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Gnáthamharc

Tuesday, 18 Jun 2019

Written Answers Nos. 145-165

Pensions Reform

Ceisteanna (145)

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

145. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if as part of the work of the interdepartmental pensions reform and taxation group he will ensure that notwithstanding reforms to pension tax relief, the application of pension tax relief will continue to apply equally to both private and public sector workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25334/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Government published A Roadmap for Pensions Reform 2018 - 2023 in February last year. The Roadmap takes a holistic view of pension issues and details specific measures presented under six strands.

Implementation of the Roadmap is primarily a matter for my colleague the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection and her Department, but the Interdepartmental Pensions Reform and Taxation Group (IDPRTG) was allocated a number of specific measures under the Roadmap.

The IDPRTG is chaired by the Department of Finance and includes representatives from the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform, the Department of Employment Affairs & Social Protection, Revenue and the Pensions Authority.

The actions allocated to the IDPRTG under the Roadmap derive in the main from Strand 3, which is concerned with improving the governance and regulation of supplementary pensions to, among other things, achieve scale, improve standards and simplify the provision of pensions. This includes Action 3.13 which is a review of the cost of funded supplementary pensions to the Exchequer which comprises an assessment of the economic and social benefits delivered and an evaluation of equity in the distribution of tax expenditure on pensions.

The IDPRTG has been considering these action points as part of a process that included a public consultation and is due to report to me on these matters in the coming months.

Question No. 146 answered with Question No. 128.

Departmental Properties

Ceisteanna (147, 148)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

147. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the amount of land purchased and leased by size and amount expended in the past five years to date; the location of same; the term of the lease and amount expended per year in cases in which land is leased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25385/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

148. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the number of buildings and property purchased and leased and the amount expended in the past five years to date; the location of same; the term of the lease and the amount expended per year in cases in which properties are leased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25402/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 147 and 148 together.

In response to the Deputy's question my Department has not purchased or leased buildings, property or land in the past five years. The Department is a client of the Office of Public Works for all property related matters.

Property Tax Application

Ceisteanna (149)

Noel Rock

Ceist:

149. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider allowing VAT paid on maintenance fees on apartments to be offset against the local property tax, LPT, in budget 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25433/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Government decided that the LPT should be centred on the principles of equity, transparency and simplicity and that a universal liability should apply to all owners of residential property with a limited number of exemptions and reliefs. Limiting the reliefs available allows the rate to be kept to a minimum for those liable persons who do not qualify for relief.

Properties in managed estates, to which management fees apply, would have been purchased by their owners in the knowledge that they would be taking on commitments to partake in, and to fund, the management of the estate, and that it was the intention that many such estates would not be taken in charge by local authorities, nor would it be appropriate for local authorities to do so.

Management fees in these estates can include services such as refuse collection, maintenance of common areas as well as a sinking fund for certain repairs to the buildings, depending on circumstances. These are costs which homeowners in other households have to fund themselves for their own properties.

Revenue from the LPT accrues to local authorities and supports the provision of local services. Local authorities provide a broad range of services in the public realm, which benefit the wider community. The proper functioning of these services are important for the well-being of every community and household. These include: fire and emergency services; road maintenance and cleaning; street lighting; spatial and development planning and other similar services; regulatory and inspection functions and business support services, as well as libraries, parks, and other recreation and cultural public amenities. The benefits of these services accrue to all members of society.

A requirement to pay management fees is not relevant in determining whether a property is subject to the LPT. Accordingly, whilst those who are liable for management fees to property management companies may be exempt from LPT for another reason, or may be entitled to avail of a deferral arrangement under the provisions contained in the legislation, there is no specific exemption for the payment of management fees, nor is there provision to offset the VAT paid on management fees against LPT. There are no plans to change this basis of liability to LPT.

Following the publication of the recent inter-Departmental review of the LPT I have commenced an engagement with the Oireachtas Budgetary Oversight Committee in relation to the appropriate way forward for the tax. In that context I have indicated my willingness to engage with the committee on the issue of taxpayers whose property is located in a managed estate on which the owner of the property is liable to the payment of management fees.

Financial Services Regulation

Ceisteanna (150)

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

150. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if the Central Bank is notified by life assurance companies of instances in which claims on policies are not paid out on the basis of non-disclosure; if so, if the most up to date statistics in this area will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25484/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

At the outset, it is important to note that while as Minister for Finance, I am responsible for the development of the legal framework governing financial regulation, it is the Central Bank of Ireland that is responsible for the day-to-day supervision of life assurance companies. However, in order to assist the Deputy, my officials contacted the Central Bank of Ireland about this query and the Bank has informed them that there is no requirement on life assurance companies to report data on claims refused due to issues of non-disclosure, and therefore does not receive such notifications. In that regard, no statistics are available.

