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Tuesday, 11 Feb 2014

Written Answers Nos. 233-250

National Monuments

Questions (233)

Clare Daly

Question:

233. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps he will take to ensure that the Croppies Acre monument to the insurgents of 1798 is cleaned and opened to the public by being appropriately monitored so that it can be used by residents and tourists as intended. [6174/14]

View answer

Written answers

The Office of Public Works and Dublin City Council have agreed in principle that the management and maintenance of the Croppies Acre Memorial Park will be undertaken by the Council. OPW and Dublin City Council are reviewing the Council's proposals regarding improved access to the park prior to formalising a licence arrangement, following which the park is expected to re-open to the public.

Pensions Legislation

Questions (234)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

234. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the terms of pension-related deduction which were introduced as part of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009; if he plans to refund those on salaries under €30,000 as promised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6179/14]

View answer

Written answers

In line with the commitments given under the Haddington Road Agreement, provision was made  in the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2013, for the rate of Pension-Related Deduction (PRD) on the €15,000 to €20,000 band of remuneration  received by a public servant in a year to be reduced from 5% to 2.5%.  . This rate cut introduced with effect from 1 January 2014 is worth €125 annually in gross terms to most public servants, with persons taxed at the standard rate enjoying the greater gain in terms of take-home pay. Following this rate cut, the full set of PRD deduction rates as applied to annual remuneration of a pensionable public servant is now as follows: 0% (exempt)  up to €15,000.2.5%  between €15,000 and €20,000.10%  between €20,000 and €60,000.10.5%  above €60,000.

Under section 12 of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2013,  I must review the PRD and other financial emergency measures annually and cause a written report of my findings to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.  My next such report will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas by 30 June 2014.

Flood Risk Assessments

Questions (235)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

235. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if any study has been undertaken into the extent to which arable farmland has become flooded on an annual basis over the past ten years; the river catchment areas to which this relates; the extent of drainage and river cleaning carried out at these locations over this period; if most rivers have not been cleaned in the past fifty years; the exceptions and if there are any particular plans in hand to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6863/14]

View answer

Written answers

The Office of Public Works has not undertaken any specific study into the extent to which arable farmland has become flooded over the past ten years.

The Office of Public Works is responsible for the maintenance of drainage schemes completed under the Arterial Drainage Act 1945 and also of flood defence schemes completed and/or under construction. This includes maintenance of 11,500 km of channels and 750 km of flood defence embankments as well as all structures, sluices, pump stations, bridges, etc. forming part of the schemes, which benefit over 260,000 hectares of farmlands across the country.

The OPW is currently undertaking the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Study (CFRAM) Programme, working in partnership with its consultants, local authorities and other stakeholders. This is a strategic approach that recognises the need, in line with international best practice, to move to a more sustainable, planned and risk-based approach to dealing with flooding problems. Six studies are being undertaken to cover the River Basin Districts. The studies are concentrating on 300 areas where the risk is considered to be most significant. These areas are known as Areas for Further Assessment or AFAs. More information is available on the Programme website www.cfram.ie .'

I recognise that a particular issue of farmland flooding exists in the Shannon Callows. As part of the CFRAM programme, the River Shannon Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) project is the core strategy for addressing flood risk in the Shannon Basin. The Shannon CFRAM involves an extensive surveying and modelling exercise which is underway at present and it will look at all options for dealing with areas of significant flood risk. The objective of this exercise is to ensure that all flood risk factors are identified and managed in a coordinated way. At the end of the CFRAM process, a flood risk management plan will be available for the Shannon catchment and for each of the other five catchments covered by the CFRAM programme. These management plans will set out the analysis of the flood risk on the relevant catchment and recommended options for managing that risk.

In advance of the completion of the CFRAM work, I can assure the Deputy that it is my intention that constructive dialogue continues with all the main stakeholders. The engagement arising from this dialogue forms a valuable contribution to the stakeholder and information-gathering aspects of the CFRAM Study.

Drainage Schemes Expenditure

Questions (236)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

236. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if compensation was ever paid by the Office of Public Works for farm land that was flooded under the arterial drainage schemes; if this is the case, the locations of the land in question; if he will pay compensation to farmers whose land is continuously prone to flooding in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6886/14]

View answer

Written answers

The Arterial Drainage Acts provide for the payment of compensation by the Commissioners of Public Works for any loss or damage arising from interference with land during the construction of any drainage works under the Act. However, there is no provision for payment of compensation in respect of flooding of farm land. I have no plans to introduce any provision for payment of compensation by the Office of Public Works for flooding of farm land.

Where applicable, assistance under humanitarian aid provisions may be accessed through the Community Welfare Offices of the Department of Social Protection. In addition, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine operates an “early warning system” whereby emergency assistance may be provided to farmers whose animals are experiencing serious animal welfare issues and where the farmer him/herself is unable to cope.

