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Wednesday, 17 Oct 2012

Written Answers Nos. 134 - 145

Teacher Training Provision

Questions (134, 135)

Paschal Donohoe

Question:

134. Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if it will be compulsory for teachers and or principals of the current junior certificate curriculum to take part in up-skilling and teacher training for the new curriculum commencing in 2014; if he is considering creating a tender for teacher training colleges to provide up-skilling for teachers for the new junior certificate curriculum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45341/12]

View answer

Paschal Donohoe

Question:

135. Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if teachers will be incentivised financially or otherwise to seek up-skilling for the teaching of the new junior certificate curriculum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45342/12]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 134 and 135 together.

The implementation of the Framework for Junior Cycle will enable post-primary schools to provide a quality, inclusive and relevant education with improved learning outcomes for all students, including those with special educational needs.

The framework document indicates that teachers will receive professional development in educational assessment, including processes of moderation, and providing feedback to students. Principals and deputy principals in their leadership role will receive professional development in curriculum leadership, educational assessment including moderation, and change management.

Continuing professional development (CPD) will be provided on a phased basis in line with the roll out of curriculum changes in each subject. The CPD will be provided by Department funded support services in a similar manner to the support for changes in the primary curriculum and the reform of the maths curriculum at post primary level.

Under their professional code, teachers are expected to take responsibility for sustaining and improving the quality of their professional practice by maintaining professional knowledge and understanding and availing of opportunities for professional development. Teachers will not be incentivised financially for attendance at CPD for the revised junior cycle programme. While attendance is not compulsory, the Department strongly encourages principals and teachers to avail of all relevant CPD opportunities.

At present I have no plans to create a tender for the provision of CPD.

Teacher Training Places

Questions (136)

Paschal Donohoe

Question:

136. Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if, as part of his plan to merge teacher training colleges he is considering changing the number of teacher training places available in the State funded teacher training institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45343/12]

View answer

Written answers

As you are aware, I have accepted the recommendations set out in a report commissioned by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on the structures of initial teacher education. The purpose of the report, which I requested, was to identify new possible structures to improve initial teacher education in Ireland so that it is comparable with the best in the world. The international panel of education experts recommended that teacher education be provided in six "centres for teacher education". The HEA has been requested to consult with the relevant parties and to prepare a detailed plan on how to implement the recommendations of the Panel. The plan should set out a road map for the implementation of the recommendations, including detail on matters such as timing, revised organisational structures, financial and resource implications. I understand that the HEA are currently considering how best to progress the recommendations and are in consultation with my Department on these issues. I have requested that the HEA issue their proposals on implementation to me by the end of this year. The number of places available on initial teacher education programmes is subject to change in light of factors such as available resources and demand. The report makes various comments and recommendations on overall teacher supply and suggests that my Department, the HEA and the Teaching Council collaborate in this regard. I intend to progress this matter.

School Transport Provision

Questions (137)

Joe O'Reilly

Question:

137. Deputy Joe O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason it is not possible for a person (details supplied) in County Cavan to continue availing of school transportation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45359/12]

View answer

Written answers

The school transport schemes are operated by Bus Éireann, on behalf of my Department, and currently transport over 114,000 children, including about 8,000 with special educational needs, to and from school throughout the school year. The main objective of my Department's Primary and Post Primary School Transport Schemes is to support the safe transport to and from school of children who would have difficulty travelling, for reasons of distance, to their nearest school if transport is not supported. In this regard, children are eligible for school transport if they satisfy the distance criteria and are attending their nearest school or education centre having regard to ethos and language.The person referred to by the Deputy is not attending a recognised school and, accordingly, does not meet the eligibility criteria for receipt of a school transport service.

School Transport Provision

Questions (138)

Joe O'Reilly

Question:

138. Deputy Joe O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason it is not possible for a person (details supplied) in County Cavan to continue to avail of school transportation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45360/12]

View answer

Written answers

The school transport schemes are operated by Bus Éireann, on behalf of my Department, and currently transport over 114,000 children, including about 8,000 with special educational needs, to and from school throughout the school year. The main objective of my Department's Primary and Post Primary School Transport Schemes is to support the safe transport to and from school of children who would have difficulty travelling, for reasons of distance, to their nearest school if transport is not supported. In this regard, children are eligible for school transport if they satisfy the distance criteria and are attending their nearest school or education centre having regard to ethos and language.The person referred to by the Deputy is not attending a recognised school and, accordingly, does not meet the eligibility criteria for receipt of a school transport service.

