Written Answers Nos. 90-8
90. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide details of all consultancy firms engaged by his Department during 2013; if he will further provide details of all the relevant fees paid to these firms during this period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3215/14]
View answerIn response to the Deputy's question the following table outlines the total amount spent on consultancy fees in my Department in 2013:
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
Consultancy Fees
2013
|
Company Name |
Details |
Amount |
|
Davy Corporate Finance |
Financial and commercial advice regarding the competition for the next National Lottery licence |
€568,875.00 |
|
Social Finance Ltd |
Advisory Services (Social Impact Bonds) |
€23,682.49 |
|
Ann Clarke |
Advisory Services (Social Impact Bonds) |
€22,793.87 |
|
Peter Smyth Management Consultancy |
Provision of Expert Assistance in the establishment of the Office of Government Procurement |
€110,700.00 |
|
Deloitte |
Consultancy and External Services and Support for Public Service Reform |
€55,472.35 |
|
Gartner |
CIO Executive program |
€89,198.00 |
|
Bearing Point |
Consultancy and External Services and Support for Business Case Analysis regarding Debt Management 2013 |
€135,515.00 |
|
Best Practice Group |
Readiness Assessment Consultancy and External Services and Support for External Service Delivery 2013 |
€4,300.00 |
|
PWC |
Consultancy, Professional administrative advice and External Services and Support for outsourcing document 2013 |
€6,457.50 |
|
PWC |
Consultancy and Expert External Support for implementation of Public Service Reform initiatives |
€92,250.00 |
|
Accenture |
Consultancy and External Services and Support for Civil Service Human Resource and Pensions Shared Services: Project Implementation Partner |
€2,245,165.00 |
|
Deloitte |
Consultancy and External Services and Support for the Civil Service Payroll Shared Services Project |
€180,587.37 |
|
Core International |
Technology Consultancy and External Services and Support (including developmental work) for the Civil Service Payroll Shared Services Project |
€220,884.63 |
|
Ernst & Young |
Consultancy and External Services and Support for the Civil Service Learning & Development Project: Provision of a Baselining Report L&D Functions of Selected Public Service Bodies and the undertaking of a Feasibility Study into their provision on a Shared Services Basis |
€84,374.31 |
|
Deloitte |
Consultancy and External Services and Support for the Civil Service Banking and Financial Management Shared Services Project |
€226,552.93 |
|
Astec Global |
Consultancy and External Services and Support for the Civil Service Financial Management Shared Services Project: Project Management Services |
€63,226.38 |
|
Transparency International Ireland |
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. |
€25,735.25 |
|
Kieran McGovern |
Independent Mediation for the Civil Service grievance procedures |
€1,397.58 |
|
Inge Clissmann |
Fee paid in respect of role as Chairperson of the Civil Service Disciplinary Board |
€6,616.17 |
|
BA & Associates |
Executive coaching |
€5,355.00 |
|
Cathy Buffini |
Executive coaching |
€3,330.00 |
|
People Resources |
Executive coaching |
€7,457.00 |
|
The Performance Partnership |
Executive coaching |
€2,405.00 |
|
Step Performance |
Executive coaching |
€3,960.00 |
|
Seven |
Executive coaching |
€9,337.50 |
|
The Coaching and Mentoring Partnership |
Executive coaching |
€7,385.50 |
|
Thrive |
Executive coaching |
€5,853.50 |
|
Richard Humphreys* |
Legal Advice & Statute Law Reform Director |
€108,131.76 |
|
Ciara Kennedy* |
Statute Law Reform Programme Manager |
€34,884.00 |
|
Total |
|
€4,351,883.09 |
*Payments are inclusive of VAT where applicable.
Office of Public Works*
Consultancy Fees
2013
|
Company Name |
Amount |
|
Darcy Lynch Partners |
€5,658.00 |
|
Brooker Consulting Management Consultants |
€7,656.75 |
|
Total |
€13,314.75 |
*In addition, in 2013 the Office of Public Works engaged Concerto Partners LLP to undertake a Capacity & Capability Review of the Estate Portfolio Management function of the Office (excluding Heritage Services). No payments have been made to date in respect of this Review, as the report has not yet been completed.
