Wednesday, 27 Feb 2013

Public Procurement Tenders

Questions (44, 55)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

44. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the measures he has introduced since March 2011 that have improved public procurement practices by removing obstacles and encouraging the involvement of small and medium enterprises and micro enterprises. [10433/13]

View answer

Denis Naughten

Question:

55. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps being taken to assist small business in obtaining public contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10264/13]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 55 together.

In relation to improving access for SMEs to public procurement opportunities the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has issued guidelines (Circular 10/10) that require public bodies to promote participation of small and medium-sized enterprises in the award of public contracts. These guidelines set out positive measures that contracting authorities are to take to promote SME involvement in a manner that is consistent with the principles and rules of the existing public procurement regulatory regime. The guidance also highlights practices that are to be avoided because they can unjustifiably hinder small businesses in competing for public contracts. The key provisions of the guidance include:

supplies and general services contracts with an estimated value of €25,000 or more to be advertised on the www.etenders.gov.ie website;

less use of “restrictive” tendering procedures and greater use of “open” tendering;

ensuring that the levels set by contracting authorities for suitability criteria are justified and proportionate to the needs of the contract;

sub-dividing larger requirements into lots where this is practical.

Circular 10/10 has been in place for just over two years. It is clear that there is a need to ensure greater consistency in relation to the implementation of this circular. In this regard, the National Procurement Service (NPS) established its 'Working Group to assist Small and Medium Enterprises' in February 2012 to facilitate open discussion on the issue of public service procurement. The Working Group consists of representatives from the NPS, the Health Service Executive, the Irish Business and Employers Federation, the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association, Chambers Ireland, and the Small Firms Association. The Group has met on a number of occasions and has raised many issues relating to procurement and particularly how these issues impact on SMEs. Resulting from these discussions the NPS has issued two circulars to all buyers in, and suppliers to, the public service with the aim of improving practice in the procurement arena.

Question No. 45 answered with Question No. 39.

Sale of State Assets

Questions (46)

Brendan Smith

Question:

46. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the proceeds from the sale of State assets will be available for investment in the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10410/13]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

Work is ongoing and significant progress has already been made in preparations for transactions in the State asset disposal programme that I announced last February. I envisage that significant further progress will be made during the course of this year, including the receipt of the initial proceeds for some of the assets, as circumstances allow.

Coastal Erosion

Questions (47)

David Stanton

Question:

47. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to any studies or surveys in the County Cork area identifying the threat to farmland from coastal erosion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6938/13]

View answer

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

I would point out that the investigation of coastal erosion, in the first instance, is a matter for the relevant local authority concerned.

My Office is not aware of studies or surveys in the County Cork area specifically identifying the threat to farmland from coastal erosion. The South Coast Report of the Irish Coastal Protection Strategy Study (ICPSS), published by OPW in 2011, provides some erosion hazard mapping. These maps are strategic level predictive erosion hazard maps for the years 2030 and 2050 and do not distinguish between farmland or other types of land that may potentially be at risk from erosion. The ICPSS report and maps are available on the OPW website www.opw.ie under Flood Risk Management/Publications.

Cork County Council may have carried out or commissioned other studies or surveys and the Council can be contacted directly on this.

Office of Public Works Properties

Questions (48)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

48. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a list of all properties for which the State has a long-term rental agreement. [10427/13]

View answer

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The table schedules 267 leases with a term of 15 years or more managed by OPW for the provision of office space for the various Government Departments/Agencies.