Property Ownership

Questions (139)

Michael McGrath

Question:

139. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if any property reverted to the State in accordance with the State Property Act 1954 following the dissolution of a company (details supplied) in 2010; and, if so, if he will provide details of the location of the property and the person currently responsible for same. [45004/12]

View answer

Written answers

The company in question was dissolved in 2010 and all property registered to it has consequently become vested in the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform under the State Property Act, 1954. Companies Office records indicate that the dissolved company owned properties in Passage West, County Cork.

There are a number of ongoing legal issues in relation to the dissolution of this company, which are being dealt with by the Chief State Solicitors Office.

Property Valuations

Questions (140)

Joe McHugh

Question:

140. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will appoint valuation officers to each local authority; if he is taking action to address delays in valuations and ultimately in the collection of rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45144/12]

View answer

Written answers

The Commissioner of Valuation is independent in the exercise of his duties under the Valuation Act 2001 and the making of valuations for rating is his sole prerogative and local authorities have no functions in this regard.

The appointment of officers to carry out the valuation of properties is the function of the Commissioner which he exercises under his powers of delegation set out in section 11 of the Act. The appointment of officers to undertake work on the revaluation programme is provided for under section 19(2) and the appointment of officers to undertake the revision of the valuation lists is provided for under section 28(2). These officers are not appointed to or assigned to local authorities who have no function in the organisation of their work programme. The officers, so appointed, carry out the valuation work under the Commissioner’s direction and, for the duration of their appointments, remain within the Commissioner’s jurisdiction.

One of the key motivations for the Valuation (Amendment) Bill, which had its second stage reading in the Seanad on 11th October, 2012 is the need to speed up the revaluation programme. Towards this end, a number of initiatives are planned such as the piloting of a self-assessment scheme of valuation in one local authority area, which if it proves successful could be extended to other areas. There is also provision in the Bill to allow for the assessment of valuations by contract valuers under an external service delivery scheme which is also to be initiated by a pilot project and which if successful, can be further employed as the Commissioner decides.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (141)

Michael McGrath

Question:

141. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide in tabular form, in respect of 2011, the number of payments issued by his Department and each agency within the remit of his Department to suppliers in respect of the supply of goods and services; splitting the payments between those issued within 30 days of receipt of the invoice; between 30 and 60 days of receipt of the invoice; between 60 and 90 days of receipt of the invoice; between 90 and 120 days of receipt of the invoice; and in excess of 120 days of receipt of the invoice. [45023/12]

View answer

Written answers

In response to the Deputy’s question the following table shows the number of payments issued by my Department to suppliers in respect of the supply of goods and services splitting the payments, as requested,between those issued within 30 days of receipt of the invoice; between 30 and 60 days of receipt of the invoice; between 60 and 90 days of receipt of the invoice; between 90 and 120 days of receipt of the invoice; and in excess of 120 days of receipt of the invoice.

Payments issued within 30 Days

Number of payments issued between 30-60 days

Number of payments issued between 60-90 days

Number of payments issued between 90-120

Number of payments issued in excess of 120 days

516

18

1

0

4

The position in respect of the office and agencies under the aegis of my Department is as follows:

Name of Office or Agency

Payments issued within 30 Days

Number of payments issued between 30-60 days

Number of payments issued between 60-90 days

Number of payments issued between 90-120

Number of payments issued in excess of 120 days

State Lab

1215

0

0

0

0

Office of the Ombudsman

1017

2

0

0

0

Public Appointments Service

770

6

0

0

0

SEUPB

1687

30

8

1

5

Valuation Office

1831

0

0

0

0

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and its agencies adhere to Government policy that payments to suppliers be made within 15 days. However, payments are conditional on the supplier holding a valid Tax Clearance Certificate. In addition, there can be delays in processing payments in situations where an invoice has been presented by a supplier in advance of all the goods/services being furnished satisfactorily.

Environmental Schemes

Questions (142)

Peter Mathews

Question:

142. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the action he is taking to address a recycling centre issue (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45057/12]

View answer

Written answers

The Recycling Centre at the corner of Sarah Curran Avenue and Grange Road is located on land owned by South Dublin County Council. The Office of Public Works (OPW) which is responsible for the adjoining St. Endas Park at Rathfarnham, would greatly prefer it if the recycling facility in question was relocated as its general appearance distracts considerably from the entrance to St. Endas. OPW has engaged with South Dublin County Council in the matter and will continue to do so in an effort to find an equitable solution.

