Tuesday, 20 Nov 2012

Written Answers Nos. 289-310

Register of Lobbyists Legislation

Questions (289)

James Bannon

Question:

289. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when he will establish or create the register of all lobbyists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51191/12]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

I expect to bring legislative proposals to Government shortly to establish a statutory register of lobbying consistent with the commitment in the Programme for Government.

Drainage Schemes Status

Questions (290)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

290. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if in the context of works arising from the Boyne Valley draining scheme, he will investigate the possibility of providing a safe and reliable access to a farm in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51602/12]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945, as amended, the Office of Public Works is responsible for the maintenance of arterial drainage schemes completed under the Act. This responsibility does not extend to the construction of new bridges on existing schemes. The OPW is investigating whether the access structure in question forms part of an arterial drainage scheme under its care.

Public Sector Staff Redundancies

Questions (291)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

291. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans in relation to offering voluntary redundancies in the public sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50867/12]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The Government is committed to creating a leaner more efficient Public Service. To this end, the identification of staff surpluses is underway across the public service. Where surplus staff cannot be redeployed, exit mechanisms (including voluntary redundancy) will be employed. Final decisions on numbers reductions to be achieved in each sector will take account of the surpluses identified by Ministers in respect of their portfolios and of expected rates of retirements in those sectors, Departments and Offices over the next few years.

Budget Statement

Questions (292)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

292. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will make a financial statement to Dáil Éireann with the Minister for Finance on 4 or 5 December; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51013/12]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

I will be making a statement on the 2013 expenditure Estimates on Wednesday, 5 December, while my colleague, the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, will make a Financial Statement on the same day.

Election Management System

Questions (293)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

293. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 389 and 390 on 6 November 2012, if he will provide a breakdown of the rates of pay for those taking the polls and counting the votes that were laid out in advance of the Children's Referendum. [51141/12]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The rates of pay set out in the tables are the maximum amount payable to staff employed by Returning Officers to take the poll and for the counting of votes. The maximum rates are set out in the Charges Order which was approved by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in advance of the Referendum. The Children's Referendum, being held on a Saturday, allowed for a reduction in the hours of the poll (from 9am to 10pm) compared to other Referendums. The shorter polling hours will result in reduced costs as lower payments will be made for hours in excess of 12.

Remuneration of persons in relation to taking the poll or polls:

Position	Referendum	For each hour over 12 hours or, in the case of Special Presiding Officers only, every hour over 6 hours
(1) Special Presiding Officer	€266.88	€26.69
(2) Presiding Officer	€336.88	€33.69
(3) Supervisory Presiding Officers and Area Inspectors	€398.13	€39.81
(4) Poll Clerks	€262.50	€26.25

Counting of Votes: Remuneration of persons engaged in the segregation of ballot papers, verification of ballot paper accounts and counting of votes:

Position	Referendum	For each additional hour over 12 hours (including time spent at the direction of the Local Returning Officer before the start of the count or after its close
1. Supervisor	€398.13	€39.81
2. Calculator	€336.88	€33. 69
3. Counter	€262.50	€26.25
4. Other staff	€262.50	€26.25

Election Management System

Questions (294)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

294. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 691 on 6 November 2012, if he will provide the total number of persons employed in the following roles in the Childrens Referendum; Special Presiding Officers, Presiding Officers, Supervisory Presiding Officers and Area Inspectors, Poll Clerks, Count Supervisors, Count Calculators, Counters. [51142/12]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The total number of persons employed for the Children’s Referendum is not available at this stage. It is anticipated that the numbers will be similar to the numbers employed for the Lisbon 2 Referendum as follows:

Lisbon Treaty Referendum (2) 2009	Numbers employed
Special Presiding Officers	140
Presiding Officers	6,480
Supervisory Presiding Officers & Area Inspectors	629
Emergency Presiding Officers	43
Poll Clerks	6,512
Count Supervisors	238
Count Calculators	118
Counters	2,241
Total	16,401

