Written Answers Nos. 298-321
298. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider the application for funding under the summer works scheme for a school (details supplied) in County Kildare for refurbishments that are urgently required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4157/14]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that commensurate with the level of funding available for the Summer Works Scheme, applications are currently being assessed on a top down basis in accordance with the prioritisation criteria outlined in the governing Circular Letter for the Scheme. This Circular Letter (59/2013) is available on my Department's website www.education.ie. It is my intention to publish a list of successful applicants in early 2014.
299. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding funding under the summer works scheme in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4158/14]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that commensurate with the level of funding available for the Summer Works Scheme, applications are currently being assessed on a top down basis in accordance with the prioritisation criteria outlined in the governing Circular Letter for the Scheme. This Circular Letter (59/2013) is available on my Department's website www.education.ie. It is my intention to publish a list of successful applicants in early 2014.
300. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will, in respect of his Department's audit committee, provide details of its current membership; the date of appointment of each member; the fees paid to each member; if members of the committee are required to hold certain professional qualifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4215/14]
View answerThe members of my Department's Audit Committee are appointed by the Accounting Officer. The Committee has a membership of five including three external members, one of whom is Chairperson.
The current members have had varied backgrounds and occupations bringing a breadth of experience, skills and knowledge in areas important to the Department, to their work. There is no requirement for them to hold particular professional qualifications.
Details of the current membership, the dates of appointment of each member and the fees paid to each member, where applicable, are set out in the table.
Members of the Department of Education & Skills Internal Audit Committee
|
Name |
Date of Appointment |
Fees (where applicable) |
|
Mr Bill Cunningham Chairperson External Member |
Appointed for 3 years from 1st June 2009 Re-appointed for 2 years from 1st June 2012 |
€2,565 per annum |
|
Mr Con Haugh External Member |
Appointed for 3 years from 1st June, 2013 |
€1,710 per annum |
|
Ms Mary Kennedy External Member |
Appointed for 3 years from 1st December, 2013 |
Not applicable |
|
Ms Ruth Carmody Internal Member |
Appointed for 3 years from 27 October, 2011 |
Not applicable |
|
Ms Suzanne Dillon Internal Member |
Appointed for 3 years from 10 February, 2012 |
Not applicable |
301. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a new school building (details supplied) in County Wexford; if a site has been selected; when construction will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4280/14]
View answerThe Major Building Project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at an early stage of Architectural Planning. The site has been secured and the design team are working on the design of the school.
The project was included in the 5 Year Construction Programme announced in March 2012 and is scheduled to commence construction in 2015/16.
302. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on correspondence regarding a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4282/14]
View answerAs part of the Budget 2012 decisions, the number of pupils required to gain and retain a classroom teaching post in small primary schools is being gradually increased between September 2012 and September 2014. An appeals process is available to small schools which have had their staff number reduced as a result of the budget measure. The school referred to by the Deputy submitted an appeal to the Primary Staffing Appeals Board. The appeal was refused as it did not meet the appeal criteria. The Primary Staffing Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.Staffing arrangements at primary level for the 2014/15 school year are set out in Circular 0007/2014 which is now available on the Department website. The enrolment tables for the operation of the staffing schedule for the 2014/2015 school year are listed at Appendix A of the circular. This enables schools to check their mainstream staffing levels for the 2014/2015 school year.
The circular also provides information on GAM/EAL (General Allocation Model and Language Support) for the 2014/2015 school year. The GAM/EAL allocation for the 2014/2015 reflects changes in the number of classroom posts in the school in the 2013/2014 school year. The GAM/EAL allocation for all schools is listed in Appendix C of Circular 0007/2014.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports, including the allocation of resource teaching support to schools. The NCSE operates within my Department's established criteria for the allocation of Special Education supports and the staffing resources available to my Department. It is a matter for schools to monitor and utilise their allocation of additional teaching support to best support the needs of identified pupils, in accordance with my Department's guidance.All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.
303. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason, 15 months after his Department promised the children's ombudsman that it would promptly publish its autism policy, his Department has failed to do so; and his views on whether it is reasonable to expect the teachers of those people with autism to be able to summarise Government policy from the existing legislation, regulations, rulings, order plans, strategies and stated polices when it has taken more than 15 months for the experts in his Department to do so. [4324/14]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware and further to the encouragement of the Ombudsman for Children my Department advised during the course of last year that it was preparing to bring together all of the facets of the policy on the education of children with autism into one document to provide further clarity on the issue. However in the interim I requested the National Council Special Education (NCSE) to bring forward policy advice on the education of children with autism.
