Written Answers Nos. 209-224
209. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person who applied for a special rate Student Universal Support Ireland grant, who meets all income limits and benefit entitlements was refused because their stepfather is not their legal guardian or biological father. [53114/13]
View answerThe decision on eligibility for a student grant and the rate of grant to be awarded is a matter in the first instance for the awarding authority. The Deputy will appreciate that in the absence of all of the relevant details that would be contained in an individual's application in relation to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means, it would not be possible for me to say whether or not a student would qualify for the special rate of maintenance grant. To qualify for the special rate of grant an applicant must meet the following conditions: reckonable income must not exceed €22,703; on 31 December of the relevant period the reckonable income must include an eligible long-term social welfare payment prescribed under the scheme.
In the case of a student whose parents are divorced, legally separated or it is established to the satisfaction of the awarding authority that they are separated, the reckonable income shall be that of the applicant and the parent with whom the applicant resides. The income of a step-parent who is not a legal guardian is not included in determining reckonable income. Where the reckonable income does not include a long-term social welfare payment, as listed in the Student Grant Scheme, the special rate of grant is not payable.
210. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the strands and aspects of education being examined in the context of the review of education in the Gaeltacht; if international practice regarding other languages existing alongside a dominant language, such as Welsh, is being examined; and when the review will be complete and published. [53127/13]
View answerMy Department's review of education in the Gaeltacht will primarily seek to identify options for the delivery of education in primary and post-primary schools of various linguistic profiles and to clarify policy with regard to teaching through Irish in such schools. In collaboration with the Department of Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht, it will also look at the impact of pre-school provision on primary education in Gaeltacht areas. Furthermore, the review will identify support measures for teachers' practice that would be required to improve teaching through Irish in Gaeltacht schools.
A key part of the review work will be an examination of relevant literature, national policies and practice elsewhere in sociolinguistic contexts that are similar to Gaeltacht areas. These will include Welsh in Wales, Basque and Catalan in Spain, Frisian in the Netherlands, Scottish Gaelic and Maori in New Zealand. Other strands of the review include an analysis of supply and demand for pre-school, primary and post-primary schooling in Gaeltacht areas, surveys of stakeholders, and case studies on Irish medium practice in Gaeltacht schools. Further detail is available in the terms of reference for the Review that are available on my Department's website. It is expected that the review will be completed and a report published by the end of 2014.
211. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills in the context of the findings of the school inspector's report relating to the teaching of the Irish language, if consideration will be given to introducing a requirement for Irish language teachers, at all levels of education, to undergo refresher and skills intensive language courses in the Gaeltacht per annum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53128/13]
View answerThe Chief Inspector's report highlights a number of areas in relation to the teaching of Irish where improvement is required and indicates that teachers' competence and confidence in using Irish has an effect on pupils' learning opportunities. While there are no specific requirements for teachers of Irish to undergo refresher courses, all teachers have a professional responsibility to ensure that they keep their knowledge and skills up to date by evaluating their practice on an ongoing basis and engaging in appropriate continuing professional development (CPD). This is part of the standard set out by the Teaching Council in the Code of Professional Conduct for Teachers, and it is something that society and students can reasonably expect from their teachers.
My Department supports teachers in this endeavour by providing a wide range of CPD opportunities. In relation to Irish in particular there has been significant investment in CPD in recent years, such as:- CPD in relation to the national literacy and numeracy strategy for primary teachers and post-primary teachers, including specific provision for teachers in Irish medium schools and a commitment to offering 20 hours of CPD over the course of 5 years to certain teachers.
- CPD for post primary teachers of Irish from 2007-2012 provided by the Seirbhís Tacaíochta Dara Leibhéal don Ghaeilge. This team has now been integrated with the Professional Development Service for Teachers and continues to provide CPD for teachers of Irish as part of the literacy strategy
- CPD provided by the Tús Maith team at primary level from 2006
- CPD for post-primary teachers of Irish in the context of the new junior cycle Irish specification will begin in the school year 2014/15. At initial teacher education stage, measures to enhance the development of Irish teaching skills are key parts of the reconfiguration of primary and relevant post-primary programmes. The 20 year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010 -2030 also contains a number of other actions relating to improving the quality of Irish Teaching. This Government is committed to supporting the overall thrust of the strategy and will deliver on the achievable goals and targets proposed. An update on progress on the education actions underway is available on my Department's website.
