Michael Moynihan
Ceist:103. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Taoiseach if he has spoken to President Macron since the last EU Council meeting. [15116/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraTaoiseach's Meetings and Engagements
Ceisteanna (103)
Freagraí scríofa
I travelled to Paris on Tuesday 2 April to meet with President Macron, at his invitation.
Our discussions focused on developments relating to Brexit, in advance of the extraordinary meeting of the European Council on 10 April.
We also discussed bilateral relations between France and Ireland, which are excellent.
I will have the opportunity for further engagement with President Macron, and with my other EU counterparts, at the extraordinary meeting of the European Council in Brussels on 10 April.
Departmental Communications
Ceisteanna (104)
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:104. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Taoiseach the details of each Government of Ireland branded information initiative in 2018 and to date in 2019 which carried out functions (details supplied), in tabular form; the level of expenditure for each such initiative; and if his officials were involved in providing instructions and advice on promoting each such initiative. [15668/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In December 2017, a Government decision mandated the use of the Government of Ireland mark for external Government communications activities. The roll-out of the Government of Ireland mark is underway and has been adopted by Government Departments and Public Sector Bodies to ensure that citizens understand what messages are being delivered by Government.
The Deputy's question relates to the following categories:
- State services or welfare payments
- Public awareness on regulatory changes or public consultations
The following are the three campaigns relating to the above categories:
|
Campaign |
Cost |
Date |
|
Treatment Benefits: Giving you more for your PRSI |
€3,000 |
November 2017 |
|
Self-Employed Benefits |
€76,717.71 |
February 2018 |
|
National Digital Strategy Consultation |
€1,232.46 |
October 2018 |
In each case, communications officials in my Department were involved in the running of these activities.
Government Information Service
Ceisteanna (105)
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:105. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Taoiseach if his officials were involved in providing instructions and advice on promoting a video (details supplied); the detail of all such meetings that took place; and the funding provided for the video. [15669/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government Information Service (GIS) in my Department, in line with the mandate to streamline whole-of-Government communications, issue advice and guidelines to Government Departments as requested.
As the Regional Enterprise Plan is a cross Government programme, communications on it, including this video, were re-tweeted from the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation's twitter account (26th March).
On further request from the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation (29th March), this video was posted to merrionstreet channels.
No meetings took place.
This Department had no input to the funding for the video.
Defence Forces Personnel Data
Ceisteanna (106)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:106. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the international courses and conferences that members of the Defence Forces have participated in on behalf of the Defence Forces; and the cost and nature of the course or conference in each of the past ten years. [15522/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
It has not been possible in the time available to compile all the necessary documentation requested by the Deputy. The information will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Consular Services
Ceisteanna (107)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:107. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on a matter concerning a fine for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15558/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department has made direct contact with the individual concerned to provide information on how to appeal this fine should she choose to do so.
Our Embassy in Berlin has also been made aware of the case and can provide advice and assistance as required. Should she wish to pursue this matter through the German courts, a list of English speaking German lawyers will be made available.
My officials remain available to discuss this matter further with the citizen concerned should she wish.
Government Information Service
Ceisteanna (108)
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:108. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his officials were involved in providing instructions and advice on promoting a video (details supplied); the detail of all such meetings that took place; and the funding provided for the video. [15670/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I confirm that my Department had no role or involvement in providing instructions, advice or funding towards the video to which the Deputy refers.
Customs and Excise Staff
Ceisteanna (109)
Carol Nolan
Ceist:109. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Finance the amount spent on customs and excise personnel at an event (details supplied). [15612/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am advised by Revenue that attendance at events such as those referred to by the Deputy forms part of the range of compliance activities and interventions undertaken by them. Officers attended as part of their normal work and no additional staff costs were incurred.
Revenue Commissioners Data
Ceisteanna (110)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:110. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if non-Government sports bodies have been the subject of a Revenue Commissioners audit and-or investigations in the past 25 years; the number of investigations that have occurred in respect of same; the number of settlements reached; the number of contested liabilities; the name of each organisation in receipt of public funds that the Revenue Commissioners have made settlements with and contested revenue owed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15611/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am advised by Revenue that section 851A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 prevents it from commenting on the tax affairs of any taxpayer, or from providing information which might directly or indirectly identify a taxpayer.