Table 1

COUNTY	BUILDING NAME	ADDRESS 1
CARLOW	Carlow Gov Off Church St	Church Street
CARLOW	Carlow Prob & Wel Service	Quinn House
CARLOW	Carlow Vehicle Reg Off	6 - 8 Lower Staplestown Road
CARLOW	Carlow Temp Decent Off (D/ETE)	O'Brien Road
CAVAN	Bailieboro SWO	Barrack Street
CAVAN	Cavan Gov Off Newcourt Shop Ctre	Newcourt Shopping Centre
CAVAN	Cavan Gov Off Elm Hse	Elm House
CLARE	Kilrush SWO	45 Moore Street
CLARE	Shannon Driving Test Centre	1 Fergus Road
CLARE	Ennis Education Office	First Floor
CLARE	Ennis Education Office	First Floor
CLARE	Kilrush Decentral.Revenue Off.	Enterprise House
CORK	Bandon SWO	Weir Street
CORK	Bantry SWO - 6 Main Street	6 Main Street
CORK	Bantry Customs and Excise	Old Convent House
CORK	Castletownbere SWO	Church Gate
CORK	Clonakilty SWO	9 Wolfe Tone Way
CORK	Cork C&E Centre Park House	Centre Park House
CORK	Cork Gov Off Connolly Hall	Connolly Hall
CORK	Cork Gov Off Connolly Hall	Connolly Hall
CORK	Cork Prob&Wel Serv Grattan St	Grattan Street
CORK	Cork Gov Off Hibernian House	Hibernian House
CORK	Cork Gov Off Irish Life Bldg	Irish Life House
CORK	Cork Gov Off Irish Life Bldg	Irish Life House
CORK	Dunmanway SWO/CSO Office	Main Street
CORK	Fermoy SWO - Connolly Street	Connolly Street
CORK	Cork Marine Office	Riverview Business Park
CORK	Cork Education Office	Block C Heritage Business Park
CORK	Cork Prob & Wel Serv Cove St	St Nicholas Church
CORK	Carrigaline DSFA Office	Units 2 & 4
CORK	Cork HIQA Decent Office	Unit 1301,Building 1000
CORK	Mallow SWO (New)	Fair Green
CORK	2B Drinan Street CWS	2B Drinan Street
CORK	3 Drinan Street CWS	2C Drinan Street
CORK	Bantry ESO	Unit 2 The Warner Centre
DONEGAL	Ballybofey SWO	13 Main Street
DONEGAL	Ballyshannon Marine Office	Main Street
DONEGAL	Dunfanaghy SWO	Main Street
DONEGAL	Glenties Marine Forestry Off	Mill Road
DONEGAL	Killybegs Government Office	Donegal Road
DONEGAL	Letterkenny Revenue Office	Kilmacrennan Road
DONEGAL	Letterkenny Driving Test Centre	Unit 5 Pearse Road
DONEGAL	Letterkenny Prob/Wel Main St	48-50 Lower Main Street
DONEGAL	Letterkenny Education Office	McKendrich House
DONEGAL	Falcarragh CWS	Chapel Road

Table 1 ctd.