The NCSE have advised my Department that the Policy Advice will be delivered in the spring of 2015 and will draw upon findings gathered from an extensive consultation process which has already commenced. The advice will also draw upon the research commissioned by the NCSE as well as any other research which may be available and which the NCSE considers merits consideration.
It will be open to all interested parties to contribute to the consultation process and I expect that the NCSE final report will reflect the broadest possible range of views and provide recommendations which will assist the development of policy for future years. I see no merit in revising the existing format of the current policy in advance of the publication of the new policy advice.
304. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of appointments to State boards, under the remit of his Department, that were made in the past three years as a result of applications made through the publicjobs.ie website; the number of board posts that were advertised on publicjobs.ie; the number of board posts that were not advertised on the website but instead were directly appointed; and the average pay to directly appointed board members. [4591/14]
View answerThe information requested on the number of appointments made to State boards in the last three years is outlined in the following table.
It should be noted that Board appointments, while made by me as Minister, are not in all cases made at my sole discretion. Individuals may be nominated for appointment by various organisations as specified in the relevant statute of the body concerned.
The Deputy should further note that in making any direct Ministerial appointments, I am not necessarily confined to those who make such expressions of interest but will ensure that all of those appointed have the relevant skills and competencies for the positions.
|
Name of Board |
Number of appointments made to state boards since 2011 |
Number of positions advertised over which the Minister can directly appoint |
Appointments made from members of the public who applied through the PAS process |
Remuneration for Chairperson and for Board Members [Note 1] |
Year appointments made |
|
An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG) |
2 |
0 |
0 |
None |
2012 |
|
An Foras Áiseanna Saothair (FÁS) |
3 [Note 2] |
0 |
0 |
€20,520 (Chairperson); €11,970 (ordinary member) |
2011/2013 |
|
Grangegorman Development Agency (GDA) |
15 |
7 |
3 |
€8,978 (Chairperson); No remuneration for ordinary members |
2012 |
|
Higher Education Authority (HEA) |
10 |
9 |
2 |
€11,970 (Chairperson); €7,695 (ordinary member) |
2012 |
|
Irish Research Council |
14 |
0 |
0 |
None |
2012 |
|
Léargas |
12 |
9 |
0 |
None |
2012/2013 |
|
National Centre for Guidance in Education (NCGE) |
12 |
1 |
0 |
None |
2013 |
|
National Council for Curriculum & Assessment (NCCA) |
26 [Note 3] |
3 |
2 |
None |
2012 (25) and 2013 (1) |
|
National Council for Special Education (NCSE) |
14 |
13 |
2 |
None |
2013 |
|
Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) |
10 |
8 |
3 |
None |
2012 |
|
Skillnets Ltd |
4 |
0 |
0 |
€8,978 (Chairperson); €5,985 (ordinary member) |
2011/2012 |
|
State Examinations Commission (SEC) |
5 |
5 |
2 |
None |
2012 |
|
Teaching Council |
37 |
3 |
0 |
None |
2012 |
|
An tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna (SOLAS) |
13 |
9 |
9 |
None |
2013 |
|
Residential Institutions Statutory Fund (RISF) |
10 [Note 4] |
9 |
4 [Note 4] |
None |
2013 |
|
Residential Institution Redress Board (RIRB) |
See [Note 5] |
|
Residential Institution Review Committee (RIRC) |
See [Note 5] |
|
Education Finance Board (EFB) |
See [Note 5] |
Note 1: Public servants who sit on State boards or who may be nominated to such boards independently of their public service employment are not paid remuneration in the form of board fees
Note 2: Two interim appointments were made to the Board of Foras Áiseanna Saothair (FÁS) in January 2013 pending the dissolution of the body in October 2013. Accordingly, these vacancies were not published on PAS. Appointments to the Board of FÁS were made following consultation with the Minister for Social Protection and the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.
Note 3: The 25 member NCCA was appointed in 2012 with one resignee being replaced in November 2013.
Note 4: Following the resignation of an appointee, the consequential vacancy was filled by a person who had submitted an expression of interest to PAS. A further two appointees applied directly to the Department.
