Tuesday, 26 Jun 2018

Written Answers Nos. 141-160

Built Heritage Investment Scheme

Ceisteanna (141)

Joan Burton

Ceist:

141. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 138 of 8 May 2018, when the OPW and the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht will complete their review of the areas in which the additional resources in respect of built heritage will be allocated; if the phase two restoration works to a location (details supplied) are being considered for possible funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27869/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

Following the announcement in April this year that a capital funding stream will be available to the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht for National Monuments, the review of spending priorities within the National Monuments estate has begun with a view to determining which Monuments need to be addressed by the OPW and the extent to which funding support can be made available by the Department.   This process will be ongoing on a continuing basis as needs evolve and future annual work programmes are determined.

Although the initial phase of this assessment is still ongoing, it has been determined that it will be likely that investment will focus in the first instance on conservation needs as a priority and, in particular, those structures most at risk of either damage or loss of historic fabric, together with certain strategic acquisitions.   In this context, the allocation of funds to a phase 2 project at Maynooth, while it has not been specifically considered as yet, would not be considered a high priority and it is considered doubtful that it would be selected to advance.

Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme Applications

Ceisteanna (142)

Joan Burton

Ceist:

142. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 141 of 24 April 2018, if there has been progress in relation to an application under the minor flood mitigation works and coastal protection scheme; the studies being undertaken in relation to flooding in the Hazelhatch area of Celbridge, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27872/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

I have been advised that the Office of Public Works has not received an application from Kildare County Council under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection scheme for the area mentioned in the Deputy’s question.

Departmental Staff Data

Ceisteanna (143)

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

143. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if personnel in his Department have been removed from their position, have been transferred to another role or had their employment terminated in the past four years due to breaches of departmental standards or professional misconduct or incompetence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27956/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

In reply to the Deputy’s question, I wish to inform him that no personnel in my Department have been removed from their position, transferred to another role or had their employment terminated in the past four years on the grounds listed.

In its commitment to providing efficient and well managed services, my Department and the wider Civil Service require personnel to adhere to the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour issued by the Standards in Public Office Commission. Similarly, all civil servants shall comply with all policies relating to terms and conditions of employment.

The Performance Management and Development System (PMDS) in the Civil Service encourages the continuous improvement of business processes and of individuals’ skills, behaviour and contributions. Performance Management focuses on the role and effectiveness of line managers in setting goals and reviewing and strengthening the performance of their staff. Cases of underperformance are also highlighted as part of the PMDS process. The Civil Service Management of Underperformance Policy (Circular 24/2016) provides a clear framework to help managers to identify and deal with issues of underperformance effectively in the Civil Service.

Matters relating to breaches of departmental standards or professional misconduct or incompetence may be addressed via the Civil Service Disciplinary Code. The Code sets out arrangements for dealing with disciplinary matters in the Civil Service where concerns arise about the conduct, work performance, and/or attendance of a civil servant. The Code applies to all civil servants other than new entrants serving in a probationary capacity.

Teacher Retirements

Ceisteanna (144)

Tom Neville

Ceist:

144. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be able to retain their current rate of occupational pension benefit on medical grounds if they were to transfer to an occupational retirement pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27393/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The person to whom the Deputy refers was awarded early retirement on grounds of permanent ill health.  Once retirement is awarded on this basis and the pension has come into payment, the superannuation scheme does not permit the award to be re-classified or transferred to an alternative retirement option.

The granting of pension benefits to teachers is governed by the teachers superannuation schemes within which is set down specific criteria to be satisfied in order for retirement on medical grounds to be approved. The criteria to be met is that the person has become incapable by reason of infirmity of discharging his/her duties as a teacher and that the infirmity is likely to be permanent. Under the scheme the decision to approve such retirement is grounded in the medical evidence and the recommendation of the Occupational Health Physician tasked by the Department to assess that evidence. Where retirement is approved on medical grounds, benefits are generally augmented through the award of enhanced years of service for calculating those benefits. 

A teacher who is awarded pension early on medical grounds may not subsequently engage in teaching. Where however a full recovery is made and the person wishes to return to employment, s/he must, prior to taking up employment, provide fresh medical evidence of this to the Department for review by the Occupational Health Physician.  Where it is satisfactorily established that the teacher is no longer unfit to teach, pension in payment would cease.

