Written Answers Nos. 56-76
56. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the number of times he has met with insurance companies and Insurance Ireland since 1 January 2016; the date of each meeting; the persons or bodies he met with; the purpose of each meeting in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48302/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, as Minister for Finance, I am responsible for the development of the legal framework governing financial regulation, which includes insurance. In this regard, both I and my predecessor, Mr Michael Noonan T.D. as Ministers for Finance, have always recognised insurance reform as a key priority for this Government. However, we have been consistently clear that there is no quick fix solution to the current problems in the Irish market. This is in part due to the EU framework for insurance, which expressly prohibits Member States from adopting rules, which require insurance companies to obtain prior approval of the pricing or terms and conditions of insurance products. In addition, a further constraint is the fact that for constitutional reasons, I cannot direct the courts as to the award levels that should be applied.
That said, my predecessor Minister Noonan recognised that the environment within which insurers operate could be improved and consequently established the Cost of Insurance Working Group (CIWG) in 2016, which was chaired initially by then Minister of State for Financial Services, Eoghan Murphy TD. Its purpose was to examine the factors contributing to the increasing cost of insurance and identifying what short, medium and long-term measures could be introduced to help reduce the cost of insurance for consumers and businesses. I believe that the CIWG has made a lot of progress and it is continuing to work to implement the recommendations of both of its reports. This progress is reflected in the fact that CSO figures show motor insurance costs have decreased by 27.1% since the peak in July 2016.
Much works remain to be done and in this regard the implementation of the Personal Injuries Commission (PIC) benchmarking report is critical, if we are to bring award levels more into line with other jurisdictions, and thus reduce the cost of insurance and increase its availability. As the Deputy is aware the groundwork for this has been laid through the enactment of the Judicial Council Bill and once operational it will be a matter for the Judiciary to put in place new guidelines which reflect amongst other things the PIC report.
In addition, I think it is worth noting that the Minister of State’s title includes special responsibility for Financial Services and Insurance. When An Taoiseach announced his decision to appoint Minister of State D’Arcy to this new portfolio in June 2017, I believe that the specific reference to insurance in his portfolio demonstrated the Government’s belief that this issue needed to be tackled by a dedicated Minister of State within the Department of Finance. In that respect, Minister of State D’Arcy has taken a lead role in relation to chairing the CIWG, and as part of that role, he has held numerous meetings with relevant stakeholders, including the insurance industry and its representatives. I believe that this has been appropriate and remains so, in light of the Minister of State’s responsibilities. However, I wish to emphasise that I, as the Minister for Finance, have and will continue to play an active role in ensuring that insurance reform remains a priority for the Government.
In conclusion, I do not believe that a measure of success for any Minister for Finance is the number of meetings held with any individual sector, instead it is the progress being made towards a stated objective, in this case lower insurance costs. While accepting that much work remains to be done, I believe strongly that tangible results have been delivered on the insurance reform front to date. In addition, the necessary framework to enable the recalibration of personal injury award levels will soon be in place and I would expect this to have a significant impact on the cost and availability of insurance.
I am happy to provide the information requested and would refer the Deputy to the following table.
|
Meetings (Minister Noonan) |
Date |
Location |
Purpose |
|
Kevin Hogan, Chief Executive Officer, Consumer Insurance, AIGSid Sankaran, Chief Financial officer, AIGDeclan O’Rourke, Country Manager for Ireland, AIG |
1/12/2016 |
Department of Finance |
Meeting with AIG following request by IDA |
|
Meetings (Minister Donohoe) |
Date |
Location |
Purpose |
|
Kevin Thompson, CEO (Insurance Ireland)Declan Jackson, Director of Government Affairs (Insurance Ireland)Aidan Holton, International Council Chair (Insurance Ireland) and CEO (SCOR Global) |
28/03/2018 |
Department of Finance |
Discussion – Implications of US tax reforms |
57. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Finance the additional detection and support facilities made available to the Revenue Commissioners in view of the increased detection of illegal drugs being sent through the postal services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48355/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a number of additional staff and increased use of the Revenue drug detector dog teams including a new drug detector dog, have been deployed in the mail centres. These measures together with detection technology, such as scanners, currently used in the mailing centres have led to the increased rate of detection.