Revenue has also confirmed that the tax affairs of sporting bodies are monitored and risk-ranked in the same way as all other taxpayers. The types of interventions carried out are determined by the level of risk identified and the overall compliance behaviour involved. The intervention types typically range from light touch Aspect Queries up to Investigations in cases of suspected serious tax and duty evasion. Full details of Revenue’s suite of compliance interventions are set out in Chapter 2 of the Code of Practice for Revenue Audit and other Compliance Interventions.
It is not possible for Revenue to provide the exact information requested by the Deputy as data is not held in a manner, which separately identifies Government supported sporting bodies from non-supported bodies. Revenue has however provided information in the following table on the numbers of interventions concluded during the past four years on entities involved in sporting activities, whether Government funded or not. The information is broken down by intervention type and by the numbers/percentages that were found to have tax liabilities.
|
Year |
Intervention Type |
Number Closed |
Number Yielding |
% Yielding |
|
2015 |
Aspect Query |
407 |
73 |
18 |
|
|
Profile Interview |
5 |
1 |
20 |
|
|
Audit |
44 |
28 |
64 |
|
|
Totals |
456 |
102 |
22 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2016 |
Aspect Query |
391 |
85 |
22 |
|
|
Profile Interview |
6 |
2 |
33 |
|
|
Audit |
33 |
25 |
76 |
|
|
Totals |
430 |
112 |
26 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2017 |
Aspect Query |
348 |
77 |
22 |
|
|
Profile Interview |
22 |
10 |
45 |
|
|
Audit |
37 |
22 |
59 |
|
|
Totals |
407 |
109 |
27 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2018 |
Aspect Query |
337 |
92 |
27 |
|
|
Profile Interview |
44 |
8 |
18 |
|
|
Audit |
25 |
13 |
52 |
|
|
Totals |
406 |
113 |
28 |
Public Sector Staff Retirements
Ceisteanna (111)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:111. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason it was considered appropriate to force a small cohort to retire ahead of others (details supplied); if there are provisions available in order that those who want to continue in their employment may do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15528/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
On 5 December 2017 the Government made a Decision to increase the compulsory retirement age to 70, for public servants recruited prior to 1 April 2004. Primary legislation was necessary in order to bring that change into effect. It was made clear at the time that until such legislation was enacted, the compulsory retirement age of 65, which applied to the vast majority of this cohort, remained in effect and pre-2004 public servants reaching that age would be required to retire.
I made special interim arrangements for the cohort of public servants who reached their compulsory retirement age of 65 after the Government Decision because, while they would be aware of the Government’s decision, they would be unable to avail of it. Those arrangements, clearly conveyed to all concerned, permitted these individuals to be rehired post-retirement for a period of 1 year until they reached the age of eligibility for the State Pension (Contributory). Without that special arrangement, they would have been required to cease working on reaching the age of 65.
The Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Act 2018 was enacted on 26 December 2018. Under the Act, any relevant public servant who had not already reached their compulsory retirement age of 65 before that date has a new compulsory retirement age of 70. Enactment of the legislation had no effect on those public servants who retired at 65 prior to the 26 December 2018 and who availed of a one year contract under the interim arrangements. The terms of their contracts continue to apply and they will cease working when they reach the age of 66.
Section 3A(6) of the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 was inserted by Section 3 of the Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Act 2018. It provides that I, as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, within three months of the passing of the Act, would prepare and lay before the Oireachtas a report on the public servants who were forced to retire between 6 December 2017 and the commencement of the Act, due to reaching the age of 65 years, and on potential remedies to assist this cohort of worker. This Report was laid before the Oireachtas on the 26 March 2019 and is publicly available on the Oireachtas and Department of Public Expenditure and Reform websites.
