Tuesday, 12 Dec 2023

Parking Provision

Questions (273)

Matt Carthy

Question:

273. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will ensure that car parking facilities will be maintained for Department of Social Protection staff at Thomas Ashe Street, Cavan town (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54847/23]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform

The Commissioners of Public Works (OPW) lease part of a building in Cavan town that is allocated to the Department of Social Protection. This lease included the use of 15 car parking spaces on a site across the road from the office. Earlier this year the landlord advised the OPW that the car park site was being sold to the County Council, consequently staff would no longer be able to use the car park once the sale completed.

It is the OPW policy that car parking is leased only when it forms part of a building lease and new leases or licences for stand-alone parking are not entered into. The OPW will review parking facilities at other owned and leased properties in Cavan town to establish if there are surplus parking spaces that can be allocated to staff affected by the sale of this car park.

Public Sector Pensions

Questions (274)

Patrick Costello

Question:

274. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will ensure that pension parity continues between existing and retired members of An Garda Síochána after the expiration of the ‘building momentum’ pay deal [54892/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform

As Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, I have overarching responsibility for public service pension policy, including in relation to pension increases in the public service.

As the Deputy may be aware, the current method of post-retirement pension adjustment for retirees of pre-existing (pre-2013) public service pension schemes is known as ‘pay parity’.

This method of pension adjustment was agreed by Government in 2017 the context of the Public Service Stability Agreement (PSSA) 2018-2020, and was extended under the successor pay agreement, Building Momentum 2021-2023, which is due to expire at the end of this year.

Under the current policy, pay increases granted under those agreements fall to be passed on to pensions awarded under pre-existing public service schemes where the salary on which the pension is based is lower than or equal to the salary of serving staff with the same grade and scale point, after the pay increase has been applied. If it qualifies, the pension is eligible for an increase to the extent that this will ensure alignment with the pay of serving staff. This means that, in general, a salary increase awarded to serving public servants will be passed through to the pensions of those persons who have retired on an equivalent grade and pay scale point.

While I have overall responsibility for pension increase policy, responsibility for implementing pension increases, where they fall due, rests with individual public service bodies and their associated pension administrator.

Pensions in payment under the Single Public Service Pension Scheme are adjusted in line with increases in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), as provided for under section 40 of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012.

As the Deputy may be aware, confidential negotiations are currently ongoing in relation to the successor to the Building Momentum agreement. These public service pay talks are attended by Trade Unions and Staff Representative Associations, who represent current public service employees.

Public Sector Staff

Questions (275)

Alan Kelly

Question:

275. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if the Public Appointments Service will run a general civil service competition for persons with fluency in Irish at Higher Executive Officer Level during Quarter 1, 2024. [54938/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform

The Public Appointments Service have advised that an Interdepartmental Competition for Promotion to Higher Executive Officer (HEO) positions with fluency in the Irish language in the Civil Service was launched on 3rd November and closed for applications on 30th November. There are no further plans for a competition in Q1 2024.

Departmental Data

Questions (276)

Alan Kelly

Question:

276. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the estimated full-year cost to recruit two additional fire and security engineers at grade 1 and two additional fire and security engineers at grade 2 for the OPW, in tabular form. [54939/23]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform

The annual cost to recruit two additional fire and security engineers at grade 1 and two additional fire and security engineers at grade 2 is €325,592. This figure is based on recruitment at the 1st point of the pay-scale and employers PRSI costs only, as we cannot estimate with any certainty the non pay costs attributable to new recruits such as T&S, IT equipment, phones, heat light and rent.

	Annual cost based 1st Point on payscale	Estimated PRSI
2 - Engineer Grade 1	159,672	14,370.48
2 - Engineer Grade 2	139,036	12513.24
Cost per annum	298,708	26,883.72
Total Cost Including PRSI	325,592

Office of Public Works

Questions (277)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

277. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 208 of 5 December 2023, if he has engaged with the local authority in respect of the future use of the building and or the transfer of same to the local authority in the past five years to date (details supplied); the date on which OPW last made a site visit to the building and or conducted a review of the structural integrity of the building; and if he will clarify if the building has a protected and or preservation status attached to it. [54957/23]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform

Bray Head Church, also known as Raheen-A-Cluig Church, Newcourt, Bray, Co Wicklow is a National Monument in the Guardianship of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and is already in the ownership of Wicklow County Council.

It is protected by the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014.

The Office of Public Works is responsible for the protection and care of over 780 National Monument sites. It's primary role is for the maintenance, conservation, preservation and presentation of these sites.

