Written Answers Nos. 297-321
297. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills to set out the number of new school buildings that are at or near completion; the position of replacement of prefabs throughout the country; the future plans in meeting the demographic demands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8378/14]
View answerA total of 40 major projects (new schools and large scale extensions) were under construction at the start of 2014. It is expected that the majority of these will reach completion throughout 2014 while under my Department's Prefab Replacement Initiatives 2012 and 2013, approval was given to 216 schools nationally to replace 573 prefab units with permanent accommodation. A total of 159 projects have gone to construction and 133 of these have already been completed. It is envisaged that the remaining 57 project will commence on site in 2014.
The 5 year School Construction Plan announced on 9 March 2012 (which is detailed on my Department's website), provides for a €2 billion school capital investment programme to 2016. The primary aim at the core of the Five Year Plan is focussed on meeting demographic demands to ensure that every child will have access to a physical school place and that our school system is in a position to cope with increasing pupil numbers. The Plan prioritises major school projects in areas where future significant demographic changes have been identified.
298. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will clarify if all branches of the Civil Service within his Department are applying Department policy that staff progress on incremental salary scales on the basis of a single point per annum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8681/14]
View answerMy Department applies the appropriate Department of Finance and/or Department of Public Expenditure and Reform policies in relation to the payment of increments for all staff. Most civil servants were historically placed on a pay scale with annual increments up to a maximum level and after that, 2 Long Service Increments (LSI's) after 3 and 6 years respectively. The annual increment was normally paid on the anniversary of appointment provided performance during the year is satisfactory. An exception is in the case of statisticians where at particular intervals and subject to satisfactory service, their salaries can be moved up by an number of increments to mitigate the reduced promotional opportunities in the area. Currently, my Department is applying the provisions of the Haddington Road Agreement (HRA), which came into effect from 1st July, 2013, to the payment of increments for all of its staff. One of the measures agreed under the HRA was that staff increments - after payment of their first increment after introduction of the HRA - are to be deferred for periods of between three months and six months depending on salary level as follows:
- Less than €35,000 – one three month increment freeze
- €35,000 to €65,000 – two three month increment freezes
- Above €65,000 to max of PO (higher) scale – two six month increment freeze
- Salaries starting over €100,000 – incremental progression suspended for three years
In addition, as a balancing measure, the Agreement provides that for staff earning between €35,000 and €65,000* and on the maximum of their salary scale before or during 2013 as outlined below. If staff reach the maximum point after 2013, the above provisions will be implemented on a reducing basis.
1. Reduction of 2 days annual leave for next three years; or
2. 2 days unpaid leave for next three years (subject to management approval);
or
3. Cash deduction from salary of equivalent amount; or
4. Cash deduction of half of the most recent increment, whichever is the lesser.
If staff reach the maximum point after 2013, the above provisions will be implemented on a reducing basis.
*Officers who have 23 days or less are excluded from the provisions of this section of the Haddington Road Agreement.
299. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Education and Skills whether he is aware of any official bodies under the aegis of his Department which subscribe to the daily inflation data for Ireland collected by a company (details supplied); if so, the cost of this service; if the data will be made available to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8695/14]
View answerFor the Deputy's information, I can confirm that no official bodies under the aegis of my Department subscribe to the daily inflation data for Ireland collected by the company mentioned.
300. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when he expects the memorandum of understanding to be agreed with insurance companies that are licensed here to provide flood cover to home owners and businesses where flood defences have been built by the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7689/14]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) has taken the lead role in discussions with Insurance Ireland with a view to improving the availability of insurance cover in areas where the OPW, or local authorities with OPW funding, have carried out major flood defence schemes. There have been some unexpected issues on the industry side requiring finalisation but I am confident that, in the coming weeks, I will be in a position to make an announcement on an agreed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the industry and the OPW.
The OPW has to date provided information on 12 completed flood relief schemes in an agreed format to Insurance Ireland and I expect to see that, in these protected areas, the insurance industry recognises this significant capital investment on behalf of the taxpayer, and insures properties benefiting from that investment.