Revenue constantly reviews its detection technology and implements a normal replacement and upgrade strategy of its detection technology requirements taking account of new developments in those technologies. In addition, Revenue is continually monitoring where resources are allocated and will respond to changes in the risk profile in the mail centres and deploy resources as required.
58. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Finance the number of pre-budget submissions received by his Department in relation to budget 2020; the number of these he read in full; the organisations to which they refer; the number summarised by officials for his information; the organisations to which they refer; the number of organisations his Department met following their submission; the procedure followed by his Department in relation to engaging with organisations when a submission is made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48394/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Taxation Division of my Department received in excess of 300 pre-budget submissions in relation to Budget 2020 and the Finance Bill. Some of these are duplicates sent in by different public representatives on behalf of the same organisation. All submissions are acknowledged by the Department on receipt. The relevant officials in the Division consider all pre-budget submissions in the context of the Budget and Finance Bill. They engage with the various organisations as appropriate. This could involve telephone calls, emails, letters or meetings.
I can confirm that I received pre-budget submissions from or on behalf of the following organisations:
|
KPMG |
Federation of Irish Sport |
MS Ireland |
|
Irish Road Haulage Association |
The Wheel |
Limerick Chamber |
|
Law Society of Ireland |
Small Firms Association |
Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers |
|
PWC |
BoyleSports |
Bandon Motors |
|
Irish ProShare Association |
The Reilly Group |
Irish Co-Operative Organisation Society Ltd |
|
Insurance Ireland |
Rape Crisis Network Ireland |
Psychological Society of Ireland |
|
Irish Wheelchair Association |
Association of Consulting Engineers |
Cork Chamber |
|
Imperial Brands John Player |
Irish Venture Capital Association |
Oxfam Ireland |
|
Brokers Ireland |
Irish Pharmacy Union |
Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation |
|
Irish Health Trade Association |
Wexford Car Centre |
SONAS |
|
National Traveller MABS |
The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland |
Hardware Association Ireland |
|
Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies |
Horse Sport Ireland |
Irish Petroleum Industry Association |
|
Japan Tobacco International Ireland |
Arigna Fuels |
Irish Council for Social Housing |
|
Imperial Brands Tobacco |
Food Drink Ireland |
Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed |
|
Retired Civil and Public Servants Association |
Federation of (Ophthalmic and Dispensing) Opticians |
Irish Air Line Pilots Association |
|
Chartered Accountants Ireland |
Scale Ireland |
Ferrybank Motors |
|
Euronext |
Focus Ireland |
Screen Producers Ireland |
|
Irish Tax Institute |
Aontas |
Trócaire |
|
Home and Community Care Ireland |
Irish Hotels Federation |
Western Motors |
|
Retailers Against Smuggling |
National Off Licence Association |
Lowry’s Bar |
|
Irish Local Development Network |
Dóchas |
Fr Peter McVerry Trust |
|
Saint Vincent DePaul |
The Irish Association of Non-Governmental Development Organisations |
Antique Dealers of Ireland |
|
DIGI Drinks Industry Group Ireland |
National Recruitment Federation |
Irish Exporters Association |
|
Irish Hospice Foundation |
Words Ireland |
Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association |
|
IBEC |
SIMI |
Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists |
|
Chambers Ireland |
Ryanair |
Rehab Group |
|
Acquired Brain Injury Ireland |
AudioVisual Ireland |
Association of Eircom Pensioners |
|
Joint Managerial Body Secondary Schools |
Dublin Town |
Simon |
|
Irish National Teachers Organisation |
Cyclist.ie The Irish Cycling Advocacy Network |
Atlantic Youth Trust |
