Written Answers Nos. 114-126
114. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to the river flooding problem at Tullig, Castleisland, County Kerry; if he will prioritise carrying out the necessary works to remedy the cause; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1842/14]
View answer115. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to the damage caused to the Maine banks at Ardcanaught, Lachtacallow and Caherfealane, Keel, Castlemaine, County Kerry; if he will prioritise carrying out the necessary works to ensure the banks are structurally sound; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1844/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 114 and 115 together.
The maintenance of the channel in question is not the responsibility of the Office of Public Works. It is open to the Local Authority to make an application for funding to the OPW under the Minor Works programme to undertake the works and any application received will be assessed under the Scheme's eligibility criteria, which includes a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, and have regard to the overall availability of funding. Application forms and related guidelines are available on the OPW website under Flood Risk Management.
The Office of Public Works is prioritising the repair of the embankments on the Maine and has already mobilised to carry out the works.
116. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will detail, in tabular form, the total photography costs for his Department since coming to office, inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1856/14]
View answerI can confirm that the engagement of all service-providers by my Department is done within the parameters of value for money with every effort made to minimise costs. In line with stated Government policy, all public bodies must use a competitive process for the purchase of any goods and services, whatever the value. The following table outlines the total amount spent on photography costs by my Department since coming to office:
Photography Costs incurred by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform since 2011
|
Event / Occasion |
Name of Photographer |
Breakdown of Costs |
Total Cost |
|
Irish Presidency EUPAN HRWG/IPSG meeting |
Fennell Photography |
Event Photographer per hour: €75 Medium Resolution Image: €10 VAT@ 13.50%: €19.55 |
€104.55 |
|
Irish Presidency EUPAN Directors General meeting |
Fennell Photography |
Event Photographer per hour: €75 Medium Resolution Image: €10 VAT@ 13.50%: €19.55 |
€104.55 |
|
Taoiseach's Public Service Excellence Awards |
Maxwell Photography |
Photographer hired to take photographs of the award recipients and provide copies for them |
€811.52 |
|
Total |
€1,020.62 |
Photography Costs incurred by the Office of the Ombudsman since 2011
|
Event / Occasion |
Name of Photographer |
Total Cost |
|
Ombudman Inauguration - Aras an Uactarain |
Lensmen |
€123.54 |
|
EU Ombudsman Conference |
Lensmen |
€2,685.09 |
|
EU Ombudsman Conference |
Lensmen |
€170.97 |
|
Ombudsman Portrait |
Lensmen |
€24.60 |
|
Portrait |
Lensmen |
€322.26 |
|
Portrait (annual report) |
Lensmen |
€147.60 |
|
JIF Conference on Health Complaints |
Lensmen |
€1,506.45 |
|
Annual Report Photos |
Lensmen |
€141.57 |
|
Total |
€5,122.08 |
117. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will detail, in tabular form, the use of external public relations firms employed by his Department since coming to office; the list of uses of the external public relations firm; his internal Department policy regarding employing external groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1871/14]
View answerI can confirm that no external public relation firm was availed of by my Department since its formation. However the engagement of all service-providers by my Department is done within the parameters of value for money with every effort made to minimise costs. In line with stated Government policy, all public bodies must use a competitive process for the purchase of any goods and services, whatever the value.
118. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide in tabular form a list of all professional fees, including but not limited to legal, consultancy, IT-related, advisory, capital, advertising and accountancy fees; the company name and the amount invoiced between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2013, and the same for all agencies under the aegis of his Department. [1917/14]
View answerIn response to the Deputy's question the following table outlines the total amount spent on professional fees since the formation of my Department up to 31 December 2013:
*The Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) is a North South Implementation Body established under the Good Friday Agreement. It is headquartered in Belfast and its administration costs are funded by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Department of Finance and Personnel Northern Ireland. SEUPB manages the EU North South cross-border programmes, PEACE and INTERREG. These EU Programmes have a total value of €589m in the current 2007-2013 EU programming round. The EU Programme costs are co-funded by the EU and by contributions from Government Departments, North and South.