DUBLIN	Abbey Street Upper 26 - 30	Chapter House
DUBLIN	Abbey Street Upper 26 - 30	Chapter House
DUBLIN	Abbey Street Upper 26 - 30	Chapter House
DUBLIN	Tara Street Apollo House	Tara Street
DUBLIN	Ballyfermot Prob & Wel Service	Le Fanu Road
DUBLIN	Clonskeagh Belfield Office Park	Block 5 Belfield Office Park
DUBLIN	Bishops Square	Redmonds Hill
DUBLIN	Bishops Square	Redmonds Hill
DUBLIN	Bishops Square	Redmonds Hill
DUBLIN	Blanchardstown Gov Off	Block A Westend Office Park
DUBLIN	Bow Street Gov Office	31-35 Bow Street
DUBLIN	Capel Street 89 -94	89 -94 Capel Street
DUBLIN	Clare Street 12	12 Clare Street
DUBLIN	Claremont Road Revenue Office	Claremont Road
DUBLIN	Clondalkin Education Office	Convent Road
DUBLIN	Clondalkin Education Office	Convent Road
DUBLIN	Clondalkin SWO Ninth Lock Rd	Block B
DUBLIN	Clonmel Street [Clonmel Place]	Clonmel Place
DUBLIN	Kildare Street 43-44	Confederation House
DUBLIN	Dun Laoghaire Prob&Welfare Serv	Foundation House
DUBLIN	Dun Laoghaire Vehicle Reg Off	111 Lower Georges Street
DUBLIN	D'Olier Street (D'Olier House)	D'Olier Street
DUBLIN	Donaghmede Prob/Welfare Service	Donaghmede Shopping Centre
DUBLIN	Adelaide Rd 65A (Davitt House)	65A Adelaide Road
DUBLIN	Earlsfort Terrace Earl Ctr Blk C	Earlsfort Centre Block C
DUBLIN	Ely Place 7-8 Ely Court	7-8 Ely Place
DUBLIN	Finglas Prob&Welfare Service	Poppintree Mall
DUBLIN	Finglas Shopping Centre FÁS	Unit 14C
DUBLIN	Wilton Place Fitzwilton House	Wilton Place
DUBLIN	Frederick St NorthFrederick Crt	Frederick Court
DUBLIN	Frederick St South Frederick Hse	Frederick House
DUBLIN	Amiens Street (Gandon House)	Amiens Street
DUBLIN	Amiens Street (Gandon House)	Amiens Street
DUBLIN	Amiens Street (Gandon House)	Amiens Street
DUBLIN	Kilbarrack SWO	Greendale Shopping Centre
DUBLIN	St Stephens Gr 67-71Hainault Hse	67-71 St Stephen's Green
DUBLIN	Harcourt St Harcourt Cntre Blk 2	Harcourt Street
DUBLIN	Harcourt Road 4-5	4-5 Harcourt Road
DUBLIN	Harcourt Sq Garda Block 1	Harcourt Street
DUBLIN	Harcourt Sq Garda Block 2	Harcourt Street
DUBLIN	Harcourt Sq Garda Block 3	Harcourt Street
DUBLIN	Harcourt Sq Garda Block 4	Harcourt Street
DUBLIN	Harcourt Street 75-78	76-78 Harcourt Street
DUBLIN	Hatch Street 13-15	13-15 Hatch Street
DUBLIN	Holles Street Holbrook House	Holbrook House
DUBLIN	Irish Life Centre Block D E & F	Lower Abbey Street
DUBLIN	Irish Life Centre Block 5/7	Lower Abbey Street
DUBLIN	Harcourt Road Dun Sceine	Iveagh Court Block A
DUBLIN	Lombard St East 8 - 11 Joyce Hse	8 - 11 Lombard Street
DUBLIN	Lucan SWO - Chapel Hill	Chapel Hill
DUBLIN	Lucan SWO - Main Street	Main Street
DUBLIN	Malahide SWO	Main Street
DUBLIN	Merrion Square 24	24 Merrion Square
DUBLIN	Mespil Road 43-49	43 - 49 Mespil Road
DUBLIN	Molesworth Bldg Setanta Cntre	Molesworth Street/South Frederic
DUBLIN	Molesworth Bldg Setanta Cntre	Molesworth Street/South Frederic
DUBLIN	Mount St Lr 73-79 Ballaugh House	73-79 Lower Mount Street
DUBLIN	Mount Street Lower 85 - 93	85-93 Lower Mount Street
DUBLIN	Mount St Upr 36	36 Upper Mount Street
