Written Answers Nos. 270-290
271. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he expects to be in a position to maintain optimum pupil teacher ratios in the classroom throughout the current economic situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43375/12]
View answerThe context for any discussion about class sizes is that my Department, like all other Departments, is operating within a budgetary programme that is designed to return the Government finances to a sustainable basis. My focus is on ensuring we have school places and teachers for all the additional pupils entering our schools each year. There is no scope to give any consideration to the provision of additional teachers in order to reduce class sizes.
Classroom teachers are currently allocated under the published Staffing Schedule on the basis of a general average of 1 teacher for every 28 pupils with lower thresholds for DEIS Band 1 schools. The configuration of classes and the deployment of classroom teachers are done at local school level. My Department's guidance to schools is that variations in class sizes should be kept to the minimum.
272. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of reported incidents of school bullying reported in each of the past five years to date in 2012; the extent to which physical, psychological or electronic methods were used; the degree to which early detection and responsive action will be taken to address such matters in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43376/12]
View answerIndividual school management authorities are not required to report incidents of bullying to my Department. Accordingly, the information requested by the Deputy is not available in my Department.
I am fully aware of the seriousness of the issue of bullying and it was for that reason that an Anti-Bullying Forum was held in May this year.
As a follow on to that Forum, I invited the stakeholders and any other interested parties to submit their views on this important topic to my Department by 29th June 2012. As part of this consultation, interested parties were requested to indicate their views and proposals on any changes to existing practices and policies in schools that could improve how bullying can be tackled in schools.
I have also recently established a working group to address the issue of tackling bullying in schools. During the course of its work, the working group will be considering the outcomes from the recent Anti-Bullying Forum and the views received from interested parties in the subsequent consultation process.
273. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the second level school building priorities of County Kildare over the next four years; if he expects to be in a position to keep the programme on target notwithstanding the economic situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43377/12]
View answerThe 5-Year Plan that I announced in March last as part of a €2 billion capital investment programme, outlines the major school projects that are scheduled to commence construction over the duration of the Plan. These have been prioritised on the basis of meeting significant demographic needs.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that there are six Post-Primary school projects for Kildare included in the Plan; two new schools for Maynooth (one replacement), one new school for both Naas and Celbridge, an extension project for St. Conleth's in Newbridge, and a replacement school for St. Paul's in Monasterevin. The current status of all projects on the school building programme may be viewed on my Department's website at www.education.ie and this will be updated regularly throughout the year.
275. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which the building and planning section of his Department has examined the accommodation requirements at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; when it is expected arising therefrom to replace existing temporary buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43379/12]
View answerThe school, referred to by the Deputy, has applied to my Department for large scale capital funding. The project has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale projects and assigned a band 2 rating.
In view of the need to prioritise available funding for the provision of additional school accommodation, the delivery of major school projects required to meet future demographic demand will be the main focus for capital investment in the coming years. In light of current competing demands on the Department's capital budget, it is not possible at this time to indicate when a project for the school in question will be progressed.
276. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of third level places available at third level institutions in each of the past two years to date; the extent to which this meets the requirements for third level places; his intentions if any to make provisions for an increased number of places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43381/12]
View answerIreland currently performs very strongly in terms of participation in higher education and has the highest tertiary attainment rate among 25-34 year olds in the European Union. The number of full-time enrolments is shown in the following table.
Projections published by my Department in June of this year on www.education.ie show that the demand for higher education in Ireland is set to grow by 16% by 2020. While welcome, the scale of projected growth will present major challenges for Ireland's higher education system in ensuring that student numbers can be accommodated in a sustainable way that does not compromise high quality outcomes. The National Strategy for Higher Education makes a number of recommendations for system development, flexibility, efficiency and change aimed at supporting sustainable growth while protecting quality. Implementation of strategy recommendations is underway and a progress report is available on www.education.ie.
Full-Time Student Enrolments
|
2010/11 |
2011/12* |
|
161,647 |
162,786 |
*provisional enrolment figures
278. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of teachers retiring in the coming year at various schools throughout County Kildare, primary and post-primary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43383/12]
View answerMy Department has compiled detailed information on teacher retirements for the period 1 November 2011 to 29 February 2012. These are available on the Statistics page of my Department's website.