Commercial Rates

Questions (237, 238)

Barry Cowen

Question:

237. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has assessed the impact of commercial rate charges on sporting organisations' grounds; the measures he proposes to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6209/14]

View answer

Barry Cowen

Question:

238. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a total and county breakdown of commercial rates paid by sporting organisations from 2010 to 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6210/14]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 237 and 238 together.

At the outset, I might clarify that the Commissioner of Valuation is independent in the exercise of his duties under the Valuation Act, 2001 and the making of valuations for rating purposes 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 for the exemption from rates of land that is developed for sport such as playing pitches, land on golf courses, tennis courts, etc. In relation to the valuation of buildings occupied by a club affiliated to a sporting organisation, the position is that the 2001 Act also provides for the exemption from rates of "Community Halls". To be classified as a Community Hall, the premises needs to be used for purposes which are not for profit or gain and involve participation by inhabitants of the locality generally and are used for purposes which are of a recreational or otherwise of a social nature. Many sports clubs/organisations achieve exemption from rates of their property under this provision. However, the Valuation Act, 2001 specifically excludes from this provision, the premises of a club registered under the Registration of Clubs (Ireland) Act, 1904. Therefore, the premises of such a registered club are rateable, which essentially means that clubs licensed to sell alcohol are rateable.  This provision has the effect of making the entire premises occupied by the club rateable and not just that part of the premises normally used for the sale of alcohol. The premises of a club are not rateable after it ceases to be registered under the Registration of Clubs (Ireland) Act, 1904.

The sale of alcohol is a commercial activity and a licensed sports club is competing with other commercial licensed premises, all of which are rateable.  Therefore, in equity, exemption from rates can only be achieved by the cessation of the club's registration under the 1904 Act.

Regarding the measures to address issues in relation to the valuation of sports grounds and buildings, the statutory mechanism available to the Commissioner and, which is used to maintain the existing valuation lists on which the local authority rates are based, is known as Revision of Valuation.  The Revision procedures, set out in Part 6 of the Valuation Act 2001, are used to add new properties to the list, to amend the valuation of altered properties and to remove demolished or defunct properties from the list. The valuations of non-domestic properties, including those occupied by sports clubs, are determined by reference to the values of similar type of properties in the same local authority area to ensure, in so far as it is possible, that they are all treated in a fair and equitable manner.

In relation to individual cases, the well-established statutory revision process conducted by the Valuation Office includes an extensive appeal system which in the first instance, provides that where a ratepayer, if he or she considers that the proposed valuation of a premises or any details contained in a Proposed Valuation Certificate are incorrect, can make representations to the Valuation Manager for a review.

The "representations" to the Valuation Office must be made within 28 days of the date of issue of the said Certificate and, if taking this course, an occupier must provide clear reasons and supporting evidence to justify any proposed changes, including an alternative valuation. The result of the review following representations will be notified to the occupier of the premises by way of a final Certificate of Valuation. The occupier has a right to appeal their valuation to the Commissioner of Valuation and, if still dissatisfied following the Commissioner's decision, may subsequently appeal to the Valuation Tribunal. It is an independent body set up for the purpose of settling disputed valuations between the Commissioner of Valuation and the ratepayers or local authorities.  There is also a further appeal available to the Higher Courts but only on a point of law.

With regard to the payment of commercial rates by sporting organisations, the position is that, under Irish law, there is a distinct separation of function between the valuation of rateable property and the setting and collection of commercial rates. The amount of rates payable by a ratepayer in any calendar year is a product of the valuation multiplied by the annual rate of valuation (ARV).  As already mentioned, the valuation of commercial properties for rating purposes, including the valuation of property occupied by sporting organisations, is the responsibility of the Valuation Office which has no function in the collection of rates. This is the responsibility of individual local authorities. Therefore the Valuation Office would not be in a position to furnish details of the rates paid by sporting organisations on a nationwide basis. These  details would be a matter for the local authorities concerned.

Emergency Works Scheme Funding

Questions (239, 240, 241, 242)

Tom Fleming

Question:

239. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will make emergency funding available for coastal protection works in the vicinity of Callinafercy Pier, Milltown, County Kerry, as the recent storms and high tides did an alarming amount of damage in this area; if he will come to the assistance of this community and take into consideration that this is now a high-risk area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6396/14]

View answer

Tom Fleming

Question:

240. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will make emergency funding available for coastal protection works at Rossbeigh, Glenbeigh, County Kerry, as the recent storms and high tides did an alarming amount of damage in this area; if he will come to the assistance of this community and take into consideration that the public road in the vicinity of a person's (details supplied) house and others is now a high-risk area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6397/14]

View answer

Tom Fleming

Question:

241. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will make emergency funding available for coastal protection works adjacent to the road leading to Cromane Point, Killorglin, County Kerry, as the recent storm and high tide did an alarming amount of damage to this road and shoreline; if he will come to the assistance of this fishing community and take into consideration that the protection of this road is critical to the future of the fishing industry in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6420/14]

View answer

Tom Fleming

Question:

242. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will make emergency funding available for coastal protection works at Cromane, Killorglin, County Kerry, as the recent storms and high tides did an alarming amount of damage in this area to homes, public and private property, beach, shoreline, and so on; if he will come to the assistance of this community and take into consideration that the Cromane area is now a high-risk area in respect of tidal flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6421/14]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 239 to 242, inclusive, together.