Capital Programme Expenditure

Questions (295)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

295. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question 111 on 10 October 2012, if after the €120m cumulative underspend on the capital programme in August 2012 by reference to profile, the €236m underspend on the capital programme in September 2012 and the €336m underspend on the capital programme in October 2012, if Departments are withholding spending on the capital budget in order to offset overspends on current expenditure. [51151/12]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

As stated in previous replies, the actual roll-out of capital expenditure is a matter for individual line Departments and their agencies, operating within the annual allocations approved by Government and the delegated sanction arrangements issued by my Department.

My Department's role is to allocate resources based on the information supplied by departments in relation to their contractual commitments, planned programme expenditure and delegated sanction arrangements. These allocations are approved by the Dáil as part of the overall Voted expenditure ceilings for each Department. My Department monitors all current and capital spend reported by Departments on a month by month basis to identify potential overruns.

Information from Departments indicates that the bulk of their remaining capital budgets will be spent by year end. The spending pattern is in line with trends from previous years which show that the bulk of capital expenditure takes place in the last quarter of the year. Where it is not possible to spend their capital allocation in full by year end, Departments may apply to carryover unspent capital (up to a maximum of 10% of their Voted capital allocation) into the next year.

In the context of the requirement to meet our deficit targets and restore our economic sovereignty, each Department must ensure that the Vote level allocations are adhered to and that both capital and current expenditure are managed from within the overall allocation for the Vote. Should an overspend arise, the relevant Department may seek to address it through virement of savings from one sub-head to another; however, to do so requires sanction from my Department.

Public Sector Staff Redundancies

Questions (296)

Eoghan Murphy

Question:

296. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform regarding additional redundancies expected in the public sector, if these redundancies will be made in a selective or targeted way. [51164/12]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The Government is committed to creating, a leaner more efficient Public Service. To this end, the identification of staff surpluses is underway across the public service. Where surplus staff cannot be redeployed, exit mechanisms (including voluntary redundancy) will be employed. Final decisions on numbers reductions to be achieved in each sector will take account of the surpluses identified by Ministers in respect of their portfolios and of expected rates of retirements in those sectors, Departments and Offices over the next few years.

Primary Care Centres Expenditure

Questions (297)

Colm Keaveney

Question:

297. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide details of the funding model being used to finance the building of the 20 primary health care centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51173/12]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

On the 17th of July 2012, the Government announced its plans for an additional 2.25 billion euro investment in public infrastructure projects in Ireland. The stimulus package comprises two elements: 1.4 billion euro to fund the proposed new Public Private Partnerships (PPP) programme. This will come from the European Investment Bank, the National Pensions Reserve Fund, domestic banks and other potential sources of funding. The National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) and the Department of Finance are leading on sourcing this funding and are liaising with my Department in this regard; 850 million euro coming from the proceeds of the sale of State assets and from the new licensing arrangements for the National Lottery, to be used as a project preparation facility for the new PPP programme and to fund additional Exchequer capital projects and other commercial and publicly needed projects.

The PPP investment will be directed towards projects that meet key infrastructural needs and are in line with the priorities in the Government's Investment Framework. In the case of the primary healthcare centres the NDFA is the procuring authority and is working closely with the Department of Health and the HSE in the development of the projects, including development of the project specific details of the funding. The projects selected are from the education, health, transport and justice sectors. Further information about the stimulus package and about the PPP projects is available on the website www.ppp.gov.ie.

Ministerial Pensions

Questions (298)

Gerry Adams

Question:

298. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the former Ministers currently in receipt of Ministerial and TD pensions; the names of the recipients; and the amount of money they receive from the pensions on an annual basis. [51258/12]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The following table which is based on information provided by the Office of the Paymaster General and the Houses of the Oireachtas details the former Ministers who are currently in receipt of a Ministerial and TD pension.