Teachers have a number of options regarding retirement (outlined below) and the standard procedure would be for the board of management as employer to be notified of a proposed retirement within the timeframe set down in the employment contract. The Pension Unit of my Department requests teachers to make application for retirement pension three months in advance of retirement date in order to facilitate a seamless transfer from salary to pension payment. Accordingly, statistical information is generally compiled at the end of the year.
Retirement options are as follows:
Generally teachers may retire voluntarily:
- at age 60 years;
- at age 55 years with at least 35 years of pensionable service - pension based on actual service;
- at age 50 years - cost-neutral early retirement with benefits actuarially reduced;
- preserved pension benefits at age 60 or 65.
There is also a process to facilitate retirement applications on medical grounds.
279. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline the criteria used by him in determining the categorisation of the new Education &Training Boards; if he will explain the reason that Mayo/Sligo/Leitrim education and training board has been categorised in Category 2 ETB; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43440/12]
View answerOn 19 June last, my Department published Circular 0024/2012 which detailed the categorisation of the new Education and Training Boards (ETBs), once established, for the purposes of the pay scales applicable to Chief Executive Officers of these Boards. The categorisation of each ETB, including the Board encompassing Counties Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim, is based on a proposal set out by the Labour Relations Commission (LRC). It would not be appropriate for me to speculate on the criteria used by the LRC in formulating its proposal, or on how such criteria may have been applied in the case of the Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim ETB. However, I am also aware of a perception that suggests these categorisations are an attempt to 'downgrade' some ETBs. I can confirm unequivocally that this categorisation relates only to determining the salary scale applicable to the Chief Executive Officer of each of the new ETBs. The categorisation laid out in the Circular has no role whatsoever in determining staffing numbers or structures in individual ETBs.
280. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will explain the continuing failure of his Department to pay outstanding redundancy and back pay owed to 28 former workers of St. Enda's Sports Complex, County Limerick, who were effectively employed by the State and who lost their jobs over 18 months ago as a result of a withdrawal of State funding from his Department. [43453/12]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that a consultation process between the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and my Department is still ongoing in relation to the matter of Labour Court recommendation LCR20062 dated 19 May 2011. However, this consultation process is expected to be concluded in the near future.
In relation to the matter of Back Pay my Department has conducted a search of all records relating to St. Enda's Sports Complex and has recently confirmed to the Union representing the staff interests that no sanction was ever sought or received from my Department for the payment of Labour Court Recommendation LCR18901 dated 28 May 2007 at any time. The 3 staff concerned are not public servants, nor was the State ever the Employer of these staff. Accordingly my Department is not in a position to sanction the payment of any additional resources in this case given the current economic climate and the pressures on public finances.
281. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason his Department only sanctions two hours per week home tuition for a junior infant class pupil; the plans, if any, to review this policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43464/12]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the Home Tuition scheme provides funding to parents to provide for education at home for children who, for a number of reasons such as chronic illness, are unable to attend school. The scheme was extended in recent years to facilitate tuition for children awaiting a suitable educational placement including eligible pre-school children with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder.
Eligibility for children with a medical condition is assessed with reference to a completed medical report and attendance records supplied by the school in which the pupil is enrolled. The allocation of home tuition hours for children with a medical ailment is determined with reference to the age of the child and their level of attendance.
The Deputy has not supplied details of the child in question. However the allocation suggests that the junior infant child has a medical condition which is either preventing him/her from attending school at all or impacting on school attendance levels. Two hours supplementary tuition per week should be beneficial to the child if he/she is too ill to attend school and once he/she recovers it will assist him/her to catch up on the classwork undertaken during the absence. My Department is currently reviewing operational elements of the Home Tuition scheme.
282. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 will qualify for a VTOS course. [43479/12]
View answerIn order to be eligible to be considered for a place on the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS), a person must be over 21 years of age and in receipt of specified social protection payments for at least six months. The person referred to by the Deputy should contact the local VEC, in this case City of Dublin VEC regarding their eligibility for VTOS.
283. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update in relation to the proposition to merge the forensic laboratory into the State laboratory; if he will present his rationale for doing so; if he will indicate the anticipated savings if this merger proceeds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42687/12]
View answer299. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason behind his proposal to merge the State Laboratory and Forensic Laboratory and move it to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39331/12]
View answer300. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that moving the Forensic Laboratory to his Department will result in a reduction of their ability to work effectively with their partners in the criminal justice system including the Garda Technical Bureau, the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Criminal Courts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39332/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 283, 299 and 300 together.
