Tuesday, 21 Jan 2014

Written Answers Nos. 281 - 298

Schools Administration

Questions (281, 282)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

281. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills in the context of meeting the requirements as set out by the school authorities at Maynooth Post Primary School, County Kildare, the extent to which the preferred options as expressed by the various school authorities in the area have been borne in mind and accepted by his Department; if the unique nature and seamless structure of education in Maynooth, from primary to third level, is accepted; if due regard will be taken of the need to ensure that the future provisions and structure of second level education in the area reflects the strongly expressed preferred views of the persons as indicated in a local plebiscite; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2922/14]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

282. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if in the determination of the format of the post-primary educational requirements in Maynooth, County Kildare, in respect of school buildings at Maynooth post-primary school, the Kildare-Wicklow Education and Training Board has been made aware of the strongly preferred options by parent groups in the area that the proposed two new school buildings should be amalgamated under a single board of management with a principal and deputy principals, that such management would be responsible for enrolment policy and administration; if his Department or the Kildare –Wicklow Education and Training Board have the primary statutory responsibility in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2923/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 281 and 282 together.

I remain of the view that the optimum configuration for the two post-primary schools for Maynooth and, indeed, the best provision that can be made for the students in the area, is two fully vertical schools. The Deputy will be well aware of my reasons for this from our meetings on this matter and from my response to his recent parliamentary question.

I am aware of the desire locally to avoid issues of duplication or intra-community rivalry in the establishment of a second school and this has resulted in a new proposal from the parents' group to amalgamate the two schools, either temporarily or permanently. I believe, however, that there are a number of practical operational policy measures that can be implemented, with the agreement of parents and school leadership, to foster a stronger sense of common identity and to benefit from the advantages of shared resources, while maintaining two separate school entities. My Department will now be engaging with the Kildare and Wicklow ETB to consider this and I expect that the ETB will, in turn, be engaging further with the school leadership and parents in this regard.

Question No. 283 answered with Question No. 239.

Appointments to State Boards

Questions (284)

Patrick Nulty

Question:

284. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps he will take to ensure that all vacancies of the board of the Standards in Public Office Commission are filled, as a matter of urgency; if he will outline the reason for the delay; if he is aware that SIPO requires its full complement of six board members to investigate allegations under its remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2247/14]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

On my recommendation, the Government has approved the nominations of former High Court Judge Daniel O'Keeffe for the post of Chairperson of the Standards in Public Office Commission and former Deputy Jim O'Keeffe as an ordinary member of the SiPOC. I have discussed the proposed appointments with the leaders of Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin and the whip of the Technical Group. Resolutions for their appointment to the SiPOC will be submitted to the Dáil and Seanad this week.

Flood Relief Schemes Funding

Questions (285)

Brian Walsh

Question:

285. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the funding available under the coastal storm flood damage scheme for Galway city and county to assist in carrying out coastal protection and other repair works; the estimated date of commencement of assessments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2539/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Brian Hayes)

The investigation and addressing of coastal protection problems are matters for Galway City and County Councils in the first instance. It is open to the Councils to apply for funding to deal with coastal protection under the Office of Public Works' (OPW) Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme. Any application received will be assessed under the eligibility criteria, which include a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, and having regard to the overall availability of funding.

The Office of Public Works wrote on 10th January, 2014 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. Any work for which funding is sought will be carried out by the Local Authorities. It is also open to local authorities to carry out flood mitigation and coastal protection works using their own resources.

Coastal Protection Measures

Questions (286)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

286. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if Kerry County Council will be reimbursed for emergency works it carried out in the mid-2000s to put in place coastal protection works at Inch beach, County Kerry; if he will designate responsibility for this outstanding issue, as the cross-departmental failure to resolve the matter has caused severe financial hardship for Kerry County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2596/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Brian Hayes)

The coastal protection works at Inch beach were completed in 2007 and were part funded by a number of Government departments. These works were completed in advance of the Office Of Public Works assuming responsibility for coastal flooding and coastal protection in January 2009. OPW has no prior involvement with this project.