Parliamentary Questions Numbers

Questions (143)

Ann Phelan

Question:

143. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the costs of members putting Parliamentary Questions to Dáil Éireann; the costs involved; if there is an average time taken to answer all questions put before Dáil Éireann. [45261/12]

View answer

Written answers

I am not aware that any study has been carried out into the cost of members putting Parliamentary Questions to Dáil Eireann or the cost to the Exchequer of answering Parliamentary Questions. Whether such a study would produce meaningful financial information is debatable. The cost of answering a Parliamentary Question and indeed the time taken to answer all questions will vary considerably according to the nature of the question asked. This would inevitably result in significant differences in the costs among Departments and indeed within a Department from time to time.

No staff in my Department are assigned full time to dealing with Parliamentary Questions. Parliamentary Questions are dealt with, as the need arises, by the staff in the sections dealing with the particular issue(s) raised in individual Parliamentary Questions. The number and level of staff and the time spent on an individual answer depends on the complexity and importance of the issue raised the form in which the information exists in the Department and the form of the proposed response, i.e. whether oral or written. Since my own Department was established in 2011 and to date in 2012 I have responded to some 1,600 Parliamentary Questions. Undoubtedly a considerable amount of time is spent answering all these questions however it is not possible to quantify the cost for the reasons outlined above.

As the processing of individual Parliamentary Questions is undertaken as part of the normal day to day work of individual sections within Departments it would be unnecessarily burdensome to isolate the administrative costs of processing Parliamentary Questions from the overall administrative costs of each Department.

It may be of interest to the Deputy to learn that my Department is currently exploring a range of options with a view to securing process improvement and time savings in responding to PQs.

Consultancy Contracts Issues

Questions (144)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

144. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide details in tabular form for the years 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012 the total amount of expenditure on consultancy by his Department, any body under his aegis or State agency for which he has responsibility; the names of the consultancy companies awarded contracts; the nature of the work concerned; the fees paid to each consultant; if the matter was advertised for competitive tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45302/12]

View answer

Written answers

The following tables sets out the expenditure on consultancy services by my Department in 2011 and to date in 2012. Every effort is made to minimize costs in this area but, from time to time, certain specialist skills and expertise are required.

Year

Name of consultancy company

Nature of work

Fees to each consultant

Advertised

2012

The Innovation Value Institute N.U.I Maynooth

IT Consultancy

€ 12,500

ex vat

No

2012

Davy Corporate Finance

Financial Consultancy

€615 in total

No. A total of 15 consultancy firms were invited to apply for the contract

2012

Grant Thornton

Audit/Advisory Services

€31,586.40 including vat

A selective tendering process was undertaken in accordance with the Public Procurement Guidelines.

2012

Richard Humphries,

Senior Counsel

Legal Consultancy

43,404.55

Yes

2012

Ciara Kennedy,

Junior Counsel

Legal Consultancy

8,058.40

Yes

2012

Siobhán Browne Associates

HR Consultancy

€1,045.5

No

2012

Accenture Consulting

HR and Pensions Shared Service/Public Service Reform Plan

€2,089,234.00

Accenture Consulting was selected as the preferred bidder in November 2011 following an EU procurement process.

2011

Canavan and Byrne

Audit/Advisory Service

8046.50

No

2011

MKO Partners Ltd

Audit/Advisory Services

€35,819.80 including vat

A selective tendering process was undertaken in accordance with the Public Procurement Guidelines.

2011

Red C

Research Service

€41,043.20

Yes

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform was established in 2011. Expenditure in relation to consultancy services from 2008 to December 2010 is covered by material provided by the Department of Finance.

In respect of the office and agencies under the aegis of my Department the following table sets out the expenditure on consultancy services.