The Office of Public Works has commenced repair works on breaches of embankments in the vicinity of Callinafercy Pier, Milltown, Co. Kerry following the tidal storm surge of 3 January as these flood defences are within the Maine Catchment Drainage Scheme, for which OPW has a statutory maintenance responsibility. It is a matter for Kerry County Council in the first instance to investigate and address coastal protection issues at the other locations referred to by the Deputy, including remedial works required on foot of damage from the recent storms.

The 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 funding to assist Local Authorities with the cost of repairs to build 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 scheme does not cover repairs to other infrastructure such as roads. The specific application form for this is entitled 'Coastal Storm Flooding Damage Questionnaire 2014' and is available on the OPW website.

The OPW allocated funding of €100,000 to Kerry County Council under the Minor Works Scheme in 2012 for embankment strengthening works at Lower Cromane. This funding was drawn down by the Council in late 2012. It is also open to Local Authorities to carry out flood mitigation and coast protection works using their own resources.

Public Sector Staff Increment Payments

Questions (243)

Michael McGrath

Question:

243. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if there are circumstances where it is permitted for a public servant on an incremental salary scale to move up the scale by more than one point in any given year; if his Department has a policy in this matter; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this practice is occurring in some units of the public service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6441/14]

View answer

Written answers

In the context of the civil service it is the policy for staff to progress on incremental salary scales on the basis of a single point per annum. The position on incremental salary progression elsewhere in the public service is a matter in the first instance for the particular bodies concerned and their relevant parent Department.

Flood Relief Schemes Applications

Questions (244)

Joe Carey

Question:

244. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding a flood alleviation project (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6443/14]

View answer

Written answers

The Office of Public Works has not to date received an application from Clare County Council under the Minor Flood Mitigation and Coastal Protection Scheme in respect of the location referred to.

It remains open to the Council to submit a funding application under the Scheme. Any application received will be considered in accordance with the scheme eligibility criteria, which include a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, and having regard to the overall availability of resources for flood risk management. Application forms are available on the OPW's website under Flood Risk Management.

The Scheme does not cover road flooding due to surface water drainage problems. This would be a matter for the Council to address.

Departmental Contracts Data

Questions (245)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

245. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will name each company awarded a contract for the provision of professional services by his Department and agencies under his aegis since May 2011; the value and purpose of the contract; if a competitive tendering process was undertaken in line with public procurement best practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6460/14]

View answer

Written answers

In response to the Deputy's question I can confirm that all competitive tendering processes in my Department, including agencies under my remit, were undertaken in line with public procurement best practice. The following table outlines the total amount spent on professional fees since the formation of my Department up to 31 December 2013:

  Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Professional Fees From July 2011 to 31 December 2013

Company Name

Details

Amount

Davy Corporate Finance

Financial and commercial advice regarding the competition for the next National Lottery licence

€853,962.50

IPAG (Ireland) Ltd

Development of Ireland Stat website

€5,056.85

Frank O'Brien

Nominee of the Minister for Finance to the Trust of the Coillte No. 2 Pension Fund

€7,200.00

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

Seamus O'Dwyer

Consultant drafting Public Service Pension Scheme

€3,000.00

Accenture

Review of Central Procurement

€30,750.00

Grant Thornton

Independent Verification of savings arising under the Public Services Agreement

€31,586.40

Grant Thornton

Independent Verification of savings arising under the Public Services Agreement

€24,206.40

Deloitte

Consultancy Support for Public Service Reform

€17,835.00

Ashville Media Services

Design of Taoiseach's Public Service Excellence Awards brochure

€861.00

Harte Hanks Trillium

Configuration of address-matching rules

€2,104.83

National Council for the Blind

Accessibility work on forms

€1,020.00

National University of Ireland Maynooth

ICT Review

€30,750.00

Sureskills

Software training

€750.00

Word Perfect Translations

Website translations

€2,181.17

Gartner

CIO Executive program

€89,198.00

Ergo

Software Development

€27,628.88

Brightwater

IT Contractors (Helpdesk, IT Operations)

€45,981.84

Eolas

IT Contractors (Helpdesk, IT Operations)

