Written Answers Nos. 131-138
131. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an application for an upgrade to a home economics room by a school (details supplied) has been approved in view of the condition of its current room; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20418/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that the school in question applied for funding under the Summer Works Scheme, under Category 9 - Curricular Requirement Works. The Summer Works Scheme (SWS) is designed to allow schools to carry out small and medium sized building works that will improve and upgrade existing school buildings.
The Summer Works Scheme (SWS) is a multi-annual Scheme. Over 1,650 schools, nearly 50% of schools, applied for inclusion under the current round of the scheme which reflects a very high demand.
Almost €80 million has been approved under the current round of the Scheme, in respect of 635 school projects, 464 primary and 171 post-primary schools, for Gas, electrical upgrades, mechanical, sanitation and roof improvement works. Details of the successful school applicants, are published on the Department's website www.education.ie.
In relation to the Summer Works Scheme 2018, over €25 million will be spent on summer works projects in 2018. This expenditure will enable the remaining approved improvement works for 178 schools nationwide to be completed. These works will be carried out by the schools themselves on a devolved basis mainly over the summer months, so the disruption to students, teachers and other school staff will be kept to a minimum.
Furthermore, the Department intends to engage with the relevant education partners in relation to giving schools a better lead-in period for planning and delivering projects under the summer works scheme from 2019 onwards. While the Summer Works Scheme is hugely successful in enabling small scale refurbishment works to be done on a devolved basis, the Department considers that the operation of the scheme could be improved by providing a better lead-in period for schools rather than in Quarter 2 as in previous years. This will also help ensure that works done under the Summer Works Scheme fit better with any wider refurbishment/energy retrofit plans that may be done at schools under the increased funding provided in the National Development Plan. The engagement with education partners will commence shortly and will assist in developing a better timeline for the planning and delivery of summer works projects for 2019 onwards.
132. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the capital allocation across his Department in each of the years 2018 to 2022. [20448/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra133. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills his Department's capital allocation for projects under way and projects already tendered or committed to spending contractually. [20465/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra134. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills his Department's capital allocation in each of the years 2018 to 2022 disaggregated according to capital allocated to projects under way, projects contractually committed to and projects yet to be initiated. [20482/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 132 to 134, inclusive, together.
My Department’s capital allocation for the years 2018 to 2022 is as follows:
2018 - €745m
2019 - €941m
2020 - €942m
2021 - €1,006m
2022 - €1,100m
The capital funding available to my Department for the years 2018 to 2021 has been allocated across the various sectors as set out in the table.
The National Development Plan signalled a capital allocation of €1.1 billion for the Department of Education and Skills in 2022. However, this total has not yet been allocated across individual capital subheads.
Typically, expenditure on large-scale projects and the devolved projects under the Additional Accommodation Scheme accounts for up to 80% of the capital allocation available to the school sector annually.
The Department’s website includes a list of all large-scale projects being delivered under the school building programme and the current status of each project from project brief to construction stages. Projects are listed in county order and the list will be updated on a monthly basis with the next update to be done by 31 May 2018.
The Department’s website also includes a list of all projects being delivered on a devolved basis under the Additional Accommodation Scheme. Projects are listed in county order and the list will be updated on a weekly basis.
Capital funding in the Higher Education sector will increase significantly from 2019 onwards and consideration of projects for delivery within the sector is now underway. Among the projects being funded in 2018 are the Confucius project in UCD and works on the DCU St Patricks Campus.
Likewise, capital funding for the Further Education sector also increases from 2019 onwards and projects for delivery have yet to be confirmed.
Public Private Partnership (PPP) commitments, including Unitary Charge payments, arise over the period 2018-22 in relation to nine existing PPP contracts. These contracts are as follows: Pilot Schools, Schools Bundles 1-5, National Maritime College of Ireland, Cork School of Music and DIT Grangegorman. As outlined in the attached table, the total allocation for education PPPs over the period 2018-2021 is currently over €440m.