Name of Office or Agency

Year

Name of consultancy company

Nature of work

Fees to each consultant

Advertised

Office of the Ombudsman

2011

Ballard Consultancy

Architecture

2,420.00

Y

2011

Capita Business Services (Fexc

Financial Consultancy

1,666.00

Y

2011

Dr Brendan Williams

Planning Consultancy

2,500.00

N

2011

GBS Re Parl/Health Svc Ombuds

Clinical Opinion

3,492.00

N

2011

Jim Hehir

Financial Consultancy

1,500.00

N

2011

Melanie Pine

Financial Consultancy

285.00

N

2011

Orla Twomey

Financial Consultancy

1,995.00

N

2011

Pathfinder Execution Ltd

Organisation Review

16,335.00

Y

2011

Social & Market Research

Client Survey

2,930.60

Y

2011

Blue Wave Technology

IT Consultancy

1,361.00

Y

2011

Espion

IT Consultancy

1,210.00

Y

2011

System Dynamics

IT Consultancy

14,375.00

Y

2011

Noel Ryan & Associates

Financial Consultancy

5,544.00

Y

2011

Tierney & Associates

Financial Consultancy

2,449.00

Y

2012

GBS Re Parl/Health Svc Ombuds

Clinical Opinion

1,839.00

N

2012

Parallel Internet Ltd

IT Consultancy

12,177.00

Y

2012

Noel Ryan & Associates

Financial Consultancy

3,753.00

Y

2012

Tierney & Associates

Financial Consultancy

2,743.00

Y

State Laboratory

2008

Conal Devine & Associates

Investigation under A Positive Working Environment

€1,569.25

No - under €5,000

2008

Polaris Human Resources

Investigation under A Positive Working Environment

€5,458.29

Competitive tender

2008

Resource

Review of investigation under A Positive Working Environment

€4,235.00

No - under €5,000

2008

Atkins, Faithful & Gould

Review of facilities management contract

€8,793.07

Yes - Advertised by the Office of Public Works.

2008

O'Meara Consulting

Internal Audit Service

€7,986.00

Competitive tender

2009

O'Meara Consulting

Internal Audit Service

€11,235.71

Competitive tender

2010

O'Meara Consulting

Internal Audit Service

€13,243.45

Competitive tender

2011

O'Meara Consulting

Internal Audit Service

€12,245.22

Competitive tender

2012

O'Meara Consulting

Internal Audit Service

€13,293.23

Competitive tender

Valuation Office

2008

Media Group

PR/third party advertising

€12,326

Yes

2008

Thrive

Review & analysis

€18,892

Yes

2008

Tennyson Consultant Engineeers

Consultant Advice

€4,538

Yes

2008

Amarach Consulting

Independent validation of customer charter

€12,584

Yes

2008

David Rainey

Report

€13,853

No

2008

The Valuation Office Agency

Valuation Advisory Service

€12,349

No

2008

Most Consultants

Recruitment Competency Consultancy

€1,564

No

2009

Tierney & Associates

Accounting Support

€22,578

Yes

2009

J O’Sullivan

Geographic Information System Development

€2,000

Yes

2009

The Valuation Office Agency

Valuation Advisory Service

€23,943

No

2010

Tierney & Associates

Accounting Support

€18,817

Yes

2010

J O’Sullivan

Geographic Information System Development

€12,850

Yes

2010

J Aylward

Valuation Advisory Service

€19,205

No

2011

J O’Sullivan

Geographic Information System Development

€2,725

Yes

2011

Deloitte & Touche

Internal Audit Consultants

€15,736

Yes

2011

J Aylward

Valuation Advisory Service

€24,244

Yes

2011

D Rainey

Valuation Advisory/Consultancy Service

€4,191

No

2012

Deloitte & Touche

Internal Audit Consultants

€1,469

Yes

2012

Tierney & Associates

Accounting Support

€4,229

Yes

2012

KPMG

Valuation Advisory Service

€12,300

Yes

2012

BT Communications

IT Consultancy

€6,103

Yes

Office of Public Works

2008

Beauchamps Solicitors

Legal consultancy

1,972.00

2008

Brooker Consulting

ISO Consultancy

24,693.00

2008

CB Richard Ellis Gunne

Property Management

45,562.00

2008

Helm Corporation

Financial Management

1,696.00

2008

Pricewaterhouse Cooper

Internal Audit Consultancy

6,050.00

2008

Quadra

ISO Consultancy

6,050.00

2009

Brooker Consulting

ISO Consultancy

18,982.00

2009

Quadra

ISO Consultancy

1,118.00

2010

Brooker Consulting

ISO Consultancy

12,541.83

2010

Dan O Neill

IT Consultancy

250.00

2010

Deloitte & Touche

Internal Audit Consultancy

20,024.29

2011

Brooker Consulting

ISO Consultancy

10,527.00

2012

Brooker Consulting

ISO Consultancy

2,337.00

Departmental Legal Costs

Questions (145)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

145. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide details in tabular form for the years 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012 inclusive, of the arrangements entered into by him, any body under his aegis or State agency for which he has responsibility for the obtaining of advice from a senior or junior counsel and or a firm of solicitors; the subject matter for which advice was sought; the names of the barristers' and solicitors' firms concerned and the fees paid; the nature of the work concerned; if in each case the matter was advertised for competitive tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45319/12]

View answer

Written answers

My Department was established in 2011. Expenditure in relation to any legal advice sought from 2008 to December 2010 is covered by material provided by the Department of Finance. In respect of 2011 and to date in 2012 the following is the position:

Year

Name

Fees paid

Nature of the work

If Advertised

2012

Richard Humphries,

Senior Counsel

43,404.55

Legal Consultancy

Yes

2012

Ciara Kennedy,

Junior Counsel

8,058.40

Legal Consultancy.

