Written Answers Nos. 254-269
254. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total costs incurred from the Central Fund in holding the referendum on children’s rights in 2012; the breakdown of those costs including the cost of establishing a Referendum Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20172/13]
View answerThe Referendum on the Protection of Children was held on the 10th November, 2012. Returning Officers are required to submit their accounts for the Referendum to the Minister for Finance not later than six months after the date on which the poll was conducted and so the total cost of the Referendum is not available at this time. An estimated breakdown of the costs is as follows:
|
Advances |
Amount |
|
Advances to Returning Officers: |
€10,503,309.00 |
|
OPW: |
€342,696.00 |
|
An Post: |
€1,496,182.00 |
|
Referendum Commission: |
€1,700,000.00 |
|
Total: |
€14,042,187.00 |
255. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the date on which it was formally accepted by the Office of Public Works that an area (details supplied) was returned to them in a satisfactory condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20283/13]
View answerDue to adverse weather conditions, following the concerts in the Phoenix Park, works began in September 2012 and have been completed to our satisfaction. The State received €345,053 for the music concert series, which occupied the site for 3 weeks (approx).
256. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans for the future use of Ballinakill and Ballacolla Garda stations in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20365/13]
View answerThe Office of Public Works is currently assessing the property options arising in respect of all the recently closed Garda Stations including Ballinakill and Ballacolla Garda Stations in County Laois. This assessment will identify, in the first instance, if other State Bodies, including government departments and the wider public sector have a use for the property. If there is no other State use for a property the OPW will then consider disposing of the property on the open market, if and when conditions prevail, in order to generate much needed revenue for the Exchequer. If no State requirement is identified or if a decision is taken not to dispose of a particular property the OPW would consider, community involvement subject to the receipt of an appropriate business case which would indicate that the community/voluntary group has the means to insure, maintain and manage the property.
257. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if additional staff will be allocated to the Valuations Office in order to deal with the backlog of cases in the office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20367/13]
View answerThe Commissioner of Valuation is independent in the exercise of his duties under the Valuation Act, 2001 and the carrying out of valuations for rating purposes is his sole prerogative and the Act does not accord me as Minister any function in this regard. The Valuation Office operates within the employment control framework set by Government for the public service which imposes an overall staffing ceiling for the Office on an annual basis. In line with this policy, the current staffing complement of the Valuation Office is 135, representing 132.40 whole time equivalent posts. 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. There are two provisions in the legislation governing the assessment of valuations, i.e. revision and revaluation.
Revision of valuation is the mechanism used to maintain existing local authority valuation lists. It is used to add new properties to the list, to amend the valuations of altered properties and to remove demolished or defunct properties from the list. The valuations of commercial properties at revision are determined by reference to the net annual values of comparable properties on the same valuation list. That is to say that they are compared with similar type properties in the same local authority area to ensure, in so far as it is possible, that they are all treated equally. While there are some arrears of casework in this area, it is not significant and in any event, revision applications received from the public are disposed of without undue delay. While there has been a marked decrease in the number of applications for revision of valuation in recent years, mainly due to the economic downturn, the vast majority of applications are from the local authorities with whom the Valuation Office is in close liaison, to ensure that priority cases are dealt with as expeditiously as possible and to agree timelines for the delivery of revisions generally.
In a revaluation the entire commercial valuation list for a local authority is brought up-to-date by reference to values at a specific valuation date and the entire list is published on one date (usually 31 December) and comes into effect for rating purposes on 1 January the following year. To-date, revaluations of the commercial list have been completed in South Dublin, Fingal and Dun Laoghaire County Council areas and the revaluation programme for the Dublin City Council area is currently underway and is expected to be completed by 31st December, 2013. Additionally, the revaluation of properties in all the local authority areas of Waterford and Limerick will be completed in 2013 and 2014 respectively.
The Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2012 which had its second stage reading in Seanad Éireann on 11th October, 2012 provides for a number of initiatives to accelerate the overall revaluation programme, 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 delivery scheme which is also being initiated as a pilot project. The Bill also contains provisions to streamline the overall process of revaluation and the appeal mechanisms available to ratepayers subsequent to the revaluation.
258. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount the State spent on lighting in State owned or operated public buildings in 2012. [19894/13]
View answerLighting is not metered separately in the vast majority of public buildings. For this reason it is only possible to provide an estimate for the amount spent on lighting. The OPW is responsible for buildings occupied by central Government Departments and some state agencies. The total annual energy expenditure in these buildings is estimated at €32M. Approximately 65% of this is on electricity. It is estimated that lighting accounts for 40%-50% of electricity in office and similar type buildings. Based on these assumptions, the estimated expenditure on lighting in OPW buildings is €8.3M - €10.4M. There are no figures available for the cost of lighting in the wider public sector.
259. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the percentage of the State's current expenditure that is spent on social protection, health care and education. [19895/13]
View answerThe Deputy has confirmed that he is interested in obtaining the figures for 2012. In that regard, the breakdown of gross current expenditure spent on Social Protection, Health and Education as a percentage of overall current expenditure in 2012 was 40%, 27% and 16% respectively. The calculations are based on the provisional outturn figures for 2012, as published in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2013.
260. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of public sector workers who are surplus to requirements and if he will provide a breakdown of those figures. [19943/13]
View answerPublic service reform is a cornerstone policy of this Government, with the clear objective to make our public services more effective and cost efficient. As part of this, Government has agreed an end-2014 serving numbers target of 282,500 (whole time equivalent). At end-2012 there were just over 290,500 (whole time equivalent) public servants. Therefore, over these two years a further reduction of some 8,000 staff is required, across the system.
This reduction will be facilitated by the introduction of improved service delivery models, shared services among civil and public service bodies and other innovations which will allow service levels to be maintained with fewer staff. The required reduction of staff will be managed over the course of the period, taking account of natural retirements and some limited, priority recruitment. The Government has decided that Voluntary Redundancy will be introduced in certain targeted sections of the Public Service where staff surpluses are identified by management and where redeployment is not suitable. The Government is committed to making fundamental changes to the way the public service operates to safeguard the delivery of essential frontline services in a way that is in keeping with the needs of a modern society while driving value for money for the citizen.
261. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Secretary General of his Department, for the purpose of transparency and accountability, will publish his diary on the Department's website on a monthly basis; the measures he is taking to make the actions of senior civil servants more accountable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19969/13]
View answerIn response to the Deputy’s question I am pleased to inform him that the diary of my Secretary General will be published on our Department’s Website on a monthly basis. In relation to measures to make senior civil servants more accountable I am committed to bringing forward the necessary legislative changes or other reforms to meet the objective of ensuring greater clarity and certainty regarding the legal relationship between Ministers and their civil servants and the appropriate accountabilities that apply in each case. I have asked the Government Reform Unit in my Department to carry out a review of the current accountability framework for ministers and civil servants set out in the Ministers and Secretaries Acts and the Public Service Management Act, 1997.
Work is now at a very advanced stage in my Department in finalising a consultation paper based on the outcome of that review. The paper examines the current legislative framework underpinning civil service accountability in these statutes, as well as the current administrative and organisational accountability arrangements in place. It also explores the international practice and developments in this area. The development of the consultation paper was also informed by discussions held in 2012 with a number of international and national experts as well as by discussions with senior officials at a small number of round table meetings. I expect to bring this paper to Government shortly to seek approval for the publication of the consultation paper. It is intended that the paper should act as a basis for a process of wider consultation on the proposed reform options. I look forward to hearing the views of the Deputy and other members of this House in the course of this consultation.
262. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 9 of 18 April 2013, if he will indicate in the budget 2013 documentation where there is an estimate for the receipt from the sale of the national lottery licence, and where the proposed use of the proceeds, a portion of which will be used for the construction of the new national children’s hospital, is shown in the budget 2013 documents. [20030/13]
View answerThe overall Budgetary position includes a provisional estimate of the amount that we expect to receive from the licencing arrangements for the National Lottery. For obvious commercial reasons it would be inappropriate to give details in advance of the tendering process.
263. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason the capital budget for 2013, as set out in the Revised Estimates Volumes published on 17 April 2013, has been set at €3,096,467,000 which represents a reduction of €339m from the plan of €3.435bn set out in December 2012 when Budget 2013 was unveiled. [20031/13]
View answer264. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will estimate the number of jobs that will not now be created in 2013 or which will not be saved in 2013 as a result of the decision published by him in the Revised Estimates Volumes on 17 April 2013 which showed capital spending in 2013 of €3,096,467,000 which represents a reduction of €339 million from the plan of €3.435 billion set out in December 2012 when budget 2013 was unveiled. [20032/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 263 and 264 together.