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND SKILLS
CAPITAL PROVISION 2018-2021
|
SECTOR |
2018 (€m) |
2019 (€m) |
2020 (€m) |
2021 (€m) |
|
Primary/Post-Primary |
539.6 |
622 |
592 |
617 |
|
Higher Education |
30 |
90 |
109 |
138 |
|
Research Activities |
40.6 |
47.6 |
47.6 |
47.6 |
|
PPPs |
93.23 |
112 |
119 |
120 |
|
ICT (Schools) |
30 |
50 |
50 |
49 |
|
Further Education |
6 |
13 |
18 |
28 |
|
Other Programmes |
5.92 |
6.4 |
6.4 |
6.4 |
|
TOTAL |
745.35 |
941 |
942 |
1006 |
135. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if specific action can be taken in the case of a property (details supplied) in which management companies have failed to represent the interests of the residents and tenants in multi-unit developments and in which there is clear evidence of an unwillingness to acknowledge the position and grievances as set out by the residents and tenants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20493/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will appreciate that I am not in a position in my capacity as Minister for Justice and Equality to provide legal advice or to refer to a specific case of this kind in response to a parliamentary question.
By way of general information, the Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011 was enacted with the primary purposes of reforming the law relating to the ownership and management of common areas of multi-unit developments and facilitating the fair, efficient and effective management of owners' management companies (OMCs). These are companies registered under the Companies Acts, the members of which are the owners of residential units within the development, which are established for the purposes of ownership and management of such common areas.
Section 24 of the Act contains provisions for the resolution of disputes relating to multi-unit developments. It provides that a person, including any member of an OMC, may apply to the Circuit Court for an Order to enforce any rights conferred or obligations imposed by the Act. The Court, if satisfied that a right has been infringed or an obligation has not been discharged, may make such remedial order as it deems appropriate in the circumstances with a view to ensuring the effective enforcement of the right or the effective discharge of the obligation. The Act also contains provisions which encourage the resolution of disputes that may arise between parties by means of mediation rather than recourse to court proceedings.
136. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the details of staff in his Department including executive agencies by grade and location in counties Clare, Kerry and Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20232/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed that the information requested by the Deputy, including in relation to all agencies under the aegis of my Department, is set out in the table.
|
Location |
Office/ Body |
Grade |
Number |
|
Cork |
Courts Service |
County Registrar |
1 |
|
|
|
Principal Officer |
1 |
|
|
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
4 |
|
|
|
Higher Executive Officer |
17 |
|
|
|
Executive Officer |
20 |
|
|
|
Clerical Officer |
35 |
|
|
|
Court Crier |
1 |
|
Cork |
Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission |
Assistant Principal Officer (Senior Investigations Officer) |
1 |
|
|
|
Higher Executive Officer (Investigations Officer) |
4 |
|
|
|
Executive Officer (Investigations Officer) |
1 |
|
Cork |
An Garda Síochána |
Assistant Commissioner |
1 |
|
|
|
Chief Superintendent |
3 |
|
|
|
Superintendent |
14 |
|
|
|
Inspector |
19 |
|
|
|
Sergeant |
182 |
|
|
|
Garda |
1,073 |
|
Cork |
Garda Civilian |
Assistant Principal Officer |
1 |
|
|
|
Higher Executive Officer |
2 |
|
|
|
Executive Officer |
25 |
|
|
|
Clerical Officer |
103 |
|
Cork |
Legal Aid Board |
Clerical Officer |
18 |
|
|
|
Managing Solicitor Grade I |
2 |
|
|
|
Managing Solicitor Grade II |
4 |
|
|
|
Solicitor Grade III |
8 |
|
|
|
Legal Clerk |
3 |
|
|
|
Mediator |
4 |
|
Cork |
Department of Justice and Equality |
Executive Officer |
1 |
|
|
|
Clerical Officer |
4 |
|
|
|
Senior Probation Officer |
5 |
|
|
|
Probation Officer |
29 |
|
|
|
Community Service Supervisor |
4 |
|
Cork |
Irish Prisons Service |
Governor - Grade II |
1 |
|
|
|
Assistant Governor |
1 |
|
|
|
Chief Officer 1 |
1 |
|
|
|
Chief Officer 2 |
2 |
|
|
|
Industrial Manager |
1 |
|
|
|
Assistant Chief Officer |
18 |
|
|
|
Prison Officer |
110 |
|
|
|
Industrial Supervisor |
2 |
|
|
|
Work Training Officer |
26 |
|
|
|
Prison Higher Executive Officer |
1 |
|
|
|
Prison Clerical Officer |
4 |
|
|
|
Trades Officer |
4 |
|
|
|
Nurse Officer |
10 |
|
|
|
Medical Orderly |
1 |
|
Kerry |
Courts Service |
County Registrar |
1 |
|
|
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
1 |
|
|
|
Higher Executive Officer |
1 |
|
|
|
Executive Officer |
6 |
|
|
|
Clerical Officer |
8 |
|
|
|
Court Messenger |
1 |
|
Kerry |
An Garda Síochána |