DUBLIN	Nassau Building Setanta Centre	Nassau Street
DUBLIN	Nassau Building Setanta Centre	Nassau Street
DUBLIN	Nutgrove SWO	Nutgrove Shopping Centre
DUBLIN	Pearse St 212-213 Oisín House	212-213 Pearse Street
DUBLIN	Ormond Quay Upper 19	Upper Ormond Quay
DUBLIN	Leeson Street Lower Ossory House	Earlsfort Centre
DUBLIN	North Circular Road Park House	North Circular Road
DUBLIN	North Circular Road Park House	North Circular Road
DUBLIN	Park West Business Park Block 43	Block 43
DUBLIN	Parnell Sq 13-15 Parnell House	13 - 15 Parnell Square
DUBLIN	Conyngham Road Phoenix House	Phoenix House
DUBLIN	Rathgar Driving Test Centre	95 Orwell Road
DUBLIN	Santry Revenue Warehouse/Office	Unit H Furry Park
DUBLIN	Statoil Building	1 Setanta Place
DUBLIN	Shelbourne Rd 21Shelbourne Hse	21 Shelbourne Road
DUBLIN	Earlsfort Tce St Steph Gr Hse	Earlsfort Terrace
DUBLIN	Earlsfort Tce St Steph Gr Hse	Earlsfort Terrace
DUBLIN	Swords Business Campus Unit 4	Swords Business Campus
DUBLIN	Swords Agricultural Inspectors	Castle Shopping Centre
DUBLIN	Tallaght Gov Off Plaza Complex	Plaza Complex Belgard Road
DUBLIN	Tallaght Gov Off Plaza Complex	Plaza Complex Belgard Road
DUBLIN	Tallaght Gov Off St Johns Hse	St John's House
DUBLIN	Tallaght Revenue Commissioners	Unit 247
DUBLIN	Tallaght Prob and Welf Service	Westpark House
DUBLIN	Thomas Street 126 - 7	126 -127 Thomas Street
DUBLIN	Mount St Lr 79-83 Timberlay Hse	79-83 Lower Mount Street
DUBLIN	Blackrock Trident House	Trident House
DUBLIN	Andrew St 10-12	10-12 Andrew St
DUBLIN	Finglas Driv Test Ctr+Rev Store	Unidare Industrial Estate
DUBLIN	Parnell Sq 16	16 Parnell Square
DUBLIN	Earlsfort Terrace Earl Ctr Blk	Earlsfort Centre Block J
DUBLIN	Abbey Street Upper 26 - 30	Chapter House
DUBLIN	Navan Road Ashtowngate	Block D
DUBLIN	Dawson St 18A Royal Irish Acad	Bective House
DUBLIN	Waterloo Road St Martins House	Dublin 4
DUBLIN	Earlsfort Tce St Steph Gr Hse	Earlsfort Terrace
DUBLIN	Balbriggan Passport Office	Unit 1,Fingal Bay Business Park
DUBLIN	Adelaide Road 29-31	29-31 Adelaide Road
DUBLIN	Tallaght PIAB	The Grain Hse,Blk 1,The Exchange
DUBLIN	Tallaght Education Office	County Hall, Belgard Sq North
DUBLIN	Garden Lane Prob/Welfare Off	Carmans Hall
DUBLIN	Great Strand St Millennium Hse	52-56 Great Strand Street
DUBLIN	Swords Business Campus Unit 5/6A	Swords Business Campus
DUBLIN	Swords Business Campus Unit 5/6C	Swords Business Campus
DUBLIN	The Chancery Building	3-10 Chancery Lane
DUBLIN	Revenue Castleview Georges st	Block C
DUBLIN	Navan Road Ashtowngate Block B	Navan Road
DUBLIN	Blanchardstown Gov Office	Block 3 Grove Court
DUBLIN	Blanchardstown Gov Office	Block 3 Grove Court
DUBLIN	Kings Inn House SWO & ESO	Parnell St
DUBLIN	Kings Inn House SWO & ESO	Parnell St
DUBLIN	Smithfield Probation Service	Blocks B1
DUBLIN	Nth King St 90 Georges Court	Smithfield
DUBLIN	Nth King St 90 Georges Court	Smithfield
DUBLIN	Smithfield Off of Film Class	Block B2
DUBLIN	Corn Exchange CWS	Unit A The Corn Exchange
DUBLIN	Damastown CWS	Damastown Close
DUBLIN	Clifton Court CWS	Clifton Court