These actions are occurring in tandem with the implementation of the National Strategy, developments in initial teacher education and reform of the Junior Cycle. I am convinced that, in time, the measures outlined above will have a positive impact on the quality of Irish teaching in our schools.
212. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills the details of the new book rental scheme as announced in budget 2014; if he will confirm that the new scheme will apply to all schools; if he will confirm that schools currently offering a limited book rental scheme will be eligible for the new scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53131/13]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware from Budget 2014 that additional funding has been provided which will involve an investment of €15m to support the establishment of book rental schemes in primary schools that do not currently operate them. The Department will provide €5m in seed capital per annum over a three year period to such schools. I want to achieve a position where every primary school has a book rental scheme in operation in the 2014/2015 school year. The Department will be contacting primary schools that do not currently operate a book rental scheme early in the New Year to advise them of the application process. To qualify for seed capital funding, schools will have to undertake to establish a book rental scheme from September 2014 and in return the Department will commit to the provision of such funding in 2014, 2015 and 2016. This scheme will be confined to primary schools that do not currently operate such a scheme. To extend it to all schools, as implied in the Deputy's question, would mean that the funding available to each school would be diluted to such an extent as to have little impact. I wholeheartedly commend schools that have established book rental schemes to date. However, I regret that they will not be eligible to apply for funding under this scheme. I can confirm to the Deputy that the Department will continue to provide a book grant to all primary schools. This grant, which provided €7m to primary schools in 2013, can be utilised for the purposes of a school's book rental scheme.
213. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of funding that his Department gives to Irish charities; the name of each organisation that receives funding; the amount of funding each organisation receives; the number that are open and transparent regarding salaries; and the steps he is taking to deal with non-disclosures. [53549/13]
View answerDetails regarding payments from my Department in 2012 and up to 30 November 2013, to bodies that have been granted charitable tax exemption under Section 207 of the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997, are set out in the following table. Excluded from this list are payments made to schools, teacher education bodies or bodies representing groups of educational institutions. Cases where the amount of payment made in both years is less than €5,000 are also excluded. In a number of cases bodies receiving funding from this Department would also be in receipt of funding from other Government Departments and bodies. Full details regarding reporting and accounting arrangements in respect of each of the charitable bodies listed are currently not available centrally. In general, however, such bodies in receipt of funding from my Department under various educational-related programmes are required in the first instance to satisfy the Department that they meet the qualifying conditions governing the operation of these programmes. They are also required to account clearly for the receipt and expenditure of Departmental funding in their annual reporting processes. Bodies in receipt of Departmental funding would also be subject to periodic review in respect of this funding. My Department does not collate centrally details of payments to charities made by bodies who themselves are in receipt of funding from the Department. Assembling this information would require significant administrative resources. However, should the Deputy have a specific interest in a particular body in this regard, my officials will request the relevant organisation to supply details insofar as is possible.