Chief Superintendent |
1 |
|
|
|
Superintendent |
3 |
|
|
|
Inspector |
6 |
|
|
|
Sergeant |
44 |
|
|
|
Garda |
265 |
|
Kerry |
Garda Civilian |
Executive Officer |
6 |
|
|
|
Clerical Officer |
30 |
|
Kerry |
Legal Aid Board |
Principal Officer |
1 |
|
|
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
3 |
|
|
|
Higher Executive Officer |
7 |
|
|
|
Executive Officer |
11 |
|
|
|
Clerical Officer |
27 |
|
|
|
Service Officer |
2 |
|
|
|
Managing Solicitor Grade I |
1 |
|
|
|
Solicitor Grade III |
3 |
|
|
|
Legal Clerk |
1 |
|
|
|
Mediator |
1 |
|
Kerry |
Department of Justice and Equality |
Principal Officer |
1 |
|
|
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
4 |
|
|
|
Higher Executive Officer |
11 |
|
|
|
Executive Officer |
21 |
|
|
|
Clerical Officer |
62 |
|
|
|
Service Officer |
4 |
|
|
|
Accountant |
2 |
|
|
|
Senior Probation Officer |
1 |
|
|
|
Probation Officer |
3 |
|
Clare |
Courts Service |
County Registrar |
1 |
|
|
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
1 |
|
|
|
Executive Officer |
6 |
|
|
|
Clerical Officer |
5 |
|
|
|
Court Messenger |
1 |
|
Clare |
An Garda Síochána |
Chief Superintendent |
1 |
|
|
|
Superintendent |
2 |
|
|
|
Inspector |
5 |
|
|
|
Sergeant |
44 |
|
|
|
Garda |
257 |
|
Clare |
Garda Civilian |
Executive Officer |
4 |
|
|
|
Clerical Officer |
27 |
|
Clare |
Legal Aid Board |
Clerical Officer |
3 |
|
|
|
Managing Solicitor Grade II |
1 |
|
|
|
Solicitor Grade III |
2 |
|
|
|
Legal Clerk |
1 |
137. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the cost of the recent refurbishments to Waterford Courthouse; the amount paid to the owners (details supplied) of the location for the temporary relocation of the Courts Service there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20235/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998 management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions.
However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has advised that the capital cost of the construction and refurbishment works at Waterford Courthouse are estimated at €25.9 million. An estimated €1.14 million was also spent on furniture, fittings and equipment. These works were carried out as part of a Public Private Partnership contract and, as such, payment will be made by means of an annual unitary charge payable for a 25 year contract term.
The Courts Service has further advised that this unitary charge covers not only the construction costs but also the cost of maintaining the building to a high standard and a wide range of facilities management services being delivered on site for the 25 year contract term. In addition, Courts Service ICT and court technology, which is not part of the Public Private Partnership contract, was installed at a cost of €327,000.
The Courts Service has informed me that while the Courthouse on Catherine Street was being refurbished court sittings and the Court Office relocated to temporary leased accommodation at Grace Dieu for the period from 18 May 2015 to 18 April 2018. A total of €1,383,186 was paid, which includes €515,625 in rent with the balance being adaptation/fit out costs and the cost of reversing some of the aforementioned adaptations as per planning requirements.
138. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the civilianisation of immigration control in Dublin Airport; the progress that has been made for civilianising the other ports of entry, including Shannon and Cork airports and Dublin Port; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20259/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe civilianisation of immigration checks at Dublin Airport is part of a wider transformation programme relating to the transfer of certain largely administrative immigration functions from An Garda Síochána to the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS), including some frontline immigration controls and the registration of non-nationals.
The civilianisation of all frontline immigration checks at Dublin Airport was completed on 2 October 2017. These checks are now undertaken by uniformed civilian staff from INIS. This has released Gardaí previously carrying out these tasks to core policing duties. An Garda Síochána will continue to carry out investigative and detention functions at Dublin Airport and an appropriate number of Gardaí will be retained there for this purpose.
A number of administrative functions that remain with An Garda Síochána at Dublin Airport are due to be transferred in 2018, principally the initial interview of persons seeking international protection presenting at the airport.
In relation to further civilianisation at other ports of entry, any developments in relation to these ports will take into account a number of factors including passenger numbers, frequency of flights or sailings, the potential, if any, for redeployment of Garda resources having regard to the need for a proper balance between civilian and Garda staff to protect our borders.