The gross capital budget for 2013, as set out in the Revised Estimates Volume published on 17 April 2013, is €3.431bn. This figure represents a small reduction (€4m) to the allocation as set out in Budget 2013 which is mainly due to some minor technical adjustments. The figure of €3.096bn which the Deputy refers to represents the net capital allocation for 2013 i.e. the gross figure less capital appropriations in aid. As the capital allocation published in the Revised Estimates differs only slightly from that published in Budget 2013, it is not expected that there will be any resulting significant change to the number of jobs to be created or sustained by the level of Exchequer investment in public infrastructure in 2013.
265. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the pension related deductions are due to be abolished by next year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20324/13]
View answerThe Government is committed to reducing overall public service numbers over the period to 2015, as part of the overall drive to consolidate the public finances, and having regard to the need to protect front-line public services insofar as possible.
Departments are expected to examine all aspects of public sector expenditure under the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure with a view to ensuring that, where State programmes do continue, all resources are used in the optimum manner to deliver public services to citizens. There are no intended geographical targets associated with the numbers reduction being sought. Departments retain their full flexibility to deploy their staff resources as they consider appropriate, to deliver a high standard of public service to citizens throughout the country. Sectors within the public service are expected to deliver reductions in the context of new Employment Control Framework targets.
266. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way in which recipients of public sector pensions starting at €32,500 would have been affected under the defeated Croke Park II pay deal proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20326/13]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, following public servants non-acceptance of the measures proposed by the Labour Relations Commission, the Government has requested the CEO of the LRC to make contact with the parties to establish whether or not there is a basis for a negotiated agreement to meet budgetary targets. The Government will reflect on the outcome of this process before coming to conclusions on how to secure the required level of savings from public service pay and pensions.
267. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when a design team will be appointed in respect of a project (details supplied); the likely timescale for the necessary remedial works to be undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20401/13]
View answerThe Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland are in the process of appointing a team of specialists to develop a solution to the problems being presented by the type of roof on this school.
268. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the Companies Bill 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20168/13]
View answerIn 2007 the Company Law Review Group examined proposals put forward by the Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority to afford legal protection under the Companies Acts to the use of the term “Accountant”. A majority of the members of the Company Law Review Group supported the proposals. However, concerns were raised by the Competition Authority and the ODCE that granting legal recognition to the term accountant would result in unnecessary regulation and would hamper the flexibility of the accountancy profession.
Bearing in mind the close ties and similarity between the accountancy profession in Ireland and the UK, I understand that the term “accountant” is also not protected under UK law.
As previously stated, there are two sides to this issue and I believe that it requires further consideration including as to whether the Directive on Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications (2005/36/EC) will have any impact on the granting of legal recognition to the term “accountant”.
269. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will identify some of the measures being taken to promote cost reductions for small and medium enterprises particularly in labour costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19762/13]
View answerIn that regard, the Government has sought to ensure that the burden of taxation is not excessive and does not discourage job creation. The last Budget specifically contained a ten point tax reform plan to support small businesses. The measures contained in the Budget are intended to assist small businesses in a number of ways, including:
Helping their cash flow position;
Helping them access funding more easily;
Reducing the costs associated with the administrative burden of tax compliance;
Boosting demand for their products in new markets abroad;
Incentivising firms to create jobs.
As regards labour costs for small and medium enterprises, the economy has in recent years achieved very significant improvements. The European Commission, in its most recent forecast, projected that Irish unit labour costs will improve by 23 per cent relative to the euro area average over the period 2009 to 2014. In this regard, I have been engaged in a continuous process of reform to improve Ireland's competitiveness by enhancing wage flexibility while also ensuring protection for vulnerable workers. Last year, I reduced the overall number of Joint Labour Committees (JLCs). I asked the Labour Court to undertake a review of remaining JLC's in line with the provisions of the Industrial Relations Act which I introduced last year. Last week, the Labour Court submitted to me its Review on the Reform of the remaining JLC's. I view this report very much within the context of the continuous process of reform in the area that is designed to improve Ireland's competitiveness by enhancing wage flexibility while also ensuring protection for vulnerable workers. Specifically, the Report suggests a template on how many Committees will continue in existence, and the format within which they will operate over the next five years.
The Government is determined to maintain a focus on competitiveness and, to that end, Forfás, in conjunction with my Department, the Department of Finance and the Department of Social Protection has been tasked under the Action Plan for Jobs 2013 to assess the potential for further actions to support improvements in labour market competitiveness.
Finally, my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection, recently announced details of a new initiative, the JobsPlus scheme, which will incentivise businesses to hire additional employees from the Live Register. This innovative job creation scheme is focused on the long-term unemployed, providing a cash-flow benefit to businesses which hire jobseekers who have been on the Live Register for 12 months or more.