Whenever legislation is enacted to implement a change in policy, there has to be a dividing line between those who are affected by the change and those who are not. There are always people who will not benefit because they miss the deadline by a matter of days or weeks. Having considered all of the issues in the Report, I am satisfied that the interim arrangements were an appropriate temporary policy response at the time of the Government Decision pending enactment of the legislation. The terms of those arrangements were clear, unambiguous and made known to those who availed of them. Accordingly, as set out in the report, I do not propose to make any changes to those terms.
Special Areas of Conservation Designation
Ceisteanna (112)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:112. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the required approvals will be applied for a special area of conservation in order to remove the build-up of silt on the mud flats outside the sluice gates and open a channel to deep water at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15602/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Office of Public Works (OPW) is responsible for the maintenance of Arterial Drainage Schemes and catchment drainage schemes designated under the Arterial Drainage Acts of 1945 and 1995.
The sluice gates referred to by the Deputy form part of the River Maine Catchment Drainage Scheme for which the OPW has maintenance responsibility.
Staff from the OPW inspected the sluices in October 2018 and found them to be in proper repair and operating effectively. The sluice gates will be inspected again at low tide to see if a build-up of silt on the mud flats outside the sluices has occurred and is impeding the channel flow.
Departmental Policy Functions
Ceisteanna (113)
Michael Moynihan
Ceist:113. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if there is a bullying and harassment policy in his Department. [15421/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
‘Dignity at Work – an anti-bullying, harassment and sexual harassment policy for the Civil Service’ which came into effect from 20/02/2015 covers all of the Civil Service including the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
The policy was developed in partnership between Civil Service management and staff unions and replaced the previous policy, ‘A Positive Working Environment’.
The policy aims to promote respect, dignity, safety, and equality in the workplace. The policy makes it clear that all forms of bullying, harassment, and sexual harassment are unacceptable and every member of staff has a duty to behave in an acceptable and respectful manner.
Apprenticeship Programmes
Ceisteanna (114)
Brendan Smith
Ceist:114. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to offer a higher rate of remuneration for persons aged 25 years of age and over who are pursuing apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15515/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In order to be eligible to undertake an apprenticeship an applicant must be employed by a SOLAS approved employer and be at least 16 years of age. In the case of craft apprenticeships, throughout the on-the-job training phases apprentices are paid the normal apprentice wage rate by their employer. The rates of pay for qualified craft workers are agreed between employer bodies and unions. Rates vary between occupations and sectors but in all cases apprenticeship rates are expressed as a proportion of the qualified rate, increasing yearly from 33% of the qualified rate in year one to 90% in year four. The Government has no role in this process. Training allowances paid during off-the-job phases reflect the rates paid by employers on the job.
There are no plans to offer a higher rate of remuneration for persons aged 25 years of age and over who are pursuing apprenticeships.
Special Educational Needs Service Provision
Ceisteanna (115)
Brendan Ryan
Ceist:115. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the provision of a devolved grant for the provision of four new special needs classrooms at a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15517/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Funding has been approved for the project referred to by the Deputy to provide a new 4 classroom SEN Base. A letter confirming same is being finalised at present. This letter is expected to issue shortly to the School Authority, to whom the project will be devolved for delivery.
Schools Building Projects Data
Ceisteanna (116)
Thomas Pringle
Ceist:116. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills the stages of building of each of the schools due funding from the 2016-2021 capital plan; if each of the projects are on schedule; the schools and status of each project, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15520/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I wish to advise the Deputy that the current status of the building projects included in my Department’s Construction Programme is available on my Department’s website and this is updated regularly. A further update will be available on the website within the coming days. The timing of the delivery of the building projects vary and depends on a number of factors, including the availability of sites and securing the statutory consents including planning permission, fire and disability access certifications.
Capitation Grants
Ceisteanna (117)
Mary Butler
Ceist:117. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for the capitation grant to be restored to €200 per pupil for primary schools; his further plans to increase the figure of €170 per pupil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15521/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I fully recognise the need to improve capitation funding for schools.
I am pleased to have been able to provide for a 5% increase in capitation funding for primary and post primary schools that will apply from the start of the 2019/20 school year. Over the course of the school year 2019/20, an additional €10 million will be allocated to primary and post primary schools, of which €4 million will be allocated in 2019.