|
List of bodies paid by Department of Education & Skills who have been granted charitable tax exemption under Section 207, Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997. |
Amount Paid in 2012 € |
Amount paid to 30 Nov 2013 € |
|
ABILITY WEST |
177,015 |
148,834 |
|
AGE ACTION IRELAND |
70,000 |
70,000 |
|
AONTAS |
915,000 |
941,750 |
|
ARCHDIOCESE OF DUBLIN |
33,033 |
0 |
|
BARNARDOS |
421,282 |
280,355 |
|
BELONG TO |
0 |
108,385 |
|
BITE - BALLYMUN INITIATIVE |
50,000 |
50,000 |
|
BLANCHARDSTOWN AREA PARTNERSHIP |
60,000 |
0 |
|
BROTHERS OF CHARITY SERVICES CLARE |
41,973 |
62,176 |
|
BROTHERS OF CHARITY SERVICES GALWAY |
81,095 |
57,409 |
|
BROTHERS OF CHARITY SOUTHERN SERVICES |
0 |
82,753 |
|
BUSINESS IN THE COMMUNITY IRELAND |
29,826 |
0 |
|
CARLINE CENTRE OF LEARNING |
131,367 |
138,236 |
|
CARLOW COMMUNITY ENTERPRISE CENTRE LTD |
8,971 |
5,711 |
|
CHILDRENS LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT LTD |
51,509 |
0 |
|
CO WEXFORD COMM WORKSHOP |
63,278 |
58,166 |
|
COMHARCHUMANN FORBARTHA CHORCA DHUIBHNE TEO |
324,081 |
637 |
|
CO-OPERATION IRELAND |
73,768 |
0 |
|
COPE FOUNDATION |
413,833 |
383,229 |
|
CROSS BORDER ORCHESTRA OF IRELAND |
120,000 |
0 |
|
DRUMLIN HOUSE VTC * |
179,283 |
92,783 |
|
DYSLEXIA ASSOCIATION OF IRELAND |
200,500 |
200,500 |
|
EDUCATION RESEARCH CENTRE |
575,912 |
498,417 |
|
ENABLE IRELAND |
21,690 |
0 |
|
FINGLAS M.A.B.S. LTD |
29,100 |
3,381 |
|
GLOR NA NGAEL |
7,250 |
16,500 |
|
HOLOCAUST EDUCATIONAL TRUST OF IRELAND |
92,478 |
92,778 |
|
IRISH COUNCIL FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS |
20,436 |
0 |
|
IRISH COUNTRYWOMEN'S ASSOCIATION |
0 |
22,000 |
|
IRISH DEAF SOCIETY |
187,000 |
187,850 |
|
IRISH GUIDE DOGS FOR THE BLIND |
68,886 |
68,886 |
|
IRISH PROGRESSIVE ASS FOR AUTISM CO LTD |
0 |
41,159 |
|
IRISH SCIENCE OLYMPIAD |
8,000 |
0 |
|
LEARGAS |
1,391,094 |
1,226,547 |
|
LIMERICK COMMUNITY BASED EDUCATION INITIATIVE |
49,000 |
49,000 |
|
MIDWAY LTD |
83,945 |
84,181 |
|
NALA NATIONAL ADULT LITERACY AGENCY |
1,773,250 |
1,710,000 |
|
NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR THE BLIND |
81,994 |
50,429 |
|
NATIONAL YOUTH ORCHESTRA OF IRELAND |
100,000 |
98,000 |
|
NEWBRIDGE VTC-KARE |
217,844 |
93,070 |
|
NORTHSIDE PARTNERSHIP |
20,000 |
20,000 |
|
PEOPLES COLLEGE |
97,000 |
97,000 |
|
RASP LTD |
138,840 |
138,840 |
|
SAOL PROJECT LTD |
13,423 |
15,278 |
|
ST HILDAS VTC |
33,269 |
17,679 |
|
ST MICHAEL'S HOUSE |
393,178 |
189,958 |
|
ST RAPHAEL'S VTC |
0 |
64,393 |
|
ST. GABRIEL'S CENTRE |
173,123 |
184,296 |
|
ST.CHRISTOPHERS SERVICES LTD |
45,205 |
36,742 |
|
STEWARTS CARE LIMITED |
246,362 |
155,117 |
|
SUNBEAM HOUSE VTC |
100,187 |
56,220 |
|
THE CATHOLIC INSTITUTE FOR THE DEAF PEOPLE |
11,250 |
0 |
|
THE PUSHKIN TRUST |
0 |
27,000 |
|
YOUNG SOCIAL INNOVATORS |
35,000 |
35,000 |
|
Total |
9,460,529 |
7,960,642 |
*VTC - Vocational Training Centre
214. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the persons who are on the Athleague drainage committee; the way they were involved in allocating €270,000 to Roscommon County Council for drainage works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53042/13]
View answer215. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the Athleague flood elevation committee agreed to drop both the creation of a weir at Tobervaddy and the opening of the bridge at Athleague; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53051/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 214 and 215 together.