The Deputy will be aware that the Central Bank of Ireland’s Consumer Protection Code was introduced in 2006 and revised in 2012. It requires firms to act honestly fairly and professionally in the best interest of consumers, and to act with due care and diligence. The Code contains specific requirements in respect of the handing of claims, such as requiring firms to have certain procedures in place for handling claims and requirements around the provision of information to consumers on claims. While the Central Bank of Ireland does not adjudicate on individual consumer complaints, the Code sets out how a regulated entity must engage with a consumer on complaints, which includes complaints around the handing of insurance claims.

In situations where a person is not satisfied with the actions of an insurance provider in terms of the settlement of a claim, it is advisable that person make a complaint to the firm's internal complaint resolution process. The Consumer Protection Code requires that if after 40 days the complaint has not been resolved to the customer’s satisfaction, the regulated entity must inform the consumer that they may refer their complaint to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO). Investigations by the FSPO are free of charge to the complainant.

Finally, I understand that the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman’s website, www.fspo.ie, has a searchable database and it may be helpful to look at previous decisions the Ombudsman has made in relation to this issue.

Credit Register Data

Ceisteanna (151)

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

151. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the number of records held by the Central Credit Register in respect of individual borrowers by the type of loans collated, the number of borrowers and the statistics in aggregate form of records of payments missed across the categories in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25485/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Section 30 of the Credit Reporting Act 2013, provides that "The Bank may produce—

… and

(b) general reports, analyses and statistics from which credit information subjects

cannot be identified ."

The Central Credit Register is focusing on the completion of the timeline for the submission of information to the Central Credit Register by lenders. In this regard, Hire Purchase, PCPs and similar type products will be brought onto the Register on 30 June 2019.

I have been advised by the Bank that it has not yet acted under the powers provided by Section 30, but intends to do in the future, once a full review and analysis of the statistical information on the Central Credit Register has been completed.

Tax Code

Ceisteanna (152)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

152. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider introducing a super tax on insurance companies in the form of a surcharge on corporation tax or by other means; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25514/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As a small open economy, connected to Europe, the US and the wider world, Ireland is committed to a competitive, transparent and stable corporation tax system. Our corporation tax system follows the principle of applying low rates to a broad base, which is widely recognised as being the most economically efficient model. Maintaining a corporation tax system that is sustainable and which meets the highest international standards allows us to offer certainty, which facilitates business planning, investment and job creation in Ireland. The proposed introduction of a corporation tax surcharge for insurance companies would not be in keeping with our commitment to a sustainable and stable corporation tax system. I would also note that State Aid implications would need to be considered in proposing any change which would provide a varied rate of tax to any targeted cohort of taxpayers.

Furthermore, I am of the view that the introduction of any super tax surcharge for insurance companies would ultimately have a negative impact on consumers and businesses. There would be a very real risk that such a move would simply drive insurance prices up further, as this tax would almost certainly be passed on to the policyholder. Such a proposal might also send out the wrong signal to insurers considering establishing in Ireland and therefore decrease future competition in the market, reducing choice for consumers.

For these reasons I do not believe the introduction of a corporation tax surcharge for insurance companies, as suggested by the Deputy, would be appropriate.

Property Tax Data

Ceisteanna (153)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

153. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated number of new households which would pay the local property tax, LPT, if the exemptions for properties built in 2013 ceased and if all residential properties built since 2013 were included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25551/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Local Property Tax (LPT) provides for certain properties to be exempt from the tax during a valuation period. For the current valuation period (now extended to cover from 2013 to 2020), these include properties purchased between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2013 and trading stock of builders/developers unsold at 1 May 2013 or sold in the period 1 January 2013 to 31 October 2020.

In addition, properties built after the current valuation date (1 May 2013) remain outside the charge of LPT until the following valuation date (1 November 2020). As the owners of such properties are not required to submit LPT returns or valuations to Revenue, their number is not recorded.

For the report of the Interdepartmental Review Group on LPT, Revenue and the Department of Finance compiled estimates of the number of properties, either with an exemption due to end or new properties that would become liable to LPT in a new valuation period. The information was based on a combination of Revenue LPT data and Stamp Duty files, Central Statistics Office data, Departmental forecasts of housing construction and other information.

The compiled estimates indicate that between 60,000 and 80,000 such properties would become liable to LPT if the exemptions in question were ceased.