It is important, nevertheless, to state that the OPW has no role or function in relation to the oversight or regulation of the insurance industry or of insurance matters generally. I am aware that the issue of obtaining insurance cover continues to cause great difficulty to people in certain locations. Insurance companies make commercial decisions on the provision of insurance cover based on their assessment of the risks they would be accepting on a case by case basis but, where flood defence investments have been made and the standard of protection can be verified, I see no reason why the insurance industry cannot provide flood insurance cover in these communities.
301. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if compensation was ever paid for loss of income in the Claregalway Cregmore area, County Galway, by the Office of Public Works under the arterial drainage schemes due to flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7747/14]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) has not paid compensation for loss of income due to flooding arising from works carried out by the Office under the provisions of the Arterial Drainage Acts in the Claregalway/Cregmore area. Compensation was paid in respect of loss or damage arising in connection with interference with property during the construction of the works, as provided for in the Acts.
The Corrib Clare Arterial Drainage Scheme was constructed by the OPW between 1954 and 1964. The purpose of the scheme was to provide outfall to facilitate land drainage. Maintenance of the scheme channels and associated structures, including those in the area in question, is carried out on an ongoing basis, in accordance with the OPW's statutory obligations under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945.
In 2011, the OPW carried out substantial advance works for the Clare River (Claregalway) Drainage Scheme, the purpose of which is to reduce flood risk in the area. It is expected that construction of the remaining elements of the scheme will commence this year. I understand that the advance works had a significant beneficial effect in the area during the recent storms.
302. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to set out the options identified by his Department in terms of State investment in flood defences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8148/14]
View answerThe Government has allocated a total of €225 million (€45 million per annum on average) over the period 2012 – 2016 for capital expenditure on flood risk management. This significant allocation, coming on top of capital expenditure of €270m in the 1996 – 2011 period, reflects the priority which is attached to addressing the problem of flood risk nationally. The multi-annual allocation will enable the Office of Public Works (OPW) to continue to progress its current flood risk management programmes including major capital flood defence schemes, minor works, and the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. In addition, the Government is also spending approximately €15 million per annum in current expenditure on an ongoing maintenance programme of completed arterial drainage and flood defence schemes. This excludes works undertaken and funded by local authorities on flood defence infrastructure under their remit.
The CFRAM Programme, examining the options for State investment in flood defences over the medium to long term and the Programme, focusing on 300 areas of potentially significant risk, lies at the core of the assessment of flood risk and the long-term planning of the flood risk management measures throughout the country, including capital structural and non-structural measures.
The CFRAM Studies are comprehensive catchment-based studies through which, following public consultation, detailed flood maps are produced and flood risk management measures are assessed and taken to outline design. These measures will be prioritised and set out in a Flood Risk Management Plan.
The CFRAM Programme will be used to determine national priorities for State investment in flood defences, on a systematic and objective basis using Multi-Criteria Analysis. More information on the Programme is available on www.cfram.ie.
Pending the completion of the CFRAM Programme, the OPW is continuing with its programme of major flood relief schemes. These schemes are focused on locations throughout the country where significant flood events have occurred in the past. Cost benefit analysis is the standard methodology used to determine priorities and for selection of major schemes. Benefits are measured in terms of the damage and loss avoided.
The identification and assessment of smaller scale flood risk problems and mitigation measures at local level within each county is a matter for the local authority concerned. It is open to local authorities to apply for funding under the OPW's Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme, introduced in 2009. The Scheme generally applies to relatively straightforward cases where a solution can be readily identified and achieved in a short time frame.
303. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in view of the recent flooding in Cork City, his plans for major flood relief work in the city; when he expects this work to proceed; the funding that is in place for this work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8289/14]
View answerWork on developing a flood relief scheme for Cork City has been under way for some time. The Scheme covers the area from Inniscarra Dam to downstream of the City on the River Lee, and it will also include proposals for Blackpool and Ballyvolane which are affected by tributaries of the River Lee.