Note 5: The existing members of the Residential Institutions Redress Board (RIRB) and the Residential Institutions Review Committee (RIRC) were re-appointed in December 2011 for a period of two years and again in December 2013 for a further period of 5 months or until such time as the bodies have completed their work, whichever is the sooner. The Chairperson of the RIRB is paid an annual salary equivalent to the President of the Circuit Court (in February 2012) subject to pension abatement while the Chairperson of the RIRC is paid an annual salary equivalent to a Supreme Court Judge subject to pension abatement. Since October 2011 the Chairperson has taken a 50% voluntary reduction in salary. The other board members of both the RIRB and the RIRC are paid a per diem rate and pension abatement applies in the case of members receiving a pension from the State. The per diem rate from 1st January 2014 is €624.
The final membership of the Education Finance Board (EFB) were appointed in February 2012 for a one year term or until the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund (RISF) was established whichever was the earlier. The RISF was established and the EFB dissolved in March 2013. The 9 member Board consisted of a Chairperson, four former residents of institutions and four ordinary members. The views of survivor groups and other interested parties were sought on appointments of former resident members of the Board. The members were not remunerated.
305. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the level of pro bono work provided by legal, accountancy and consulting firms in the past 24 months to his Department; which of those firms have also been awarded State contracts by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4605/14]
View answerNo pro bono work was provided to my Department by legal, accountancy or consulting firms in the past twenty four months.
With regard to bodies under the aegis of my Department the information sought is a matter for each agency and is not collated centrally. If the Deputy has an interest in a particular agency then officials in my Department will request the agency concerned to provide the relevant information insofar as it is possible.
For the Deputy's information details of agencies under the remit of my Department can be downloaded from the Departments website, this information is updated when any relevant changes occur. http://www.education.ie/
306. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a list of the top 20 consulting firms engaged by his Department, including public bodies, in order of fee generation-cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4618/14]
View answerThe information sought is set out on the following table in respect of the years 2009 to 2012 inclusive.
Information in relation to consultancy expenditure is compiled annually in respect of the previous year. The information in respect of 2013 is currently being compiled and will be forwarded separately to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
With regard to bodies under the aegis of my Department the information sought is a matter for each agency and is not collated centrally. If the Deputy has an interest in a particular agency then officials in my Department will request the agency concerned to provide the relevant information insofar as it is possible.
For the Deputy's information details of agencies under the remit of my Department can be downloaded from the Departments website, this information is updated when any relevant changes occur. http://www.education.ie/
List of Consultants engaged by the Department of Education and Skills
|
YEAR 2009 |
|
|
Purpose |
Total Cost |
|
Review of overhead/indirect costs re work carried out by Bus Eireann on behalf of DES for the administration of the school transport scheme |
€67,677 |
|
Provision of ICT Research, advice, guidance & related services to the IT Unit |
€51,030 |
|
Schools Broadband Access Programme- Technical, Commercial and Financial Advisor for the Advisor for the Evaluation & Contract Phases of the Procurement of Broadband Internet Connectivity for Schools |
€33,959 |
|
To evaluate the provision of a post-graduate Diploma in SEN (Autistic Spectrum Disorder) in St Angela's College, Sligo |
€5,000 |
|
European Regional development fund-Look Back Exercise |
€3,742 |
|
2009 annual review re courses in Northern Ireland |
€2,430 |
|
2009 Total: |
€163,838 |
|
YEAR 2010 |
|
|
Purpose |
Total Cost |
|
Mid term review of the Lifelong Learning Programme & prepare a report for Department of Education & Skills for onward transmission to the European Commission |
€59,284 |
|
Subscription for provision of ICT research, advice, guidance & related services to the IT Unit |
€37,026 |
|
Declaration of Assurance 2009 Audit - to review procedures & workflows in the National Agencies for the Lifelong Learning Programme & to provide a basis for the yearly Declaration of Assurance from DOES to the EU Commission |
€16,299 |
|
Expertise relating to the model public service pension scheme to assist in the establishment of a pension scheme for the NCTE |
€5,324 |
|