Forename And Surname	Annual Ministerial Pension less PSPR	Annual TD Pension Less PSPR	-
GAY MITCHELL	4,627.12	53,791.35	Gifting Ministerial Pension Gifting TD’s pension in full
EOIN RYAN	5,929.48	€47,884.56
JIM HIGGINS	5,973.12	€51,390.36
SEÁN POWER	8,564.97	€27,899.28
JOHN DONNELLAN	9,049.68	€31,749.36
RICHARD BARRY	9,842.12	€65,768.04
LIAM AYLWARD	10,258.74	€49,934.88
THOMAS FITZPATRICK	10,991.31	€45,085.32
DONIE CASSIDY	11,505.91	€52,225.54
MICHAEL FINNERAN	11,648.50	€50,176.93
LORCAN ALLEN	11,684.40	€52,359.48
CHARLES McDONALD	11,810.85	€46,690.44
LIAM HYLAND	11,837.13	€49,489.80
SEAN McCARTHY	11,843.84	€26,760.36
DONAL CAREY	12,046.88	€53,975.88
BERNARD ALLEN	12,309.78	€52,206.24
LIZ McMANUS	12,309.80	€46,461.77
AUSTIN CURRIE	12,313.52	€47,070.48
TODDY O'SULLIVAN	14,713.23	€41,711.88
IVOR CALLELY	14,754.19	€50,448.52
AVRIL DOYLE	14,789.31	€45,346.08
NED O'KEEFFE	15,126.47	€50,389.08
SEAN HAUGHEY	16,692.85	€50,868.37
MICHAEL D'ARCY, senior	16,871.96	€51,982.44
DONAL CREED	16,871.96	€49,934.88
RORY KIELY	16,937.58	€35,386.68
BRIAN O'SHEA	17,036.04	€49,934.88
EITHNE FITZGERALD	17,041.17	11,350.44	Gifting Ministerial Pension Gifting TD’s pension in full
THOMAS HUSSEY	17,107.83	€44,107.56
CHRIS FLOOD	17,364.21	€38,428.92
JOHN RYAN	17,400.10	€49,934.88
PAUL CONNAUGHTON	17,733.40	€49,934.88
GEORGE BIRMINGHAM	17,733.40	€20,157.12
JACKIE FAHEY	18,076.95	€49,934.88
EDWARD COLLINS	18,328.20	€45,085.32
TOM MOFFATT	18,455.87	€23,736.72
HUGH BYRNE (Wexford)	18,455.87	€49,934.88
TIM O'MALLEY	18,649.06	€12,544.08
TOM PARLON	18,649.06	€12,544.08
LIAM T. COSGRAVE	18,767.62	€36,282.00
LIZ O'DONNELL	18,798.96	€40,104.72
DENIS LYONS	19,502.42	€29,241.48
FERGUS O'BRIEN	19,507.55	€47,483.52
TED NEALON	19,507.55	€40,229.28
JIM O'KEEFFE	19,507.55	€51,289.32
PAT THE COPE GALLAGHER	19,756.24	€50,805.96
NOEL DAVERN	20,220.79	€53,930.88
VINCENT BRADY	20,716.82	€38,913.84
DAN WALLACE	20,808.98	€52,283.16
BRIAN MULLOOLY	21,916.37	€35,386.68
NOEL AHERN	22,515.84	€47,717.52
TRAS HONAN	23,050.35	€27,699.84
SEAN CALLEARY	23,504.80	€49,336.92
GER CONNOLLY	24,800.39	€49,934.88
PATRICK POWER	26,033.73	€49,934.88
JOHN O'CONNELL	26,375.00	€49,934.88
MARY WALLACE	26,436.59	€51,009.84
PROINSIAS DE ROSSA	27,229.55	49,934.88	Gifting Ministerial Pension Gifting TD’s pension in full