The appointment of members of Drainage Committees is the statutory responsibility of individual County Councils under the direction of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. I have no function in the matter.
The €270,000 funding which the Deputy refers to in his question in relation to the flood relief works in Athleague was provided by the Office of Public Works directly to Roscommon County Council under the former's Minor Flood Mitigation Works Scheme. Local Authorities may apply for funding under the Scheme and funding of up to 90% of the cost of works/studies is available for approved projects, with the balance being funded by the local authority concerned. The planning, procurement and progression of the works is a matter for the Council.
I am advised that, before undertaking works, Roscommon County Council engaged a firm of consulting engineers to undertake a more detailed study and assessment of the catchment of the River Suck in the vicinity of Athleague and to recommend flood alleviation measures. The Council did not proceed with the construction of a diversion weir and channel (bypass culvert) upstream of Castlestrange Bridge as the consultant's report concluded that this would not provide an appropriate level of flood protection in Athleague. The Council now intends to carry out site investigations prior to the construction of the final element of the flood alleviation works - a proposed embankment along the Silver Stream. The Council expects the site investigations to begin shortly and has confirmed to the OPW that the works being undertaken will mitigate flood risk in Athleague in line with the Minor Works Scheme application.
Athleague is an Area for Further Assessment (AFA) under the Shannon CFRAM (Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management) study, which is ongoing. The study will produce flood maps and a detailed flood risk management plan with recommendations on how best to address the flooding problems in the town. These documents will be available for public consultation at draft stage. Details are available on the website www.shannoncframstudy.ie.
216. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount his Department has contributed towards the extra €51 million allocated to the Department of Justice and Equality for the Garda Síochána; the amount his Department contributed to the extra €50 million allocated to the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport towards the roads budget; the amount his Department has been asked to contribute to the extra €300 million required in the Department of Health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53150/13]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware from the Exchequer returns information published monthly by the Department of Finance and my Department (available at http://www.finance.gov.ie/viewdoc.asp?DocID=7926) that, at the end of November 2013, total gross voted expenditure was €48.9 billion, which is 1.3% or €644 million lower than profile. This showed expenditure is being managed within profile, although there were some pressures in the Justice and Health Groups of Votes.
Some additional funding is being allocated by way of Supplementary Estimates to the Justice, Transport, Tourism and Sport, and Health Vote Groups:
- A supplementary estimate of €51 million has been required in the Justice Group, primarily to deal with pressures relating to Garda pay, and also to allow for certain other additional expenditure including the first of the payments to the women who were admitted to and worked in the Magdalene Laundries. This additional requirement is partially funded by savings from elsewhere in the Justice Vote group which amount to at least €23.5 million.
- As previously indicated, the HSE will require a supplementary estimate of €219 million in 2013. However, €20 million of this amount will be offset against savings made in the Department of Health. The position in relation to the Health estimate has been closely monitored and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform continues to work closely with the Department of Health and the HSE to ensure that the appropriate measures are being undertaken to contain Health expenditure.
- A supplementary estimate of €50 million was required for the Department of Transport in respect of local road maintenance projects in order to carry out much needed surface restoration and road reconstruction works. This funding will be provided from the stimulus package funding I announced earlier this year.
- A small number of supplementary estimates are also required to allow for some movement of financial allocations but which, between them, will have an exchequer neutral effect.
The additional expenditure related to these Supplementary Estimates is being funded from the savings that will be arising by year end across the remaining Vote Groups. Details of the actual end year position for all Votes will be clear at that point.
217. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of funding that his Department gives to Irish charities; the name of each organisation that receives funding; the amount of funding each organisation receives; the number that are open and transparent regarding salaries; and the steps he is taking to deal with non-disclosures. [52489/13]
View answerIn response to the Deputy’s question I can confirm that my Department does not provide any funding to Irish charities.
218. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if new sick leave entitlements under the Haddington Road agreement, which amount to three months full pay and three months half-pay in a four-year period, will be applied retrospectively to affected public servants; or if the measure will only affect those applying for sick leave after the implementation of the changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52496/13]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, in July 2012 sick leave arrangements for all public service employees were the subject of a Labour Court recommendation relating to the introduction of a reformed sick leave scheme. The rationale for the new scheme was the need to reduce the unsustainable cost of sick leave for the public service overall which is to be achieved through a substantial reduction in the period of time for which paid sick leave will be available from one year at present (comprising six months at full pay and six months at half pay – subject to certain conditions) to six months (i.e. three months full pay and three months half pay).