Review procedures & workflows in the National Agencies for the Lifelong Learning Programme & to provide a basis for the yearly Declaration of Assurance from the Department of Education & Skills to the EU Commission |
€4,795 |
|
2010 annual review of Post grad courses in Northern Ireland |
€2,420 |
|
Ergonomic workstation assessment & report |
€300 |
|
2010 Total: |
€125,448 |
|
YEAR 2011 |
|
|
Purpose |
Total Cost |
|
Evaluation of the Special Education Support Service established by the Department in 2003 to address the then rather fragmented provision of continuing professional development in the area of special education. |
€97,866 |
|
Commercial Financial & Technical Procurement advice for Schools Broadband Tender |
€63,633 |
|
Mid term Evaluation of the Human Capital Investment Operational Programme 2007-2013 |
€61,589 |
|
Evaluation of the training & education programmes for the unemployed delivered under LMAF 2010 |
€52,003 |
|
Subscription for provision of ICT research, advice, guidance & related services to the IT Unit 1/10/2011 - 30/09/2012 |
€35,150 |
|
Evaluation of the Initial Implementation of Síolta, the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education |
€31,281 |
|
Advisory Group to convene the Forum on Patronage & Pluralism in the Primary Sector, to receive and distil the various views and perspectives of participants and to report and advise the Minister |
€20,000 |
|
To carry out audits of the national agencies for the Lifelong Learning Programme in Ireland, these will serve as the basis for the submission of Declarations of Assurance from International Section to the European Commission |
€16,299 |
|
Development & submission to DOES of draft criteria for the proposed re-designation of amalgamated institutes of Technology Universities arising from the recommendations of the National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030 |
€9,075 |
|
Follow up work and provision of advice in relation to the FGS report (redacted report due to commercially sensitive issues in original report) |
€8,411 |
|
External audit of Dell and Waterford Crystal EGF programmes |
€5,445 |
|
Pensions advisory work relating to the establishment of a pension scheme for staff of the NCTE |
€4,792 |
|
2011 annual review of Post graduate courses in Northern Ireland |
€2,420 |
|
The independent panel shortlisted a number of proposals, made recommendations to the Minister on the preferred proposal for designation of a single awarding authority and made recommendations it considered necessary in relation to modification or development of the preferred proposal for implementation purposes |
€1,928 |
|
External Reviewer in an appeal against an inspection under section 13 (9) of the Education Act 1998 |
€920 |
|
2011 Total: |
€410,811 |
|
YEAR 2012 |
|
|
Purpose |
Total Cost |
|
Commercial, financial and technical advice on the procurement of broadband services for schools |
€52,040 |
|
Subscription for provision of ICT research, advice, guidance & related services to the IT Unit |
€36,789 |
|
Provision of Oracle Financials training support along with training documentation in the implementation of Performance Budgeting |
€17,303 |
|
Evaluation of the Initial Implementation of Síolta, the National Quality framework for Early Childhood Education |
€16,748 |
|
Preparation of a Declaration of Assurance in respect of the Lifelong Learning Programme |
€16,568 |
|
Provision of Oracle Financials functional & accounting advice in moving from a four vote operating unit to a single operating unit |
€11,607 |
|
Audit of Labour Market Activation Fund (LMAF) |
€9,839 |
|
IT Security Audit of the EUSF IT Database |
€5,064 |
|
Provision of international expertise on Literacy & Numeracy to the Literacy & Numeracy Implementation Advisory Committee |
€3,870 |
|
Training and expert advice relating to the Public Service Pensions Bill |
€2,700 |
|
Provision of Oracle Financials training support along with training documentation in the implementation of Performance Budgeting |
€2,070 |
|
2012 review paper of Republic of Ireland post graduates in Northern Ireland |
€1,845 |
|
Review of an appeal against an inspection under section 13(9) of the Education Act |
€719 |
|
Completion of a workplace assessment for staff member with a disability and resulting report |
€370 |
|
Chair of Independent Panel re the establishment of the single grant awarding authority |
€84 |
|
2012 Total: |
€177,615 |
307. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of jobs that were directly created or supported by Government investment in infrastructure during 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4192/14]
View answerMy Department is responsible for setting the overall expenditure allocations for Departments; in doing so, a capital budget of €3.4 billion was set for 2013. A breakdown by Department is available in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2013 which can be found on my Department's website. Decisions in relation to the types of projects and programmes to be funded from the individual Departmental allocations are made by line Ministers and their Departments.