|
Barnardos |
Charities Institute Ireland |
Solid Fuel Trade Group |
|
Beacon South Quarter Owners’ Management Company |
Irish Duty Free Alliance |
Cavanagh’s of Charleville |
|
Coach Tourism and Transport Council of Ireland |
Vintners’ Federation Of Ireland |
Irish Lung Fibrosis Association |
|
National Women's Council of Ireland |
Irish Farmers Association PBS 2020 |
Broadford Community Creche |
|
Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association |
Olde Castle Bar and Restaurant |
Irish Music Rights Organisation |
|
Irish Heart Foundation |
Bar One Racing |
National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers |
|
Alzheimer Society of Ireland |
SAFRI Ireland |
Health Stores Ireland |
|
European Anti-Poverty Network Ireland |
Healing Harvest |
Dublin Civic Trust |
|
Home and Community Care Ireland |
Retail Ireland |
Limerick Civic Trust |
|
Synergy Hair Group |
Citizens Information Board |
Gordon Transport |
|
Retail Excellence |
Independent Craft Brewers of Ireland |
McGuiness Forwarding |
|
Apartment Owners Network |
NewsBrands Ireland |
Ireland Active |
|
City View Wheels |
Restaurants Association of Ireland |
Duffy Express Freight |
|
National Campaign for the Arts |
Irish Congress of Trade Unions |
Pat Foley Transport |
|
Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association |
Union of Students in Ireland |
Ability West |
|
Irish Institutional Property |
Stafford Fuels Ltd |
Car Council of Ireland |
|
Coach Tourism and Transport Council of Ireland |
British Irish Chamber of Commerce |
Dogs Trust |
|
Royal College of Physicians of Ireland |
National Adult Literacy Agency |
European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN) Ireland |
|
American Chambers of Commerce Ireland |
Freight Transport Association Ireland |
Children’s Rights Alliance |
|
Property Industry Ireland |
Alcohol Action Ireland |
Irish Rural Link |
|
Visa |
Fitbit International |
Edmund Burke Institute |
|
COPE Galway |
Cavanagh’s of Fermoy |
COPE Galway |
|
Construction Industry Federation |
Evergreen |
SafeIreland |
|
Vehicle Leasing Association Ireland |
CKH Fiscal Services |
Irish MedTech Association |
|
McCoy Motors |
Irish Street Arts Circus and Spectacle Network |
Irish Funds |
|
Mid-West Irish Motor Industry |
Central Remedial Clinic |
Slaney View Motors |
|
TG4 |
Meadowbrook Residents |
Irish Primary Principals Network |
|
Irish Bookmakers Association |
Dublin Chamber |
Threshold |
|
Telecommunications Industry Ireland |
The Copper Grove Bar and Restaurant |
Respond |
|
The Not for Profit Association |
Association of Farm and Forestry Contractors Ireland |
Irish Beverage Council |
|
Disability Federation of Ireland |
National Insulation Association of Ireland |
Frank Hogan Motors |
|
Enable Ireland |
Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland |
Milford Care Centre |
|
Irish Cancer Society |
The Irish Academy of Engineering |
Irish Property Owners Association |
|
Bruce Betting |
Agricultural Consultants Association |
Mongey Plunkett Motors |
|
Clare Big Start Committee |
Startup Ireland |
Family Carers Ireland |
I can also confirm that I and/or my officials held meetings with the following organisations who sent in pre-budget submissions:
|
Vehicle Leasing Association of Ireland |
IFA |
|
Society of Irish Motor Industry |
American Chamber of Commerce |
|
Irish Cancer Society |
CIF |
|
Irish Heart Foundation |
IBEC |
|
Irish Tobacco Manufacturers Advisory Committee |
ICTU |
|
Solid Fuel Trade Group |
Chartered Accountants Ireland |
|
Irish Road Haulage Association |
Irish Duty Free Alliance |
|
National Off licence Association |
Irish Funds Boylesports |
|
Irish Health Trade Association |
Bar One Racing |
|
Drinks Industry Group of Ireland |
Scale Ireland |
|
Irish Bookmakers’ Association |
ICMSA |
|
Irish MedTech Association |
Irish ProShare Association |
I also met a Community and Voluntary Pillar grouping including Family Carers Ireland, The Wheel, Social Justice Ireland, Children’s Rights Alliance, Age Action, St Vincent de Paul, Irish Senior Citizens Parliament, Protestant Aid, Irish Council for Social Housing and Irish Rural Link.