The issue of transitional arrangements and specifically how employees who are on sick leave at the time of commencement of the new scheme as well as the approach taken to employees’ prior sick leave record was addressed by the Labour Court in its recommendations. It was recommended by the Labour Court that anyone who is on sick leave at the time of the introduction of the new scheme will continue to avail of the current sick leave scheme and will be provided with access to six months full pay and six months half pay (over a four year rolling period) for the duration of that particular illness.
In relation to the issue of retrospection it was agreed by the Labour Court that an employee’s sick leave records over the last four years will, as is currently the case, be used to determine whether an individual has access to sick pay or not. In the case of a non-critical illness there will, however, be a reduction in the number of days sick leave absences in the preceding four year period above which there will be no entitlement to paid sick leave – other than Temporary Rehabilitation Pay - from 365 days to 183 days. The new sick leave arrangements were agreed under the Croke Park Agreement and did not form part of the Haddington Road Agreement. The parameters of the new sick leave scheme are contained in the Labour Court Recommendation and the scheme will be implemented in accordance with this recommendation.
219. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide in tabular form for each of the years 2007 to 2013, inclusive, the gross annual salary of a Member of Dáil Éireann; the gross annual salary of a Member of Seanad Éireann; the total amount paid to all Members of Dáil Éireann in expenses and allowances; the total amount paid to Members of Seanad Éireann in expenses and allowances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52780/13]
View answerSignificant reductions have been made to the pay and allowances of public servants, including TDs and Senators, through a series of measures since 2009. The gross annual salaries of TDs and Senators, from 2007 to 2013 are set out in the following table. The cumulative effect of these reductions is that a TD today is paid 13% less than they would have been in 2008, and a Senator is paid 7% less.
Long service increments were abolished with effect from the formation of the current Dáil in March 2011 for all Members. The percentage reductions in gross pay for members who had been in receipt of these increments amount to 18% for TDs and 13% for Senators. All of these reductions are exclusive of the Pension Related Deduction, which also applies to all members of the Oireachtas, and reduces their income by a further 8% in the case of TDs and 7% for Senators.
Gross salaries of TDs and Senators, 2007 - 2013
|
Post |
1.06.07 Towards 2016 Phase 2 |
1.03.08 Towards 2016 Phase 3 |
1.09.08 Towards 2016 Final Phase |
1.01.10 Pay Adjustment (FEMPI No. 2 Act 2009) |
1.01.11 Pay Adjustment (FEMPI Act 2010) |
10.03.11 31st Dáil |
1.07.2013 FEMPI Changes |
|
TD - basic |
€95,363 |
€97,747 |
€100,191 |
€92,672 |
€92,672 |
€92,672 |
€87,258 |
|
- 1st LSI |
€98,407 |
€100,867 |
€103,389 |
€95,550 |
€95,550 |
- |
- |
|
- 2nd LSI |
€101,446 |
€103,982 |
€106,582 |
€98,424 |
€98,424 |
- |
- |
|
Senator - basic |
€66,754 |
€68,423 |
€70,134 |
€65,621 |
€65,621 |
€65,621 |
€65,000 |
|
- 1st LSI |
€68,884 |
€70,606 |
€72,371 |
€67,634 |
€67,634 |
- |
- |
|
- 2nd LSI |
€71,013 |
€72,788 |
€74,608 |
€69,647 |
€69,647 |
- |
- |
The system of allowances in the nature of pay paid to members of the Oireachtas was substantially overhauled by this Government in 2011 upon taking office. The estimated current cost of these allowances is now less than €300,000, a reduction of nearly 80% from 2008 levels. The new Oireachtas expense allowance system has been substantially overhauled since 2010, most recently on 1 January 2012, when I reduced the travel and accommodation allowance by an average of 10% with a higher cut of 25% for Dublin Members. The expenses paid under the Public Representational Allowance are also now vouched.