A 2009 survey, carried out by the Department of Finance, found that the labour intensity of capital projects generally falls within the range of 8 to 12 jobs for every €1 million invested. While this estimate for labour intensity is used as a general rule of thumb, it is important to note that the amount of employment generated by capital expenditure depends on how that expenditure is invested. For example, the purchase of new rail rolling stock would typically generate little direct employment in Ireland as such stock is generally produced abroad. Furthermore, different types of public construction project have different levels of labour intensity. For example, smaller scale projects such as school building and repair, or smaller local and regional road-works, tend to be more labour intensive than major national infrastructural projects.
The capital budget for 2013 is part of the larger Exchequer capital Framework for the period 2012 to 2016 of some €17 billion. The focus of the Framework is on infrastructural investment that can aid economic growth, generate sustainable jobs in the medium term, and address urgent social requirements. Much of the capital programme for the five year period of the Framework is geared towards smaller, more labour intensive projects. It is also noteworthy that investment in enterprise supports has the highest direct employment impact. Accordingly, the Framework made a point of protecting supports to the enterprise sector primarily through agencies such as Enterprise Ireland and the IDA.
Since the capital plan was launched in 2011, the Government has been able to announce a number of increases to its infrastructure investment through the introduction of a new PPP pipeline and the use of the proceeds from the State asset and Lottery licence transactions. This additional investment is expected to support significant numbers of jobs across the country. The previous analysis of each sector indicates that the investment in the PPP Pipeline may support in the region of 13,000 direct jobs and many more indirect jobs. In addition to this, it is envisaged that the additional Exchequer funding of €150 million, which I announced in June of last year, can support up to 3,000 jobs. A total of €60m of this additional Exchequer investment was made in 2013.
308. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if small and medium enterprises represented an increased proportion of companies tendering for public contracts in 2013; if they represented an increased proportion of awarded companies; the number of SMEs that were awarded public sector contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4196/14]
View answerI am aware that public procurement can be an important source of business for Irish small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Currently public service procurement activity is transacted by several hundred contracting authorities throughout the State. As a result where data is collected it's quality is inconsistent and the process of collecting the data is fragmented. Accordingly, a significant element of the procurement reform programme will be a move towards centralisation of data collection in the area of procurement activity. The centralisation of data collection will not only enable the Office of Government Procurement to procure in a more cost efficient manner, it will also ensure that the level of SMEs participation can be accurately measured.
Whilst data on SME participation is currently not collected centrally, the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) has analysed a representative subset of data in detail and the results show that in 2013 75% of contracts awarded to Irish companies were to Irish SMEs, versus an average of 60% in 2012.
Finally, the OGP is examining ways to improve data collection in respect of SMEs participation in public procurement processes.
309. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he intends to use the FEMPI legislation as his negotiating tool for all future contracts. [4246/14]
View answerUnder Section 12 of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2013, as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, I am required to review the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts 2009 to 2013 annually. The review determines their operation, effectiveness and impact, having regard to the overall economic conditions of the State and national competitiveness. The review also considers whether or not any of the provisions of the Acts continue to be necessary having regard to the revenues of the State and commitments in respect of public service pay and pensions. The outcome of the review is laid before each House of the Oireachtas. The next review is required in June 2014.
310. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason the Office of Public Works acquired a building and handed ownership to Fingal County Council, in order to move their existing library into it along with a small museum, while the premises of the existing library will be sub-let from the county council by the OPW for an Intreo office; and if it would be more efficient to acquire the building and have Intreo sub-let the new building, rather than engage in the extra expense and dislocation of moving the library. [3545/14]
View answerIn the context of the Government Reform programme, under which State Bodies are collaborating in their approach to property issues, Fingal County Council offered the Town Hall premises in Balbriggan tothe Office of Public Works (OPW) to accommodate a much needed new integrated local Social Protection (INTREO) office to serve the town and surrounding area.
The Commissioners of Public Works are aware however of the local concerns around the proposal to move the Council Library from the Town Hall to an alternative location and are examining all options to determine the best way to deliver the new INTREO service as quickly as possible.
311. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has considered placing a ceiling on the amount of work an individual solicitor or barrister or a firm of solicitors or barristers receive from the State from Government related work under public procurement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3550/14]
View answerUnder EU and national rules, public contracts are advertised and awarded to the most competitive tender in an open and objective process. The aim is to promote an open, competitive and non-discriminatory public procurement regime which delivers value for money. It would be a breach of the rules for a public body to favour or discriminate against particular candidates on grounds that they have been successful in securing work in prior tender processes and there are legal remedies which may be used against any public body infringing these rules.