DEIS Eligibility

Ceisteanna (145)

John Lahart

Ceist:

145. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) can be classified as DEIS band 1. [27394/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The identification of schools for receipt of additional resources under the DEIS programme is informed by a scientific data based model which assesses levels of disadvantage in individual schools based on the pupil cohort of the school. It is important to note that any adjustment to the DEIS status of a school, including the school referred to by the Deputy, will be based on the DEIS Identification process.

As the Deputy may be aware, an update of the DEIS Identification process is nearing completion. This will take account of updated school data as provided by schools for the current school year combined with the Pobal HP Index of Deprivation, based on CSO Small Area Population statistics derived from the 2016 National Census. A detailed quality assurance process in respect of this is currently underway and no decisions to extend the DEIS programme will be made until this is complete and the outcome has been considered.

Schools Building Projects Status

Ceisteanna (146)

Frank O'Rourke

Ceist:

146. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the re-tendering process for a schools project campus development (details supplied) in view of the fact that of the contractor is being placed in liquidation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27422/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The delivery of the projects referred to by the Deputy has been devolved to Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB).

KWETB, their design team and officials from my Department’s Planning and Building Unit are working closely to ensure that a new contractor is appointed as quickly as possible to complete both schools. An eTender's notice has been forwarded to eTenders for publication seeking expressions of interest from contractors wishing to be considered for the completion of the project. The notice will be published later this week. Identification of all outstanding works necessary to complete both schools is also ongoing.

Schools Building Projects Status

Ceisteanna (147, 214)

Frank O'Rourke

Ceist:

147. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the establishment of a Gaelcholáiste (details supplied) will be delayed in view of the fact that the contractor for the campus has been placed in liquidation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27423/18]

Joan Burton

Ceist:

214. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 178 of 8 May 2018, if a decision has been made as to the individual school authority responsible for the appointment of a principal for a Gaelcholáiste (details supplied); when the post will be advertised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27866/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 147 and 214 together.

Maynooth Community College opened in 2014 with an Irish-medium Aonad and it was stated that should the Aonad demonstrate sufficient viability after four years from its date of establishment, a Gaelcholáiste would be established, in a partnership model between Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB) and An Foras Pátrúnachta. As part of the Major School Building Projects announcement in November 2015 and in view of the continued support for an independent Gaelcholáiste, it was confirmed that a Gaelcholáiste to serve the North Kildare area will open in 2019, subject to the continued viability of the Irish-medium Aonad at Maynooth Community College.

Department approval is given for the appointment of a school Principal from 1 September of the school year prior to the opening of a new school. Recruitment and appointment of the Principal is dealt with by the individual school authority and in this case, I understand that details of the partnership arrangement for management of the new Gaelcholáiste by KWETB and An Foras Pátrúnachta are currently being worked through.

In relation to the Maynooth Education Campus, this project has been devolved to KWETB. The ETB, its design team and my Department are working together to ensure that a new contractor is appointed as quickly as possible to complete the school buildings for Maynooth Community College and Maynooth post-primary schools. An eTenders notice was published last week seeking expressions of interest from contractors wishing to be considered for the completion of the project. Identification of all outstanding works necessary to complete both schools is also on-going.

KWETB is continuing to examine the options for accommodation for the Gaelcholáiste referred to by the Deputy which will involve consideration of the timing and availability of appropriate infrastructure in the area.

Schools Site Acquisitions

Ceisteanna (148)

Frank O'Rourke

Ceist:

148. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application by a school (details supplied) for a permanent building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27424/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

As the Deputy is aware, my Department is in the process of acquiring a site to accommodate the school to which the Deputy refers. 

There are some outstanding clarifications required with regard to the site before matters can be progressed and, with a view to progressing the site acquisition, my Department has been in contact with the vendor requesting an update on these.

School Accommodation Provision

Ceisteanna (149)

Frank O'Rourke

Ceist:

149. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an assessment of an application by a school (details supplied) for funding for a new building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27425/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that funding under my Department’s Additional Accommodation Scheme has recently been approved for the provision of four new classrooms at the school in question.

The delivery of the project has been devolved to the school authority and it is now a matter for them to advance the project.

School Accommodation Provision

Ceisteanna (150)

Frank O'Rourke

Ceist:

150. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application by a school (details supplied) for funding for an extension or a new building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27426/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I can confirm that my Department has received an application for major capital funding from the school referred to by the Deputy.