As I announced in Cork two weeks ago, the emerging preferred Scheme will be brought before the public in a Public Information day on 29th July, 2014. The full scheme and statutory documentation will then be formally placed on Public Exhibition in December 2014 and this will run over December 2014 to January 2015 when representatives of the Design team will be in attendance on advertised days to meet with the public and deal with any queries arising. The public will have a further month to make submissions on the proposals which will be considered as the scheme moves forward. The project is overseen by a steering group consisting of officials from the OPW, the Local Authority and the design consultants for the scheme. OPW and Cork City Council will consider how best to engage with local stakeholder groups to gather in their input, which will inform the options during the design process.
It is intended that the completion of the detailed design and the procurement of a works contractor, along with formal Statutory Confirmation of the Scheme by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, will be completed by November 2015 with the intention that works will be commenced before the end of 2015. Pending the emergence of the preferred scheme proposals in the next few months it is not possible to estimate how much the overall scheme will cost. However, the Government is fully committed to providing a flood relief scheme for Cork City as soon as possible, and to providing the necessary funding for this.
304. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he and his officials met officials from Kerry County Council during his recent visit to County Kerry, where he inspected some of the areas affected by flooding, storm damage, high tides, coastal erosion and so on; if he will confirm the level of co-operation between the Office of Public Works and Kerry County Council in respect of the crisis; the number of meetings that have taken place and the plan of action to assist these communities and persons who have suffered greatly as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7560/14]
View answerI met with many local representative and local authority officials during my visit to Kerry on 6 and 7 of January, during which I inspected flood damaged caused by the storms. The Office of Public Works (OPW) engineering staff are liaising with Kerry County Council engineering staff on an ongoing basis in relation to the flooding issues arising from the events of the 3rd and 6th of January 2014 and again on the 1st of February 2014.
It is a matter for Kerry County Council in the first instance to investigate and address coastal protection issues generally in the county, including remedial works required on foot of damage from the recent storms.
The Office of Public Works wrote on 10th January, 2014 to City and County Managers in coastal areas indicating that it will accept applications under its Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme for funding to assist with repairs to built flood defences and coastal protection structures which have been damaged by the recent storms. This is a once-off measure to reinstate built coastal defences to their pre-storm condition. The specific application form for this entitled Coastal Storm Damage Flooding Questionnaire 2014 is again available on www.opw.ie under Flood Risk Management. The OPW will assess and respond to any applications received as quickly as possible. Any work for which funding is sought will be carried out by the Local Authorities.
It is also open to Local Authorities to carry out flood mitigation and coast protection works using their own resources.
305. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide in tabular form the number of staff in his Department currently on a sabbatical or career break broken down by 0 to six months, six to 12 months, one year to two years, two to three years, four to five years and five years plus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7633/14]
View answerThere are 10 staff in my Department who are currently on a sabbatical/career break. The duration of leave applied for by staff can be broken down as follows:
|
Length of Leave of Absence |
Number of Staff |
|
0 - 6 months |
0 |
|
6 - 12 months |
1 |
|
1 - 2 years |
2 |
|
2 - 3 years |
3 |
|
3 - 4 years |
1 |
|
4 - 5 years |
2 |
|
5 years plus |
1 |
|
Total |
10 |
306. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide in tabular form the total number of uncertified sick days taken by employees in his Department and the average uncertified sick days per employee taken; the total certified sick days taken by employees; the average certified sick days per employee; the total sick days taken by employees; and the average total sick days and median overall sick days per employee in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. [7649/14]
View answerThe Department of Public Expenditure and Reform was established in July 2011. Details of sick leave statistics from July to December 2011 and 2012 are set out in the following table.