In relation to the general issue of improving how legal services are procured, my Department has issued guidelines (circular 5/13) to re-iterate that in procuring these advisory services, public tendering should be the norm. The guidelines provide a helpful guide for public bodies on some straightforward measures they should take, (including under Rules of Court), to better manage and control their legal costs.
As part of the public services reform agenda, the OGP will work with Government Departments and agencies to assess the legal services spend across the public service and conduct a review of the markets for the various different services involved such as employment law, conveyancing, tax law, etc. and determine appropriate procurement strategies to address the markets. The objective of this examination is to leverage the State's buying power in order to achieve best value for money.
312. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide in tabular form the number of JobBridge interns taken on in County Louth in his Department from September 2013 until January 2014. [3611/14]
View answerI can confirm that my Department does not have any offices in Co Louth and we have not had and do not have any JobBridge interns in Louth.
313. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of submissions received during the consultation process on the review of public works contracts; the regions and organisations from which those submissions were made; the projected value of such a review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3643/14]
View answerFixed-price lump-sum public works contracts were introduced in February 2007 as part of the Construction Procurement Reform Initiative the objectives of which are to achieve greater cost certainty, better value for money and timely and more efficient delivery of projects.
A commitment was given to the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) and the professional bodies in 2006 by the Minister for Finance at that time that a review would be conducted by the Government Contracts Committee for Construction (GCCC) at an appropriate time when adequate experience had been obtained in the use of the new contracts by contracting authorities.
I am satisfied that sufficient projects have now reached agreed final account stage to allow the Office of Government Procurement to conduct a review of the performance of the contracts. The inaugural meeting of the main stakeholder bodies in the review of the public works contracts took place on 10 December 2013; and interested parties were then invited to make written submissions.
It is important that the review is thorough but at the same time conducted expeditiously so that we can concentrate on the business at hand; delivering much needed public facilities and infrastructure. It is important that the key objectives that underlie the public works contracts: cost certainty at contract award; value for money and efficient delivery of public works projects will remain core to any revisions proposed to Government as a result of the review.
To date we have received 9 submissions, which include the following organisations:
|
Organisation |
Region |
|
Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland |
Dublin |
|
Association of Electrical Contractors (Ireland) |
Kildare |
|
Chambers Ireland |
Dublin |
|
Construction and Legal.com |
Galway |
|
Construction Industry Federation |
Dublin |
|
Engineers Ireland |
Dublin |
|
National Development Finance Agency |
Dublin |
|
The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht |
Dublin |
A number of other organisations indicated to us prior to the submission deadline that they will make a submission and we are happy to accommodate their request.
314. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the level of pro bono work provided to his Department by legal, accountancy and consulting firms in the past 24 months; and which of the firms have also been awarded State contracts by his Department. [3654/14]
View answerIn response to the Deputy's question I can confirm that there is no linkage by this Department between pro-bono work undertaken by firms for specific pieces of work and the subsequent award of contracts to the same firms for other work. In each case where contracts are awarded, there is full adherence to tendering procedures in accordance with national and, as appropriate, EU procurement rules.
As a result of an open tendering process for the 'Provision of Expert Assistance in Baselining Payroll Administration in Civil Service Bodies, Justice, Defence and some Education bodies', PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) was awarded the contract in April 2012. In line with their tender, PWC did not receive any payment for the provision of that work.
Following a separate open tendering process, PWC was awarded a contract in respect of 'Expert Assistance in Relation to Implementation of Public Service Reform Initiatives' in August 2013.
In response to an open tendering process for the 'Provision of Expert Assistance in Programme Management, Governance and Reporting' in relation to Public Service Reform, in February 2012 Ernst and Young (EY) were awarded the contract for 20 support days. In line with their tender, EY did not receive any payment for the provision of that work.
Following a separate open tendering process, EY was awarded a contract in October 2013 for the provision of a 'Baselining Report on the Learning and Development Functions of Civil Service Bodies and the undertaking of a Feasibility Study into their Provision on a Shared Services basis'.
315. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a list of the top 20 consulting firms engaged by his Department, including public sector bodies, in order of fee generation or cost. [3655/14]
View answerIn response to the Deputy's question the following table outlines the top twenty Consulting firms engaged by my Department, and those under my aegis including the Office of Public Works, Public Appointments Service, State Laboratory and the Office of the Ombudsman in 2013:
Top 20 Consulting firms engaged by Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
and those under its aegis
2013
|
Company Name |
Department |
Details |
Amount |
|
Accenture |
Public Expenditure and Reform |
Consultancy and External Services and Support for Civil Service Human Resource and Pensions Shared Services: Project Implementation Partner |
€2,245,165.00 |
|
Davy Corporate Finance |
Public Expenditure and Reform |
Financial and commercial advice regarding the competition for the next National Lottery licence |
€568,875.00 |
|
Public Expenditure and Reform |
Consultancy and External Services and Support for the Civil Service Banking and Financial Management Shared Services Project - €226,552.93 |
||
|
Public Expenditure and Reform |
Consultancy and External Services and Support for the Civil Service Payroll Shared Services Project - €180,587.37 |
||
|
Deloitte |
Public Expenditure and Reform |
Consultancy and External Services and Support for Public Service Reform - €55,472.35 |
€462,612.65 |
|
Core International |
Public Expenditure and Reform |
Technology Consultancy and External Services and Support (including developmental work) for the Civil Service Payroll Shared Services Project |
€220,884.63 |
|
Bearing Point |
Public Expenditure and Reform |
Consultancy and External Services and Support for Business Case Analysis regarding Debt Management 2013 |
€135,515.00 |
|
Public Expenditure and Reform |
Consultancy and Expert External Support for implementation of Public Service Reform initiatives - €92,250.00 |
||
|
Public Appointments Service |
Executive Search - €34,520.00 |
||
|
PricewaterhouseCoopers |
Public Expenditure and Reform |
Consultancy, Professional administrative advice and External Services and Support for outsourcing document 2013 - €6,457.50 |
€133,227.50 |
|
Peter Smyth Management |
Public Expenditure and Reform |
Provision of Expert Assistance in the establishment of the Office of Government Procurement |
€110,700.00 |
|
Richard Humphreys* |
Public Expenditure and Reform |
Legal Advice & Statute Law Reform Director |
€108,131.76 |
|
Gartner |
Public Expenditure and Reform |
CIO Executive program |
€89,198.00 |
|
Ernst & Young |
Public Expenditure and Reform |
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 |
|
Amrop Strategis |
Public Appointments Service |
Executive Search |
€64,217.00 |
|
Astec Global |
Public Expenditure and Reform |
Consultancy and External Services and Support for the Civil Service Financial Management Shared Services Project: Project Management Services |
€63,226.38 |
|
Odgers Berndston |
Public Appointments Service |
Executive Search |
€36,449.00 |
|
Ciara Kennedy* |
Public Expenditure and Reform |
Statute Law Reform Programme Manager |
€34,884.00 |
|
Pathfinder Execution Ltd |
Ombudsman |
Consultancy/Strategy Review |
€30,750.00 |
|
Transparency International Ireland |
Public Expenditure and Reform |
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 |
|
Parallel Internet Ltd |
Ombudsman |
I.T. Consultancy |
€25,571.70 |
|
Social Finance Ltd |
Public Expenditure and Reform |
Advisory Services (Social Impact Bonds) |
€23,682.49 |
|
System Dynamics |
Ombudsman |
I.T. Consultancy |
€23,542.20 |
|
Ann Clarke |
Public Expenditure and Reform |
Advisory Services (Social Impact Bonds) |
€22,793.87 |
|
Total |
|
|
€4,509,535.74 |
*Payments are inclusive of VAT where applicable.
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.
316. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has any proposals to change the culture of bonuses or top-ups in semi-State bodies-Government agencies-Departments and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3692/14]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my replies to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 2776/14, 2890/14 and 2927/14 of 22 January 2014.
317. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will set out the responsibilities of the statute law reform director; to whom the director is answerable; the period of the appointment; and if it is subject to a contract. [3765/14]
View answerAs I stated in my reply to Parliamentary Question Ref. 42523/13 on 9 October 2013, the Statute Law Revision Programme (SLRP) is being led and managed by two professional legal personnel, one of whom is the Programme Director engaged under contract with my Department until September 2015.
