven school building projects for the Wexford schools included in the 6 Year Construction Plan will assist in meeting enrolment demand. As with other school planning areas nationwide, my Department is continuing to monitor the demographic data for the area referred to, taking into account updated child benefit data, the impact of planned expansion of school capacity and developments in the school planning areas adjacent to Wexford town.
There is currently a review underway of the need for school places across our 314 school planning areas, which is expected to identify new needs due to the higher than expected population recorded in the Census. It is anticipated that decisions based on these exercises will be announced shortly.
104. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the retention of funds for the construction of a new IT Carlow campus in County Wexford will be guaranteed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53371/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department remains supportive of the proposed acquisition by IT Carlow of a site in Wexford for the development of a new purpose-built campus . In that regard, we are committed to retaining an allocation for the acquisition of an appropriate site in our budget next year.
We are working closely with the Higher Education Authority and IT Carlow on next steps.
105. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Education and Skills if in view of his recent statements to Dáil Éireann that the minor works grant for schools for 2018 would not be paid until the calendar year 2019, there will be a double payment in 2019, one in early 2019 carried over from 2018 and a second towards the end of 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53381/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI indicated to the House last week that the Minor Works Grant 2018/2019 would issue during the 2018/2019 school year. It is not possible to say at this stage if the payment will be made in late 2018, like this year, or early in 2019. I should point out that the payment of the Minor Works Grant is not confined to any particular date and can in fact, if paid, be issued during any month of the school year.
With regards to the 2019/2020 Minor Works Grant it is too early to indicate at this time when the grant will issue during that particular school year.
As part of our longer term infrastructural planning, my Department will explore whether it will be possible to give greater certainty to primary schools in relation to the payment of the Minor Works Grant, taking account of the Government's 10 Year Public Capital Investment Plan, which is currently under development.
106. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of its total allocation under the capital investment plan 2016 to 2021 his Department has spent to date. [53416/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's total capital expenditure in 2016 amounted to €703.8m and the capital allocation for 2017 amounting to €693.4m is expected to be fully expended by year-end.
107. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of autism spectrum disorder, ASD, special classes in each county or local authority in tabular form. [53417/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe policy of my Department is to ensure that all children with Special Educational Needs, including those with Autism, can have access to an education appropriate to their needs, preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network.
Such placements facilitate access to individualised education programmes which may draw from a range of appropriate educational interventions, delivered by fully qualified professional teachers, with the support of Special Needs Assistants and the appropriate school curriculum.
Almost 18,000 students in schools have been diagnosed with autism. My Department invests over €300m annually in providing additional resources specifically to support students with autism in schools enabling:
- 61% of students to attend mainstream schools
- 26% to attend special classes in mainstream primary and post-primary schools, and
- 13% to attend special schools.
In order to identify need in any area for forthcoming school years, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) refer to professional reports indicating students require the support of a special class. In this regard Parents/Guardians of students with ASD seeking a special class placement should provide the relevant professional report to their local Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO) to inform the planning process. The report must state that:
- S/he has ASD
- S/he has significant learning needs that require the support of a special class setting and the reasons why this is the case.
Since 2011 the NCSE has increased the number of special classes by over 130% from 548 in 2011 to 1,300 across the country in 2017, of which 1,042 are Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) special classes. This reflects the priority which the Government has put on helping children with Special Educational Needs to achieve their potential.
The NCSE, in looking to open special classes, must take into account the present and future potential need for such classes, taking particular account of the educational needs of the children concerned. The NCSE will also take account of location and sustainability in looking to establish special classes in certain areas.
My Department continues to work with the NCSE to ensure that there is appropriate planning in place to ensure that all children who require special class placements can access such placements in schools within their communities.
Details of all special classes for children with special educational needs are available , in county order, on the NCSE website www.ncse.ie.