|
- |
2011 (July December) |
2012 |
|
Total Uncertified Sick Days |
73.73 |
135.87 |
|
Average Uncertified Sick Days by Employees |
0.26 |
0.41 |
|
Total Certified Sick Days |
720.31 |
1,264.05 |
|
Average Certified Sick Days by Employees |
2.57 |
3.80 |
|
Total Sick Days |
794.04 |
1,399.92 |
|
Average Sick Days by Employees |
2.84 |
4.20 |
|
Median (i.e. mid-point of all sick leave absences) Sick Days per Employee |
2.00 |
2.00 |
307. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide in tabular form the total spending on flood defences on an annual basis from 2000-13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7729/14]
View answer309. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to outline the total amount planned to be spent on flood defence in 2014, 2015 and 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7731/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 307 and 309 together.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) has expended €355 million on capital flood relief activities between 2000 and 2013 with €307 million being spent on flood defence works and €48 million on other flood relief programme areas of work such as the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. Of the total spent on flood defence works, €282 million has been invested on Major Flood Relief Schemes and another €25 million on the Minor Flood Works & Coastal Protection Scheme that commenced in 2009, under which the OPW funds works undertaken by Local Authorities up to a maximum of €0.5 million per project. A detailed breakdown is set out in the following table.
|
Year |
Major Schemes |
Minor Works Scheme |
Other Work Programmes * |
Totals |
|
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
|
|
2000 |
5.3 |
N/A |
0 |
5.3 |
|
2001 |
10.8 |
N/A |
0 |
10.8 |
|
2002 |
17.62 |
N/A |
0 |
17.62 |
|
2003 |
20.18 |
N/A |
0.34 |
20.52 |
|
2004 |
14.77 |
N/A |
0.62 |
15.39 |
|
2005 |
13.3 |
N/A |
2.87 |
16.17 |
|
2006 |
11.68 |
N/A |
2.54 |
14.22 |
|
2007 |
18.79 |
N/A |
4.32 |
23.11 |
|
2008 |
21.41 |
N/A |
3.47 |
24.88 |
|
2009 |
30.43 |
1.86 |
4.17 |
36.46 |
|
2010 |
24.57 |
10.21 |
3.85 |
38.63 |
|
2011 |
26.53 |
5.72 |
2.65 |
34.9 |
|
2012 |
33.97 |
4.89 |
13.16 |
52.02 |
|
2013 |
32.76 |
2.48 |
9.67 |
44.91 |
|
Totals |
282.11 |
25.16 |
47.66 |
354.93 |
* This includes the CFRAM Prog., Flood Studies Update Prog., Coastal Protection, Flood Forecasting, Legislative Review, Research & Development and Public Flood Awareness Campaign.
Since the programme of investment on main urban flood defence schemes commenced in 1995 and with the introduction of the Minor Works Programme in 2009, benefits estimated at over €1 billion in terms of damage and loss avoided have been realised and flood protection has been provided to approximately 10,500 properties.
The Government has prioritised investment in Flood Risk Management by allocating some €225 million to the OPW over the period 2012 to 2016 as part of its Infrastructure and Capital Investment Framework which will mean an annual average allocation of €45 million per year in that period. This is a very substantial financial commitment in current difficult conditions and underlines the priority the Government attaches to this area.
OPW has currently seven major schemes at various stages of construction with another six schemes due to commence construction this year. In addition, another twenty schemes are at various stages of planning, many of which will be expected to move to construction in 2015-2016.
Since the Minor Works Scheme was introduced in 2009, over 430 projects have been approved for funding with the vast majority of these having now been implemented.
308. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to give details on the progress that has been made between his Department and the insurance industry on information exchange on investment on flood defences; the timeline for their completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7730/14]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) has taken the lead role in discussions with Insurance Ireland on the format and protocols for the provision of information to the industry on completed OPW major flood defence schemes with a view to improving the availability of insurance cover in areas where the OPW, or local authorities with OPW funding, have carried out such schemes. There have been some unexpected issues on the industry side requiring finalisation but I am confident that, in the coming weeks, I will be in a position to make an announcement on an agreed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the industry and the OPW.