The structure is visited and monitored on a regular basis by the Office of Public Works with the most recent visit being November 2023

Departmental Properties

Questions (278)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

278. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the number of vacant and derelict properties and sites that are owned by his Department; his plans to bring each of these properties and sites into use; where no plans are in place, the reasons why; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55051/23]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform

The Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility on behalf of the State for managing and maintaining a substantial and complex estate of approximately 2,500 properties.

This extensive and diverse portfolio of State properties includes office accommodation for all Government Departments, the property estate for An Garda Síochána and numerous properties for many State Agencies. The portfolio also encompasses specialised spaces such as public offices, laboratories and cultural institutions, in addition to warehouses, heritage properties, visitor centres and sites.

In any major portfolio, there will always be a certain level of surplus vacant or non-operational properties. It is normal to have an amount of space vacant, or vacant properties, at any given time as the portfolio could not function without the flexibility that it provides. Not all vacant properties will be deemed surplus to the State’s requirements or suitable for disposal.

The OPW, like other State bodies, is obliged to follow central Government policies on the disposal of surplus properties including former Garda station properties. The arrangements involved are set out in the following Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (DPENDR) Circulars:

• Circular 11/2015: Protocols for the Transfer and Sharing of State Property Assets

• Circular 17/2016: Policy for Property Acquisition and for Disposal of Surplus Property

As a matter of policy, no property is disposed of until there is absolute certainty that there is no alternative State use for that property.

The OPW’s approach to managing vacant, surplus properties is firstly, to establish if the property is required for alternative State use, including the potential for it to be re-purposed for either Government Departments or the wider public service. A number of strategic properties are retained in anticipation of potential State use/development in line with service demands arising from Government policy changes to public service provision.

Secondly, if no State use is identified, the OPW considers if open market disposal is an option, depending on prevailing market conditions.

Thirdly, the OPW may consider community involvement, subject to a detailed submission that demonstrates that the community or voluntary group seeking to use the property has the means to insure, maintain and manage it in order to reduce costs to the Exchequer.

In line with the above policy, the OPW has provided a list of its surplus vacant properties, including former Garda station properties, to the Land Development Agency, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, and the relevant Local Authorities so that they could assess them for suitability for social or humanitarian housing purposes or for other State use.

In addition, there are a limited number of sundry residential dwellings that are intrinsic to the estates of parks and gardens as part of the national historic properties managed by the Office of Public Works (OPW); and for that reason would not be appropriate for disposal. In general, these properties are allocated to staff in specific posts, such as Park Superintendents, Deer Keepers, etc. where there is a requirement for them to be present on the ground.

Attached at Appendix 1 is a list of surplus vacant properties (57) and sites (23).

1	Clare	Broadford	Garda Station	Being prepared for disposal - 2024.
2	Clare	Quin	Garda Station	Being prepared for disposal - 2024.
3	Cork	Ballyfeard	Garda Station	Being prepared for disposal - 2024. Title issues to be resolved prior to disposal.
4	Cork	Ballygurteen	Garda Station	Under consideration by Cork County Council.
5	Cork	Knocknagree	Garda Station	Being prepared for disposal - 2024.
6	Donegal	Malin	Garda Station	Intra State transfer to Donegal County Council.
7	Donegal	Na Brocacha / Cloghan	Garda Station	To be leased to Donegal County Council.
8	Dublin	Dalkey	Garda Station	Alternative State use being examined.
9	Dublin	Kill O The Grange	Garda Station	Intra State transfer to Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.
10	Galway	Ballymoe	Garda Station	Being prepared for disposal - 2024.
11	Galway	Kiltullagh	Garda Station	Sale agreed. Sold by auction.
12	Kerry	Brosna	Garda Station	Being prepared for disposal - 2024.
13	Limerick	Castletown Conyers	Garda Station	Being prepared for disposal - 2024. Title issues to be resolved prior to disposal.
14	Limerick	Galbally	Garda Station	Sale agreed. Intra State transfer to Limerick City and County Council.
15	Limerick	Kilfinane	Garda Station	Under consideration by Limerick City and County Council.
16	Limerick	Shanagolden	Garda Station	Sale agreed. Intra State transfer to Limerick City and County Council.
17	Longford	Ardagh	Garda Station	Sale Agreed. Sold by auction
18	Longford	Ballinalee	Garda Station	Being prepared for disposal - 2024. Title issues to be resolved prior to disposal.
19	Mayo	Bellacorrick	Garda Station	Sale agreed. Intra State transfer to Mayo County Council.
20	Mayo	Ballycastle	Garda Station	Being prepared for disposal - 2024.
21	Mayo	Glenisland	Garda Station	Being prepared for disposal - 2024.
22	Monaghan	Newbliss	Garda Station	Being prepared for disposal - 2024. Title issues to be resolved prior to disposal.
23	Roscommon	Ballyforan	Garda Station	Being prepared for disposal - 2024.
24	Roscommon	Knockcroghery	Garda Station	Alternative State use being examined - National Parks and Wildlife Service.
25	Wicklow	Hollywood	Garda Station	Being prepared for disposal - 2024. Title issues to be resolved prior to disposal.