IVAN YATES	27,229.55	€47,607.00
NORA OWEN	27,239.53	€46,586.64
JOE JACOB	29,190.57	€49,934.88
MARTIN O'DONOGHUE	29,958.26	€21,731.76
MICHAEL J. NOONAN (Limerick West)	30,749.44	€49,934.88
TOM KITT	31,223.75	€50,642.52
NOEL TREACY	32,216.55	€51,392.52
RICHARD BURKE	33,177.52	€20,157.12
JOHN GORMLEY	33,369.19	€35,261.77
GEMMA HUSSEY	35,520.87	€30,536.88
AUSTIN DEASY	35,520.87	€51,974.76
NIAMH BHREATHNACH	35,566.37	€11,609.76
TOM O'DONNELL	35,862.12	€49,934.88
RICHIE RYAN	35,862.12	€57,170.40
BARRY DESMOND	36,488.69	€49,934.88
BATT O'KEEFFE	36,945.44	€52,797.89
MERVYN TAYLOR	37,750.46	€40,229.28
MICHAEL D. HIGGINS	37,750.46	50,178.00	Gifting Ministerial Pension Gifting TD’s pension in full
LIAM KAVANAGH	38,068.97	€53,466.72
PADDY O'TOOLE	38,683.24	€35,386.32
RAY MacSHARRY	39,001.75	€49,934.88
ALAN DUKES	42,960.42	€51,507.36
BRENDAN DALY	43,540.56	€51,974.76
JIM McDAID	47,471.64	€49,934.88
PADRAIG FLYNN	47,942.86	€39,186.24
PATRICK LALOR	51,218.99	€49,934.88
DESMOND O'MALLEY	52,629.55	€54,092.04
GERARD COLLINS	52,629.55	€49,934.88
PATRICK COONEY	52,629.55	€49,934.88
SILE DE VALERA	53,712.60	€49,934.88
RAY BURKE	53,903.60	€49,934.88
DAVID ANDREWS	58,495.21	€49,934.88
MÁIRE GEOGHEGAN-QUINN	60,002.27	42,660.60	Gifting Ministerial Pension Gifting TD’s pension in full
PETER BARRY	60,713.06	€65,768.04
FRANK FAHEY	61,542.33	€51,411.24
MARY HANAFIN	62,461.54	€49,934.88
SEAMUS PATTISON	63,738.68	€53,466.72
ROBERT MOLLOY	63,742.42	€49,934.88
MARY O'ROURKE	67,042.55	€50,938.32
RORY O'HANLON	67,042.55	€49,934.88
LIAM MAC COSGAIR	67,855.23	€65,768.04	Gifting €5,000 from Ministerial Pension
MICHAEL O'KENNEDY	68,857.62	€53,945.88
MICHAEL SMITH	69,242.64	€49,934.88
CHARLES JOHN McCREEVY	69,242.64	€49,934.88
JOE WALSH	69,242.64	€49,934.88
SEAN TREACY	69,242.64	€49,934.88
MICHAEL WOODS	69,242.64	€53,453.16
JOHN O'DONOGHUE	69,242.64	€49,934.88
MARTIN CULLEN	69,242.64	€49,934.88
NOEL DEMPSEY	69,242.64	€49,934.88
DERMOT AHERN	69,242.64	€50,722.44
DICK SPRING	71,173.16	€49,934.88
MICHAEL McDOWELL	74,280.99	€30,244.56
MARY HARNEY	79,870.75	€49,934.88
JOHN BRUTON	91,536.98	€50,282.40
ALBERT REYNOLDS	99,026.82	€49,934.88
BERTIE AHERN	100,228.16	€49,934.88
BRIAN COWEN	100,228.16	€49,934.88