In addition, I should point out that I meet with many public service bodies during the course of the year and there may be correspondence between my Department and those bodies in relation to the Budget and Finance Bill in various forms. These are not included in the list because this engagement is ongoing by its nature and the correspondence would not necessarily be categorised as a pre-budget submission.
The contents of all pre-budget submissions are considered in the context of the forthcoming Budget and Finance Bill regardless of whether they are sent in by individuals, organisations, representative organisations or public representatives. I should also point out that submissions may be received by the Department outside of the pre-budget process but would nonetheless be given due consideration. For example, responses to public consultations could be considered as part of the Budget/Finance Bill process as appropriate. These would not necessarily be included in the lists above.
Finally, I should say that I have endeavoured to give as full and accurate an answer as possible but the Deputy will appreciate that given the sheer volume of pre-budget submissions and meetings at what is an extremely busy time for my Department, some items may not have been included. It is also possible that what an organisation may consider to be a pre-budget submission may not be categorised as such by the Department, nonetheless it would have received due consideration.
59. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether separated and divorced persons that previously owned a share in a property should be treated as first-time buyers in terms of the tax code and mortgage rules when buying a home at some point in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48395/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, Finance Bill 2019 proposes a two-year extension to the Help to Buy (HTB) scheme. The definition of first time buyer in HTB is as follows:
'first-time purchaser' means an individual who, at the time of a claim under subsection (3) has not, either individually or jointly with any other person, previously purchased or previously built, directly or indirectly, on his or her own behalf a dwelling;
The intention is to target the Help to Buy scheme on those who have not had the opportunity to build up equity in another property which could be used to purchase the second or subsequent property.
The definition complements that in the Central Bank's macro-prudential rules. It should be noted that the Bank is independent in the formulation of this policy.
I do not propose amending the definition of first time buyer in HTB.
The Central Bank has advised me that it defines a first time buyer as a borrower to whom no housing loan has ever before been advanced. (Also where the borrower under a housing loan is more than one person and one or more of those persons has previously been advanced a housing loan, none of those persons is a first-time buyer for the purposes of the lending rules). However, the Central Bank also advises me that it introduced proportionate limits in it mortgage lending framework specifically to allow flexibility by lenders when assessing individual cases, such as may be the case for separated or divorced persons. The Bank's view is that the proportionate limits mean that lenders are able to make decisions based on an individual borrower’s circumstances up to a specific overall limit. Nevertheless, lenders will still be required to assess an individual borrower’s affordability and lend prudently on a case by case basis, in line with the requirements of the Central Bank’s Consumer Protection Code and other relevant regulations.
60. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if the Central Bank has been informed by a building society (details supplied) that an investigation has commenced on the overcharging of customers involving insurance products on their mortgage; if the Central Bank is undertaking its own investigation in relation to this; the number of customers believed to be involved at this stage; the amount overcharged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48453/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware I have no role in the day to day operations of any bank operating in the market. The bank concerned, AIB, has provided me with the following statement in relation to this matter:
"AIB can confirm that the issue has been notified to the Central Bank of Ireland.
"This issue relates to certain EBS mortgage customers where their insurance premium is collected with the mortgage repayment. In the event that the repayments are not made by the customer, the insurance premiums continue to be paid by EBS, the cover remains in place, which is beneficial to the customer. However, interest may accrue and in some cases this may not have been clear to the customer. EBS is at the early stages of the customer identification process and numbers are not currently available. However, based on the sampling, it is expected that the monetary impact on customers to be low."
61. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans for Loughcrew Cairns megalithic tombs in Oldcastle, County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48325/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Loughcrew site is managed from the Brú na Boinne Visitor Centre and Guide services are available on a seasonal basis during the months of June, July and August.