I must be prudent in the context of ongoing budgetary pressures and I have to prioritise where it is not possible to do everything that I would like to do in the Education Sector in any one year especially in the light of increasing enrolments.
It is my intention to seek funding for further capitation increases in future budgets.
School Accommodation Provision
Ceisteanna (118)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:118. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a new school for an area (details supplied) in Dublin 11; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15545/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The school to which the Deputy refers opened in September 2017 to serve the Scribblestown-Finglas West school planning area. The school is currently accommodated in temporary accommodation pending delivery of the school’s permanent accommodation.
In this regard, my Department is currently finalising the project brief with the aim of progressing the project into the architectural planning process. My Department will be in direct contact with the school when this process has been finalised.
Special Educational Needs Service Provision
Ceisteanna (119)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:119. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a series of matters concerning special classes in schools for children with special needs (details supplied) will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15546/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Council for Special education (NCSE), an independent agency of my Department, is responsible for planning, coordinating and advising on education provision for children with special educational needs. This includes taking account of the flow of students from primary into post primary. The Council ensures that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all children who have been identified as needing special class placements.
160 new special classes have been opened for the 2018/19 school year, which means there are now 1,459 special classes in place, compared to 548 in 2011. Of these, 321 are Post Primary ASD special classes, compared to 72 in 2011.
Individual school boards of management are responsible for the establishment of special classes. It is open to any school to make application to the NCSE to establish a class. In deciding where to establish a special class in an area, the NCSE take account of the current and projected demand and the available school accommodation both current and planned. In this regard, the SENO may approach individual schools to discuss the matter with a view to finding the optimal location in terms of convenience and sustainability.
When the NCSE sanction a special class in a school, the school can apply to my Department for capital funding to re-configure existing spaces within the school building to accommodate the class and/or to construct additional accommodation.
Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) who are locally based are available to assist and advise parents whose children have special needs. They also assist and advise schools in making decisions in this area.
From time to time, the NCSE identifies local areas where additional special class provision is required. In those circumstances, Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) work with the schools and families concerned to resolve the issues involved. This process is ongoing and the NCSE are actively engaging with schools in relation to establishing ASD classes where there is an identified need for the 2019/2020 school year.
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. A Working Group, chaired by the NCSE, has been established to put in place a new working protocol to ensure that there is effective pro-active planning and timely delivery of specialist educational places for students.
My Department is aware that the establishment of special provision in some schools and communities can be challenging. The Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 will assist in addressing this issue in areas where the NCSE is of the opinion that there is insufficient education provision for children with special educational needs.
Section 8 of the Act provides the Minister with a power, after a process of consultation with the NCSE, the board of management and the patron of the school, to compel a school to make additional provision for the education of children with special educational needs.
I recognise the need to improve capitation funding for schools. The range of capitation grants, including post primary special class grants, were among the many grants considered as part of the Budget 2019 process. As the Deputy will be aware, there are many funding pressure points within education.
I was pleased to provide for a 5% increase in funding for capitation for primary and post primary schools that will apply from the start of the 2019/20 school year. Over the course of the school year 2019/20, an additional €10 million will be allocated to primary and post primary schools, of which €4 million will be allocated in 2019.
It is my intention to seek funding for further capitation increases in future budgets.
Special Educational Needs Service Provision
Ceisteanna (120)
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:120. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he is taking to increase the number of autism spectrum disorder, ASD, places at secondary school level; the further steps he is taking to ensure secondary schools have enough ASD places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15563/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Individual school boards of management are responsible for the establishment of special classes. It is open to any school to make application to the National Council for Special education (NCSE) to establish a special class.
The NCSE, an independent agency of my Department, is responsible for planning, coordinating and advising on education provision for children with special educational needs. This includes taking account of the flow of students from primary into post primary. The Council ensures that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all children who have been identified as needing special class placements.
In deciding where to establish a special class in an area, the NCSE take account of the current and projected demand and the available school accommodation both current and planned. In this regard, the SENO may approach individual schools to discuss the matter with a view to finding the optimal location in terms of convenience and sustainability.