Kerry County Council applied retrospectively for funding for this project in 2011 under OPW's Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme. The Scheme is designed for current and future projects which have an estimated cost of no more than €500,000 and the Council were advised of this accordingly. OPW is not in a position to reimburse the Council for these works.

Commercial Rates Exemptions

Questions (287)

Clare Daly

Question:

287. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an exemption from commercial rates to not-for-profit recording and rehearsing facilities for musicians in order to assist the development of this part of our culture. [2704/14]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The work of the Valuation Office is underpinned by the Valuation Act, 2001 which provides for the valuation of all commercial and industrial property. The Commissioner of Valuation is independent in the performance of his functions under the Act and the making of valuations is his sole prerogative. The statute does not accord me as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform any function in this regard.

The Valuation Act, 2001 provides that all buildings used or developed for any purpose including constructions affixed thereto are rateable unless expressly exempted under Schedule 4 of the Act. Such exempt buildings would ordinarily include domestic dwellings, farm buildings, those used for public worship, education and health-care provided on a not-for-profit basis, buildings occupied and used for charitable purposes and buildings occupied by certain societies established for the advancement of science, literature and the fine arts which are used exclusively for that purpose and otherwise than for private profit.  The statute maintains the long-standing position that all other buildings occupied for whatever enterprise, including those used as recording and rehearsing facilities, are liable for rates unless used for an activity which has specific exemption under Schedule 4 of the Act. 

My Department has no plans to provide for special treatment of recording and rehearsing facilities, under the Valuation Act as to do so would breach the legislation and, I believe, would give rise to demands for similar treatment from other sectors of the community involved in the provision of useful services, which in equity would be difficult to resist. The process could thus substantially reduce local authority revenues, which if it were not to entail an increase in Exchequer funding of local authorities, would have to be made good by imposing a corresponding increase on the remaining ratepayers.

Architectural Heritage

Questions (288)

Emmet Stagg

Question:

288. Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total outlay to date by the Office of Public Works in Castletown Estate and lands at Castletown, Celbridge, County Kildare, including the original price paid for the house and estate and the subsequent yearly expenditure on preservation upgrading and landscaping. [2750/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Brian Hayes)

The Office of Public Works is currently assembling the data requested which covers many years and will reply to the Deputy directly when to hand.

Tourism Industry

Questions (289)

Emmet Stagg

Question:

289. Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of persons who have visited Castletown House in Celbridge, County Kildare, in each of the past five years; and the income generated by such for the house and estate. [2751/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Brian Hayes)

The number of visitors to Castletown House and the fee generated from such visits in the past 5 years are set out in the following table.

	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013
Visitors	36,153	34,228	24,359	36,160	251,890 *
Income	€22,655.45	€44,005.48	€38,352.29	€48,708.40	€50,309.85

Since 2013, visitors to the parklands and the cafe are also included in recorded visitor numbers. This figure can be further broken down as follows: Guided tours of the house: 15,452, Events and Conferences: 36,904, Café: 31,807, Parklands: 167,727

Architectural Heritage

Questions (290, 306)

Emmet Stagg

Question:

290. Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the future proposals for the further development of Castletown House and Estate, Celbridge, County Kildare; if it includes proposals to build a perimeter fence for the whole estate; and the estimated cost of such a fence. [2752/14]

Catherine Murphy

Question:

306. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if there are plans by the Office of Public Works to erect a fence at the Castletown Demesne in Celbridge, County Kildare; if so, the extent of the proposed fence; the money allocated towards construction; if the planned design includes access points for residents in adjacent housing estates or any other access points: when construction is expected to begin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2865/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Brian Hayes)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 290 and 306 together.

The main house, east and west wings at Castletown House have been refurbished by the OPW. The historic features and pathways on the lands owned by the Office of Public Works (OPW) have also been restored. Restoration of the farmyard buildings has commenced and will continue as future funding permits.

Castletown House demesne is open to the public every day of the year by way of the Celbridge gate between 6.45 am and 19.45 pm from October to March, between 6.45 am to 21.15 pm in the months of April and September and between 6.45 am and 22.15 pm from May to August. These opening hours are displayed on the gate.