Flood Relief Schemes Applications

Questions (299)

Denis Naughten

Question:

299. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the current flood mitigation applications with his Department from counties Roscommon, Leitrim and Galway County Councils; the cost of each project and the current status of the applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51270/12]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Details of the current applications from Leitrim, Roscommon and Galway County Councils under the OPW's Minor Flood Mitigation Works Scheme are given in the table below. The applications are being considered currently in accordance with the scheme eligibility criteria and having regard to the overall availability of resources for flood risk management.

Galway County Council

Project Location	Funding sought
Cregg, R353, Abbey, Portumna	€6,500.00
Kiltiernan, Ardrahan, Ballindereen (Refused application, Council have sought review)	€320,000
Lacka 2 Bridge- R362	€40,000.00
Moneen, Grannagh, Kinvara	€10,000.00
Peterswell, Gort	€25,000.00
Renville West, Oranmore	€10,000.00
Termon North, Gort	€17,460.00
Truskey River, Bearna	€10,000.00

Leitrim County Council

Project Location	Funding sought
Glenfarne	€200,000.00
Gortinor along R280, north of Manorhamilton	€50,000.00
Hartley, Carrick-on-Shannon	€40,000.00
Moneenashinnagh & Carnavannogue	€40,000.00
Owenmore River, Manorhamilton	€50,000.00
Shanvaus River	€50,000.00
Townparks, Carrick-on-Shannon	€50,000.00
Tully Lough, Fenagh	€200,000.00

Roscommon County Council

Project Location	Funding sought
Ballyglass Lower, Ballinaheglish	€32,000.00
Ballyglass River, (upstream Milltown Bridge)	€45,000.00
Castleplunket	€70,000.00
Four Roads	€220,000.00
Oran / Killinraghty	€75,000.00
Roverkilly / Four Roads	€10,000.00

The Office of Public Works has to date approved funding of €5,562,111 to Galway Co Council, €1,160,888 to Roscommon Co Council and €506,460 to Leitrim Co Council under the Minor Flood Mitigation & Coastal Protection Scheme.

Public Sector Staff Redundancies

Questions (300, 301)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

300. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on the redundancy scheme for the public sector as announced at the start of October 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51367/12]

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

301. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in regard to the redundancy scheme for the public sector as announced at the start of October 2012, the likely target for redundancies with the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51368/12]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

I propose to take Questions Nos. 300 and 301 together.

The Government is committed to creating a leaner more efficient Public Service. To this end, the identification of staff surpluses is underway across the public service (including the health service). Where surplus staff cannot be redeployed, exit mechanisms (including voluntary redundancy) will be employed. Final decisions on numbers reductions to be achieved in each sector will take account of the surpluses identified by Ministers in respect of their portfolios and of expected rates of retirements in those sectors, Departments and Offices over the next few years. For more a comprehensive reply on an individual Department/Office or sector enquires should in the first instant be directed to the appropriate Minister.

Public Sector Staff Redundancies

Questions (302)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

302. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will report on his recent proposals for further public sector redundancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51414/12]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The Government is committed to creating a leaner more efficient Public Service. To this end, the identification of staff surpluses is under way across the public service. Where surplus staff cannot be redeployed, exit mechanisms (including voluntary redundancy) will be employed. Final decisions on numbers reductions to be achieved in each sector will take account of the surpluses identified by Ministers in respect of their portfolios and of expected rates of retirements in those sectors, Departments and Offices over the next few years.

National Lottery Licence Sale

Questions (303)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

303. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on the tendering process to sell the National Lottery; the timeframe for the conclusion of the tendering process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51415/12]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

I announced on 4th April 2012 that the Government has decided to hold a competition for the next National Lottery licence and that the licence will be for a 20 year period. Since April, my Department has carried out a considerable amount of preparatory work for the competition. It will be necessary to revise the National Lottery Act 1986. The Government has approved the General Scheme of the National Lottery Bill 2012. The General Scheme has been sent to the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to the Government. It is my intention to seek Government approval for the Bill in the current Dáil session and, subject to approval, the Bill will be published shortly afterwards. In tandem with the publication of the Bill, I will set out a scheduled timeline regarding the competitive process for the next National Lottery licence.