€296,851.81

P Boland

Lotus Notes Development

€14,454.69

Storm Technology Limited

SharePoint Development

€238,280.07

Systems Dynamics

IT Contractors (Helpdesk, IT Operations) & JD Edwards Support

€65,017.80

HarveyNash

IT Contractors (Helpdesk, IT Operations) & UI/UX Designer

€92,329.95

Deloitte

Expert external support for development of the Public Service Reform Plan 2011

€65,914.75

Accenture

Expert external support for development of the Public Service Reform Plan 2011

€80,465.00

Ashville Media Services

Design of Taoiseach's Public Service Excellence Awards brochure 2012

€861.00

IPAG Ireland

Development of Ireland Stat website 2012

€8,439.35

Accenture

External expert support for Review of the  Central Procurement Function 2012

€30,750.00

Deloitte

Expert external support for the implementation of Public Service Reform initiatives 2012/2013

€75,152.35

Bearing Point

Business Case Analysis for Debt Management 2013

€135,515.00

Best Practice Group

Readiness Assessment Consultancy for External Service Delivery 2013

€24,300.00

PWC

Professional administrative advice for outsourcing document 2013

€6,457.50

PWC

Expert external support for implementation of Public Service Reform initiatives 2013/2014

€92,250.00

Accenture

Civil Service Human Resource and Pensions Shared Services: Project Implementation Partner

€4,815,019.99

Bearing Point

Civil Service Human Resource and Pensions Shared Services: IT Infrastructure

€2,476,483.66

Harvey Nash

Civil Service Human Resource and Pensions Shared Services:  IT Infrastructure

€130,626.00

Brightwater

Civil Service Human Resource and Pensions Shared Services:  IT Infrastructure

€181,813.78

Storm Technology

Civil Service Human Resource and Pensions Shared Services:  IT Infrastructure

€47,017.54

IPAG (Ireland) Ltd

Civil Service Human Resource and Pensions Shared Services: IT Infrastructure

€9,840.00

Equita Consulting

Civil Service Human Resource and Pensions Shared Services

€14,426.42

Deloitte

Civil Service Payroll Shared Services Project

€248,237.37

Core International

Civil Service Payroll Shared Services Project:  Technology Consultancy Services (including developmental work)

€220,884.63

Ernst & Young

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

Civil Service Banking and Financial Management Shared Services Project:  Consultancy Services

€226,552.93

Astec Global

Civil Service Financial Management Shared Services Project:  Project Management Services

€63,226.38

Frank O'Brien

Nominee of the Minister for Finance to the Trust of the Eircom No. 2 Pension Fund

€21,600.00

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 

€6,987.90

Inge Clissmann

Fee paid in respect of role as Chairperson of the Civil Service Disciplinary Board. 

€17,901.57

Third Eye Resolutions

360 questionnaire development

€7,853.62

Fusio

Domain registration

€83.64

PTools (Parallel Internet Ltd)

Website maintenance

€1,055.35

BA & Associates

Executive coaching

€5,355.00

Cathy Buffini

Executive coaching

€3,330.00

People Resources

Executive coaching

€12,662.00

The Performance Partnership

Executive coaching

€2,405.00

Step Performance

Executive coaching

€10,700.00

Seven

Executive coaching

€16,175.05

The Coaching and Mentoring Partnership

Executive coaching

€7,385.50

Thrive

Executive coaching

€5,853.50

Psychological Consultancy Services

Executive coaching

€6,150.00

An Carn Translations

Translation of report

€283.00

Bradán Publishing

Advertorial

€418.20

Creative A.D.

Revision of Logo

€104.55

James McCabe

Clinical Supervision

€700.00

Karen Ward

Clinical Supervision

€375.00

Melissa Darmody

Clinical Supervision

€560.00

Michael O'Mahony

Clinical Supervision

€300.00

Olive Bourke

Clinical Supervision

€380.00

Gerry Myers

Clinical Supervision

€75.00

Seven

Coaching

€2,250.00

Brindley Advertising Ltd.*

Advertisement in respect of a public consultation on the Regulation of Lobbying

€3,719.83

RedC*

Research to elicit appropriate quantitative information and qualitative feedback from the public on their behaviour and attitudes in relation to the recent proposed constitutional amendment on the powers of Oireachtas Inquiries

€41,043.20

Richard Humphreys*

Legal Advice &  Statute Law Reform Director

€179,801.01

Ciara Kennedy*

Statute Law Reform Programme Manager

€52,979.00

Total

 

€11,487,331.19

*Payments are inclusive of VAT where applicable.