Other Former Garda Stations (6)

1	Cork	92 Ballyhooly Road, Cork City	Garda Station	Sale Agreed.
2	Donegal	Bunbeg	Garda Station	Sale Agreed. Sold by auction.
3	Donegal	Buncrana	Garda Station	Intra State transfer to Donegal County Council.
4	Kilkenny	Castlecomer	Garda Station	Intra State transfer to Kilkenny County Council.
5	Limerick	Mayorstone Drive	Garda Station	Intra State transfer to Limerick City and County Council.
6	Sligo	Ballymote	Garda Station	Being prepared for disposal - 2024.

Former Garda Residences (4)

1	Cork	Kealkil	Residence	Being prepared for disposal by auction - 2024. Title issues to be resolved prior to disposal.
2	Kerry	Ballylongford	Residence	Being prepared for disposal - 2024.
3	Tipperary	11 Church Avenue, Templemore	Residence	Intra State transfer to Tipperary County Council.
4	Tipperary	12 Church Avenue, Templemore	Residence	Intra State transfer to Tipperary County Council.

Former Coastguard Site (1) and Properties (10)

1	Cork	Crosshaven Site	Site	Intra State transfer to Cork Co. Co for social housing scheme.
2	Cork	Crosshaven (cottage No. 4)	Cottage	Intra State transfer to Cork Co. Co for social housing scheme.
3	Cork	Crosshaven (cottage No. 5)	Cottage	Intra State transfer to Cork Co. Co for social housing scheme.
4	Cork	Crosshaven (cottage No. 7)	Cottage	Intra State transfer to Cork Co. Co for social housing scheme.
5	Cork	Crosshaven (cottage No. 8)	Cottage	Intra State transfer to Cork Co. Co for social housing scheme.
6	Cork	Crosshaven (cottage No. 9)	Cottage	Intra State transfer to Cork Co. Co for social housing scheme.
7	Cork	Crosshaven (cottage No. 10)	Cottage	Intra State transfer to Cork Co. Co for social housing scheme.
8	Cork	Crosshaven (cottage No. 11)	Cottage	Intra State transfer to Cork Co. Co for social housing scheme.
9	Cork	Crosshaven	Rocket House	Under consideration by Cork Co Co.
10	Donegal	Greencastle	Rocket House	Being prepared for disposal - 2024.
11	Kerry	Ballydavid	Rocket House	Being prepared for disposal - 2024.

Former Customs Sites (5) and Properties (2)

1	Cavan	Ballyconnell	Site	Being prepared for disposal.
2	Donegal	Ballyshannon	Site	Future State use being examined.
3	Donegal	Burnfoot	Station	Future State use being examined.
4	Louth	Carrickcarnan	Station	Future State use being examined.
5	Louth	Ferryhill	Site	Future State use being examined.
6	Monaghan	Castleblayney	Site	Being prepared for disposal 2024
7	Monaghan	Inishammon	Site	Being prepared for disposal 2024

Former Met Station Site (1) and Property (1)

1	Offaly	Birr	Met Station	Being prepared for disposal - 2024.
2	Westmeath	Mullingar	Met Station site	Title issues to be resolved before disposal can be planned.

			Decentralisation Sites (2)

1	Laois	Portlaoise	Decentralisation Site	Future State use being examined.
2	Waterford	Waterford	Decentralisation Site	Future State use being examined - car park (lease).

Miscellaneous Buildings (9)

1	Cork	Bannow House, Carrigrohane, T23AK58	Residence	To be leased to Cork City Council.
2	Cork	Old Blackrock Road	Former OPW Office	Alternative State use being examined.
3	Dublin	10-11 Castle Street	Building	Alternative State use being examined.
4	Dublin	Halston Street. (Former Debtors Prison).	Building	Alternative State use being examined.
5	Dublin	44 O'Connell Street	Building	Intra State transfer/disposal under consideration.
6	Dublin	45 O'Connell street	Building	Intra State transfer/disposal under consideration.
7	Dublin	CMH Dundrum	Building	Under consideration by the LDA.
8	Limerick	Cecil Street	Building	Under consideration by Limerick City and County Council.
9	Waterford	Customs House (Merchants Quay)	Building	Alternative State use being examined.