My Department's current priority within the limited funding available is the provision of essential classroom accommodation in areas where significant demographic need has been established to ensure that each child will have access to a physical school place. Enrolment is remaining at existing levels at the school in question. My Department recently discussed the school's application with the principal and explained that it was open to the school to submit an application for an additional mainstream classroom should the school's enrolment grow to a point that would warrant the appointment of an additional teacher.

Teacher Retirements

Ceisteanna (151)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

151. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of teaching principals who have taken early retirement or retired due to ill health in each of the years 2013 to 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27468/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

Information on retirement of primary teachers in each of the years 2013-2017 is contained in Table 1 attached. The information sets out the total number of teachers who retired each year and the number of principal teachers and of those principals the number who retired before normal retirement due to permanent ill-health and those who availed of Cost Neutral Early Retirement.  

Corresponding information in relation to teacher retirements from Secondary, Community and Comprehensive Schools is set out in Table 2 attached.

Information distinguishing teaching principals from other category of principal teachers is not recorded as part of the retirement of teachers.

Cost Neutral Early Retirement is a facility available from age 50 for public servants including teachers who have un-interrupted service which commenced before April 2004, (age 55 in other cases) where they wish to retire before reaching normal retirement age. Pension benefits are immediately payable, however, the benefits are actuarially reduced to reflect the early payment of the lump sum gratuity and the longer period over which pension will be payable.

Retirement on medical grounds may be awarded early where the person satisfies the medical criteria of the superannuation scheme that s/he has while in service, has become incapable through illness of performing his/her duties and the illness is likely to be permanent.

TABLE 1 - Primary School Teacher Retirements 2013-2017

Year	Overall Number of Teacher Retirements	Number of Principal Teacher Retirements	Number of Principals who retired under Cost Neutral Early Retirement	Number of Principals who retired on medical grounds
2013	465	124	5	3
2014	794	241	12	3
2015	654	188	12	10
2016	538	157	5	4
2017*	609	181	11	8

TABLE 2 - Secondary/Community and Comprehensive School Teacher Retirements 2013-2017

Year	Overall Number of Teacher Retirements	Number of Principal Teacher Retirements	Number of Principals who retired under Cost Neutral Early Retirement	Number of Principals who retired on medical grounds
2013	376	37	0	2
2014	629	63	6	3
2015	375	34	2	1
2016	376	33	4	2
2017*	395	23	2	1

*2017 figures are provisional.

Schools Site Acquisitions

Ceisteanna (152)

Catherine Martin

Ceist:

152. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a site for a school (details supplied) was purchased at the site on the southern end of the Ballycullen Road, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27479/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that my Department has agreed to acquire a site located at Ballycullen Road (East), Oldcourt, subject to planning permission.  

The landowner has recently applied for planning permission for development on his lands including outline planning permission for school accommodation (ref SD18A/0204).

Schools Building Projects Status

Ceisteanna (153)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Ceist:

153. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a new building for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27486/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

Planning for a new building for the school to which the Deputy refers is progressing. The school's design team has been authorised to conduct the pre-qualification process in order to draw up shortlists of contractors for the project.  In the meantime, work is ongoing on concluding the conveyancing for the site. All parties continue the work to ensure the acquisition completes at the earliest possible date. It is not anticipated that the completion of conveyancing will impact on the timelines for delivery of the building project. 

Schools Establishment

Ceisteanna (154)

Lisa Chambers

Ceist:

154. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 310 of 12 June 2018, the date he expects a school (details supplied) to open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27497/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

As the Deputy will be aware, I have announced new plans aimed at accelerating the provision of multi-denominational and non-denominational schools across the country, in line with the choices of parents, families and school communities and the Programme for Government commitment to reach 400 such schools by 2030. 

I would point out that the previous model of patronage divestment yielded only a very limited number of schools for transfer to multi-denominational patrons (10 since 2013).  I believe that the new schools reconfiguration for diversity process has the potential to significantly increase patron diversity in our school system.  

While these new structures are being introduced, my Department will continue to work with the main stakeholders to progress delivery of diversity in areas already identified, including Westport.  In this regard, my Department has been working closely with Educate Together to progress the establishment of a new multi-denominational school in Westport.