The proposed measure is one of 46 critical reviews of State bodies which are being undertaken as part of the Public Service Reform plan, published in November last year. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is currently considering the reviews received by Departments.
In relation to critical review No.19 of the Agency Rationalisation Programme, the position is that the review of the merger of the Forensic Science Laboratory into the State Laboratory has been completed. The recommendation of the review will be considered in due course.
284. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding a certain flood relief project (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will confirm when a decision on funding will issue. [42956/12]
View answerDiscussions on the application by Cork County Council for funding under the Office of Public Works Minor Works Scheme for the flood relief works in question have been ongoing for some time. Various technical issues required clarification to enable the application to be properly assessed. On 6th September, 2012, Cork County Council submitted a revised funding application to the OPW under the Minor Works Scheme for the project concerned. The OPW found it necessary again to refer back some technical and cost issues to the Council concerning the proposed project. This was done on the 6th September, and a reply is currently awaited from the Council.
On receipt of the Council’s reply, the OPW will be in a position to further assess the application.
285. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will consider introducing an amendment to the Valuation (Amendment) (No 2) Bill 2012, to deal with the anomaly which exists in which not for profit organisations including sporting organisations who hold a club licence have rates levied on their entire complex as opposed to the commercial aspect therein, resulting in an exorbitant rate liability when compared with commercial operations of similar size including bar facilities where the bar is operated under a seven day licence as opposed to a club licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43288/12]
View answerThe Commissioner of Valuation is independent in the exercise of his duties under the Valuation Act, 2001 and the making of valuations for rating purposes is his sole prerogative and the statute does not accord the Minister any function in this regard. The position is that the Valuation Act, 2001 provides for the exemption from rates of land that is developed for sport such as playing pitches. There is also provision for the exemption of community halls which are not licensed to sell alcohol and where the facilities are not used for profit and involve participation by inhabitants of the locality generally and are recreational or otherwise of a social nature.
However, the Act provides that where an organisation or club is registered under the Registration of Clubs (Ireland) Act, 1904 and is licensed to sell alcohol, all the club buildings, wherever located, are rateable in their entirety. The legislation is unambiguous in this regard and the Valuation Office has no option but to consider all such premises to be rateable. The sale of alcohol is a commercial activity and the club is competing with other commercial licensed premises in their locality, all of which are rateable. The apportionment of club premises between areas used for the sale of alcohol and those areas used for other activities could be operationally problematic and lead to anomalies in the rateability of premises licensed to sell alcohol. Therefore, in equity, exemption from rates can only be achieved by the cessation of the liquor licence. There are no plans to provide for special treatment of licensed clubs under the Valuation Act, 2001 which maintains the long-standing principle that all commercial activities are valued in a fair and equitable manner.
It is not proposed to provide for special treatment of licensed sports clubs under the Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2012 as to do so would result in demands for similar preferential treatment from other interests.
286. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will outline in tabular form the commitments in the Programme for Government pertaining to his ministerial portfolio; the current status of these commitments in terms of implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42884/12]
View answerIn response to the Deputy’s question, in a table I have provided an update on the status of my Department's commitments under the Programme for Government. As can be seen from this update significant progress has been made in my Department.
The progress identified to date clearly shows that the Government has focused its attention on the decisions and reforms needed to achieve economic and financial stability, which provide a platform for economic recovery. My Department is determined to continue to implement our Programme for Government commitments – to restore the public's confidence in our economy and to achieve a strong and sustainable economy.
Many of the reforms in the Programme are ambitious and need careful sequencing and expertly executed delivery plans. Some may take the whole lifetime of the Government to complete.
