Written Answers Nos. 261-276
261. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the usage that has been allocated for the former Garda stations in County Wicklow (details supplied); the use to which the property will be put and by whom; the length of any potential lease; the lengths his Department have gone to for making use of the properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36162/13]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) is currently assessing the property options arising in respect of all closed Garda Stations including the former Garda Stations in Donard and Hollywood. The stated policy is to identify if other State Bodies, including government departments and the wider public sector has 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. The OPW have received expressions of interest from voluntary organisations in relation to the use of these properties.
262. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on the provisional agreement on a public procurement package achieved during the Irish EU Presidency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36169/13]
View answerThe Irish Presidency completed detailed, lengthy and complex negotiations with the European Parliament, and achieved a provisional agreement on the Public Procurement Reform Package relating to: General public procurement directive (Classical Directive); Procurement in the utilities sector (Utilities Directive); and Services concessions (Concessions Directive). This is the first time that a Directive on concessions has been developed as until now regulation at European level has been only partially developed. The Directives aim at simplifying the rules around procurement procedures, reducing the administrative burden on public authorities and potential contractors; thereby attracting a greater number of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as well as reducing the costs of procuring and contributing to a better use of resources. I welcome this agreement as it will strengthen the generation of jobs and growth, given that public authorities across the European Union spend approximately €2 trillion per annum (some 19% of EU GDP) on the procurement of goods, services and works. The easier access to such contracts for SMEs is a fundamental criterion- there are over 20 million SMEs in Europe, accounting for more than 98% of all enterprises–their exclusion from such contracts made little economic sense. The simplified administrative framework will mean the inclusion of smaller businesses for contracts that have always been clearly within their capacity to perform.
The agreement also includes incentives for authorities to divide their requirements in lots –something which will also further attract SMEs. The gains to be had by such revisions are not confined to industry alone-by increasing and broadening access to such contracts we are helping to create competition, to drive efficiencies and ensure the public monies are being used in a cost-effective manner to provide for public need but at the same time support job creation and innovation. The negotiations were detailed, lengthy and complex, requiring significant compromise on the part of all three institutions. These compromises will now be examined in depth, ahead of final approval at the Committee of Permanent Representatives and the European Parliament.
263. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on a matter (details supplied) regarding the sick leave policy for civil servants. [36256/13]
View answerI understand from the details supplied that the Deputy is enquiring about whether a policy will be introduced requiring civil servants to include any element of paid sick leave in claims for damages arising as a result of the actions of a third party. I understand that this is provided for in sick leave policies in other sectors of the public service. Work is underway in my Department with the aim on consolidating all sick leave policy into one circular for the civil service. The inclusion of such a policy is being considered in this context.
264. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when a system of social impact bonds will be put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36305/13]
View answerThe Steering Committee on Social Impact Investing is progressing projects in the context of a developing a pilot phase. I understand that the assessment of projects by the Steering Committee will be finalised in the near future, following which I will be in a position to seek Government approval on the future strategic direction of Social Impact Investing in Ireland.
265. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the present gender balance of the total members of State boards under the aegis his Department; if the ratio has changed significantly over the course of the present Government’s term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36314/13]
View answerAs 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 geographically 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. Since the formation of this Government 16 members have been nominated to State Boards, 25% of which being 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. The following tables give a breakdown of the gender balance of State boards under my remit in 2011 and 2013:
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Gender balance of State boards 2013
|
Name |
Male |
Female |
Vacancy |
Total |
|
Civil Service Arbitration Board |
6 |
- |
- |
6 |
|
An Post National Lottery Board |
5 |
1 |
1 |
7 |
|
Public Appointments Service |
5 |
4 |
- |
9 |
|
Outside Appointments Board |
3 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
|
Total |
19 |
6 |
2 |
27 |
|
Percentage |
70% |
22% |
8% |
- |
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Gender balance of State boards 2011
|
Name |
Male |
Female |
Vacancy |
Total |
|
Civil Service Arbitration Board |
6 |
- |
- |
6 |
|
An Post National Lottery Board |
5 |
2 |
- |
7 |
|
Public Appointments Service |
6 |
3 |
- |
9 |
|
Outside Appointments Board |
4 |
1 |
- |
5 |
|
Total |
21 |
6 |
- |
27 |
|
Percentage |
78% |
22% |
- |
- |
266. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in respect of each State agency and commercial State company under the aegis of his Department, if he will provide details of the name of each pension scheme; details of the salary percentage contributions made by the employer and the employees; the latest information on the funding position of the scheme; if any changes are planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36377/13]
View answerIn response to the Deputy’s question there are two State agencies under the aegis of my Department as follows:
Economic and Social Research Institute
1. The Economic and Social Research Institute Pension Plan
Employer Contribution 25%
Employee Contribution 8.5%
2. The Economic and Social Research Institute Superannuation Plan
Employer Contribution 15%
Employee Contribution – Non-integrated staff - 6.5%
Employee Contribution – Integrated staff - 1.5% of pensionable remuneration and 5% of net pensionable remuneration
3. Single Public Service Pension Scheme
From the 1st January all new entrants are members of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme.
Employer Contribution – Nil
Employee Contribution – 3% of pensionable remuneration and 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration
The assets of the ESRI pension schemes were transferred to the National Pension Reserve Fund on 30 June 2010. The present value of the benefit obligations of the schemes at the 31st December 2012 was €36,093,000.
Institute of Public Administration
The pension scheme for the Institute of Public Administration is a public sector scheme and, as such, has no funding issues nor are there any pension contributions to a pension fund.
267. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of miles claimed for and the amount of travel expenses paid to him and each Minister of State in his Department in respect of their functions as a Minister in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36392/13]
View answerIn response to the Deputy's question the following tables outline the miles claimed for and amount of travel expenses paid to Deputy Brian Hayes and me from 2011:
|
Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
- |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
Total |
|
Mileage Claimed |
17,145km |
38,148km |
11,457km |
66,750km |
|
Travel Expenses |
€4,879.47 |
€12,836.98 |
€5,230.73 |
€22,937.18 |
|
Minister of State at the Office of Public Works |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
- |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
Total |
|
Mileage Claimed |
22,845km |
47,618km |
27,622km |
98,085km |
|
Travel Expenses |
€8,884.97 |
€20,045.94 |
€12,760.62 |
€41,691.53 |
268. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of amendments to legislation he proposed during Committee and Report Stages in Seanad Éireann in 2012; if he will provide in tabular form the number of his amendments accepted; and if he will indicate in tabular form the number of amendments accepted from Members of the Seanad, broken down by Senator. [36441/13]
View answerIn response to the Deputy’s question the following table gives a breakdown of the number of amendments to legislation I proposed during Committee and Report stages in Seanad Éireann in 2012:
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Seanad Éireann Amendments 2012
|
Act |
No. of Amendments proposed by Minister |
No. of Amendments proposed by Minister accepted |
No. of Amendments accepted from Members of Seanad Éireann |
|
Ombudsman (Amendment) Act 2012 |
27 |
27 |
Nil |
269. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide the saving to the Exchequer if the following revised Public Service Pension Reduction rates (details supplied) were applied to pensions awarded up to the end of February 2012 above €32,500, noting the €32,500 threshold for exposure to these revised rates is based on the pension after application of PSPR as it applied just prior to the selective 2013 increase in PSPR rates which equates to an effective threshold of €34,132 in terms of pre-PSPR pension. [36459/13]
View answer270. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the saving to the Exchequer if the following revised Public Service Pension Reduction rates (details supplied) were applied to a pension awarded between 1 March 2012 and the end of August 2014 above €32,500. [36460/13]
View answer271. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the saving to the Exchequer if the following revised Public Service Pension Reduction rates (details supplied) were applied to a pension awarded between 1 March 2012 and to the end of August 2014 above €32,500. [36461/13]
View answer272. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the saving to the Exchequer if the following revised Pension Related Deduction rates (details supplied) were applied. [36462/13]
View answerI propose to answer Questions Nos. 269 to 272, inclusive, together.
At this juncture in the annual Budget cycle, my Department is not in a position to produce detailed costings of scenario-based proposals for adjustments to existing impositions on public service salaries and pensions, such as the Pension Related Deduction (PRD) and the Public Service Pension Reduction (PSPR). The Deputy's scenario in respect of the PRD would be particularly challenging in terms of costing on account of its complexity. This complexity arises from recourse to an eight-band tiered deduction structure instead of the current four-band structure, significant departures from existing band boundaries, and both increases and decreases in the percentage rates. Furthermore, it is possible that the Exchequer would experience net losses, not net savings, under the proposal, given that substantial rate reductions are proposed on the first €60,000 of salary.
As already indicated, my Department is not in a position to supply a detailed costing in relation to the PSPR adjustments which the Deputy has proposed. However, by drawing on previously undertaken costings work, it is possible to ascribe an approximate order-of-magnitude savings figure of a further €5 million to the PSPR proposals made by the Deputy. This approximate and tentative €5 million PSPR savings estimate arises very substantially from the Deputy's proposal in Question No. 269 in respect of pensions awarded up to the end of February 2012. The estimate is not subject to significant variation in respect of the separate PSPR scenarios advanced in the Deputy’s Questions No. 270 and 271 in respect of pensions awarded between 1 March 2012 and the end of August 2014.
273. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the current number of public sector employees per 000 population; if he will provide the projected number of sector employees per 000 population by the end of 2015; the saving to Exchequer if senior public sector pay, excluding the hospital consultants, was capped at five times the first scale point of a new entrant full-time clerical officer rate. [36463/13]
View answer274. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the saving to Exchequer if senior public sector pay, excluding the hospital consultants, were capped at 5.5 times the first scale point of a new entrant full-time clerical officer rate. [36464/13]
View answer275. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the saving to the Exchequer if senior public sector pay, excluding hospital consultants, were capped at 6.5 times the first scale point of a new entrant full-time clerical officer rate. [36465/13]
View answer276. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the saving to the Exchequer if senior public sector pay, excluding hospital consultants, were capped at seven times the first scale point of a new entrant full-time clerical officer rate. [36466/13]
View answer280. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the savings to the Exchequer if senior public sector pay, excluding hospital consultants, was capped at five times the first scale point of a new entrant full-time clerical officer rate. [36781/13]
View answer281. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the saving to Exchequer if senior public sector pay, excluding hospital consultants, were capped at six times the first scale point of a new entrant full-time clerical officer rate. [36782/13]
View answerI propose to answer Questions Nos. 273 to 276, inclusive, and 280 and 281 together.
I refer to my replies to Questions Nos. 402, 403 and 407 of 16 July 2013. Comparative data is not available in my Department in the form sought by the Deputy. Current data on public service numbers can be accessed at http://databank.per.gov.ie/ while available population data can be accessed at www.cso.ie. The current Government target for public service numbers by end 2014 is 282,500.