 

Office of the Ombudsman, Office of the Information Commissioner, Commissioner for Environmental Information, Standards in Public Office Commission

Professional Fees From July 2011 to 31 December 2013

Company Name

Details

Amount

Ballard Consultancy

Architectural Consultancy

€2,420.00

Capita Business Services

Auditing

€9,168.00

Dr. Brendan Williams

Report re: Oisin Quinn

€2,500.00

Jim Hehir

Auditing

€1,500.00

Melanie Pine

Auditing/Interview

€3,228.50

Orla Twomey

Auditing

€3,702.75

Pathfinder Execution Ltd

Consultancy/Strategy Review

€56,989.96

SMR

Consultancy/Survey

€2,934.40

Blue Wave Technology

I.T. Consultancy

€1,361.25

System Dynamics

I.T. Consultancy

€37,917.00

Noel Ryan & Associates

Auditing

€13,627.00

Tierney & Associates

Auditing

€11,285.00

Brian Andrews

Auditing

€3,370.00

GBS Re Parl/Health Svc Ombuds

Medical

€11,322.17

Parallel Internet Ltd

I.T. Consultancy

€68,190.00

Medmark

Medical

€430.50

Valuation Office

Valuation

€3,150.00

Sylda Langford

Interview

€200.00

Grant Thornton

Consultancy/Acc

€36,494.10

Liz Howard

Interview

€1,336.00

Securelinx

I.T. Consultancy

€24,484.38

Espion

I.T. Consultancy

€1,210.00

Eoin Carolan

Legal

€1,389.90

Matheson

Legal

€34,534.86

Mason Hayes and Curran

Legal

€180,608.49

Goodbodys

Legal

€334,367.00

Matheson Ormsby Prentice

Legal

€58,557.00

Siobhan Ni Chulachan

Legal fees in O Domhnaill Standards Commission case

€21,344.19

Luan O Braoinan

Legal fees in O Domhnaill Standards Commission case

€30,381.00

Diarmuid McGuinness

Legal fees on Court cases

€92,594.70

Jarlath Fitzsimmons

Legal fees on Court cases

€37,146.00

Maurice Collins

Legal fees in DCC and Quinn v SIPO case

€48,277.50

Niamh Hyland

Legal

€21,466.96

Francis Kieran

Legal

€5,932.00

Darina Flynn

Legal

€125.00

Nuala Butler

Legal

€9,431.33

Ita Mangan

Legal

€615.00

Siobhan Phelan

Legal

€907.50

Tom Power

Legal

€3,960.60

Eamon Galligan

Legal

€2,390.50

Berna Grist

Legal

€5,000.00

Barry Doyle

Legal

€7,380.00

Brian O'Moore

Legal

€6,500.00

Catherine Donnelly

Legal

€11,095.00

Emily Egan

Legal

€1,119.00

Total

 

€1,211,944.54

 

Public Appointments Service

Professional Fees

From July 2011 to 31 December 2013

Company Name

Details

Amount

HW Communications

Assessment of Phone System

€204.00

Specsavers

Eye test to monitor for adverse impact on staff sight through constant use of VDUs

€665.00

Digi-Sign Ltd

IT Certification

€2,070.00

Mullins Cuddihy & Associates

Research services for Senior Executive Recruitment

€1,292.00

Graphics IT

Hosting Online Tests and Customer Surveys

€8,517.00

RITS

Advice and external validation on IT security

€10,003.00

Rachel Teodorini Research

Research services for Senior Executive Recruitment

€5,625.00

Capita Business Services Ltd.

Conducting audits in accordance with the Audit Plan of the Internal Audit Committee 

€22,056.00

Tribal Consulting

Conducting audits in accordance with the Audit Plan of the Internal Audit Committee 

€2,323.00

Wilson Hartnell

Communications advice on publicity around senior level and other recruitment  campaigns

€20,710.00

Lopez Moore Associates

Test Development

€7,500.00

DRS Data Services

Printing of answer sheets for psychometric tests and supply of interpretive scanning software

€15,249.00

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Executive Search

€65,501.00

Merc Partners

Executive Search

€144,448.00

Brindley Advertising

Placement of recruitment related adverting (including payment to relevant publications)

€379,577.00

Brindley Advertising (Aegis Media Limited)

Placement of recruitment related adverting (including payment to relevant publications)

€959,167.00

MediaVest Ltd.

Placement of recruitment related adverting (including payment to relevant publications)

€23,220.00

Dell Computer (Ireland)

ICS virtualisation consulting

€829.00

SiteImprove Ltd.

Monitoring of website and feedback on user reaction

€26,207.00

Catalysto Limited

Design of documentation/presentation material

€4,852.00

Dal Riada

Executive Search

€18,150.00

Amrop Strategis

Executive Search

€140,999.00

L.C. O'Reilly Timmins & Co.

