Written Answers Nos. 84-92
84. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an estimate of the levying on credit unions which is based on the levy calculation of 0.0511% of the total assets of the credit unions concerned as set out in S.I. 381 of 2012 of the Credit Institutions Resolution Fund Levy Regulations 2012. [53357/12]
View answerBased on a levy calculation of 0.0511% of the total assets of the credit unions concerned as set out in S.I. 381 of 2012 of the Credit Institutions Resolution Fund Levy Regulations 2012 the estimated levy payable into the Resolution Fund by the credit union sector in the 12 month levy period of 01 October 2012 - 30 September 2013 is €7 million.
85. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an estimate of the levy on credit institutions not being credit unions based on S.I. No. 443 of 2012 of the Credit Institutions Resolution Fund Levy (Amendment) Regulations 2012. [53358/12]
View answerThe estimated levy payable in the 12 month levy period 1 October 2012-30 September 2013 by credit institutions not being credit unions under the Credit Institutions Resolution Fund Levy Regulations 2012 (S.I. 381 of 2012) as amended by S.I. 443 of 2012 is €2.7 million. It should be noted that the banks that are subject to the Credit Institutions (Stabilisation) Act 2010 are not liable to being levied for the Resolution Fund while they are subject to the Stabilisation Act regime and will not therefore be contributing in the levy period 1 October 2012- 30 September 2013. On conclusion of the Stabilisation Act regime it is estimated that those banks would contribute approximately €15.4 million in a 12 month period.
86. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the potential role that credit unions can play in helping to meet the financial services needs of local communities, particularly at a time when the mainstream banks are withdrawing from branch operations in many areas; his views on whether credit unions have the potential to offer additional services to members and communities; the role that he believes a new single payments platform for credit unions can play in helping to deliver these new services; if his policy is supportive of the extension of such services by credit unions and the provision of a new single payments platform for credit unions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53359/12]
View answerThe Government recognises the important role of Credit Unions as a volunteer co-operative movement and the distinction between them and other types of financial institutions. The Commission on Credit Unions was established to review the future of the credit union movement and to make recommendations in relation to the most effective regulatory structure for the sector. The Commission took into account credit unions’ not-for-profit mandate, their volunteer ethos and community focus, while paying due regard to the need to fully protect depositors’ savings and financial stability. The Commission recognised that credit unions aim to provide for the economic and social goals of members and wider local communities. The Commission noted that credit unions are niche players in the retail financial services industry and that there is an opportunity for the development of services by credit unions as a mutual alternative to the two pillar banks.
Section 48 of the Credit Union Act 1997 facilitates the provision of additional services to members. This section provides for an application process whereby credit unions may apply to the Central Bank to be allowed to provide additional services. Some services are exempted from this process and can be provided by credit unions at present. These include ATM services, money transfers and third party payments.
The Commission on Credit Unions recommended that a new regime for the provision of additional services should be developed within the context of the tiered regulatory approach set out the Report. Credit unions in Tier 1 would be able to provide certain exempted additional services, while tier 2 and 3 would be able to offer a larger range of services. Under the Credit Union Bill 2012, the Central Bank will be able to exempt certain services from the additional services requirements set out under section 48. The Bill also provides that decisions to provide new services can be taken by the board of directors, rather than having to be decided at a general meeting of the members. Section 48 (7) as amended by the Bill provides that the Bank may set out the requirements that credit unions would need to comply with in relation to the provision of certain services.
Credit unions already have access to payments infrastructure, via providers such as BOI, AIB and BNP. I am aware that the Irish League of Credit Unions is seeking to enter this market on a commercial basis via its Credit Union Service Organisation for Payments (CUSOP) project.
The latest ILCU Annual Report sets out the details of this project, which requires authorisation from the Central Bank. However, this is a commercial project from ILCU and credit unions will have to decide for themselves whether to get involved.
I do not propose to comment on matters of a commercial nature such as this given that it is subject to authorisation by the Central Bank.
87. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Finance if he will ask Irish Bank Resolution Corporation to respond to the issues outlined in the attached letter (details supplied) relating to workers pension scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53382/12]
View answerI have been advised by IBRC that this is a matter which is for the Board of the company involved and the Trustees of the pension scheme involved. IBRC have no comment to make on this matter.
88. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the proposed mechanism for appointment of chairpersons in the education and training boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53085/12]
View answer89. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the proposed numeric and geographic model for representation on education and training boards when established, with particular reference to ETBs where three VECs are amalgamating and the possibility of smaller counties having very limited representation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53086/12]
View answer92. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views in respect of the proposed education and training boards and the possibility of these boards acting as a resource providing managerial supports to all schools and education centres in their respective regions, not just schools and education centres already under the VECs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53089/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 88, 89 and 92 together.
The Education and Training Boards Bill was published on 5 October 2012 and completed Second Stage in Dáil Éireann on 17 October 2012. Following completion of Second Stage, the Bill has been referred to the Select Sub-committee on Education and Skills.
The Bill provides for 18 person boards consisting of 10 local authority members, 2 staff representatives, 2 parents' representatives and 4 community representatives. Where more than one local authority elects members to an education and training board, the numbers to be elected by each local authority will be specified by Ministerial order which will be made having regard to population. This is considered to be the most appropriate and fair way to devise the proportions in which each local authority will be represented on the new bodies. It is intended that staff representatives on the board will be elected by members of staff of the education and training board and that parent and community representatives will be nominated by the relevant bodies. The chairperson will be elected by the members of the board.
The establishment of education and training boards will position the sector to support the evolution of service delivery not just in schools under the direct governance of a board but in the wider education sector. The new boards will be well positioned to establish shared services and to provide support services to all schools, including primary schools and other second level schools in their areas. In particular, education and training boards can contribute significantly to driving an agenda of encouraging aggregated procurement of supplies and services.
90. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will update on the consultation process with communities in regard to school patronage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53087/12]
View answerMy Department recently carried out parental surveys on primary school patronage in five pilot areas, namely Arklow, Castlebar, Tramore, Trim and Whitehall (including Beaumont and Kilmore West).
My Department is preparing a detailed report on the surveys which will be reviewed by the New Schools Establishment Group. When the analysis is finalised, and drawing on feedback from the patron bodies, consideration will be given to any appropriate modifications in implementing the surveys in the remainder of the identified 44 survey areas.
91. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans, if any, to sanction more community national schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53088/12]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, in June of last year, I announced that 20 new primary schools would be established up to 2017 to meet increasing demographics. At that time I also announced new arrangements for the recognition and determination of patronage of new primary and post-primary schools. The new arrangements provide a balanced approach to allow applications to be made by prospective patrons for the establishment of schools.
The pilot Community National School model is currently being tested in six primary schools, of which two were established in 2008, three in 2010 and one in 2012.
In March 2012 I announced decisions on the patronage of new primary schools to be established in 2012 and 2013. At that time, I announced that one new community national school would open in 2012. A new community national school, Scoil Niamh, has recently opened in Citywest. I also announced that three of the nine new primary schools to be established in 2013 will be community national schools.
The patronage of new primary schools to be established from 2014 onwards has not yet been decided. It will be open to all Patrons to apply in line with the established process.