The information in the tables below has been taken from SEUPB's register of contracts for the years 2011-2012. The data is divided in two tables. Table 1 Contracts funded via Administration Budget Irish Funding shows the cost of contracts related to core administration costs. Table 2 Contracts funded via Technical Assistance Gross Irish Contribution before EU Refund shows the gross cost of contracts related to the PEACE and INTERREG Programmes, which are funded under the respective Programme's Technical Assistance priority. The gross cost includes the EU-funded element, for which the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform will subsequently receive a refund from the European Commission. These refunds are at the rate of 54% refund for PEACE Programme expenditure and 75% for INTERREG Programme expenditure.
The data provided relates to contracts awarded in the years 2011, 2012 and 2013. The Special EU Programmes Body did not have sufficient time to collate the invoice data under the three cost centres (Administration, PEACE and INTERREG) but the SEUPB has indicated that the figures would not be significantly different, and that, if anything the invoiced total may be a lower figure, depending on the span of the contract.
119. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the revised incremental salary scales will be published to address the imbalance between those who entered the public service since 2011 and those who entered before that date, as referenced in the Haddington Road agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1929/14]
View answerIn line with Section 2.31 of the Haddington Road Agreement, proposals for revised incremental salary scales to address the imbalance between those who entered the Public Service since 2011 and those before that date have been discussed between trade unions representing public servants and officials of my Department. It is expected that the matter will be concluded shortly and revised instructions issued to public service sectors.
120. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will immediately take in charge the embankments at Incharee, Cromane Lower and Glosha, County Kerry, as these embankments were the responsibility of the old Land Commission and since it went out of existence no Department has taken responsibility for their repair or maintenance; if he will now accept that this is totally unfair on families and landowners in these areas; if he will provide assistance as they cannot protect their homes and properties from tidal flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1936/14]
View answerIt is a matter for Kerry County Council in the first instance to investigate and address coastal protection issues generally in the County and specifically any problems with the embankments in these particular locations. The Office of Public Works is not responsible for former Land Commission embankments and it is not the intention that it would take responsibility for them.
The OPW allocated funding of €180,000 to Kerry County Council under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme in 2012 for embankment strengthening works at Cromane and Incherea. This funding has now been drawn down by the Council.
OPW has written to City and County Managers in coastal counties indicating it will accept applications under its Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme for repairs to built flood defences and coastal protection structures which have been damaged by the recent storms. This is a once-off measure to reinstate built coastal defences to their pre storm condition. The specific application form for this is entitled Coastal Storm Flooding Damage Questionnaire 2014 and is available on OPW's website www.opw.ie under Flood Risk Management.
OPW funding is not available for repairs of other damaged infrastructure or facilities such as roads, promenades, boardwalks, piers, car parks, etc. Local authorities should apply separately to other relevant Government Departments and State Bodies in this regard.
121. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans for a further stimulus package for the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1953/14]
View answerSince July 2012 I have made a number of announcements in relation to additional capital investment to augment the existing Exchequer capital framework which is focused on projects with a high employment impact and which can benefit local economies throughout the State. This investment is predicated on the use of non-traditional funding methods e.g. private financing through the PPP structure and additional Exchequer investment through reinvestment of proceeds from the sale of State assets and the new licencing arrangement for the National Lottery.
To date, a total of €1½ billion in new PPP projects has been announced with a further investment of €250 million to be added to the pipeline once suitable projects have been identified. On the Exchequer side, an additional €150m investment in schools, energy efficiency and roads projects was committed followed by the more recent announcement in relation to the use of the proceeds from the Lottery Licence transaction.
As I announced on Budget day, a review of the public capital programme will be undertaken by my Department this year and will culminate in the setting of the Government s capital investment framework for the period ahead. It is my intention that the use of further proceeds arising from the sale of assets including Bord Gáis Energy where there was recent selection of a preferred bidder - will be considered as part of the review. The review will also examine the scope for the utilisation of other non-traditional funding sources to augment investment in employment intensive projects that can promote economic growth.
122. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will make emergency funding available for coastal protection works in the vicinity of the home of persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1960/14]
View answerThe investigation and addressing of coastal protection measures are matters for Kerry County Council in the first instance.
The Office of Public Works wrote on 10th January to City and County Managers in coastal areas indicating that it will accept applications under its Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme for funding to assist with repairs to built flood defences and coastal protection structures which have been damaged by the recent storms. This is a once-off measure to reinstate built coastal defences to their pre storm condition. The specific application form for this entitled Coastal Storm Damage Flooding Questionnaire 2014 is available on OPW's website www.opw.ie under Flood Risk Management.
123. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of quangos, State agencies or organisations under the remit of his Department that have been merged, reformed or abolished since 2011; the details of each of these measures in tabular form; the cost saving or service delivery improvement which has resulted; how many more he expects to be merged, reformed or abolished and the timeline for same; if he will provide a full list of all agencies and organisations under his remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1982/14]
View answerThe Public Service Reform Plan aims to secure €20 million in enhanced service efficiencies and value-for-money from the rationalisation programme; a target that will be achieved. The bulk of the savings are derived from a reduction in the number of public servants working in the merged entities and from other administrative efficiencies.
From the outset I have maintained that the lasting and most important benefit from the rationalisation of State Bodies will be a less crowded administrative landscape, resulting in greater democratic accountability, less duplication of effort and clearer lines of responsibility for the citizen. Moreover, the rationalisation programme needs to be understood as just one of a package of reform measures that will allow for the continued delivery of critical services against the backdrop of reducing public service numbers. There will of course be other cash savings realised over time as organisations, financial systems, office accommodation etc. are rationalised into leaner, more coherent structures. These savings, some of which will be once-off, will be factored into the overall budgetary framework as they arise.
Within my own area of control the Commission on Public Service Appointments was merged into the Office of the Ombudsman with effect from October 2012. Arrangements are also currently underway for the merger of the Valuation Office, the Property Registration Authority and Ordnance Survey Ireland; and the measure concerning the State Laboratory and the Forensic Science Laboratory is progressing. No new State Bodies or Agencies have been created in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform since the formation of the Government.
A full list of all State Agencies and organisations under my remit includes:
- Office of Public Works
- Office of the Ombudsman
- Public Appointments Service
- State Laboratory
- Valuation Office
- Valuation Tribunal
- An Post National Lottery Board
- Institute of Public Administration
- Special EU Programmes Body
124. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the estimated number and percentage of civil servants who are competent to carry out their duties through the medium of Irish and English in his Department; his views on whether this number is adequate; his plans to increase this number and percentage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1988/14]
View answerIn response to the Deputy, I am satisfied that my Department is in position to conduct its business through the medium of Irish and English as appropriate.
125. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the action he is taking to improve civil service accountability and responsibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2031/14]
View answerI published a public consultation paper, 'Strengthening Civil Service Accountability and Performance' on 9th January last. This follows on from the commitments in the Programme for Government to reform and reconfigure the relationship between Ministers and their departments and civil servants.
The publication of the consultation paper is intended to initiate a wide and extensive process of public consultation, the aim of which is to bring about more effective accountability arrangements in the civil service. A notice seeking the views of citizens on the reform options set out in the consultation paper or more generally on the issue of civil service accountability has been placed in national newspapers. All submissions are to be received before 31 March 2014. An Independent Panel on Accountability, chaired by Professor Kevin Rafter, DCU, will manage and oversee the public consultation process, review submissions received, and also through the panel's own review and examination of relevant issues develop recommendations for my consideration by end May. Following on from these recommendations and those of the Civil Service Renewal Task Force relating to this area, I expect to bring proposals to Government for action to strengthen civil service accountability and performance.
126. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the programmes and funding that have been put in place to deal with the aftermath of the recent stormy weather; the agencies that will carry out the necessary work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2065/14]
View answerThe Office of Public Works deals with flood defences and coastal protection measures. Other Government Departments and State Bodies are responsible for programmes and funding relating to other infrastructure such as roads, promenades, piers, harbours, car parks etc..
The Office of Public Works wrote on 10th January to City and County Managers in coastal areas indicating that it will accept applications under its Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme for funding to assist with repairs to built flood defences and coastal protection structures which have been damaged by the recent storms. This is a once-off measure to reinstate built coastal defences to their pre storm condition. The specific application form for this entitled Coastal Storm Damage Flooding Questionnaire 2014 is available on OPW's website www.opw.ie under Flood Risk Management. The work for which funding is sought will be carried out by the Local Authorities.
Some damage was done to OPW owned and maintained embankments and the repair of these will be carried out by the OPW.