Legal

€4,000.00

Espion Limited

Audit of web application

€8,236.00

Comms Connectors

Research services for Senior Executive Recruitment

€3,560.00

Odgers Berndston

Executive Search

€36,512.00

InterSearch in Ireland

Executive Search

€17,528.00

Total

 

€1,928,999.00

  State Laboratory Professional Fees From July 2011 to 31 December 2013

Company Name

Details

Amount

O' Meara Consulting

Provision of Internal Audit function

€39,339.05

Valuation Office/Tribunal Professional Fees From July 2011 to 31 December 2013

Company Name

Details

Amount

Deloitte & Touche

Internal Audit

€31,289.11

Jerry O'Sullivan (Polygon)

Geographic Information System development

€18,725.00

Tierney & Associates

Risk & Governance Consultant

€34,137.00

James Aylward

Valuation Advisory Service

€35,524.00

Zing Technology

IT Development Services

€315,535.18

BT Communications Ireland

Consulting

€2,214.00

Lorna Collery

Training

€750.00

Exchequer Software

Accounting Software and Development

€22,548.98

Shannon Consultancy

Training Services

€2,460.00

Paul Boland Consultancy

IT Consultancy

€1,783.50

KPMG

Valuation Office Advisory Service

€12,300.00

Declan Kearney Consulting

Training Services

€800.00

Brandon Consulting Ltd.

IT Consultancy

€2,583.00

Land and Property Service of Northern Ireland

Valuation Office Advisory Service

€4,372.28

Dara Creative

IT Development Service

€7,970.40

JD Printing T/A Snap

IT Consultancy

€4,231.20

Sofia Vargas Costa

Archivist

€6,580.00

Kelticweb

IT Development Service

€1,783.50

Total

 

€505,587.15

Special EU Programmes Body Table 1 *

Professional Fees

Contracts funded via Administration Budget Irish Funding

From July 2011 to 31 December 2013

Company Name

Details

Amount

( Sterling)

McGrigors

Legal Services NI - 1 year

£16,594.56

Elliot Duffy Garrett

Legal Services

£1,978.00

Pinsent Mason

Legal Services

£2,131.08

DFP

Internal Audit

£30,458.40

Elliot Duffy Garrett

Legal Services

£29,008.00

Total

 

£80,170.04

Special EU Programmes Body Table 2 *

Professional Fees

Contracts funded via Technical Assistance Gross Irish Contribution before EU Refund

From July 2011 to 31 December 2013

Company Name

Details

Amount

(Sterling)

Michael Cooper

To provide photography services for SEUPB

£9,065.00

Goldblatt McGuigan

Forensic Audit of PEACEIII Programmes

£6,526.80

ASM Horwath

Forensic Audit - INTERREG IIIA Project (Bytel)

£10,641.22

ASM Horwath

Economic Appraisal to review EA Creative Futures Programme

£913.75

PriceWaterhouseCooper

Audit of  PEACE III projects

£717.95

Cogent Management

Economic Appraisal Irish Churches Peace Project

£290.08

ASM Horwath

Economic Appraisal Quayside Mooring/Pontoon

£754.93

Cogent Management

Economic Appraisal Girdwood Community Hub

£725.20

Language Direct

Irish Translation Services

£2,202.80

Grant Thornton

Economic Appraisal Glen Community Complex

£81.59

FPM

Economic Appraisal re extra work on S McConnell

£652.68

Cogent Management

Economic Appraisal -Second review of the Rural Enabler project

£1,178.45

FPM Accountants

Revision of Economic Appraisal  EGSA Deaf Communications Network

£360.79

Fpm

Economic Appraisal  Clones Erne East Business Plan

£634.55

Michael Cooper

Photography Service Contract

£4,514.28

Arthur Cox

Procurement Training from Solicitor

£1,450.40

Millward Brown Ulster Ltd

Market Research

£4,035.55

Cogent Management

Update on Economic Appraisal Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland REACH project

£634.55

KPMG

Update SPACE Economic Appraisal

£562.03

ASM

Completion of updated Economic Appraisal for the Irish Peace Centres

£686.76

Cogent Management

Completion of updated Economic Appraisal for Prison to Peace partnership: A Paradigm for Peace Building project

£2,447.55

Cogent Management

Completion of updated Economic Appraisal for the Conflict Transformation from Bottom Up II Project

£2,447.55

ASM

Addendum to Economic Appraisal Louth Phase II Peace and Reconciliation Action Plan

£913.75

ASM

Economic Appraisal Addendum to the original NW Phase II Peace and Reconciliation Plan to consider Phase I Slippage

£837.97

Cogent Management

Addendum to original Economic Appraisal   Belfast Phase II Peace and Reconciliation Action Plan to consider Phase I Slippage

£906.50

FPM Chartered Accountants

Addendum to original Economic Appraisal  Cavan Phase II Peace and Reconciliation Action Plan