Garda Station Refurbishment

Ceisteanna (154)

Aindrias Moynihan

Ceist:

154. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when a carpark will be constructed at a Garda station (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24860/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I can confirm that the Office of Public Works (OPW) received an enquiry from local Gardaí about developing the parking facilities at the Garda Station in question. A quotation for the work was provided to Garda Estate Management (GEM), which must approve funding before the work can be scheduled by OPW for delivery. GEM have confirmed the proposed car park remains under consideration.

Office of Public Works Properties

Ceisteanna (155)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

155. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the building in O'Connell Street, Dublin 1, from which a Garda station operated; the level of preservation or renovation the OPW has invested in the property since its closure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24939/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Office of Public Works (OPW) has not invested in the preservation and maintenance of the office buildings known as 44 and 45 O'Connell Street, as the future use of the property has been under consideration. The properties are currently vacant. Their future use is being considered in line with OPW’s policy on surplus vacant property, which is as follows:

1. Identify if the property is required/suitable for alternative State use by either Government Departments or the wider public sector.

2. If there is no other State use identified for a property, the OPW will then consider disposing of the property on the open market if and when conditions prevail, in order to generate revenue for the Exchequer.

3. If no State requirement is identified or if a decision is taken not to dispose of a particular property, the OPW may consider community involvement (subject to a detailed written submission, which would indicate that the community/voluntary group has the means to insure, maintain and manage the property and that there are no ongoing costs for the Exchequer).

Carer's Allowance Payments

Ceisteanna (156)

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

156. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that guards in the Irish Prison Service whose families are in receipt of a carer's allowance have recently had their payments suspended following an instruction by inspectors from his Department that all carer's allowance payments be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25054/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy may be aware, the administration of carer's allowance payments is a matter for the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. This includes decisions about entitlement to this allowance and the level of payments to be made to qualifying individuals. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform does not carry out inspections of carer's allowances payments.

Office of Public Works Properties

Ceisteanna (157)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

157. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of funding directed to the conservation and management of buildings in the care of the OPW in 2017, 2018 and to date in 2019, by year, amount, building name and location in tabular form; the levels of engagement he has had with State tourism bodies regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25248/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

It is inferred from the Deputy's Question that she is referring to the historic estate in State care, specifically National Monuments & Historic Properties, rather than the entire portfolio of all buildings managed by the OPW.

The Office of Public Works is responsible for the conservation, management and presentation of:

- approximately 1,000 National Monuments that are in State ownership or guardianship at 768 locations

- 32 other significant Historic Properties.

The conservation and presentation of these sites to the public involves a range of activities including major and minor conservation projects, ongoing maintenance of both buildings and grounds and works to facilitate or improve the presentation and interpretation of sites including Guide services, which are provided at 70 sites around the country, on either a full-time or seasonal basis.

As the National Monuments estate is funded as a single entity with a corresponding skilled workforce to cover major requirements in relation to conservation and other tasks, it is not possible to readily provide a breakdown of spending per site. The following table below reflects the overall amount spent on the National Monuments estate for the years in question.

2017

2018

2019 (to date)

25,762,614

27,949,707

11,415,666

OPW provides protection, maintenance, presentation and day-to-day management of a number of other historic State owned properties. A breakdown of spending by site of funding provided to all such properties for the years in question is given hereunder. In a certain number of cases, (eg: Phoenix Park) spending at smaller sites in the same vicinity are bundled within the larger properties which hold management and maintenance responsibility for them.

Name of Site

2017

2018

2019 (to date)