Currently, visitor access to the interior of the largest structure, Cairn T, is prohibited while necessary works are being designed and carried out to address serious structural issues, the effects of vandalism and concerns about the condition of specific stones within the chamber. The remainder of the site remains available to visit however and, as an additional service to visitors during the 2019 season, full Guided tours were made available of the entire Loughcrew landscape as opposed to simply Cairn T alone, which had been the case before access was restricted. The response to this was strongly positive and it was considered that the move added considerably to the overall depth of the visitor experience.
Prior to the closure of Cairn T, offseason visitor access (i.e. in the absence of Guides) was facilitated through a local keyholder who made the key available to visitors on request. Given the level of damage which has been noted at the site, it is not at this stage clear what the future position regarding offseason access will be following the remediation works and the level of unaccompanied access that will be feasible. This issue will be reviewed further therefore when the works are complete.
62. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of times he has met with insurance companies and Insurance Ireland since 1 January 2016; the date of each meeting; the persons or bodies he met with; the purpose of each meeting in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48307/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that I have not met with any insurance companies or Insurance Ireland in my role as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform since my appointment to that role on 6th May 2016. I am providing a separate reply to the Deputy in response to his question to me in my role as Minister for Finance.
63. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to provide appropriate accommodation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48312/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the recent fire the remains of Emyvale Garda Station have been demolished and the site has been cleared. It has been agreed with An Garda Síochána that there is an urgent need to provide accommodation and the OPW has looked at temporary options. It is intended that proposals will be put forward for agreement in the next two weeks. It is not possible to give a definitive timeline for the delivery of the accommodation but the project will be treated as urgent.
64. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of external quantity surveyors that are engaged by the OPW across each active and proposed capital projects and renovation and-or restoration projects; the costs of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48316/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the above PQ, I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that some of the information sought by the Deputy is not readily available and is currently being collated. A detailed response will issue to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
65. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the public spending code will be updated; the details on the review aspect of capital projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48460/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the ongoing reform of Ireland’s public investment management systems, my Department has undertaken extensive work on the updating of the Public Spending Code. The purpose of this update is to strengthen the existing guidance to better align with the realities of project delivery and with a particular focus on improved appraisal, cost estimation and management. I anticipate that the revised central elements of the Public Spending Code relating to the appraisal and management of public capital projects will be published in the near future following consideration and approval by Government. Further technical guidance building upon these central elements will follow in 2020.
In the context of updating the Public Spending Code, my Department has given consideration to the potential benefits of more structured scrutiny of major public investment projects, focusing in particular on the robustness of planned delivery, accuracy of cost forecasts, and consideration of risk. My Department is developing a new governance and assurance process for major projects with an estimated cost of over €100 million. This new process is being informed by international best practice and will involve consultation with all major public sector stakeholders. It is likely to involve an independent external review of major projects at key stages, drawing from international best practice approaches, and the modalities of such an approach in an Irish context are currently receiving careful attention. The detail of the process and arrangements for implementation will be scoped and developed with a target operational date of mid-2020.
66. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the financial shared service centre project; the amount spent on the project to date; the amount spent on consultants for the project by consultancy; if the EY report will be published; the expected cost to complete the project; the date the project was stalled; the date it is set to resume; the date it is expected to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48461/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra67. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the original budgeted cost of the financial shared service centre; the original expected completion date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48462/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra68. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when he was first informed of the cost overruns in relation to the financial shared service centre project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48463/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 66 to 68, inclusive, together.
The Financial Management Shared Service Programme will see the migration and upgrade of 31 separate Financial Management Systems (FMS) to a single FMS, with a single common Chart of Accounts, and standardised accounting processes for all of Central Government.
This Programme is necessary, not only to address the upgrade requirements for these legacy systems, but also to support a number of interdependent reform initiatives and to position the Government to be responsive to evolving national and international requirements, including fiscal transparency and digital innovation. The existing distribution of financial processing across Public Service Bodies (PSBs) and systems does not support the automated consolidation of data at a central level. The continued use of legacy systems could not meet existing and emerging requirements without considerable duplication of effort and at a potentially significant cost/risk to the State.