In the course of its normal business activity, the Office of Public Works engages technical consultants on many of its projects, primarily architectural and engineering. The costs of these consultants would be included in the overall project costs and are not included here.
91. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Office of Public Works has responsibility for the maintenance of embankments and sluices on old Land Commission schemes; if the OPW, will now deal with their responsibilities at Incharee, Cromane Lower and Glosha, County Kerry as a matter of priority as homes and properties in these areas were flooded during the recent storm-high tides; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3229/14]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) has no responsibility for maintenance of former Land Commission embankments and sluices and it is not the intention that it would take responsibility for them. OPW has no responsibility for any embankments at Incharee, Glosha and Cromane Lower.
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 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 Incharee. This funding has now been drawn down by the Council.
The Office of Public Works wrote on 10 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.
92. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the step that have been taken towards implementing a harmonised rate for merchant agreements across all Departments; the potential savings to the Government and to the public from negotiating a reduced rate applicable to all Departments that accept payment by debit-credit card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3278/14]
View answerI understand that the agreements referred to by the Deputy relate to commodity financial services that allow a merchant to accept credit or debit cards. At present Contracting Authorities within the State appear to be paying different rates for merchant services to multiple service providers, albeit potentially for different volumes. One of the primary reasons for establishing the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) was to harness the State's purchasing power by strengthening procurement function to enable the State to deliver much needed services, such as merchant service agreements, more efficiently and at consistent prices. The OGP will examine how such merchant service agreements can be purchased more efficiently as part of its programme to secure up to €500 million in cash saving and efficiencies for the taxpayer over the next three years.
93. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the research that has been commissioned by his Department in relation to climate change mitigation and or adaptation over the past year; and if he will supply a copy of the terms of reference for any such research. [3333/14]
View answer94. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the work being done to develop climate change mitigation policy applicable to his Department and the public participation opportunities incorporated in that work. [3340/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 94 together.
Climate change is of relevance to the work of the Office of Public Works (OPW) in the areas of flood risk management and reducing energy usage in the OPW's portfolio of buildings both new and old.
The OPW has not commissioned research relating to climate change adaptation or mitigation for flood risk management or energy usage in the last year.
In relation to flood risk management, the OPW is assessing and mapping the potential increases in flood hazard and risk due to climate change through the Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme, for which potential future scenarios are being considered along with the current. Potential flood risk management measures will then be developed and appraised against potential future scenarios (as well as the current) to determine the most appropriate measures for each location and to ensure that the measures set out in the Flood Risk Management Plans (that will be prepared in 2015) will be robust and/or adaptable in the face of potential future changes.
In relation to energy usage, the work that is being carried out by the OPW involves the development and implementation of plans and programmes aimed at:
- maximising the energy performance and increasing the sustainability of new buildings through for example improved design to optimise natural ventilation and the use of renewable technologies where feasible
- the implementation since 2008 of a very successful energy conservation campaign in existing OPW owned and managed buildings entitled Optimising Power @ Work involving detailed monitoring and recording of energy consumption in 275 large buildings throughout the country and working with staff to effect behavioural change. This initiative has achieved average annual energy savings of over 18% which equates to a cost saving of approximately €4.3m per annum. This initiative is being rolled-out to the wider public sector and will target 500 large buildings with an annual energy saving target rising to 18% after 3 years.
95. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of taxpayers money, in tabular format, claimed by respective Independent Deputies under the leader's allowance payment since 9 March 2011; if any Deputy returned any of the maximum claimable amount; if the leader's allowance is taxable; if any of this was vouched; if he has plans to discontinue the payment of the leader's allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3370/14]
View answerThe Party Leader's Allowance is provided for in the Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Act, 1938, as amended, most recently by the Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Act, 2001.