Altamount

€337,461

€316,800

€145,913

Annesgrove

€852,584

€667,127

€141,976

Battle of the Boyne

€933,927

€727,884

€249,200

Blasket Visitor Centre

€197,820

€122,617

€54,330

Botanic Gardens

€2,703,924

€2,831,311

€1,431,484

Casino Marino

€81,403

€13,438

€533

Castletown

€1,907,081

€1,933,727

€676,740

Derrynane

€408,802

€443,160

€174,427

Doneraile

€347,256

€456,859

€393,348

Dublin Castle

€3,932,429

€4,571,141

€2,494,838

Emo Court

€617,958

€647,229

€600,741

Farmleigh

€3,104,565

€2,907,409

€1,734,743

Fota Arboretum

€268,706

€286,310

€110,000

Garden of Remembrance

€186,563

€164,584

€84,279

Garinish Island

€573,946

€498,391

€173,045

Glebe Gallery

€363,284

€292,272

€105,202

Heywood

€136,429

€117,037

€23,953

Iveagh Gardens

€144,502

€153,101

€54,379

JFK Memorial Park

€771,600

€1,038,060

€359,229

Kilkenny

€1,938,547

€1,905,726

€857,043

Kilmacurragh

€329,922

€352,939

€166,496

Phoenix Park

€4,566,245

€4,171,881

€1,663,,562

Rathfarnham Castle

€166,107

€147,536

€43,143

RHK

€10,426

€11,121

€0

St. Endas

€801,507

€786,599

€343,118

St. Stephen's Green

€993,816

€1,124,338

€497,569

War Memorial Gardens

€290,023

€338,262

€137,180

€26,966,834

€27,026,859

€12,715,471

Understanding that many of these heritage sites are significant visitor attractions, OPW and the Department of Culture Heritage and the Gaeltacht have for many years had a close working relationship with Fáilte Ireland, the national tourism development authority, in relation to the heritage estate in their care.

At a practical level, there has been strong longstanding cooperation evident in relation to many high profile sites such as Newgrange, Rock of Cashel and Dublin Castle where OPW directly engages with Fáilte Ireland programmes in support of Irish businesses working within the tourism economy, including participation in Industry events such as Meitheal. Additionally, Fáilte Ireland has also provided supports to OPW in relation to relevant areas such as Guide Training, Customer Service planning, Marketing and Tourism research and OPW participates in working groups in support of the major Fáilte brand areas Ireland's Ancient East, Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland's Hidden Heartlands and Dublin, Surprising by Nature .

More formally, at a senior level, OPW, DCHG & Fáilte Ireland have also, since 2015, formed a Strategic Partnership to manage and direct the Government's Tourism Capital Development Programme 2016 - 2021 in respect of cultural and heritage sites within the portfolio. Under this Programme, the Partners have, working collaboratively in a Steering Group structure, developed a stream of capital funding proposals totalling an estimated €23.5m to date which are majority funded by Fáilte Ireland and which are designed to both renew existing visitor facilities and provide new infrastructure investment where it can reap most benefit.

Freedom of Information Data

Ceisteanna (158)

Jonathan O'Brien

Ceist:

158. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of freedom of information requests granted, part granted, refused, transferred to an appropriate body or withdrawn or handled outside freedom of information in 2018, in tabular form. [25277/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table:

Granted

Part Granted

Refused

Transferred

Withdrawn

Handled outside of FOI

Total

60

68

67

0

5

7

207

National Monuments

Ceisteanna (159)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

159. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount expended in the past three years to date on the upkeep and maintenance of national monuments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25310/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Office of Public Works is responsible for the conservation, management and presentation of:

- approximately 1,000 National Monuments that are in State ownership or guardianship at 768 locations

- 32 other significant Historic Properties.

The conservation and presentation of these sites to the public involves a range of activities including major and minor conservation projects, ongoing maintenance of both buildings and grounds and works to facilitate or improve the presentation and interpretation of sites including Guide services, which are provided at 70 sites around the country, on either a full-time or seasonal basis.

The following table reflects the overall amount spent on the National Monuments estate for the years in question.

2017

2018

2019 (to date)

25,762,614

27,949,707

11,415,666

OPW provides protection, maintenance, presentation and day-to-day management of a number of other historic State owned properties.

2017

2018

2019 (to date)

€26,966,834

€27,026,859

€12,715,471

Pension Provisions

Ceisteanna (160)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

160. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the measures he plans to take to address the pension entitlements of female civil servants who left the workforce in job-share arrangements to care for their children and have lost out on full pension entitlements even though many women that stayed at home full-time have had their pension paid as a result of the homemakers credit system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25345/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

First, I should clarify that the civil service worksharing scheme allows the individual to avail of a variety of attendance patterns so as to be able to combine work and personal responsibilities or choices. Thus, it does not involve leaving the workforce. The career break scheme, on the other hand, gives the individual the possibility to take special leave without pay for a variety of reasons, including for family and other domestic reasons.

On the matter of pension entitlements, the Deputy will appreciate that the terms of occupational pension schemes (both private sector and public service pension schemes) are separate and distinct from the conditions laid down by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection in relation to the State Pension (contributory).

For example, it is a fundamental feature of occupational pension schemes and of the regulatory framework within which they operate that pension entitlements are, in general, earned in respect of periods of paid employment and having regard to the amounts of remuneration earned. The State Pension (contributory), on the other hand, has regard to each person’s social insurance record, which may include periods in insurable employment, voluntary contributions and credited contributions.

Any attempt to insert home credits into the civil service pension scheme (and into public service occupational pension schemes generally) would run counter to fundamental principles underpinning those schemes and would represent a very substantial cost to the State.