Public Sector Staff Redundancies

Questions (304)

Michael McGrath

Question:

304. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if it is his objective to seek uniformity in the redundancy terms offered across the public service and the commercial semi-State sector; if he will provide any guidelines that have been issued to commercial State companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51497/12]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The Government is committed to creating a leaner more efficient Public Service. To this end, the identification of staff surpluses is under way across the public service. Where surplus staff cannot be redeployed, exit mechanisms (including voluntary redundancy) will be employed. Final decisions on numbers reductions to be achieved in each sector will take account of the surpluses identified by Ministers in respect of their portfolios and of expected rates of retirements in those sectors, Departments and Offices over the next few years.

In the event of voluntary redundancy being introduced, the terms of the Collective agreement on redundancy payments to Public Servants would apply. These terms are similar to those offered in the recent past to staff in the HSE and Teagasc. In the event that a body in the commercial semi-State sector wishes to introduce a redundancy scheme, the prior sanction of my Department is required. Each application will be considered on its merits but in the context of the arrangements already agreed for the public service.

Schools Building Projects Status

Questions (305)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

305. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to a recent report in a national newspaper that Bank of Ireland is providing €50m funding to build eight schools in a public private partnership, if he will provide details of the eight schools reportedly being built; the overall budget and timescale for completion of construction and commissioning; and the terms under which Bank of Ireland is providing the finance. [51504/12]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

While my Department is responsible for the policy of PPPs, ownership of individual projects remains with the Sponsoring Department. I have warmly welcomed the recent announcement by my colleague the Minister for Education and Skills, Mr Ruairí Quinn, TD, that the latest Bundle of PPP schools has been signed off on by all partners and that work began on sites around the country last week. Details of the Ministers announcement are on the Department of Education and Skills website www.education.ie.

I understand this investment will provide some 5,700 places for pupils in 8 new schools throughout the country. This will create and sustain important jobs in the construction sector. It will bring the total number of schools delivered under the PPP model in the State to 23. The Bundle of schools consists of 8 individual schools: 7 post primaries and one primary - at the following locations:

Post-primary: Coláiste Ailigh, Letterkenny, Co Donegal: permanent school for the gaelcholáiste established in 2000 (350 pupils); Ballinamore Community School, Co Leitrim: amalgamation of Fatima and Felim's Secondary School and Ballinamore Vocational School (400 pupils); Doughiska Community College, Co Galway: new school for a rapidly growing population in the Doughiska area (650 pupils). It will be provided on a shared campus with the new primary school (see below); Gorey, Co Wexford: new school for a rapidly growing population in the Gorey area (1,000 pupils); Doon/Cappamore, Co Limerick Secondary School, Co Limerick: new school arising from the amalgamation of St. Fintan's Doon, St. Joseph's Doon and Colaiste Phobal Mhichil Cappamore (850 pupils); Tramore Secondary School, Co Waterford: amalgamation of CBS Tramore and Stella Maris schools (1,000 pupils); Athlone Community College, Co Westmeath: replacement for the current building (1,000 pupils) Primary; Doughiska, Co Galway: new school for a rapidly growing population in the Doughiska area on same site as Doughiska Community College (447 pupils).

It has taken some time to get agreement with all the partners on this project and I acknowledge the efforts of all those involved including the procuring authority for this project the National Development Finance Agency, the sponsoring authority the Department of Education and Skills, and our funding partners the EIB and Bank of Ireland and the PPP Consortium Bam Ireland. EIB provided 50% of the funding and I am aware that Bank of Ireland provided the balance of senior debt for this project. The agreed financial terms and the overall budget for the project are commercially sensitive and are therefore confidential. All schools are expected to be completed by 2014.