£815.85

FPM Chartered Accountants

Update Economic Appraisal  for Donegal County Council -Riverine project

£688.94

Navigator Blue

Design and Advertising Services

£8,353.03

RSM McClure Watters

Update Economic Appraisal  on Inner City Trust Garden of Relection

£543.90

Cogent Management

Addendum to Economic Appraisal  Heroes of th eGreat Seige

£725.20

RSM McClure Watters

4 Economic Appraisal  for INTERREG Applications (Schedule A)

£6,340.97

Cogent Management

4 Economic Appraisal  for INTERREG Applications (Schedule B)

£10,152.80

Cogent Management

Review project plan for peace building and conflict resolution centre project

£1,631.70

McClure Watters

Evaluation of Interreg IV Programme

£5,729.99

SJ Cartmin

PEACE Mid-Term Evaluation

£15,317.67

ASM Horwath

Business Improvements Districts addendum to Economic Appraisal carried out in June 2009

£741.52

Cogent Management

Review of implementation table and programming plan for Girdwood

£1,631.70

KPMG

Ecomonic Appraisal of Narrow Water Bridge

£3,484.30

KPMG

Economic Appraisal CONEXUS

£2,465.68

RSM McClure Waters

Additional work re Inner City Trust Economic Appraisal

£380.73

An Carn

Supply of Translation Services

£997.56

MRNI

Stakeholder survey

£3,977.50

RSM McClure Watters

Economic Appraisal  on Cross Border Observatory INICCO-2

£1,348.87

ASM

CAWT Verification work on procurement

£1,869.20

RSM

Economic Appraisal Portadown Railway Addendum

£739.70

McCann Fitzgerald

RoI Legal Services - 2 years

£10,750.00

SKM

Energy Technical Advisor

£1,305.36

K McShane

Technical Advisor Engineer Narrow water Bridge

£298.89

Leslie Stannage Design

Professional Design Services

£9,065.00

RSM McClure Watters

New Programmes Ex-Ante Evaluation & Environmental Assessment

£18,862.45

M Cooper

Photography Services

£7,252.00

FPM Chartered Accountants

Economic Appraisal additional work Sligo IT Network

£679.88

FPM Chartered Accountants

Riverine Economic Appraisal

£181.30

Cogent Management

Economic Appraisal  Tradelinks

£725.20

Cogent Management

Economic Appraisal Additional work  NW Smart Economy Project

£362.60

Cogent Management

Economic Appraisal Additional work NW Regioal Science Park

£725.20

Cogent Management

Updated Economic Appraisal Girdwood Community Hub

£870.24

Kevin McShane

Provision of project management training technical engineer

£1,608.20

CIPFA

Provision of capital procurement training

£2,580.00

Steria

Electronic Records and Document Management

£52,044.00

Corp. Translation Services

Translation Services

£3,870.00

Millward Brown

Stakeholder Survey

£4,035.55

Lindsay Advisory

Economic Appraisal Addendum to Reconciliation through Riverine Project

£217.56

Lindsay Advisory

Economic Appraisal Addendum to Voice from the Valley

£870.24

Cogent Consulting

Update Economic Appraisal for EARLS  & South Down/South West project

£1,813.00

Duncan Morrow

Independent analysis of GOLI application, regarding community analysis, Professor Morrow

£90.65

Central Procurement Directorate Department of Finance and Personnel NI

Fees for Project advice/guidance on all matters of Procurement for funded projects

£334,639.00

Total

 

£574,965.82

 * The Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) is a North South Implementation Body established under the Good Friday Agreement.  It is headquartered in Belfast and its administration costs are funded by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Department of Finance and Personnel Northern Ireland.  SEUPB manages the EU North South cross-border programmes, PEACE and INTERREG.  These EU Programmes have a total value of €589m in the current 2007-2013 EU programming round.  The EU Programme costs are co-funded by the EU and by contributions from Government Departments, North and South.

The information in the tables below has been taken from SEUPB's register of contracts for the years 2011-2012.  The data is divided in two tables.  Table 1 Contracts funded via Administration Budget Irish Funding shows the cost of contracts related to core administration costs.  Table 2 Contracts funded via Technical Assistance Gross Irish Contribution before EU Refund shows the gross cost of contracts related to the PEACE and INTERREG Programmes, which are funded under the respective Programme's Technical Assistance priority.   The gross cost includes the EU-funded element, for which the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform will subsequently receive a refund from the European Commission.   These refunds are at the rate of 54% refund for PEACE Programme expenditure and 75% for INTERREG Programme expenditure.

The data provided relates to contracts awarded in the years 2011, 2012 and 2013.  The Special EU Programmes Body did not have sufficient time to collate the invoice data under the three cost centres (Administration, PEACE and INTERREG) but the SEUPB has indicated that the figures would not be significantly different, and that,  if anything the invoiced total may be a lower figure, depending on the span of the contract.

