Written Answers Nos. 232-254
232. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position with regard to the exclusion of a company (details supplied) from bidding for State contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44972/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraPublic Procurement is governed by EU and National rules. The aim of these rules is to promote an open, competitive and non-discriminatory public procurement regime which delivers transparency and value for money outcomes.
As Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform I have responsibility for the formulation of policy, dissemination of best practice and guidance in public procurement. I am not in a position to comment on the exclusion of a particular business from bidding for a public contract as it will depend on the circumstances of the business and the criteria that have been established for a particular procurement.
Public procurement regulations require applicants to meet certain standards when applying for public contracts. The criterion upon which contracting authorities may exclude applicants from the award procedure of public contracts is set out in Regulation 57 of S.I. No. 284 of 2016 - European Union (Award of Public Authority Contracts) Regulations 2016 – transposing Article 57 of Directive 2014/24/EU – the EU Procurement Directive.
The grounds for exclusion essentially fall into two categories; those that are mandatory and are applied to all procurements and those that the contracting authority chooses to apply to a particular procurement. The Directive sets minimum periods for exclusion for the different categories and also specifies circumstances where a tenderer may satisfy a contracting authority that they have put measures in place that demonstrate their reliability despite the existence of a relevant ground for exclusion.
There is no provision in the Directive to exclude a business from all procurement procedures. The assessment as to whether a business is excluded or not is made on a case by case basis for each competition.
Applicants for public contracts must declare whether any of the exclusion grounds specified in the procurement documents apply to them. A formal final judgement in respect of a mandatory exclusion ground is necessary before a contracting authority can legitimately take any action against a potential supplier. Where voluntary exclusion grounds are concerned evidence of a specific breach is necessary.
The contracting authority must consider the facts and must arrive at a decision based on evidence rather than hearsay or dissatisfaction. In applying voluntary exclusion grounds, contracting authorities should pay particular attention to the principle of proportionality in its deliberations before deciding whether to exclude or include an applicant.
233. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a company (details supplied) has undertaken work within his Department's remit to build or renovate projects over the past ten years; if so, the project name and location; the year in which it was built; if building fire safety inspections have been carried out on the projects since construction; the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45205/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the Deputy’s question, I can confirm that the only work carried out within my Department’s remit by the company in question is for the Office of Public Works (OPW) as set out below.
This company was contracted by the OPW on two projects. The first contractual payments for these projects were:
- Phoenix Park Gate Lodge, Garda HQ, Dublin 8 - December 2006; and
- Swords Garda Station, Co Dublin - September 2007.
The OPW advise that there are no records of fire safety inspections carried out on these buildings since completion of these works and that the OPW Fire and Safety Unit are prioritising fire surveys of these buildings.
234. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 60 of 24 October 2018, when the detailed action plan on Rosslare Europort’s requirements in advance of Brexit is due for publication and or finalisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45308/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of Public Works, in consultation with the Revenue Commissioners, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, the Department of Health, and the Health Service Executive, has completed the initial scoping exercise to ascertain the requirements for all the State bodies in Rosslare Harbour.
The detailed action plan is being worked on by a large team of professional and technical staff in consultation with the Port Authority. The process of identifying suitable lands, as well as the designing and detailing of the proposed facility, is ongoing.
235. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a building (details supplied) is owned by the Office of Public Works; if not, the person or body that owns the building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45310/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraCreagh Lane School formerly Gaelscoil Sairséal, Bridge Street, County Limerick is not in the ownership of The Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland.
The property appears to be in private ownership.
236. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the details of engagements, meetings or correspondence that each Minister of State in his Department has had with a person (details supplied) in the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45463/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt was not possible for my Department to provide the information sought in the time available and, therefore, I will make arrangements to provide the information in line with Standing Orders.
237. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the timeframe for the legislation to pass in Dáil Éireann regarding the compulsory retirement age for public servants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45475/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Bill 2018, which was published on 9 July, provides for an increase in the compulsory retirement age to 70, for the majority of public servants recruited prior to 1 April 2004. The Bill passed all stages in the Seanad on 17 July. It commenced Second Stage in the Dáil on the 25th of October and is scheduled to resume Second Stage this week (w/c 5 November). Ultimately scheduling of time for the enactment of Legislation is a matter for the Oireachtas itself through the Business Committee, but my intention is to ensure enactment as soon as possible in the current term.
238. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the share of public expenditure allocated to voted health expenditure in each year since 2010, in tabular form. [45709/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra239. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the details of public expenditure on health as a share of gross domestic product in each year since 2010, in tabular form. [45710/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra240. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the details of public expenditure on health as a share of gross national income in each year since 2010, in tabular form. [45711/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 238 to 240, inclusive, together.
The following table contains the information requested for the following 3 PQ's. 45710/18 45709/18 45711/18.
|
Year |
Gross Health Expenditure (000) |
Gross Public Expenditure (000) |
Health Spend as % of Gross Expenditure |
GDP (000) |
Health Spend as % of GDP |
GNI (000) |
Health Spend as % of GNI |
|
2010 |
€14,800 |
€60,563 |
24% |
€167,721 |
9% |
€140,529 |
11% |
|
2011 |
€14,188 |
€57,362 |
25% |
€171,140 |
8% |
€138,811 |
10% |
|
2012 |
€14,232 |
€55,958 |
25% |
€175,216 |
8% |
€141,261 |
10% |
|
2013 |
€14,092 |
€54,373 |
26% |
€179,922 |
8% |
€15,184 |
9% |
|
2014 |
€13,738 |
€54,098 |
25% |
€195,293 |
7% |
€164,929 |
8% |
|
2015 |
€13,341 |
€54,594 |
24% |
€262,466 |
5% |
€201,667 |
7% |
|
2016 |
€14,107 |
€55,987 |
25% |
€273,238 |
5% |
€223,150 |
6% |
|
2017 |
€14,798 |
€58,525 |
25% |
€294,110 |
5% |
€234,221 |
6% |
|
2018 |
€15,977 |
€62,809 |
25% |
€321,575 |
5% |
€253,117 |
6% |
*The outturn for 2010 and 2011 includes expenditure related to the children and youth affairs services which transferred in 2012 to the new Department of Children and Youth Affairs. The gross expenditure for this Department was €422m in 2012.
** 2015 expenditure does not include approx €1bn in Appropriations in Aid which ceased to be on the Vote after the HSE Act 2014 disestablished the HSE Vote in 2015.
241. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if tenders have been invited from the shortlist of main building contractors for the new State forensics laboratory at Backweston, Celbridge, County Kildare; if so, the closing date for receipt of tenders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45732/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe delivery of the new Forensic Science Laboratory at the Backweston campus is being managed by the Office of Public Works (OPW).
The Deputy should be aware that enabling works for Forensic Science Ireland that commenced in October 2017, have now been completed.
However, due to recent changes in international forensic laboratory standards, the merging of the Garda Technical Bureau with Forensic Science Ireland and changes to staff numbers, it was necessary to add further material to the tender documentation. Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) and the OPW design team are currently examining the issues involved which relate primarily to laboratory interior finishes and mechanical and electrical adjustments.
Once this examination has been completed, the OPW will review all tender documentation and intends to re-issue a complete set of documents in Q4 2018. As this process is still ongoing it is not possible at this stage to give exact timeframes for the procurement process for contractors. When the construction contract for the main building is placed, the estimated construction period is 24 months followed by a validation and test period prior to occupation.
242. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will report on the allocation in 2019 to North-South bodies in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45901/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform I have joint responsibility for the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), along with the Minister for Finance in Northern Ireland. As one of the North South Implementation Bodies established under the Good Friday Agreement, the Body is funded jointly by my Department and the Department of Finance in Northern Ireland.