The allowance is paid to the parliamentary leader of a qualifying party in relation to expenses arising from the parliamentary activities, including research, of the party. Payments are made in respect of members of the party elected to Dáil Éireann and members elected/nominated to Seanad Éireann at the last preceding general election or a subsequent bye-election or, in the case of Seanad Éireann, nominated to it after the last preceding general election.
The legislation also provides that payments may be made to a member of Dáil Éireann, who at the last preceding general election or at a subsequent bye-election was elected as a member other than as a member of a qualifying party. Such qualifying independent TDs are entitled to an allowance, currently amounting to €41,152 per annum. A similar provision in the Act provides for an allowance currently amounting to €23,383 per annum for independent Senators.
The conditions governing entitlement to payment of the allowance are set out in the Act. The primary restriction in the Act on the use of the allowance is that it may not be used in respect of election expenses. The allowance is non-taxable and is paid monthly in arrears into a bank account specified by the beneficiary of the allowance. It is not claimed in the same manner as expense allowances.
The legislation provides that each party leader must to prepare a statement of expenditure for the party leader s allowance, to have it audited by an independent auditor and furnish it with the auditor s report to the Standards in Public Office (the Commission) Commission. Based on the accounts submitted, the Commission is required to make a report in relation to the use of the Party Leader's Allowance and cause a copy of the report to be laid before the Oireachtas. Allowances paid to independent members are not subject to these oversight provisions
I have no plans to discontinue payment of the allowance. Following a review of the allowance and a consultation process with leaders of qualifying political parties, qualifying independent members and with the Standards in Public Office Commission, I published the Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013 in October 2013. The Bill has passed all stages in Seanad Éireann and is scheduled for Second Stage in this House shortly.
The Bill provides for a reduction of 10% in the rates of the allowance, representing an estimated full year Exchequer saving of €0.84 million. The same audit and reporting provisions that will apply to parliamentary leaders will also apply to independent members in receipt of the allowance. For the first time, independent members will have to record and account for expenditure from the allowance, all of which is to be expended in respect of parliamentary activities, including research. The Bill includes other necessary measures all of which will increase transparency, accountability and ensure citizens can see that their money is being spent as it was intended.
The total amounts paid to each qualifying independent TD from 9 March 2011 to end 2013 are set out in Appendix A. I am not aware of any amounts that may have been returned by independent TDs.
Appendix A
|
TD Name |
Amount paid 9/03/11-31/12/13 |
|
Catherine Murphy |
€115,601.61 |
|
John Halligan |
€115,601.61 |
|
Luke Flanagan |
€115,601.61 |
|
Mattie McGrath |
€115,601.61 |
|
Maureen O'Sullivan |
€115,601.61 |
|
Michael Healy Rae |
€115,601.61 |
|
Michael Lowry |
€115,601.61 |
|
Michael Wallace |
€115,601.61 |
|
Finian McGrath |
€115,601.61 |
|
Noel Grealish |
€115,601.61 |
|
Seamus Healy |
€115,601.61 |
|
Shane Ross |
€115,601.61 |
|
Stephen Donnelly |
€115,601.61 |
|
Thomas Pringle |
€115,601.61 |
|
Tom Fleming |
€115,601.61 |
96. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if NewERA has advised the Government to restructure any semi-State companies; what are those companies; the savings expected to be made for each of the companies that are to be restructured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3377/14]
View answerNewERA is involved in a number of Inter-Departmental Groups dealing with various aspects of the commercial State sector and, in particular, the management of sale transactions under the State assets disposal programme. NewERA has, in this context, provided advice on a number of matters including those to which the Deputy's question refers.
For example, in the case of Coillte, on foot of the findings of the Inter-Departmental Steering Group established to progress the sale of Coillte harvesting rights, the Government decided last June that it was not the appropriate time to proceed with such a sale, and that the focus should, instead, be on restructuring the company. The Government agreed, inter alia, that:
- Coillte is to undergo a fundamental restructuring, to be overseen by NewERA and the relevant stakeholder Departments, which will include operational streamlining, financial de-leveraging and a critical examination of the disposal options for its non-core activities such as telecoms and wind; and
- A robust analysis will also be carried out to evaluate how to give effect to a beneficial merger of Coillte with Bord na Mona to create a streamlined and refocused commercial state company operating in the bio-energy and forestry sectors, as committed to in the Programme for Government.