 

Institute of Public Administration Professional Fees From July 2011 to 31 December 2013

Company Name

Details

Amount

PWC

Internal audit Services (IPA)

€36,900.00

Eversheds

Legal Services (IPA)

€16,751.00

Total

 

€53,651.00

Departmental Advertising Expenditure

Questions (246)

Damien English

Question:

246. Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total amount spent on advertising by his Department and each agency under his aegis in 2013; if he will provide a breakdown on the amount spent on each of TV, radio, print, outdoor, Internet and social media platform advertising; the amount spent on advertising agencies; if he will provide the information in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6587/14]

View answer

Written answers

In response to the Deputy's question the following tables outline the amount spent on advertising by my Department and each agency under my remit in 2013:

Organisation

Media Outlet

Subtotal

TotalAmount

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Print

€2,091.00

+

Print

€223,441.57

 +

+

Radio & Online

€2,776.64

 

Office of Public Works    

Outdoor

€11,054.00

€237,272.21

+

Print**

€487,919.21

 +

+

Online

€6,477.18

 +

Public Appointments Service (Recruitment Advertising)*    

Social Media

€6,438.39

€500,834.78

State Laboratory

Print

+

€4,236.12

Valuation Office

Print

+

€6,192.00

+

Print

€33,960.34

 +

+

Radio

€2,548.56

 +

Office of the Ombudsman    

Online

€9,961.00

€46,469.90

+

Print

€55,879.54

 +

+

Radio

€18,077.89

 +

+

Online

€14,735.44

 +

Institute of Public Administration      

Outdoor Advertising

€9,963.00

€98,655.87

+

Print

€3,847.22

 +

Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) ***  

Online

€236.68

€4,083.90

Total

 +

 +

€899,835.78

 *€245,000 of this total was recovered from clients for whom the recruitment campaigns were run.

**Paid to the advertising company in accordance with the terms of the Government Contract for the placement of advertising in the print media; cost includes advertising in the print media and agency costs.

***This total amount of spend was for recruitment purposes only.  Where required, an exchange rate of £1 - €1.199 was used.

Departmental Programmes

Questions (247)

Damien English

Question:

247. Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department currently engages in real-time reporting of online conversations on issues relating to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6603/14]

View answer

Written answers

In response to the Deputy's question I can confirm that my Department does not engage in real time reporting of online conversations nor is it a matter I am currently considering. It can happen from time to time that my Press Office may monitor an issue but this is not done in any systematic way using software. My Department does have a twitter account, @IRLDeptPER, and we currently follow 336 accounts, and have 1012 followers.

Pensions Legislation

Questions (248)

Michael McGrath

Question:

248. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has received a proposal from the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources seeking his concurrence with a proposal to amend the superannuation scheme of An Post; and if so, if he has concurred with the proposal or when he expects to finalise the matter. [6618/14]

View answer

Written answers

My Department has been in close contact with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources with regard to the finalisation of such a proposal.  The Departments met An Post on 30 January 2014 in this regard.  Following this meeting,  An Post are expected to submit final proposals  to the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources for consideration which will then be submitted to my Department for approval.

Garda Station Refurbishment

Questions (249)

Andrew Doyle

Question:

249. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 529 of 4 February 2014, the measures and particular refurbishment works that will be undertaken by the Office of Public Works at a Garda Station (details supplied) in County Wicklow; the timeline for each of the refurbishment works and measure; the total cost of the works for the station for 2014, improving the quality of the service provided by An Garda Síochána in the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6665/14]

View answer

Written answers

The Office of Public Works has surveyed Greystones Garda Station and is awaiting the report of its Fire Safety Officer prior to preparing a full scope of works to address the accommodation and fire safety issues in this Station. This scope of works will then be submitted to An Garda Síochána for comment and agreement on a timeframe for implementation. The likely cost is not yet known.

Flood Risk Assessments

Questions (250)

Nicky McFadden

Question:

250. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on the Shannon Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Study report; when the report will be completed and recommendations implemented; if he will acknowledge the urgency of completion of the report in view of the flooding along the River Shannon in the past week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6760/14]

View answer

Written answers

Good progress is being made by the Office of Public Works working with its consultants Jacobs Engineering, local authorities and other stakeholders to deliver the Shannon Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM). The CFRAM is taking a strategic approach that recognises the need, in line with international best practice, to move to a more sustainable, planned and risk-based approach to dealing with flooding problems. Work started in January 2011 and is scheduled to be completed in 2016. The Shannon River Basin District covers some 17,800kms2 and includes parts of 17 counties. Under the programme, work on Draft Flood Maps will be finalised during 2014 and Flood Risk Management Plans are due to be completed in 2016. Some draft maps are already available on the project website www.shannoncframstudy.ie.

A key element of the CFRAM programme is public consultation. It is envisaged that the draft flood maps produced under the CFRAM will be brought to formal public consultation in summer/autumn 2014. Informal Public Information Days on the Draft Flood Maps will take place also. These events will be advertised in local press and regular updates will be available on the project website. The draft maps will be finalised following the public consultation phase.

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