Table 1 ctd.

GALWAY	Ballinasloe Gov Office	3 Society Street
GALWAY	Clifden Driving Test Centre	Market Street
GALWAY	Galway Irish Water Safety	Long Walk
GALWAY	Galway Garda Training	Mayoralty House
GALWAY	Galway Gov Off Ross House	Ross House
GALWAY	Galway Prob & Wel Serv	Abbey Arch Units 1,4, 5,7 & 8
GALWAY	Galway Prob & Wel Serv	Abbey Arch Units 1,4, 5,7 & 8
GALWAY	Galway Education Office	Victoria Place
GALWAY	Galway Driving Test Centre	Unit 4 Westside
GALWAY	Gort SWO	Gort
GALWAY	Loughrea Agriculture Offices	ESB Premises
GALWAY	Loughrea Agriculture Offices	ESB Premises
GALWAY	Loughrea SWO - PMPA Building	PMPA Building
GALWAY	Tuam Ordnance Survey Office	Airglooney House
GALWAY	Tuam DTC	Balgaddy Road
GALWAY	Galway Prob & Wel Serv	Abbey Arch Units 1,4, 5,7 & 8
GALWAY	Galway Revenue Fairgreen	Fairgreen Rd and Loughatalia Rd
GALWAY	Loughrea Trans & RSA Temp Off	Clonfert House
GALWAY	Loughrea Trans & RSA Temp Off	Clonfert House
GALWAY	Loughrea Trans & RSA Temp Off	Clonfert House
GALWAY	Galway SWO - Island House	Island House
KERRY	Kenmare SWO	Old Bridge Street
KERRY	Listowel SWO	12 The Square
KERRY	Tralee Prob and Wel Service	7 Ashe Street
KERRY	Killarney Park Court	Beech Road
KERRY	Listowel Revenue Office	Old Mill Road
KERRY	Killarney Park Court	Beech Road
KERRY	Blennerville Agri Eng Off	Jeannie Johnson Building
KERRY	Killarney Park Court	Beech Road
KERRY	Tralee ESO	17 Castle Street
KILDARE	Naas Driving Test Centre	Clarendon House
KILDARE	Naas Agric Off - Poplar House	Poplar House
KILDARE	Naas SWO - Rathasker Square	Unit 2 Rathasker Square
KILDARE	Naas Agric Off Spring Garden Hse	Spring Garden House
KILDARE	Naas Rev & DSP Office	St David's House
KILDARE	Newbridge SWO - Henry Street	Henry Street
KILDARE	Naas Gov Office	Maudlins Hall
KILDARE	Willow Hse Millennium Pk Block 6	Block 6, Willow House
KILDARE	Athy Social Protection Office	Unit 4
LAOIS	Portlaoise DAF Appeals Office	Kilminchy Court
LAOIS	Portarlington Decentral Office	Data Protection Commissioners
LAOIS	Portlaoise Agri Gandon Court	Gandon Court
LAOIS	Portlaoise Agri Gandon Court	Gandon Court
LAOIS	Portlaoise Agri Gandon Court	Gandon Court
LEITRIM	Ballinamore SWO	Main Street
LEITRIM	Carrick-on-Shannon Dcnt SWO	Attyory
LIMERICK	Moyross Garda Clinic	Moyross Community Enterprise Cen
LIMERICK	Limerick SWO - Plassey	International Business Park
LIMERICK	Limerick Driving Test Centre	Woodview Shopping Centre
LIMERICK	Limerick Education Office	Rosbrien Road
LIMERICK	Newcastlewest Prob/Wel Office	Churchtown Road
LIMERICK	Limerick Prob/Welfare Service	Theatre Court 1st & 2nd Floors,
LIMERICK	Limerick Prob/Welfare Service	Theatre Court 1st & 2nd Floors,
LIMERICK	Limerick Gov Off Houston Hall	Houston Hall
LIMERICK	Limerick Decent Off DFA	Henry St
LONGFORD	Moyne Wildlife Office	Longford Road
LONGFORD	Granard SWO	1 Moxham Street
LOUTH	Dundalk CWS	Unit 2
MAYO	Ballyhaunis SWO	Main Street
MAYO	Castlebar SWO - Humbert Mall	Humbert Mall
MAYO	Claremorris SWO	James Street
MAYO	Ballina Road Safety HQ Unit 3	Moyvalley Business Park
MAYO	Ballina Road Safety HQ Unit 4	Moyvalley Business Park
MAYO	Castlebar ESO Anchor House	Anchor House
MEATH	Kells SWO	Headfort Place
MEATH	Navan SWO	Kennedy Road
MEATH	Trim NCSE	Mill Street
MEATH	Navan Gov Off Kilcairn	Kilcairn
MEATH	Navan Athlumney House	Atulumney House
MEATH	Navan Revenue Abbey Mall	Abbey Road
MONAGHAN	Ballybay Social Protection	7 Main Street
MONAGHAN	Ballybay Livestock Office	Main Street
MONAGHAN	Carrickmacross SWO	Ardee Road
MONAGHAN	Castleblayney SWO	Monaghan Road
MONAGHAN	Monaghan CWS	14 Church Square
OFFALY	Birr Government Offices	Emmet Street
OFFALY	Birr Forestry Office	Hamilton House
OFFALY	Birr Government Offices	Emmet Street
OFFALY	Tullamore SWO Castle Buildings	Office Suite 1 & 2 Castle Builds
OFFALY	Tullamore ESO	Unit 1
ROSCOMMON	Dillon House CRAGA Office	Dillon House
SLIGO	Sligo Gov Off-Westward Town Cntr	Westward Town Centre
SLIGO	Sligo Driving Test Centre	Carrowgobbadagh
SLIGO	Beulah Building	Finisklin Road