There are no detailed current plans to erect fencing at Castletown. However entry onto the demesne outside the times referred to above, which essentially means the hours of darkness, is of concern and it is the primary objectives of the OPW to protect the health and safety of members of the public entering onto the property and the already considerable State investment at Castletown. It is neither practical nor economic to provide a 24 hour warden service. The OPW concerns are shared by Kildare County Council and discussions are ongoing between both organisations on how best these concerns can be addressed. Appropriate measures may include fencing proposals but no decision has as yet been taken in this regard.

Departmental Reports

Questions (291)

Barry Cowen

Question:

291. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide in tabular form the total amount spent since February 2011 on external reports commissioned by his Department, including payments from ministerial allowances, broken down by report; if he will provide the details of any consultants employed; the names of each report and their status as published or ongoing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2366/14]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

In response to the Deputy's question the following table outlines the total amount spent on external reports commissioned by my Department since its inception in 2011:

Name of External Report	Costs	Date of Commission	Date or Expected Date of Publication	Name of External Consultant
Independent verification of savings arising under the Public Service Agreement	€35,819.80	16 May 2011	June 2011	MKO Partners Ltd
Report on Reasons Behind Voter Behaviour in the Oireachtas Inquiry Referendum 2011	€41,043.20	23 November 2011	January 2012	Red C Research and Marketing Ltd.
Options for the next National Lottery licence	€615 (including VAT)	7th February 2012	N/A(The final Report was completed and submitted to the Department in March 2012)	Davy Corporate Finance
Independent verification of savings arising under the Public Service Agreement	€31,586.40	23 March 2012	13 June 2012	Grant Thornton
Capacity and Capability Review of Central Procurement Function	€30,750.00	May 2012	6 September 2012	Accenture
ICT-MF Executive Assessment	€30,750.00	August 2012	November 2012	Innovation Value Institute, NUIM
Independent verification of savings arising under the Public Service Agreement	€24,206.40	4 February 2013	3 July 2013	Grant Thornton
Debt Management Final Report	€110,000 plus VAT	Q2 - 2013	Awaiting Government Decision	BearingPoint
Report of a Consultation with Civil Society Representatives and Citizens on Ireland's Participation in the Open Government Partnership	Funding of €25,735.25 was provided to Transparency International Ireland in 2013 following a competitive tender process to support a public consultation with civil society and the preparation of a report of their recommendations and proposals for potential inclusion in Ireland's Open Government Partnership National Action. Plan.	10 June 2013	Published on 2 October 2013	Transparency International, Ireland

In the course of its normal business activity, the Office of Public Works engages external technical consultants on many of its projects, primarily architectural and engineering. The costs of these consultants would be included in the overall project costs. The Office of Public Works has not engaged any external consultants for the purposes of producing external reports for publication.

Right of Way Issues

Questions (292)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

292. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if members of the public have the right to walk the banks of a river (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2402/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Brian Hayes)

The Office of Public Works (OPW) does not own the banks of the river referred to at this location, and as such is not in a position to grant access on to private property. OPW's powers of access under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945 relate to entry for maintenance purposes. This does not confer a right of way for the public in general, which would be a matter for agreement with individual landowners.

State Bodies Data

Questions (293)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

293. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 22 of 9 October 2013, if he will provide an update on the level of rationalisation that has taken place in State bodies; and the status of the mergers of the Valuation Office, the Property Registration Authority, Ordnance Survey Ireland, State Laboratory and the Forensic Science Laboratory. [2407/14]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The rationalisation of State bodies is a key element of this Government's reform programme. As the Deputy is aware, in November 2011, the Government set out 2 commitments in relation to agency rationalisation:

- to implement 48 measures. All of these (involving over 100 bodies) either have been fully delivered or will be delivered this year, apart from the small number where the Government decided on reflection not to proceed (viz. the rationalisation concerning the National Cancer Registry, and the proposed merger of the Commission for Aviation Regulation and the Irish Aviation Authority); and

- to critically review proposals for a further 46 rationalisation measures. In late 2012, following detailed consideration of these critical reviews, the Government decided to implement 25 agency rationalisation measures (involving more than a further 100 State bodies). Work on these is well advanced; some are already completed and as set out in the Public Service Reform Plan 2014-2016 which I launched last week the remainder will be delivered during 2014.