160 new special classes have been opened for the 2018/19 school year, which means there are now 1,459 special classes in place, compared to 548 in 2011. Of these, 321 are Post Primary ASD special classes, compared to 72 in 2011.
When the NCSE sanction a special class in a school, the school can apply to my Department for capital funding to re-configure existing spaces within the school building to accommodate the class and/or to construct additional accommodation.
Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) who are locally based are available to assist and advise parents whose children have special needs. They also assist and advise schools in making decisions in this area.
From time to time, the NCSE identifies local areas where additional special class provision is required. In those circumstances, Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) work with the schools and families concerned to resolve the issues involved. This process is ongoing and the NCSE are actively engaging with schools in relation to establishing ASD classes where there is an identified need for the 2019/2020 school year.
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. A Working Group, chaired by the NCSE, has been established to put in place a new working protocol to ensure that there is effective pro-active planning and timely delivery of specialist educational places for students.
My Department is aware that the establishment of special provision in some schools and communities can be challenging.
The Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 will assist in addressing this issue in areas where the NCSE is of the opinion that there is insufficient education provision for children with special educational needs.
Section 8 of the Act provides the Minister with a power, after a process of consultation with the NCSE, the board of management and the patron of the school, to compel a school to make additional provision for the education of children with special educational needs.
School Placement
Ceisteanna (121)
Frank O'Rourke
Ceist:121. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a post-primary school place will be allocated to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15567/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Council for Special education (NCSE), an independent agency of my Department, is responsible for planning, coordinating and advising on education provision for children with special educational needs. This includes taking account of the flow of students from primary into post primary. The Council ensures that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all children who have been identified as needing special class placements.
160 new special classes have been opened for the 2018/19 school year, which means there are now 1,459 special classes in place, compared to 548 in 2011. Of these, 321 are Post Primary ASD special classes, compared to 72 in 2011.
Individual school boards of management are responsible for the establishment of special classes. It is open to any school to make application to the NCSE to establish a class. In deciding where to establish a special class in an area, the NCSE take account of the current and projected demand and the available school accommodation both current and planned. In this regard, the SENO may approach individual schools to discuss the matter with a view to finding the optimal location in terms of convenience and sustainability.
When the NCSE sanction a special class in a school, the school can apply to my Department for capital funding to re-configure existing spaces within the school building to accommodate the class and/or to construct additional accommodation.
Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) who are locally based are available to assist and advise parents whose children have special needs. They also assist and advise schools in making decisions in this area.
From time to time, the NCSE identifies local areas where additional special class provision is required. In those circumstances, Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) work with the schools and families concerned to resolve the issues involved. This process is ongoing and the NCSE are actively engaging with schools in Kildare in relation to establishing ASD classes where there is an identified need for the 2019/2020 school year.
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. A Working Group, chaired by the NCSE, has been established to put in place a new working protocol to ensure that there is effective pro-active planning and timely delivery of specialist educational places for students.
My Department is aware that the establishment of special provision in some schools and communities can be challenging.
The Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 will assist in addressing this issue in areas where the NCSE is of the opinion that there is insufficient education provision for children with special educational needs.
Section 8 of the Act provides the Minister with a power, after a process of consultation with the NCSE, the board of management and the patron of the school, to compel a school to make additional provision for the education of children with special educational needs.
As the matter raised by the Deputy refers to a placement for a particular child, I have arranged for the Deputy's question to be forwarded to the National Council for Special Education for direct reply.
Schools Data
Ceisteanna (122)
Mary Butler
Ceist:122. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of secondary school places available in Waterford city and county, by school, in tabular form; the number of secondary school pupils attending secondary schools in Waterford city and county, by school, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15572/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The spreadsheet in the following link contains the information requested by the Deputy regarding the number of secondary school pupils attending secondary schools in Waterford city and county.
The Capital Programme provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms, if required, for schools where an immediate enrolment need has been identified or where an additional teacher has been appointed. In this regard, I can confirm that my Department has recently received applications for such funding from two Post Primary schools in Waterford. These applications will be assessed and a decision will be conveyed to the school authorities when the assessment process has been completed.
School Places in Waterford