The implementation of the single FMS, aligned with the standardisation of processes across central government, will provide the necessary supporting framework, and is an essential enabler, for the financial reporting reform outlined in the 2019 OECD Report on "Financial Reporting in Ireland". A single best-in-class finance technology platform will provide greater flexibility and strategic capability to respond to new and emerging requirements in a more consistent, agile and cost effective manner, while future proofing the Government’s Finance Function. It will also provide significantly improved financial information and data insights, on a real time accruals basis, which will strengthen informed decision making across PSBs and Central Government.
The original business case anticipated that the Programme would return cost savings of some €15.4m per annum once fully operational.
In addition to the projected operational cost savings, it is also important to consider that the programme negates the costs of upgrading the existing 31 legacy systems which would be significant (benchmark estimates suggest a range of €50m-€80m), and would not deliver the reporting reforms or rich source of centralised data available from this single FMS programme.
With respect to timelines, a decision was made in mid-2018 to pause entry into user acceptance testing and review the design of the technology platform.
I am informed by the National Shared Services Office (NSSO) that the design review of the new financial management technology platform was completed recently. This has highlighted a number of process and technical opportunities for improvement of the single finance platform for Government. This will ensure that the quality of the solution implemented will support the reform of public finance management and reporting. Changes are not unusual in a programme of this scale and complexity that will replace and upgrade 31 existing different systems with one new finance system for Government.
As a result of the design review, and the work to realise the improvements identified by the review, the project will not be completed by 2021 as originally planned. This is a large scale complex programme that will take longer than originally anticipated to deliver the new system for 48 Public Service Bodies over a number of years. The timeline will be worked through in consultation with the system implementation partner and each Public Service Body.
The original Business Case recognised the level of complexity in this Programme and envisaged that the costs to support a full deployment, taking account of potential delays that were liable to arise for a system of this complexity, could range from €47.4m to €62.25m excluding VAT. The total amount spent to date on the project is €36.5m excluding VAT.
A project of this scale and complexity requires a wide range of skills and expertise from within and outside the Civil Service. I am informed by the NSSO of the following spending on consultants, recruited to provide advice on the development of the project to date:
|
Consultant |
Spend to date (ex VAT) |
|
EY |
€814,000 |
|
Deloitte |
€4,461,000 |
I am informed that EY was engaged by the NSSO to provide expert advice on programme governance. The work referred to by the Deputy included a confidential (not for publication) internal review of the governance arrangements for the Programme focused on making improvements and the recommendations have been implemented.
I am updated on matters pertaining to expenditure, including in respect of a range of organisations such as the NSSO, on an ongoing basis. A revised timetable and cost for completion of the Programme will be finalised when the consultation referred to above is completed.
69. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a request for additional accommodation by a school (details supplied) is being considered to alleviate demand for places in the 2020 school year. [48292/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of an application, for additional school accommodation, from the school authority in question.
The application is currently under assessment. The school authorities will be contacted directly as soon as the assessment process is completed.
70. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of times he has met with insurance companies and Insurance Ireland since 1 January 2016; the date of each meeting; the persons or bodies he met with; the purpose of each meeting in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48300/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have not met with insurance companies or Insurance Ireland since 1st January 2016.
71. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the ASD unit for a school (details supplied); when works will commence; if the unit will be ready to open for the September 2020 intake; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48314/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school referred to by the Deputy has been approved a four classroom SEN base under my Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme 2019.
The school authority are currently in the process of appointing a Design Team and are being assist by Dublin & Dún Laoghaire Education & Training Board (DDLETB).
It is not possible at this early stage to give a definite timeline as to when the accommodation will be available.
72. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position in relation to the new school development for a school (details supplied) in County Cork; when a new design team will be appointed due to the recent increase in the size of the school to a 16 classroom school with two special needs units; his views on whether the children and staff deserve a better environment than one that is split across two sites, that is not fit for purpose and lacks basic facilities such as adequate yard size, physical education facilities and a school hall; if he will personally intervene in the matter in view of the length of time the project has been in the system; his plans to ensure the project moves quickly to stage two; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48323/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe major building project referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of Architectural Planning.
A Design Team was appointed but a number of site issues were required to be addressed which precluded the progression of the project pending their resolution. The school has now confirmed to the Department that all site issues have been resolved in order to facilitate the progression of this building project.
The school also requested an increase to the original Project Brief from a Principal plus 12 mainstream teachers up to a Principal plus 16 mainstream teachers with 2 SEN class bases. My Department has approved the increased project brief on the understanding that the additional area can be accommodated on the proposed site.
Under EU Procurement Regulations a new procurement procedure is required to be undertaken where there are substantial modifications to a project. As such, a new Design Team is required to be appointed. My Department is in contact with the school authorities in that regard.
This major building project is included in my Department's Construction Program being delivered under the National Development Plan.
73. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 193 of 22 October 2019, if there is a timeline for the development and implementation of proposals following the comprehensive review of the special needs assistant scheme; and if so, when they can be expected. [48333/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraArising from the National Council for Special Education Comprehensive Review of the SNA Scheme, and my subsequent commitment to develop proposals for the implementation of recommendations in the review, I announced on 27th March this year the trialling of the School Inclusion Model, a new model of support for students with special educational and additional care needs. This new Model is being piloted in 75 schools in the Kildare/Wicklow/South Dublin region in the current school year.
Key features of the School Inclusion Model are:
- Development of a new frontloaded allocation model for the allocation of Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) in line with their profiled need, thus breaking the link with the requirement for an assessment.
- The expansion of the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) to provide a more intensive support service for pilot schools.
- The development of a National Training Programme for special needs assistants, to provide them with the necessary skills and knowledge to support students with additional care needs arising from significant medical, physical, emotional/behavioural, sensory, communication and other significant difficulties that pose a barrier to participating in school life.
- The development of a national nursing service for children with complex medical needs in schools to complement current provision provided through community based services.
- Establishment, on a pilot basis, of a new Regional Support service under the National Council for Special Education to include specialists in speech and language; occupational therapy and behaviour practitioners.
- The continuation of the current in-school therapy project for another year. This involves 19 Speech and Language Therapists and 12 Occupational Therapists working with and within schools.
The School Inclusion Model aims to build schools’ capacity and to provide the right supports at the right time for students with additional needs.
A comprehensive independent evaluation of the pilot will be required to test its effectiveness and provide guidance on issues to consider in any potential mainstreaming of the School Inclusion Model.
There is a number of other recommendations in relation to the training of SNAs and the development of a nursing programme for children with the most complex needs being progressed.
74. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding teachers payscales; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48342/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC) is the recognised forum for dealing with matters relating to the pay and conditions of service for teachers. The Council is comprised of representatives of teachers, school management, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Department of Education & Skills and is chaired by an official of the Workplace Relations Commission.
The criteria for the award of incremental credit for post-primary teachers was agreed under the auspices of the Teacher Conciliation Council and issued by my Department under Circulars 29/2007 and 29/2010. The terms of these circulars are applicable to all post-primary teachers.
An incremental credit application, from the teacher referred to by the Deputy, was received in my Department on 15th July 2019, for previous teaching experience in a private post-primary school which is located outside of the European Union. As the service applied for did not meet the criteria as set out in Circular 29/2007 my Department issued its decision, on 6th September 2019, not to award incremental credit.
75. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the possibility of having necessary works carried out at a school (details supplied); and the details of an assessment and survey of the school which was carried out by a technical team from his Department in April 2018. [48350/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra76. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application (details supplied). [48370/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 75 and 76 together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has received an application from the school in question. Officials from my Department are liaising with the school authority in order to organise a suitable date and time for a meeting to discuss the school's application for capital funding.