I would also point out that civil servants have the option to purchase notional pensionable service at full cost to themselves and subject to the normal purchase scheme limits, including compliance with Revenue limits in relation to the obtaining of tax relief on their purchase contributions, and so may compensate in this way for any shortfall in their pension as a result of having participated in the worksharing or career break schemes.

In relation to the Single Public Service Pension Scheme, which is the career average defined benefit pension scheme applicable to most new entrant public servants from January 2013, arrangements to facilitate the purchase of Single Scheme benefits additional to the benefits accrued based on pensionable remuneration earned by the Scheme member, have recently been introduced.

Departmental Properties

Ceisteanna (161)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

161. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of land purchased and leased by size and amount expended in the past five years to date; the location of same; the term of the lease and amount expended per year in cases in which land is leased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25390/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

There has been no land purchased nor leased by my Department in the last five years.

Departmental Properties

Ceisteanna (162)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

162. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of buildings and property purchased and leased and the amount expended in the past five years to date; the location of same; the term of the lease and the amount expended per year in cases in which properties are leased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25407/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In the past five years, my Department has not purchased any buildings nor property from its Vote (Vote 11).

The Department is financing one lease from its own Vote. This lease is with the Technical University Dublin for learning facilities to support the Civil Service Learning and Development programme. The lease commenced in December 2018 with a cost of €10,800 that year. The cost of the lease in 2019 is €135,926. Further detail is set out in the following table.

DPER Vote 11 lease

Duration

Commenced

Cost per year

Cost 2018

Cost 2019 (full year)

Location

Technical University Dublin

2 Years and 1 Month

December 2018

€135,926

€10,800

€135,926

Mountjoy Square, Dublin

Departmental Budgets

Ceisteanna (163)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

163. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the concerns within his Department on spending in his Department as reported in a newspaper (details supplied); his views on whether there will be a supplementary estimate in 2019 for his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25491/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Managing the delivery of public services within budgetary allocations is a key responsibility of every Department and Minister. My Department is in regular contact with all other Departments and Offices to ensure that expenditure is being managed within the overall fiscal parameters.

The drawdown of funds from the Exchequer is reported on each month against expenditure profiles in the Fiscal Monitor published by the Department of Finance. As outlined in the Fiscal Monitor, at the end of May, overall gross voted expenditure of €26 billion was €145 million (0.6 per cent) behind profile but up by 8.2 per cent in year-on-year terms, with a key element of the year-on-year increase being expenditure in the Health sector.

Gross voted health expenditure at the end of May is €35m (0.5%) behind profile, however this expenditure of almost €7.1bn represents a 10% increase on the same period in 2018. This annual rate of expenditure, if it were to continue for the full year, would represent a significant risk in terms of expenditure management.

Given the priority placed on achieving the fiscal targets for 2019 and 2020 outlined in the Stability Programme Update, a key consideration is the impact of any additional expenditure on the overall fiscal position. Any increase in expenditure in one sector, unless offset by expenditure underspends elsewhere, either voted or non-voted, or additional revenues, would result in a deterioration in the general government surplus from a projected 0.2 per cent of GDP this year and 0.4 per cent of GDP next year.

Education and Training Boards Data

Ceisteanna (164, 165)

Brian Stanley

Ceist:

164. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of staff employed at the National Construction Training Centre in Mount Lucas, County Offaly; and the courses available there. [25440/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Brian Stanley

Ceist:

165. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of participants that received training at the National Construction Training Centre in Mount Lucas, County Offaly in each of the past five years. [25441/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 164 and 165 together.

The National Construction Training Centre in Mount Lucas caters for construction plant training and was established by FÁS in 2008.

Following the establishment of SOLAS as the agency for further education and training in 2013, responsibility for former FÁS training centres was transferred to the Education and Training Boards. Mount Lucas was transferred from SOLAS to Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB) in July 2014.

The facility is the only recognised training centre in Ireland to test plant drivers for the equivalent UK certification, which means plant operators are certified as being competent both in Ireland and the UK to operate plant machinery.

There are 5 staff employed by LOWEB working at Mount Lucas. The remaining information regarding courses and the numbers of participants requested by the deputy is attached.

The number of participants that received training at the National Construction Training Centre in Mount Lucas, County Offaly 2014 - 2018.

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

Construction Skills Certification Scheme

(CSCS)

250

144

152

233

182

Construction Plant Competence Scheme

(CPCS)

124

190

115

59

Health Safety & Environmental

(UK Safepass equivalent)

168

123

116

27

Construction & Specialist Training

82

159

127

Manual Handling

68

Abrasive Wheels Tools

46

Mobile Elevating Work Platforms

21

Mobile Elevating Work Platforms

23

Total

250

456

547

623

553

Barr
Roinn