The Programme Director / Legal Adviser was engaged in March 2012 by my Department following a publicly advertised open tendering process.
The Programme Director was appointed on the basis of an assessment carried out by my Department identifying the requirement for professional legal advice, guidance, support and expertise to help deliver the comprehensive programme of legislative reform measures included in the Programme for Government. The Programme Director's role, therefore, encompass but extends beyond the SLRP and has included work relating to the Ombudsman (Amendment) Act, 2012, the Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Act, 2013, the Protected Disclosures Bill, 2013 and the Freedom of Information Bill 2013.
The Programme Director / Legal Adviser was engaged in March 2012 by my Department following a publicly advertised open tendering process.
As set out in the request for tender for the role and the Programme Director's contract the areas or types of issues on which legal advisory services are required include the following:
- provision of legal analysis and advice relating to the development of policy options and proposals on legislative reform priorities;
- development of legislative proposals leading to the implementation of Programme for Government commitments on legislative reform;
- lead, direct and provide legal research and legal assessments required to support the policy development and legislative work of the Government Reform Unit in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform;
- advise the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on the preparation of legislative proposals (e.g. General Schemes of Bills) relating to the legislative reform agenda;
- support the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to the drafting of legislative proposals by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel;
- identify and develop solutions to legal issues that may arise in the context of the development of reform proposals;
- guide and develop the transfer of knowledge on legal analysis and issues, on an ongoing basis, to members of the Government Reform Unit. This includes assisting the management team in the mentoring of staff;
- acting as project director for the Statute Law Revision Programme responsible for:-
- the delivery of the current objectives identified for the Project overall;
- directing and overseeing the work of those engaged in the Project within timeframes agreed with the Head of the Government Reform Unit;
- support the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in facilitating, where necessary, the passage of the Statute Law Revision legislation through the Houses of the Oireachtas; and
- quality assurance for the legislative proposals relating to statute law reform (subject to the final advice of the Office of the Attorney General).
The above list is not intended to be exhaustive and further issues or areas may arise as additional priorities may be identified, or existing priorities are revised or refined.
318. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to rectify flooding at a location (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3846/14]
View answerThis location is not part of a drainage scheme for which the Office of Public Works has statutory responsibility.
It is open to Galway County Council to apply for funding under the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. Any application received will be assessed under the eligibility criteria including a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, and having regard to the overall availability of funding. Application forms and related guidelines are available on OPW's website www.opw.ie under Flood Risk Management.
319. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will confirm the works that the Office of Public Works will undertake over the next number of weeks in County Kerry and the locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3934/14]
View answerThe Office of Public Works last week commenced repair works on two flood defence breaches at Ardcanaught and Garrane East on the Maine embankments in Co. Kerry following the tidal storm surge of 3 January. The OPW has statutory responsibility for these embankments. Further repair works at other affected locations will be undertaken through the course of the coming year, as resources permit.
A table showing the remedial works and inspections/reports carried out by OPW in respect of its own schemes since the January 2014 storms is now available on the OPW website at: http://www.opw.ie/floodriskmanagement/floodriskmanagementoperations under Further Information.
320. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will include works on an embankment (details supplied) in County Kerry while the Office of Public Works is in the immediate vicinity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3942/14]
View answerThe Office of Public Works has no statutory responsibility for maintenance of embankments at the location mentioned.
It is a matter for Kerry County Council in the first instance to investigate and address coastal protection issues generally in the County. It is open to the Council to apply for funding under the Office of Public Works' Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. Any application received will be assessed under the eligibility criteria, which includes a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, and having regard to the overall availability of funding. Application forms and related guidelines are available on OPW's website www.opw.ie under Flood Risk Management.
OPW wrote on 10 January, 2014 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 also available on the OPW website.
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.
321. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has given consideration to the possibility of handing over the former Garda station in Moyvane village, County Kerry to the local community; and if he will provide a timeline for same. [4007/14]
View answerThe stated policy for closed Garda Stations, including Moyvane, is to identify if other State bodies, including government departments and the wider public sector has a use for the property. If no State requirement is identified or if a decision is taken not to dispose of a particular property the OPW will consider community involvement subject to the receipt of an appropriate business case which would indicate that the community/voluntary group has the means to insure, maintain and manage the property.
This Office has received an expression of interest from Moyvane Community Development Association for community use and are awaiting a formal proposal.