Miscellaneous Sites (14)

1	Donegal	Ballintra	Site	An Garda Síochána have requested that the site be retained until there is certainty over existing leased property. Planned disposal put on hold.
2	Donegal	Castlefin	Site	Future State use being examined.
3	Donegal	Raphoe	Site	Intra State transfer to Education and Training Board.
4	Dublin	Hawkins Street	Site	Planned for office development.
5	Galway	Athenry	Site	Intra State transfer to Galway County Council.
6	Galway	Mountbellew	Site	Alternative State use being examined. Large unused walled garden (1-acre) which An Garda Síochána do not want disposed.
7	Galway	Lands at Rosmuc (WTP)	Site	Sale agreed. Intra State transfer to Galway County Council
8	Kerry	Killarney	Muckross Road Site	Being prepared for disposal 2024.
9	Mayo	Ballyhaunis	Site	Being prepared for disposal 2024.
10	Monaghan	Scotstown	Site	Intra State transfer to Monaghan County Council.
11	Offaly	Daingean	Site at rear of Garda Station	Future State use being examined.
12	Sligo	DEASP Carpark	Caltragh site	Future State use being examined.
13	Westmeath	Lissywollen, Athlone	Site	State use being examined (D/Children).
14	Wexford	Ballygilane Little, Rosslare Harbour	Site	Under consideration by Wexford County Council.

Questions (284)

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

284. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform for the up-to-date position on commencement of works for the new Cork Garda headquarters in Macroom, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55111/23]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform

The development of the new Macroom Garda Divisional Headquarters is due to commence works on site in Q3 2024.

Enterprise Support Services

Questions (285)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

285. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if engagement can happen between a company and the property team in the IDA (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54441/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

IDA Ireland’s Regional Property Programme aims to ensure the supply of land, buildings and infrastructure in regional locations to meet the needs of current and prospective clients of the IDA, Enterprise Ireland and Local Enterprise Offices and is a significant driver of regional economic development and job creation.

Under the IDA’s Property Programme the regional building programme will see 19 Advanced Building Solutions being developed across six regions in 15 locations including in Tralee where an extensive site selection process is underway.

IDA has made considerable property investments in Kerry under its current strategy including the acquisition of over 16 hectares of lands at Kerry Technology Park, Tralee from Shannon Commercial in May of this year. In September 2023, Astellas Pharma Inc announced its intention to build a state of the art facility on IDA’s newly acquired lands in Kerry Technology Park, bringing highly specialised engineering, science and technology roles to the region. The investment will also create a large number of construction jobs during the construction phase of the new facility. This is one of largest FDI announcements for Kerry and the wider region in recent years.

IDA Ireland also partners with Local Authorities and the private sector to deliver additional buildings in key locations where appropriate. In each region, IDA Ireland is also investing in significant infrastructure projects across the portfolio of Business and Technology Parks to upgrade and maintain these key assets in line with the evolving requirements of IDA Ireland and EI clients.

IDA Ireland’s Property Division is currently engaged in discussions with Gallarus in relation to potential property solutions and will continue to support their efforts in this regard. Moreover, IDA Ireland also continues to engage with new and existing companies on promoting Ireland as a location for their business and the Agency will continue to position Kerry for virtual and in-person site visits to prospective companies in 2023 and beyond.

Workplace Relations Commission

Questions (286)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

286. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the posts of director general and adjudication officer (at assistant principal officer-level) have been filled in the Workplace Relations Commission; and if not, when he expects both posts to be filled. [54474/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

On behalf of my Department, recruitment of the Director General of the Workplace Relations Commission is undertaken by the Public Appointments Service (PAS). The competition is well underway and is being managed by PAS. It is PAS policy not to comment on an open competition.

The Adjudication Service of the Workplace Relations Commission is staffed by 15 Assistant Principal (AP) Adjudication Officers and supplemented by a panel from which experts can be drawn from to provide adjudication services (external Adjudicators). One of the 15 AP Adjudication Officers posts is vacant and it is intended to fill this position as soon as possible.

Work Permits

Questions (287)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

287. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 191 of 17 October 2023, to provide an update on whether upholstery and furniture making will be added to the general employment permit list following receipt of the November report containing recommendations in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54594/23]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

The final report of the IDG on Economic Migration Policy containing recommendations proposed on foot of the review of the occupations lists for employment permits is with my office and under active consideration at present. I intend to make an announcement on the revised lists very shortly after informing Government.

Once the final decisions are made, amendments will be made to the Employment Permits Regulations and the outcome of the report will be published on my Department’s website.