While the absence of an Executive in Northern Ireland has meant that it has not been possible for Ministers to meet under the auspices of the North South Ministerial Council, the SEUPB continues to fulfil its responsibilities for managing the EU-funded PEACE and INTERREG programmes, with more than 80% of programme expenditure committed. Its allocation from my Department for 2019 will be set out in the Revised Estimates Volume.
243. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the autism spectrum disorder, ASD, unit in a school (details supplied) will open in September 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44842/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra278. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the ASD unit in a school (details supplied) will open in September 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44840/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 243 and 278 together.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that funding was approved last July to enable the school in question to build a mainstream classroom with en-suite toilets, a separate assisted users toilet, three SET rooms and two ASD classroom units.
The project has been devolved for delivery to the school authority. This means that it is a matter for the school authority to advance the project through the design and construction phases with its Design Team. As this project is being delivered by the school, my Department is not in a position to say when it will be completed.
244. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a rural bus service provided by Bus Éireann continues and will continue to serve a school (details supplied) and its environs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44932/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
In the 2017/18 school year over 117,000 children, including over 12,000 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 4,500 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually at a total cost of almost €190 million in 2017.
Children are generally eligible for school transport if they satisfy the distance criteria and are attending their nearest school.
Bus Éireann has advised that there is a school transport service operating into the school in question for the 2018/19 school year.
The terms of the School Transport Schemes are applied equitably on a national basis.
245. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will report on his visit to a school in Tyrrelstown recently. [45881/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe structural assessment carried out on the schools in Tyrrelstown identified a number of issues with the buildings. While no imminent danger was identified it was decided that the schools should be closed with immediate effect as a precautionary measure.
The schools are being enabled to reopen, initially at ground floor level only, following the implementation of both internal and external precautionary measures. Work is continuing over the course of today and tomorrow to address a number of outstanding operational issues and all parties are working towards the reopening of the schools later in the week.
My visit to the schools in Tyrrelstown provided an opportunity to gain an understanding of the concerns of the school community and to assure the school authority that the safety of school students and staff was, and will continue to be, the Department’s overriding priority during this process.
Furthermore, I was able to assure the school authority that every effort was being made during this challenging period to minimise disruption to students, staff and families.
246. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the importance of home school liaison officers in schools when children have special needs; and his plans for same. [44625/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware a key priority for this Government is ensuring that children with special educational needs are supported and given the opportunity to reach their full potential.
This Government has significantly increased investment in special education in recent years. Funding for special education provision in 2018 will amount to some €1.75 billion, up 43% since 2011 and equivalent to 18.7% of the gross overall current allocation for education and training. Budget 2019 announced the funding of 950 additional SNA posts and 372 teaching posts to cater for the growth in student population and additional special classes.
The Deputy will also be aware that the Home School Community Liaison (HSCL) Scheme is a school-based intervention provided to DEIS schools to address the needs of all pupils/families at risk of educational disadvantage through acknowledging and developing the role of the parent as prime educator. The role of the HSCL Coordinator is to work primarily with the salient adults in the child’s life, in order to empower them, so that they can better support their children to attend school, participate in education and develop positive attitudes to life-long learning. Central to the HSCL initiative, is the identification of educational needs and the provision of a tailored and proportionate response to those needs, through a range of interventions, which are evidence-based, focused and structured.
The scheme is delivered by 416 full-time HSCL Coordinators who are teachers in these schools and assigned to HSCL duties either in individual schools or clusters of schools, catering for approximately 156,000 pupils. The current cost of this provision to my Department is €25 million. For DEIS schools included in the HSCL Scheme, it is a requirement that at least 10% of the annual DEIS Grant to each school should be allocated for use on HSCL activities and made available to the HSCL Coordinator. The total allocation for the DEIS grant from my Department is approximately €16 million. While the HSCL scheme is funded by my Department, Tusla the Child and Family Agency, which is the dedicated state agency responsible for improving wellbeing and outcomes for children has responsibility for the management of the HSCL Scheme.
My Department has no plans at present to extend this Scheme beyond DEIS Schools.
247. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students attending primary and secondary schools in counties Sligo and Leitrim; the number of primary and secondary schools open in the counties; the number of full-time teachers employed to work in primary and secondary schools in the counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44635/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is available in the following table. The figures given are for the 2017/2018 academic year, the latest available.
The numbers given for teaching staff are the full time equivalent posts allocated to schools in Sligo and Leitrim. The recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for the individual school authority, subject to procedures agreed under Section 24(3) of the Education Act 1998 (as amended by the Education (Amendment) Act 2012). The deployment of teaching staff in the school, the range of subjects offered and ultimately the quality of teaching and learning are in the first instance a matter for the school management authorities.
|
County Description |
School Type |
Enrolment at 30th September 2017 |
Count School |
Total teaching posts allocated (whole time equivalent) |
|
Leitrim |
Primary |
3,727 |
37 |
225 |
|
Sligo |
Primary |
7,554 |
67 |
464 |
|
Leitrim |
Post Primary |
2,524 |
7 |
202.4 |
|
Sligo |
Post Primary |
4,938 |
13 |
345.7 |
248. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position in relation to a school (details supplied); when it is expected that it will move to the next phase; his views on the current physical condition of the school; his further views on whether it should be a priority case for development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44639/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current status of the major building project referred to by the Deputy is that the project brief has been finalised. It is envisaged that this project will be progressed under the new ADAPT 2019-2021 programme.
ADAPT is an accelerated programme which uses a professional external Project Manager to coordinate and drive the respective design teams on each project.
249. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Education and Skills the redress offered when a parent may take part-time work even though ultimately the total income from that work and social welfare payments remains below the threshold but the necessary 391 day continuous qualifying period is broken in view of the significant monetary impact of special rate student grant for a qualifying student; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44642/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter for SUSI to determine. In assessing an application for the 2018/19 academic year, SUSI will have regard to the following qualifying criteria for the special rate of maintenance grant: 1. The student must qualify for the standard rate of grant; 2. Total reckonable income, after income disregards and Child Dependant Increase(s) are excluded, must not exceed €23,500; 3. As at 31st of December 2017, the reckonable income must include one of the eligible long-term social welfare payments prescribed in the Student Grant Scheme.
The report of the Action Group on Access to Third Level Education made detailed recommendations concerning the introduction of special rates of maintenance grants for disadvantaged students.
The target group of "those most in need" was defined in terms of the dependants of people receiving long-term welfare payments, where the necessary conditions are fulfilled.
In general terms Jobseekers Allowance is considered to be a short-term payment unless it is held for 391 consecutive days at the 31st December 2017. The Scheme makes provision for combining periods of Jobseeker's Allowance, Jobseeker's Benefit and other eligible payments for the purposes of meeting 391 days as determined by the Department of Social Protection.
Families on low incomes may wish to enquire with the Department of Social Protection as to their eligibility for the Working Family Payment/Family Income Supplement (FIS). FIS is an eligible payment for the purposes of the Special Rate of Maintenance Grant.
Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down in writing by SUSI and remains of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in his/her case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board within the required timeframe.
Students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the institution attended.
250. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills the entitlements that will arise for temporary day instructors that are employed by education and training boards, ETBs, and are paying pension related deductions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44645/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI cannot comment on the entitlements that will arise for the cohort of instructors referred to by the Deputy; the relevant ETB, as their employer, should be in a position to provide such information.
However the general criteria for being liable for pension related deductions may be of interest in this context as they are that:
One is a public servant and –
(a) Is a member of a public service pension scheme (defined in section 1 of the FEMPI Act 2009) or
(b) Is entitled to a benefit under such a scheme or
(c) Receives a payment in lieu of membership in such a scheme.
251. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills his Department's expenditure on legal fees in each of the 16 ETBs in each of the years 2013 to 2017 and to date in 2018, by case name and record number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44660/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraEducation and Training Boards (ETBs) are separate legal entities provided for under the Education and Training Board Act 2013. Each ETB is responsible for legal matters, including legal costs arising in that ETB. Legal costs are managed directly by ETBs from within financial allocations available to them.