My Department monitors the implementation of the measures on a quarterly basis and publishes these updates. The latest information, which details the progress to end Quarter 4 2013, can be found on my Department's website at http://per.gov.ie/summary-of-agency-rationalisation-measures-as-at-january-2014/

The Deputy asks about a number of specific measures that are in progress.

The proposed merger of the Valuation Office, the Property Registration Authority and Ordnance Survey Ireland was one of the proposals to be critically reviewed. That review was completed in 2012 and, on foot of the review, the Government decided to proceed with the measure. Work on the implementation is well underway. It will require legislation, and the General Scheme of a Bill is expected to be brought to Government by mid-year. In the meantime, the merger is being progressed on an administrative basis and, to facilitate this, ministerial responsibility for the Valuation Office and Ordnance Survey Ireland will be transferred to the Minister for Justice and Equality.

The Deputy has also asked about the State Laboratory and the Forensic Science Laboratory, which also were part of the critical review process. Again, that critical review was completed in 2012, following which the Government decided to implement a rationalisation measure which involves placing the Forensic Science Laboratory within the ambit of the State Laboratory for professional leadership purposes, while allowing that the Forensic Science Laboratory will remain within the criminal justice system for operational purposes. Work on this measure is progressing.

Public Service Reform Plan Update

Questions (294)

Finian McGrath

Question:

294. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will clarify a matter of public service reform (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2418/14]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

I am happy to welcome any submissions  from the public at any time on the subject of Public Service Reform or any other area of Government policy that I am responsible for. Submissions can be sent to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Government Buildings, Upper Merrion Street, Dublin 2 or emailed to [e-mail].

In addition, my Department has run a number of formal public consultations on specific areas of policy, including several reform initiatives. For example, consultations were held in respect of the Government's proposals for the regulation of lobbying and on Ireland's participation in the Open Government Partnership.

In this regard, the Deputy may be interested to know that on 9 January, I published a public consultation paper, 'Strengthening Civil Service Accountability and Performance'. The publication of this 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. Submissions may be forwarded no later than 31 March 2014 by email to [e-mail] or in hard copy to the Government Reform Unit, Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, 7-9 Merrion Row, Dublin 2. Full details on the consultation process are available on my Department s website, www.per.gov.ie. An Independent Panel on Accountability, chaired by Professor Kevin Rafter, DCU, will manage and oversee this 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.

Flood Prevention Measures

Questions (295)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

295. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when works will be carried out to prevent future flooding of an estate (details supplied) in County Kerry located by the Sneem river; if he will provide funding for the work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2442/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Brian Hayes)

Following a preliminary assessment, it has been agreed with Kerry County Council that the Office of Public Works (OPW) will carry out a Feasibility Study to assess flood risk management options for Sneem as a separate Study to the South Western Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Study.

The collection of the data that is needed to support the work of the Study is ongoing. A channel and structural cross sectional survey of the River Sneem and River Ardshellhane has been specified by OPW. This survey is currently being procured. OPW has also specified a monitoring regime of the River Sneem and will be installing gauges and a logger on the river. This equipment will be put in place as soon as land access issues are resolved. The Feasibility Study will commence subject to the availability of adequate data.