Programme for Government Commitments
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
October 2012
|
Commitment |
Current Status |
|
We will draw up a new National Development Plan that reflects Ireland’s changed economic circumstances, covering the seven-year period 2012-2019. The plan will be based on a comprehensive study of Ireland’s public investment priorities over that period. |
In Progress |
|
In the initial years, when resources will be most heavily constrained, we will prioritise investment in school building, non-national roads, healthcare, and in job-creation. |
In Progress |
|
We will insist that major capital projects are subjected to proper cost-benefit analysis and evaluation, improving future productivity and growth prospects, and that the value-for-money obtained is significantly enhanced compared to the most recent period. |
Completed |
|
The new NDP will be based on traditional exchequer capital spending, plus other resources to be invested from the National Pension Reserve Fund, on the basis of obtaining a return on investment and that does not impact the Government Balance Sheet. |
In Progress |
|
In developing the new NDP, we will re-examine the investment programmes of the semi-state companies to ensure that they are in line with new economic circumstances. |
In Progress |
|
In order to ensure that public enterprise plays a full role in Ireland’s economic recovery, we will create a holding company to manage the state’s holdings of the semi-states, and to co-ordinate investment in key priority areas identified by the Government, including energy, water and forestry. |
Completed |
|
Over time, we also propose to finance the investment programme from the sale of certain state assets. We will target up to €2 billion in sales of non-strategic state assets drawing from the recommendations of the McCarthy Review Group on State Assets when available. Assets will only be sold when market conditions are right and when adequate regulatory structures have been established to protect consumer interests. |
In Progress |
|
Re-prioritise capital funding for smaller projects that deal with specific immediate problems. Smaller projects are more labour intensive and more likely to be carried out by local contractors increasing short-run domestic economic impact. Investment priorities will include education, health and science and technology. |
In Progress |
|
Conduct a Comprehensive Spending Review to examine all areas of public spending and to assess effectiveness of spending programmes and value for company. |
Completed |
|
Accelerate capital works that are ‘shovel ready’ and labour intensive including schools and secondary roads. |
In Progress |
|
We will reform public procurement to become a tool to support innovative Irish firms and to allow greater access to Irish small and medium sized businesses. |
In Progress |
|
We will introduce new legislation to protect all small building subcontractors that have been denied payments from bigger companies. |
In Progress |
|
A referendum to amend the Constitution to reverse the effects of the Abbeylara judgement to enable Oireachtas committees to carry out full investigations. |
Completed |
|
A referendum to protect the right of citizens to communicate in confidence with public representatives. |
In Progress |
|
All appointments at Principal Officer level and above will be open to external competition and at least one-third of such appointments will be reserved for candidates from outside traditional civil service structures for a 5-year period. |
In Progress |
|
Pin down accountability for results at every level of the public service – from Ministers down – with clear consequences for success and failure. Ministers will be responsible for policy and procurement and public service managers for delivery. |
In Progress |
|
Where appropriate, agency boards will be scrapped and agency managers will report directly to Ministers and their Departments on performance against targets. |
Action Required |
|
Put in place a Whistleblowers Act to protect public servants that expose maladministration by Ministers or others, and restore Freedom of Information. |
In Progress |
|
There will be no more “golden handshakes” for public servants that have failed to deliver. |
In Progress |
|
Overhaul TLAC (Top level Appointments Commission), with the chairperson and the majority of members drawn from outside the public sector. |
Completed |
|
Introduce a reformed incentive system for all grades within core Government departments to reward cross-departmental teams that deliver audited improvements in service delivery and cost effectiveness. |
Action required |
|
Go beyond the recommendations of An Bord Snip to rationalise core processes that are duplicated across the public service, by establishing shared back-office operations for information technology, human resource management, payments and entitlement applications, business inspections and procurement. |
In Progress |
|
Review the Local Government Efficiency Review as part of our Comprehensive Spending Review. |
Completed |
|
Make substantial cuts to the number of State bodies and companies. |
In Progress |
|
Instigate a Government-wide review to identify and eliminate non-priority programmes and outsource, where appropriate, non-critical functions. |
In Progress |
|
Rather than giving fixed budgets to traditional public service providers like the HSE, VECs and FÁS, we will put resources into the hands of citizens to acquire services that are tailored to better suit their needs and less expensive for the taxpayer. |
In Progress |
|
Establish a new model of financing social interventions – called Social Impact Bonds – that share audited exchequer savings with charitable and voluntary organisations. |
In Progress |
|
Where appropriate we will open up the delivery of public services to a range of providers. |
In Progress |
|
We will give schools, hospitals and other public service bodies new freedoms – within strict budgets and new accountability systems – to set their own staffing needs, automate routine processes and adapt work practices to local staff and customer needs. |
In Progress |
|