Yes

The position in respect of the offices and agencies under the aegis of my Department is as follows:

Valuation Office

The Valuation Office do not directly engage counsel or solicitors. Legal advices relating to valuation cases are requested from the Chief State Solicitor’s Office. The CSSO makes the arrangements to obtain and provide the advices. Requests for legal advices relating to administrative matters are requested from the Attorney General’s Office. The legal advices are provided by the staff of the Attorney General’s Office.

Public Appointments Service

Year

Name

Fees paid

Nature of the work

If Advertised

2008

Matheson Ormsby Prentice

€17,000

Legal advice on a commercial contract of a particularly complex nature

No (emergency situation)

2010

Mason Hayes and Curran

€990 + VAT

Legal advice on drafting of disciplinary process for dealing with absenteeism.

Yes

Office of the Information Commissioner/Office of the Commissioner for Environmental Information

2011

Mason, Hayes & Curran

70,843

See below

Y

Year

Name

Fees Paid

Advice Sought

Tender Y/N

2011

Emily Egan

1,119

N*

2011

Catherine Donnelly

11,096

N*

2011

Niamh Hyland

1,725

N*

2011

Nuala Butler

4,007

N*

2011

Brian O’Moore SC

6,500

N*

2012

Mason, Hayes & Curran

27,660

Y

2012

Barry Doyle & Co Solicitors

7,380

N*

Year

Name

Fees Paid

Advice Sought

Tender Y/N

2011

Mason, Hayes & Curran

70,843

See below

Y

2011

Emily Egan

1,119

N*

2011

Catherine Donnelly

11,096

N*

2011

Niamh Hyland

1,725

N*

2011

Nuala Butler

4,007

N*

2011

Brian O’Moore SC

6,500

N*

2012

Mason, Hayes & Curran

27,660

Y

2012

Barry Doyle & Co Solicitors

7,380

N*

The Office of the Information Commissioner engages legal advisors to act for the Commissioner in relation to appeals to the High Court of review decisions of the Commissioner, and in relation to any subsequent appeal to the Supreme Court, to advise generally on procedural matters arising under the FOI Acts, to provide legal advice on the interpretation of the FOI Acts or of other statutes, or on other legal questions, to assist, where appropriate, in the drafting of decisions by the Information Commissioner or her staff under the FOI Acts; and to advise, where appropriate, on referring questions of law to the High Court under subsection 42(5) of the FOI Acts.

The Office of the Commissioner for Environmental Information engages legal advisors to act for the Commissioner in relation to appeals to the High Court, made under Article 13 of the Regulations and in relation to any subsequent appeal to the Supreme Court, to advise generally on matters arising from the Commissioner's role in the Regulation or the Directive, including matters of European law, to assist, where appropriate, in the drafting of decisions by the Commissioner or her staff; and to advise, where appropriate, on referring questions of law to the High Court under Article 11(9) of the Regulations.

Office of the Ombudsman

Year

Name

Fees Paid

Advice Sought

Tender Y/N

2011

Berna Grist

2,500

See below

N*

2011

Eamonn Galligan

2,359

N*

2011

Nuala Butler

2,783

N*

2011

Siobhan Phelan, BL

907

N*

2012

Mason, Hayes & Curran

4,339

Y

2012

Ita Mangan

615

N*

2012

Francis Kieran

1,750

N*

The Office of the Ombudsman engages legal advisors to provide legal advice on the interpretation of the Ombudsman Act, other statutes, statutory instruments, regulations etc. as applying to bodies within remit or on other legal questions and to represent the Ombudsman in any legal proceedings in which the Office is involved.

Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO)

Year

Name

Fees Paid

Advice Sought

Tender Y/N

2011

A & L Goodbody

54,562

Y

2011

Berna Grist

2,500

N*

2011

Oliver P.Morahan & Sons

14,074

N*

2012

A & L Goodbody

72,175

Y

The Standards in Public Office Commission engages legal advisors to advise on matters arising relating to the functions of the Standards Commission under the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001, the Electoral Act 1997, as amended, and the Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Act 2001, including procedural matters, interpretation of the legislation, specific requests for advice received under the legislation, investigations under the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001, enquiries conducted under the Electoral Acts 1997, as amended, and the Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Act 2001.

Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA)

Year

Name

Fees Paid

Advice Sought

Tender Y/N

2011

Matheson, Ormsby, Prentice

22,098

See below.

Y

2012

Matheson, Ormsby, Prentice

1309

Y

The Commission for Public Service Appointments engages legal advisors to advise on matters arising relating to the functions of the Commission under the Public Service Management (Recruitment & Appointment) Act (2004), including procedural matters, interpretation of the legislation and specific requests for advice received under the legislation

* The Offices of the Ombudsman/Information Commissioner/Commissioner for Environmental Information and the Standards in Public Office Commission engage legal advisors following the completion of formal tender processes. On occasion, Counsel is required to represent one of the Offices in the Courts. In such cases, Counsel is generally engaged on the recommendation of the relevant Office’s legal advisors, having regard to the nature of the court case, the relevant expertise required and the availability of Counsel.

Furthermore, the Offices are approved bodies under the Direct Professional Access (DPA) Scheme of the Bar Council. Occasionally, legal advice is urgently required from a person who is known to have expertise in a particular area and is familiar with the work of the Office. In such cases, Counsel is directly engaged under the DPA arrangements.

Office of Public Works (OPW)

The Office of Public Works uses the services of the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of the Chief State Solicitor (CSSO) for legal advice. I would further advise that all procurement of external counsel by the CSSO, on behalf of the OPW, was handled by that Office, upon the nomination of the Attorney General.

For areas which the CSSO did not have the necessary expertise, OPW entered into a service level agreement with the CSSO in 2005, which negotiates rates with a number of legal firms for the provision of legal advice. Eight panels were formed in areas where such specialised legal expertise was identified as being required, and a panel of solicitors created for each area.

The costs associated with the provision of advice to the OPW by the Office of the Attorney General and the office of the Chief State Solicitor are borne by their respective Votes.

The table below outlines the legal services procured by OPW in the period 2008-to date in 2012.

Advisor

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Reason

McCann Fitzgerald  Solrs

175,195.28

14,860.20      

605.00

18,266.56

 

133,571.89

112,403.18

   

  2,673.00

  

  27,975.37

   

   5,638.60

65,710.66

39,494.82

51,456.88

12,411.02

21,832.57

26,301.99

9,098.62

9,069.33

Decentralisation Programme

National Conference Centre

Engineering Services

Project Advice

Property Maintenance Advice

Beauchamp Solrs

 2,398.22

2,590.61

4,963.32

3,450.59

16,184.76

Procurement Advice

Personnel Advice

Historic Properties

Property Maintenance Advice

William Fry Solrs

11,885.40

Project & Property Advice

A&L Goodbody

   2,390.96

   4,553.82

18,877.56

Framework Agreement & Project Advice

Project Advice

Arthur Cox

2,879.55 

 

 9,890.25

10,901.64

Procurement & Property Advice

Engineering Services

Senior & Junior

Counsel

103,722.93

6,436.00

External Counsel

McKeever Rowan Solrs

    4,152.72

Property Advice

L.K. Shields Solrs

  47,364.64

Property Advice

Patrick F O’Reilly & Co Solrs

  32,972.50

12,221.00

Property Advice

Engineering Services

Maxwells

   7,584.22

Property Advice

Clifford Chance LLP

 27,503.44

Property Advice

Mulcahy McDonagh

13,721.40

Engineering Services

Nael G Bunni

6,670.12

9,829.58

Engineering Services

O’Keeffe Moore & Woodstock

2,258.50

Property Management Advice

Simon J Kelly Ltd

1,283.21

Property Maintenance Advice

J F Goold & Co

1,078.50

National Monuments Advice

Kieran T Flynn

1,109.52

Ministers Office Advice

State Laboratory

Year

Names

Fees paid

Nature of the work

If Advertised

2008

N/A

NIL

N/A

N/A

2009

N/A

NIL

N/A

N/A

2010

Kieran Fleck SC

€1000

Legal Advice was sought by the State Claims Agency on behalf of the State Laboratory in relation to a claim for compensation as a consequence of incorrect test results being issued.

N/A

2011

N/A

NIL

N/A

N/A

2012

N/A

NIL

N/A

N/A

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