Coastal Protection

Questions (296, 298, 302, 303)

Tom Fleming

Question:

296. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will make emergency funding available for works to repair the breach as a matter of priority and to carry out further repairs and strengthening works to the embankment at Garrane and Reen, Killorglin, County Kerry, in order to prevent further damage to properties, businesses, and so on; if he will assist the community as it can not protect its homes, businesses, farms and properties from tidal flooding; if he will provide a detailed report on the works to be carried out to the Garrane and Reen embankment and the cost for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2452/14]

Tom Fleming

Question:

298. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will make funding available for coastal protection works at Reenallagane, Glenbeigh, County Kerry as the recent storm-high tide did an alarming amount of damage to the beach and shoreline and homes and private properties are now seriously at risk; if he will take into consideration that the next high tides are forecast for the end of the month or beginning of February; if he will come to the assistance of the community as it cannot protect its homes and properties from tidal flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2532/14]

Tom Fleming

Question:

302. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will make emergency funding available to repair-strengthen the embankment at Incharee, Glenbeigh, County Kerry, as homes and properties in the area are continuously at risk to flooding; if he will take into consideration that the next high tides are forecast for the end of the month or beginning of February; if he will provide assistance to the community, as it cannot protect its homes and properties from tidal flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2592/14]

Tom Fleming

Question:

303. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will make emergency funding available to repair the breach and strengthen the embankment at Cromane Lower, Killorglin, County Kerry, in view of the fact that homes and properties in the area have been flooded recently and continue to be at risk to tidal flooding; if he will take into consideration that the next high tides are forecast for the end of the month or beginning of February; if he and the Government will come to the assistance of this community, as it can not protect its homes and properties from tidal flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2604/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Brian Hayes)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 296, 298, 302 and 303 together.

The investigation and addressing of coastal protection problems at these locations are matters for Kerry County Council in the first instance. It is open to the Council to apply for funding to deal with coastal protection under the Office of Public Works (OPW) Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme. Any application received will be assessed under the eligibility criteria, which include a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, and having regard to the overall availability of funding.

The Office of Public Works wrote on 10th January, 2014 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. Any work for which funding is sought will be carried out by the Local Authorities. It is also open to Local Authorities to carry out flood mitigation and coastal protection works using their own resources.

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.

Consultancy Contracts Expenditure

Questions (297)

Clare Daly

Question:

297. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount his Department spends on an annual basis in payments to consultancy firms (details supplied). [2482/14]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

In response to the Deputy's question the following tables outline the amount spent on an annual basis in payments to Oracle and Accenture Consultancy firms since the formation of my Department:

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Consultancy Costs paid to Oracle and Accenture Consultancy firms

2011

Company Name	Amount	Details
Oracle	€1,200.00	Yearly renewal of Oracle Licence for the EU Structural Funds IT System (EUSF) which is used to record expenditure in relation to EU co-financed projects.
Accenture	€80465.00	Expert external support for development of the Public Service Reform Plan 2011.

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Consultancy Costs paid to Oracle and Accenture Consultancy firms

2012

Company Name	Amount	Details
Oracle	€1,200.00	Yearly renewal of Oracle Licence for the EU Structural Funds IT System (EUSF) which is used to record expenditure in relation to EU co-financed projects.
	€239,495.76	Purchase of a Case Management System for the Civil Service HR and Pensions Shared Service (PeoplePoint).*
Accenture	€30,700.00	Capacity and Capability Review of Central Procurement Function.
	€2,569,854.99	Implementation partner on Project to set up a Civil Service HR and Pensions Shared Service (PeoplePoint) system which has a three year set-up timeline.**

*This is a key piece of IT infrastructure required to operate a Shared Service

**This contract is a fixed price contract amounting to €5,783,026 in total and payment is made on foot of invoices relating to the number of staff on site and the outputs

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Consultancy Costs paid to Oracle and Accenture Consultancy firms

2013

Company Name	Amount	Details
Oracle	€1,200.00	Yearly renewal of Oracle Licence for the EU Structural Funds IT System (EUSF) which is used to record expenditure in relation to EU co-financed projects.
	€44,483.39	Annual support payment for PeopleSoft Case Management System.
Accenture	€2,245,165.00	Implementation partner on Project to set up a Civil Service HR and Pensions Shared Service (PeoplePoint) system which has a three year set-up timeline.*

*This contract is a fixed price contract amounting to €5,783,026 in total and payment is made on foot of invoices relating to the number of staff on site and the outputs

Question No. 298 answered with Question No. 296.