Table 1 ctd.

TIPPERARY	Clonmel Gov Off Harbour Hse	Harbour House
TIPPERARY	Roscrea SWO	The Malthouse
TIPPERARY	Templemore SWO	Mary Street
TIPPERARY	Tipperary Driving Test Centre	Canon Hayes Centre
TIPPERARY	Roscrea Civil Defence Office	Enterprise Hse, Benamore Bus Pk
TIPPERARY	Roscrea Civil Defence Office	Enterprise Hse, Benamore Bus Pk
TIPPERARY	Tipperary Temp Decent Off	Block 2 Rossmore Village
TIPPERARY	Roscrea Equality Auth Office	Birchgrove House
TIPPERARY	Clonmel Mary St ESO	Mary Street
TIPPERARY	Clonmel Mary St ESO	Mary Street
WATERFORD	Dungarvan Gov Off Civic Bldgs	Civic Offices
WATERFORD	Lismore SWO	Main Street
WATERFORD	Waterford Gov Off-Johnstown	Johnstown Industrial Estate
WESTMEATH	Athlone DTC	Unit 8 McCormack Centre
WESTMEATH	Mullingar Prob & Wel Serv	Friars Mill Road
WESTMEATH	Mullingar Gov Offices	Friars Mill Road
WESTMEATH	Athlone DSP/Prob & Wel	Grace Park
WEXFORD	Gorey Government Offices	Thomas Street
WEXFORD	Rosslare Harbour Veh Reg Office	Rosslare Harbour
WICKLOW	Wicklow Gov Off Murrough	The Murrough
WICKLOW	Block D Bray Civic Centre	Cualann Centre

Croke Park Agreement Issues

Questions (49)

Seamus Kirk

Question:

49. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the latest date by which he expects the Croke Park talks to be concluded with the outcome approved by all sides; when implementation of the agreement will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10392/13]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

In recent weeks, extremely difficult and complex discussions have taken place between public service management and public service staff representatives seeking agreement on a series of measures that will secure an additional €1 billion saving from the public service pay and pensions bill by 2015.

Following intensive engagement in recent days between the parties which was facilitated by the Labour Relations Commission (LRC), the LRC has developed and recommended a set of proposals for consideration and agreement that seeks to secure the savings required by the Exchequer while ameliorating the impacts on public service staff to the greatest extent possible. Public servants will be able to consider the full set of proposals by the LRC. The public service staff representatives who remained in negotiations have indicated that these proposals will be subject to ballot by members over the coming weeks.

It is now a matter for public service staff representatives to submit the proposals to their executives in the first instance and then to ballot in accordance with each union’s own rules. Unions and their members must now be allowed the time and space to consider the proposals put before them.

Legislation will also be needed to underpin this agreement and this will also be progressed over the coming weeks.

Public Sector Staff Remuneration

Questions (50)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

50. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the action he will take to protect the current pay arrangements for prison officers. [10440/13]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

In recent weeks, extremely difficult and complex discussions have been underway between public service management and public service staff representatives seeking agreement on a series of measures that will secure an additional €1 billion saving from the public service pay and pensions bill by 2015.