We will legislate for a reformulated code of laws, replacing both the Ministers and Secretaries Acts and the Public Service Management Act, which will spell out the legal relationship between Ministers and their civil servants and their legal accountability for decisions and for management of Departments. |
In Progress |
|
The system of implied general delegation of a Minister’s statutory powers to civil servants will be abolished and replaced by a fixed and determined system of delegation of specified powers to specified officers. |
In Progress |
|
Where a responsibility is delegated through several civil service grades, each grade will be held accountable for their element of it and departmental officials giving evidence to Oireachtas committees will be obliged to speak on their own behalf for their delegated responsibilities and, where appropriate, defend themselves and their actions. |
In Progress |
|
Delegation orders will spell out the functions of the Minister in supervising the exercise of delegated powers: the Minister will be responsible for ensuring that adequate standards are maintained; outputs are delivered as determined or agreed; and procedures are in place to provide the Minister with the necessary and correct information to enable him or her to respond to problems of administration and to give an account of those problems, and of any necessary corrective action, to the Dáil and to the public. |
In Progress |
|
We will bring to an end the unacceptable executive practice where no record is kept of ministerial involvement with an issue and resulting decisions. |
In Progress |
|
We will review the grading structure of the civil service and public service and reduce number of management grades. Public service managers will be given greater autonomy in deciding how they use staffing budgets and resources to achieve agreed outcomes. |
In Progress |
|
We will remove barriers to mobility across the public service. As part of this we will create a new tier of senior public service management structures, where senior officials are rotated across the public sector to nurture the collaborative culture needed to tackle the biggest cross-cutting social and economic challenges. |
In Progress |
|
High level strategic goals will be reflected in individual goals, in a new performance management and development system for staff. Staff recognition schemes will be developed and devolved, with particular emphasis on team awards. Staff will be encouraged to put forward suggestions for improving service delivery and organisation efficiency and effectiveness. |
In Progress |
|
Government services websites, public offices, telephone services, and helplines will be reconfigured to facilitate access to a broad range of government services through a single point of contact. |
In Progress |
|
Ministers’ salaries will be reduced, political expenses vouched for and severance payments for ministers axed. |
Part Completed / Part In Progress |
|
No political pensions will be paid to sitting TDs and in future no retired politician will get a political pension until the national retirement age. Politics must be about service to the public, not financial gain for politicians. |
Completed |
|
Amend the Constitution to Give Dáil committees Full Powers of Investigation: The Abbeylara Supreme Court decision currently limits the ability of Dáil committees to hold investigations into crucial issues of public concern, such as the banking crisis. |
Completed |
|
A statutory duty on any body established by or under statute, or with a majority ownership or funding by the State, to submit to the same parliamentary questions regime as applies to Government departments. This will involve a liability to provide answers to written questions within a specified number of Dáil sitting days. (We will however recognise the special position of bodies with a commercial mandate operating at arm’s length from Government). |
In Progress |
|
We will amend the rules to ensure that no senior public servant (including political appointees) or Minister can work in the private sector in any area involving a potential conflict of interest with their former area of public employment, until at least two years have elapsed after they have left the public service. |
In Progress |
|
Restrictions on the nature and extent of evidence by civil servants to Oireachtas committees will be scrapped and replaced with new guidelines for civil servants that reflect the reality of the authority delegated to them and their personal accountability for the way in which it is exercised. |
In Progress |
|
The Committee would be the formal channel of consultation and collaboration between the Oireachtas and the Ombudsman, responsible for receiving and debating her annual and special reports and for ensuring that her criticisms and recommendations are acted upon. For that purpose, she would attend as a regular witness before the committee. |
In Progress |
|
We will legislate to restore the Freedom of Information Act to what it was before it was undermined by the outgoing Government, and we will extend its remit to other public bodies including the administrative side of the Garda Síochána, subject to security exceptions |
In Progress |
|
We intend to end the heavy dependence on a very limited pool of extremely expensive private solicitors firms providing legal services to the State and agencies, look at ways to require agencies to seek legal advice from the CSSO and not from the private sector in order to save costs, and ensure that legal work at the bar for the State is spread more equitably rather than confined to a very limited pool as at present. |
In Progress |
|
We will progress the Statute Law Revision Project in order to enhance public accessibility to the statute book. |
In Progress |
|
We will extend Freedom of Information, and the Ombudsman Act, to ensure that all statutory bodies, and all bodies significantly funded from the public purse, are covered. |
In Progress |
|
We will introduce Whistleblowers legislation. |
In Progress |
|
We will introduce a statutory register of lobbyists, and rules concerning the practice of lobbying. |
In Progress |
|
We will abolish the additional pay for Ministers who leave office. We will restrict the payment of pensions to politicians so that in future a member can only qualify for a pension at the national retirement age (currently 65) and upon leaving public life. We will cap taxpayers’ subsidies for all future pension schemes for politicians (and indeed for everybody) that deliver income in retirement of more than €60,000. |