A draft report on the financial costs and benefits of a Coillte/Bord na Mona merger was prepared by NewERA in conjunction with the companies and circulated to relevant Departments in late 2013. This is currently under discussion with the Departments, and is expected to be finalised shortly and submitted to the relevant Ministers for consideration myself, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Minster for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.
In the case of Bord Gáis Éireann, and also within the context of the relevant inter-Departmental Group(s), NewERA has advised on restructuring required to meet the unbundling requirements of the EU Third Energy Directive, as well as to allow for the sale of Bord Gáis Energy and the establishment of Irish Water as an independent subsidiary within the BGE Group.
It is, as yet, too early to determine the savings that will be achieved from these restructuring proposals.
97. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when NewERA will bring proposals for consideration to Government on options for moving towards a full holding company status which will hold shares in commercial semi-States; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3378/14]
View answerOn the basis of work that has been undertaken by NewERA on moving to a full holding company structure which would hold the shares in commercial semi-state companies, I understand that there are legal and other difficulties associated with making such a change in the ownership structure of the commercial State sector. An interdepartmental Steering Group, chaired by my Department, has been tasked with reviewing the options in this regard and considering whether there may be ways in which these difficulties could be overcome. The Group will report to Government on the matter in due course.
98. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will outline his new public sector reform plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3425/14]
View answerOn 14 January, I published the new Public Service Reform Plan 2014-2016 and the Second Progress Report on the previous Reform Plan. I have sent both documents to all members of the Oireachtas.
Just over two years since the Government's first Public Service Reform Plan was published, the new Reform Plan builds on the progress made to-date and sets out an ambitious new phase of reform. In this context, I want to stress that Public Service Reform will remain a key element of the Government s strategic response to our ongoing challenges.
This next phase of reform will continue our focus on cost reduction, but will also focus on better outcomes for service users and on delivering real improvement in how citizens and business customers interact with the Public Service. This will change the way the Public Service designs and provides services and will be delivered through a focus on service users, on efficiency and on openness, underpinned by a strong emphasis on leadership, capability and delivery.
Under the new plan, the reform agenda will be about protecting and improving public services, and over the period of this plan, there will be an emphasis on 'Saving to Invest'. This is about freeing up resources by making existing processes more cost effective and efficient, and using the savings to invest in new or improved services. This Reform Dividend will serve to underpin and help sustain the reform agenda beyond the current fiscal crisis.
As part of our approach to improving outcomes for service users, we will be using alternative models of service delivery, including commissioning for specific outcomes, and focusing on service delivery improvements at sectoral and organisational levels.
We will be taking steps to ensure that the Public Service makes maximum use of digitalisation and open data to deliver services and to manage information in more efficient and innovative ways. A new Government ICT Strategy will be published in the first half of 2014 that will address the use of new and emerging technologies, ensuring that digital services are designed around the needs of service users.
The Government's political reform programme will continue to focus on delivering greater openness, transparency and accountability to strengthen public governance and to re-build public trust in the State. This will include the introduction of lobbying regulation, enactment of a reformed Freedom of Information Act, and enactment of legislation to protect Whistleblowers, as well as active participation in the Open Government Partnership.
These are just some of the areas covered in the new Reform Plan. Overall, there are over 200 actions, each with a clear start date, end date and senior official with responsibility for delivery. Through the implementation of the new Reform Plan, we are aiming to build a new Public Service, one that is focused on improving outcomes for citizens and business customers, and that is efficient and responsive.
The implementation of various productivity measures and workplace changes as provided under the Haddington Road Agreement will be a key enabler for the delivery of this next phase of our ambitious reform agenda, while also delivering a reduction of €1 billion in the Public Service pay and pensions bill by 2016.
An interactive version of the Reform Plan can be seen at: http://reformplan.per.gov.ie/.