Institutes of Technology

Ceisteanna (155)

Kathleen Funchion

Ceist:

155. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost for each one point reduction in the academic staff to student ratio for institutes of technology. [27506/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The current staff:student ratio in Institutes of Technology is 17:1. This is calculated based on the 2016/17 enrolment figures.  This is based on the ratio of full time students to core teaching staff.

A one point reduction would require an estimated additional 280 FTE academic staff – estimated cost €17m.

Third Level Staff Data

Ceisteanna (156)

Kathleen Funchion

Ceist:

156. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost for each one point reduction in the academic staff to student ratio for universities. [27507/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The current staff:student ratio in Universities is 25:1. This is calculated based on the 2016/17 enrolment figures.  This is based on the ratio of full time students to core teaching staff.

A one point reduction would require an estimated additional 190 FTE academic staff – estimated cost €11m per annum.

Third Level Funding

Ceisteanna (157)

Kathleen Funchion

Ceist:

157. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of increasing core funding to publicly funded third level institutions by 1%. [27508/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

My Department has allocated €1.058b in recurrent core funding to publicly funded third level institutions in 2018 therefore the estimated cost of increasing the core funding by 1% is approximately €10.5m. It should also be noted that in addition my department has also provided over €400m in Student Support funding in 2018. The estimated cost of increasing this by 1% is €4 million.

I wish to advise the Deputy that since publication of the Cassells Report I have prioritised additional investment in higher education in Budget 2017 and Budget 2018. As a result, the Department of Education and Skills is investing €100m more in higher education in 2018 compared to 2016. I will look to build on this investment in 2019 and beyond.

This additional funding will allow for targeted initiatives in higher education including skills programmes, performance and innovation funding, technological university development and apprenticeship costs in the sector. It will also allow for places to be provided for 2,100 additional students in 2018.

Furthermore as part of Budget 2018, the Government raised the National Training Fund levy by 0.1% in 2018 to 0.8%.  It is proposed to further increase it by 0.1% in both 2019 and 2020 subject to a review of the Fund which has been undertaken by my Department officials. The increase in funding from the National Training Fund is a key strategic element of the overall funding increase for higher and further education.

Student Grant Scheme Expenditure

Ceisteanna (158)

Kathleen Funchion

Ceist:

158. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of increasing the rate of the student grant by percentage rates (details supplied). [27509/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

Every 5% increase in the student maintenance grant would cost circa €8.7m. Therefore, the estimated cost of increasing the student maintenance grant rates by 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% or 25% would cost in the region of €8.7m, €17.3m, €26m, €34.7m or €43.4m respectively.

Student Grant Scheme Payments

Ceisteanna (159)

Kathleen Funchion

Ceist:

159. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the level of funding available to part-time third level students in academic years (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27510/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The main support to students attending higher education is the Student Grant Scheme. Under the Student Grant Scheme, eligible candidates may receive funding, provided they are attending an approved course at an approved institution and meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those which relate to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment (progression) and means.

Under the scheme, students must be attending approved full-time courses. Part-time courses are not eligible for support.

No specific funding was made available to part-time third level students in the academic years to which the Deputy refers. However, the Deputy will be aware of the recent announcement regarding the new 1916 Bursary Fund. This Fund will support 600 students over the course of the next three years. These Bursaries differ from existing bursaries in a number of respects, in that they are targeted at non-traditional entry and can support undergraduate study on either a full-time or part-time basis. This new fund is on top of the additional €1m which was allocated to the Student Assistance Fund in 2017, for the support of part-time students who are lone parents or members of the other access target groups. 

Student Grant Scheme Expenditure

Ceisteanna (160)

Kathleen Funchion

Ceist:

160. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of restoring maintenance grants for postgraduate students to pre-2012 levels. [27511/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

As the Deputy will be aware, I secured additional funding of €7m in Budgets 2017 and 2018 to facilitate the reinstatement of full maintenance grants from September 2017, for the most disadvantaged postgraduate students. This benefitted circa 1,000 post graduate students who met the eligibility criteria for the special rate of maintenance grant for the academic year 2017/18 and reversed the budgetary cut that was imposed on this cohort of students in 2012.

If postgraduate supports were returned to the pre-2012 level and numbers, it is estimated that additional funding of €44.1m would be required on top of the additional €7m secured in recent budgets.