Part Complete/Part in Progress |
|
We will legislate and change Dáil standing orders to ensure the absolute confidentiality of information entrusted to members of the Dáil by their constituents or informants, and ensure that such information cannot be compulsorily disclosed through the legal process except with the consent of the informant. |
In Progress |
|
Every public body will set out clear and unambiguous long, medium and short term strategic priorities, which will be clearly communicated to public service and citizens. Strategic priorities will be translated into high level goals for all Departments, on a ‘whole of government’ basis, and in consultation with Ministers. |
In Progress |
|
Performance indicators will be identified to monitor progress on high level priorities. Annual reports of departments and agencies will include output statements and audited financial accounts prepared on generally accepted accounting principles. The performance information provided in output and outcome-focused measurement will feed into the decision making process for future plans at political and senior management level. |
In Progress |
|
The reform process will provide for increased delegation of budgets, subject to detailed plans, relevant performance reporting and audited accounts compiled in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. |
In Progress |
|
Detailed business cases will be required for major projects, with review and reporting requirements built in to the plan. Sanctions will be imposed at an early stage for significant overruns. |
Completed |
|
We will change the current emphasis on performance reporting to performance management. All medium to long-term projects that involve significant public spending will be subject to cost benefit analysis, and to on-going evaluation. The results of programme evaluations will be published and programmes not meeting their objectives will be wound down. |
Completed |
|
Performance and progress will be published in a new, audited annual Public Service Delivery Reports. Oireachtas Committees will expose any failure to hit milestones and targets. Each sectoral Committee will take on new powers, similar to those wielded by Public Accounts Committee, to hold Ministers and public servants to account for value for money. This will feed into Oireachtas consideration of the next Budget. |
In Progress |
|
Where appropriate, agency boards will be scrapped and agency managers will be accountable directly to Ministers. |
Action Required |
|
We will bring forward the annual Estimates cycle, so that it becomes more timely and relevant. It will in future start at the beginning of the preceding year and conclude by the summer. |
Completed |
|
The annual Estimates will in future distinguish between monies being allocated to maintaining the existing level of service for existing programmes and money to support new programmes or policy decisions. |
In Progress |
|
The Book of Estimates will be accompanied by a detailed performance report on what the previous year’s spending had achieved. It will also give details of the level of performance achieved by agencies under service delivery agreements with Government. |
In Progress |
|
Oireachtas members will be given, from within existing resources, dedicated resources for the proper scrutiny of the Estimates. |
In Progress |
|
We will give the Comptroller and Auditor General the extra powers needed to carry out value-for-money audits of State programmes. |
In Progress |
|
We will publish cost-benefit analyses for major infrastructure proposals and “tax expenditures” in advance of Government approval. |
Completed |
|
Public sector bodies will be required to publish balance sheets and to move to accruals from cash-flow accounting. |
In Progress |
|
Every Purchase Order by a Government Department or agency for more than €20,000 will be published online. We will give the Comptroller and Auditor General and Oireachtas Committees the extra powers needed to carry out value-for-money audits of State programmes. |
Completed |
|
Public bodies will be required to openly compete for budget resources by publishing pre-budget spending requests, and what they would deliver in return for such allocations to help deliver Programme for Government. |
Completed |
|
We will conduct a Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) to examine all areas of public spending, based on the Canadian model, and to develop multi-annual budget plans with a three-year time horizon. This plan will be presented to the Dáil for debate. It will assess effectiveness in achieving desired outcomes, and value for money. |
Completed |
|
The CSR will examine the number, range and activities of bodies funded significantly from public purse, including at local government level, and reduce numbers where appropriate. In future, when proposing a new agency, it will be necessary to prove that the proposed new functions cannot be carried out within the existing framework. |
Completed |
|
We will, subject to there being no compulsory redundancies and to the protection of front line services: Reduce the total number of public sector employees by between 18,000 and 21,000 by 2014, compared to the total number at the end of 2010. Reduce this number by a further 4,000 by 2015. |
Completed |
|
We will extend the remit of Ombudsman to third level institutions. |
In Progress |
|
Review existing tendering processes for legal services by Government and State and semi-State agencies to ensure value for money and end anti-competitive practices. |
In Progress |
287. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the estimated cost involved in a full year of lifting the recruitment freeze. [42901/12]
View answerThe Government is committed to delivering the pay saving as set out in the EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support. Continued reductions in public service numbers in line with Government policy will go a considerable way towards achieving this saving. Significant progress has already been made in this regard as set in the table.