Accordingly my Department is not directly involved in expenditure on legal fees in ETBs and does not collect information by case and record number.
252. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount paid by his Department on consultancy services from 2013 to 2017 and to date in 2018; the details of these payments; the companies and or persons that received payments; the amount received by each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44661/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of consultancy payments made by my Department for the years 2013 to 2017 inclusive are available on the Department's website www.education.ie/en/Publications/Corporate-Reports/Financial-Reports/Expenditure-on-Consultancy. Information in relation to consultancy expenditure is compiled annually in respect of the previous year. The data in respect of 2018 will not be available until early 2019.
It is the policy of my Department to minimise to the greatest extent possible the use of external consultancy, however external consultants are hired occasionally in circumstances where particular expertise is not available internally and where it is deemed to add value to the overall work of the Department. My Department continues to monitor proposals to engage external consultants to ensure value for money.
253. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount paid to retired education inspectors from 2013 to 2018; the details of these payments; the persons who received payments; the amount received by each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44662/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of the total amounts paid to retired Department inspectors for the years 2013-2017 inclusive are set out in the table below having regard to data protection legislation. Information in relation to these engagements is compiled annually in respect of the previous year. The data in respect of 2018 will be available in early 2019.
The retired inspectors were engaged to perform a variety of tasks including facilitation in appeals processes, and chairing and participation in appeals hearings.
|
YEAR |
Number Of Inspectors |
Total Amount Paid |
|
2013 |
19 |
€76,170.48 |
|
2014 |
10 |
€58,092.50 |
|
2015 |
14 |
€95,493.04 |
|
2016 |
18 |
€103,230.66 |
|
2017 |
18 |
€126,629.60 |
254. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of secondary school teaching staff placed on administrative leave from 2013 to 2017 and to date in 2018; the duration of each administrative leave; the costs incurred to facilitate the placing of teachers on administrative leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44663/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAdministrative Leave is a temporary leave of absence, with pay, which may be granted where it is necessary for a teacher to be absented from work in order to carry out an investigation. It may only be granted in limited situations where the continued presence of a teacher has the potential to present an on-going risk such as situations concerning child protection, serious misconduct or fraud. The cost of the substitute teacher is borne by my Department.
Thirteen Post Primary teachers were placed on Administrative Leave from 2013 to 2017 and two teachers in 2018 to date.
Please see attachment for details regarding duration of each case and substitution costs.
Each case and its duration is set out in the following table:
|
Year placed |
Case |
Duration |
Status |
|
2013 |
Teacher A |
679 days |
completed |
|
Teacher B |
511 days |
completed |
|
|
Teacher C |
14 days |
completed |
|
|
Teacher D |
313 days |
completed |
|
|
Teacher E |
229 days |
completed |
|
|
Teacher F |
579 days |
completed |
|
|
2014 |
Nil |
n/a |
n/a |
|
2015 |
Teacher G |
228 days |
completed |
|
Teacher H |
716 days |
completed |
|
|
Teacher I |
110 days |
completed |
|
|
2016 |
Teacher J |
40 days |
completed |
|
Teacher K |
14 days |
completed |
|
|
2017 |
Teacher L |
93 days |
completed |
|
Teacher M |
381 days |
ongoing |
|
|
2018 |
Teacher N |
205 days |
ongoing |
|
Teacher O |
65 days |
ongoing |
|
|
Total |
15 |
4177 |
* The substitution costs below are estimated on the basis of the “new entrant” casual daily rate of pay for substitute teachers multiplied by the number of working days they were employed to replace a teacher on administrative leave.
|
Year |
Estimated substitution costs* |
|
2013 |
€85,171 |
|
2014 |
€105,924 |
|
2015 |
€41,600 |
|
2016 |
€42,773 |
|
2017 |
€33,636 |
|
2018 |
€51,691 (to 26/10/18) |
Figures for Post Primary teachers employed by Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and placed on administrative leave are not readily available in my Department and are not included in the above tables.