Capital Programme Expenditure

Questions (306)

Micheál Martin

Question:

306. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department was consulted in connection with the stimulus package that included primary care centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44102/12]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

On the 17th of July 2012, the Government announced its plans for an additional 2.25 billion euro investment in public infrastructure projects in Ireland. The stimulus package included 1.4 billion euro to fund the proposed new Public Private Partnerships (PPP) programme. The investment is directed towards projects that meet key infrastructural needs and are in line with the priorities in the Government's Investment Framework. The PPP package involves projects across a number of sectors – transport, education, healthcare and justice.

In line with the normal division of responsibilities in relation to expenditure, my Department developed the overall policy approach for the stimulus package while the details of the actual projects and locations was a matter for the relevant Ministers and their Departments and agencies. All of the projects in the stimulus package are subject to the normal rules and guidelines on the management and appraisal of capital investment including, in the case of PPPs, the specific guidance on PPP appraisal and value for money, details of which can be found on the website www.ppp.gov.ie.

Croke Park Agreement Issues

Questions (307, 308, 311, 312, 313)

Micheál Martin

Question:

307. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress that has been made at the meeting on the Croke Park Agreement in Government Buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45660/12]

Micheál Martin

Question:

308. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress that was made at the recent meeting he chaired in his Department regarding potential savings in all Departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45668/12]

Gerry Adams

Question:

311. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will report on the recent contacts he has had with the social partners. [45695/12]

Gerry Adams

Question:

312. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if has had any recent meetings with trade union leaders. [47415/12]

Gerry Adams

Question:

313. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the contacts he has had with the Social Partners since Dáil Éireann returned after the summer recess. [47416/12]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

I propose to take Questions Nos. 307, 308 and 311 to 313, inclusive, together.

Work is continuing across the public service to secure further savings and reforms under the framework of the Public Service Agreement 2010-2014. We must all maximise the Agreement’s potential to leverage further pay and non-pay savings as well as further reform of work practices and service delivery in the public service. As part of that process, I attended a meeting chaired by the Taoiseach, with the Chair and members of the Implementation Body, which is responsible for driving the implementation of the Agreement, on 11 October last. Deputies will be aware that the Body’s membership is comprised of representatives of public service management and from the Public Services Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU). A key output from that engagement is that revised Action Plans are being advanced at sectoral level. I understand that the Implementation Body is currently considering those draft plans and they will be published on the Body’s website in due course.

Separately, today I invited members of the Public Services Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions to discussions on a new agenda for improvements in the productivity of public servants and reductions in the cost of delivery of public services. This invitation has been issued in light of the Government’s determination to meet the challenge posed by the fiscal consolidation in the period from 2013 to 2015 to reduce the deficit below 3% of GDP by 2015, and a shared ambition to build on the substantial contribution already made by public servants to Ireland’s ongoing economic recovery.

Depending on the outcome of the initial discussions, the Government has indicated its willingness to enter a process of negotiation with the objective of concluding an agreement on workplace change and savings with its employees at the earliest possible date.

Departmental Staff Recruitment

Questions (309, 310)

Micheál Martin

Question:

309. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the economic expertise which is available to advise him within his Department. [47362/12]

Micheál Martin

Question:

310. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has officials or advisors within his own Department with expertise in economics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49718/12]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

I propose to take Questions Nos. 309 and 310 together.

In addition to those staff, spread throughout my Department, with expertise and qualifications in economics, the Government decided in May this year to supplement this expertise by setting up the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES). The work of the Service will support Departments in evaluating policy and expenditure options; value for money exercises; cost benefit and regulatory impact analyses; and regulatory and competition issues.

Candidates with postgraduate economic qualifications were targeted through an Administrative Officer (Economist) competition run by the Public Appointments Service earlier this year.

Some 27 staff were initially recruited under an Administrative Officer (economist) competition run by the Public Appointments Service, 15 of whom have taken up positions in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. These recruits will supplement the existing expertise already within my Department, including that of the Central Expenditure Evaluation Unit.