The total amount of allowances and expenses paid to TDs and Senators by the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission for each of the years 2007-2013 inclusive will be provided directly to the Deputy by the Commission. In relation to other funding, the Party Leader’s Allowance is paid to leaders of qualifying parties and to members elected as independent TDs or Senators. I have recently brought forward legislation to reduce the amount of this allowance by 10%, and to provide for improved transparency measures.
220. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the gross cost to the Exchequer of all increments due to be paid to civil and public servants in 2014. [52825/13]
View answerBased on the information available to my Department on the total cost of increments in a full year in the various sectors, the full year cost of increments in the public service (excluding the Local Authority sector), prior to the implementation of the Haddington Road Agreement, was estimated at some €150 million per annum. Significantly reduced recruitment, the ongoing substantial fall in numbers of public servants and higher numbers reaching the maxima of scales has reduced the cost of increments. This cost will continue to fall over the coming years.
Additionally, it should be noted that, as agreed under the Haddington Road agreement, there will be a number of increment freezes implemented from 2014 and over the lifetime of the Agreement, which will deliver a reduction of €60 million in the cost of increments. These increment freezes will be for varying lengths of time, on a progressive basis, ranging from a single three month pause for those earning under €35,000 to a three year pause for those earning over €100,000.
221. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his estimate of the overall change to the public sector pay bill in 2014 over 2013. [52826/13]
View answerThe latest available figures requested by the Deputy are set out in table 4 of the expenditure report 2014 published on budget day. That table shows that the voted Exchequer provision for public service pay in 2013 is €15,068,747 and the provision for 2014 is €14,518,966. This equates to an estimated saving of 3.6% or some €550 million year-on-year.
222. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason capital spending was significantly below profile in the November Exchequer figures; and to account for capital spending by Department relative to the profile for each. [52829/13]
View answer224. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he is concerned at the large capital underspend across all Government Departments of €389 million at the end of November as outlined in the end of November gross Voted expenditure statement, equivalent to 13.9% of the capital budget for the year to date; if capital spending is being deliberately held back to ensure budget discipline in line Departments; if this money will be spent by the end of the fiscal year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52960/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 222 and 224 together.
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. As the Deputy will be aware, capital spending has general characteristics which influence the allocation draw-down pattern. Expenditure on capital projects typically occurs in large tranches at fixed milestones, unlike current expenditure which is generally continuous throughout the year. Obviously, this affects the phasing and profiling of capital expenditure. The profiling of capital expenditure is carried out by individual Departments on the basis of the likely timing of payments related to capital projects and programmes which they deliver.
While gross capital expenditure was 13.9% behind profile at the end of November, information supplied by Departments indicates that the majority 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 towards the end of the year. Where it is not possible to spend their capital allocation in full by year end, Departments may apply to carry over unspent capital (up to a maximum of 10% of their Voted capital allocation) into the next year. Any underspends in the capital budget which are not carried over into 2014 will be returned, as a saving, to the Exchequer.
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. My Department actively monitors all expenditure during the year to ensure that our deficit targets are met.
223. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform of the €5 million in capital funding recorded as not spent under the expenditure profile at end November in the most recent analysis of gross Voted expenditure Exchequer figures, the reason for the underspend; if he will provide a breakdown of the capital projects or outlays that have not commenced as yet, as per the profile; if any of the €107.2 million in total capital carryover in Government moneys for 2012 relates to his Department; the amount of same; if it has been spent; on what it has been spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52959/13]
View answerI should point out that the figure of €5 million published in the figures refers to my Vote group which includes Votes 11 to 19. Of these Votes, only three have a capital allocation – Vote 11 Public Expenditure and Reform, Vote 13 Office of Public Works and Vote 18 Shared Services. While the group is showing an underspend against profile at the end of November, it is expected that the complete allocation will be spent by the end of the year. In addition, capital expenditure has been allocated by way of a technical supplementary estimate for Vote 18 amounting to some €3.72 million. I can confirm that none of the €107.2 million capital carryover in 2012 relates to my Vote group.