Communications Mast

Questions (51)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

51. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the implications that the closure of Garda stations will have upon the ownership and operation of any telecommunications masts which are being used by public and or private telecommunications companies at present, specifically with reference to the arrangements envisaged upon the sale of former Garda stations; the income the State currently receives from telecommunications companies in respect of same; the projected loss to the State from this income; if consideration has been given to whether such masts will now require planning permission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10309/13]

View answer

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The Commissioners of Public Works are currently addressing the property management implications arising from the Garda Station rationalisation programme. The Office Of Public Works is currently examining each property to identify, in the first instance, if there is any State requirement for the properties, their potential for disposal and/or the utilisation of the properties by community groups.

The Commissioners of Public Works have granted licences to third parties in respect of masts at 11 of the Garda Stations included in the recent closure of 100 stations. The ownership of these masts remains unchanged and the only immediate impact on the operation of the mast is that alternative access arrangements may need to be put in place. The existing revenue stream from the mast infrastructure will be taken into account by the Commissioners as part of the decision making process for the future use of the properties.

The current net annual income to the State from these licences is approximately €109,400 and there is no projected loss to the State at this time. The Commissioners are currently examining if there are any planning issues associated with the use of these properties.

Public Procurement Tenders

Questions (52)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

52. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide details of the measures he has introduced that encourage buyers to break contracts into lots. [10434/13]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

Guidelines issued by my Department (Circular 10/10) require public bodies to conduct the public procurement function in a way that facilitates and does not place barriers to participation of small and medium enterprises. As one measure to achieve this, the guidance advises that the sub-dividing of procurement requirements into “lots” should be considered by contracting authorities where it would be appropriate, practical and can be done without compromising efficiency and value for money.

The guidance also provides that in establishing framework agreements, contracting authorities are to consider how proposed arrangements will impact on SMEs. They are required to ensure that the terms of the framework facilitate the inclusion of smaller enterprises if these can meet requirements or compete for particular lots. Also smaller companies can combine with others to make a joint bid for a contract that they might not be in a position to perform on their own.

Circular 10/10 has been in place for just over two years. It is clear that there is a need to ensure greater consistency in relation to the implementation of this circular. In this regard, the National Procurement Service (NPS) established its 'Working Group to assist Small and Medium Enterprises' in February 2012 to facilitate open discussion on the issue of public service procurement. The Working Group consists of representatives from the NPS, the Health Service Executive, the Irish Business and Employers Federation, the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association, Chambers Ireland, and the Small Firms Association. The Group has met on a number of occasions and has raised many issues relating to procurement and particularly how these issues impact on SMEs. Resulting from these discussions the NPS has issued two information circulars to all buyers in, and suppliers to, the public service with the aim of improving practice in the procurement arena.

Appointments to State Boards

Questions (53)

Gerry Adams

Question:

53. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has included gender parity for the board membership as part of his reforming agenda of the State agency sector. [10442/13]

View answer

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

As the Deputy is aware in 2011 the Government introduced new arrangements for the appointment of State board members. Under the new arrangements Departments now invite expressions of interest from the public in vacancies on the boards of bodies under their aegis on their websites. It is open to all members of the public regardless of gender, political affiliations or geographical location to apply for appointment to these vacancies.

I am satisfied that the new arrangements introduced by the Government in 2011 have significantly improved transparency in the making of appointments to State Boards compared with the making of appointments in previous years.

The following table outlines the breakdown by gender of the State Boards under the remit of my Department:

	Current Members nominated by Ministers/Government					Current Members nominated by other Bodies			Chairpersons
Name of Board	Total No. of Places on Board	Board positions currently vacant	Men	Women	Current Total	Men	Women	Current Total	Male	Women
An Post National Lottery	7	1	2	-	2	3	1	4	1	-
Outside Appointments Board	5	1	3	1	4	-	-	-	Vacant	-
Public Appointments Service Board	9	-	3	3	6	1	-	1	1	-
Civil Service Arbitration Board	4	-	4	-	4	-	-	-	1	-
Totals	25	2	12	4	16	4	1	5	3	-

As the table shows of the 16 members nominated by myself or the Government 25% of the appointments were female. In view of the statutory procedures for the appointment of members of the Civil Service Arbitration Board and the Public Appointments Service, there is limited scope for me to take a factor such as gender into account when I make such appointments.

I would like to make it clear that it is my intention in the limited number of appointments I have to make to increase the number of women appointees over the lifetime of the Government.