|
Year |
Numbers |
Pay €bn |
|
2008 |
320,000 |
17.19 |
|
2009 |
310,300 |
17.51 |
|
2010 |
305,500 |
15.93 |
|
2011 |
297,000 |
15.64 |
Outturn figures for Quarter 2, 2012 show that serving numbers in the Public Service were at 292,000 for the period. Public Service numbers are 28,000 below the 2008 levels.
If the general moratorium on recruitment and promotion was lifted and numbers were allowed to return to their former levels the paybill would also increase over time and accordingly a substantial part of these savings would be lost. For instance if Public Service Numbers were allowed to return to 2010 levels the increase in the paybill would be in the region of €500m.
288. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to bring forward an audit regime for the expenditure of the leader's allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42908/12]
View answerThe Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices (Amendment) Act, 2001 provides for each party leader to prepare a statement of expenditure for the party leader’s allowance, to have it audited by an independent auditor and furnish it with the auditor’s report to the Standards in Public Office (SIPO) Commission. Based on the accounts submitted, the Commission is required to make a report to the Minister in relation to the use of the Party Leader’s Allowance and cause a copy of the report to be laid before the Oireachtas. The most recent report certifying compliance with the provisions of the Party Leaders Allowance legislation was published on 29 May 2012.
Allowances paid to Independent members are not subject to these oversight provisions.
I intend to bring proposals to Government shortly in relation to reviewing the Allowance. Any change proposed following that review will require primary legislation to be prepared.
289. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will outline the different grades that currently exist within the public service; and if he will detail the entry level pay levels associated with each grade [43021/12]
View answerInformation in respect of Civil Service grades is available from my Departments website http://per.gov.ie. I would, in this regard, bring the Deputy’s attention to:
- Circular 28/2009 dated 22 December 2009 - Revisions of pay of Civil Servants: Application of pay adjustments in accordance with the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009 at http://per.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/circ282009.pdf and
- Circular 18/2010 dated 23 December 2010 - Reduction of 10% in the pay rates and fixed term allowances of persons to be recruited to certain direct entry grades to the Civil Service at http://per.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/circ182010.pdf.
I am arranging for copies of these circulars to be forwarded to the Deputy. The Deputy is also advised that starting pay on recruitment from open competitions for all posts within the public service must be based on the minimum of the relevant salary scale. Details in respect of particular Departmental grades and public service body grades may be obtained from each Government Department.
290. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the action the Office of Public Works will take to permanently deal with the persistent flooding threat posed in Northlands, Bettystown, County Meath; in view of the fact that the flood relief work carried out at the end of 2011 has regrettably not been successful, if the OPW has recently visited the site; if he will indicate a timeframe within which any proposed solution will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43198/12]
View answerAt the request of Meath County Council, OPW carried out routine channel cleaning works in late 2011 on a section of channel at Northlands estate, which the Council is responsible for maintaining. Such cleaning and maintenance would not be expected to provide the level of flood protection that would be provided by properly designed flood relief works.
OPW engineers visited the estate following the recent flood event. It was not immediately apparent what the cause of the incident was and further investigation is required to establish the reasons for the flooding. It is open to Meath County Council to submit an application to the OPW for funding under the Minor Works Scheme to carry out a study into the causes of the flooding and to consider possible options for remedial works. In the context of such an application and provided any proposed works meet the criteria of the scheme, the OPW will work in collaboration with Meath County Council in considering the best way for progressing the works.