The OPW has to date provided information on 12 completed flood relief schemes in an agreed format to Insurance Ireland and I expect to see that, in these protected areas, the insurance industry recognises this significant capital investment on behalf of the taxpayer, and insures properties benefiting from that investment.
It is important, nevertheless, to state that the OPW has no role or function in relation to the oversight or regulation of the insurance industry or of insurance matters generally. I am aware that the issue of obtaining insurance cover continues to cause great difficulty to people in certain locations. Insurance companies make commercial decisions on the provision of insurance cover based on their assessment of the risks they would be accepting on a case by case basis but, where flood defence investments have been made and the standard of protection can be verified, I see no reason why the insurance industry cannot provide flood insurance cover in these communities.
310. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to set out the expected date of the completion of the catchment flood risk assessment and management, CFRAM, studies; if he will allocate additional resources to the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7732/14]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) is working in partnership with its consultants, local authorities and other stakeholders to deliver the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Study (CFRAM) Programme. 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.
Under the Programme, work on Draft Flood Maps will be finalised in 2014, following a period of formal public consultation in the Summer/Autumn. Flood Risk Management Plans are due to be completed in 2015. Regular updates are available on the Programme website www.cfram.ie. The resources required to undertake the CFRAM Programme are provided for in the OPW's allocations for Flood Risk Management to 2016 and sufficient resources will be available to ensure completion of the Programme.
311. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the basis on which he has written to the pension committee at North-South bodies to inform them of a change in the pension scheme rules; the connection between this change and the Haddington Road agreement; if he has had any communication with any trade unions regarding this change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7742/14]
View answerThe North/South Pension Scheme is the default pension scheme for employees in five of the six cross-border Implementation Bodies, and also in Tourism Ireland. The Scheme's standard pension rules, known as the "Core Terms", have applied equally to covered members working in the bodies from both jurisdictions since soon after the bodies were established under 1999 legislation.
The North/South Pension Scheme when introduced was modelled on the Northern Ireland Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (PCSPS). The Irish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive are both making changes to Public Service pension schemes in order to control pension costs, including those changes noted in the recent Haddington Road Agreement. Given the importance of maintaining a common pension scheme for these bodies on both sides of the border, I considered it appropriate that the changes being made in Northern Ireland should be reflected in the Core terms.
This matter is the subject of ongoing negotiations with the relevant public service unions. I do not propose to comment further while those discussions are ongoing.
312. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to detail his plans for further economic stimulus programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7809/14]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, since July 2012 I have made a number of announcements in relation to additional capital investment as part of an infrastructure stimulus package to help support investment in infrastructure and jobs. This additional investment supplements the exchequer capital programme and is primarily focused on projects with a high employment impact and which can benefit local economies throughout the State. It is also predicated on the use of non-traditional funding methods e.g. private financing through the PPP structure and additional Exchequer investment through reinvestment of proceeds from the sale of State assets and the new licensing arrangement for the National Lottery.
To date, a total of €1½ billion in new PPP projects has been announced with a further investment of €250 million to be added to the pipeline once suitable projects have been identified. On the Exchequer side, an additional €150m investment in schools, energy efficiency and roads projects was committed followed by the more recent announcement in relation to the use of €200m additional investment from the Lottery Licence transaction. Some €45m will also be invested this year from part of the proceeds of the asset disposal programme to meet essential upfront costs associated with the new PPP projects. This includes substantial enabling works at the Grangegorman DIT project which are well under way.
As I announced on Budget day, a review of the public capital programme will be undertaken by my Department this year and will culminate in the setting of the Government's capital investment framework for the period ahead. It is my intention that the use of further proceeds arising from the sale of assets will be considered as part of the review, taking account of the infrastructure investment priorities identified in the review. The review will also examine the scope for the utilisation of other non-traditional funding sources to augment investment in employment intensive projects that can promote economic growth and best meet our infrastructure needs.
313. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on works at Derrynane House; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7812/14]
View answerThe contract works to refurbish Derrynane House are progressing well and are due for completion next month. Allowing time for exhibition set-up, etc, the target date for re-opening is April 21st.
314. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if any of his departmental or ministerial offices have been swept for electronic or any other type of surveillance or bugging equipment since coming to office in March 2011; the reasons for this check; the results of this check; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7898/14]
View answerIn response to the Deputy's question I can confirm that no office in my Department has been swept for electronic or any other type of surveillance or bugging equipment since the formation of this Government.
315. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will list any new organisations or agencies established in his Department since 9 March 2011; the role and functions and the annual operating budget for these organisations or agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7949/14]
View answerNo new organisations or agencies have been established in my Department since 9 March 2011.
316. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding funding to build an embankment to prevent flooding in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7959/14]
View answerAs indicated in my reply to the Deputy's Question on 6 February, 2014, it is a matter for Kerry County Council in the first instance to investigate and address coastal protection issues generally in the county, including remedial works required on foot of damage from the recent storms.
The Office of Public Works (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 and Coastal Protection Scheme for funding to assist Local Authorities with the cost of repairs to built flood defences and coastal protection structures which have been damaged by the recent storms. This is a once-off measure to reinstate built coastal defences to their pre-storm condition. The specific application form for this is entitled 'Coastal Storm Flooding Damage Questionnaire 2014' and is available on the OPW website.
If an application for funding for works at the location in question is received from Kerry County Council it will be given every consideration by the OPW.
It would also be open to the Council to carry out flood mitigation and coastal protection works using its own resources.
317. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide details of maintenance and flood prevention works undertaken by the Office of Public Works in the past 12 months on the Bulkawn River, Ballinrobe, County Mayo, including locations adjacent to the Neale Road bridge near the hotel on the Kilmaine Road; and if he will outline plans for works to be undertaken at these locations in 2014. [7978/14]
View answerOn four occasions during 2013 the Office of Public Works (OPW) undertook maintenance tasks on the Bulkaun River, Ballinrobe, County Mayo. This channel is part of the Mask-Robe arterial drainage scheme. The work largely involved weed cutting on various stretches of the river and clearing the bed of loose material at the Kilmaine Road bridge.
It is also significant that, in 2012, OPW maintenance staff carried out works on a 1,480 metre stretch of the river with a hydraulic excavator.
OPW had indicated that it would remove 150 mm from the weir west of the Neale road bridge subject to consent from all interested parties. This work did not proceed as the required consent was not forthcoming - a number of local residents raised objections to the proposal.
It is the intention of OPW to continue maintenance works with the weed boat in 2014 on the Bulkaun. The total number of weed boat runs on the river in a given year will be subject to resources available, but is expected to be not less than three.
318. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the regulations for the new sick pay arrangements in the public service will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8004/14]
View answerThe new sick leave scheme for the public service is being introduced by Regulations made under the recently enacted Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments)(Amendment) Act 2013. The legislation provides me, as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, with the basis to regulate for sick leave across the public service.
During the passage of the Bill through the Houses of the Oireachtas in December 2013, I tabled an amendment to the legislation that requires the Ministerial Regulations to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas with the scope for either House to annul the Regulations within 21 sitting days.
The development and publication of the Regulations is a matter of priority for my Department and the Regulations are currently at an advanced stage of drafting. The new sick leave scheme for the public service will be introduced with effect from 31 March 2014.
319. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to outline the financial support that will be given to Dublin City Council to address the potential risk of flooding around the River Naniken in Dublin North-East constituency ; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8008/14]
View answerI am advised that the River Naniken is conveyed by way of a culvert for a substantial part of its entire length and forms an integral part of the urban storm drainage system. I understand that the flooding problem in question is due to the inadequacy of the surface water drainage infrastructure in the area and the responsibility for addressing this problem rests with Dublin City Council not with the Office of Public Works (OPW). I understand also that any capital investment by DCC to address the flooding problem in this location would have to be economically viable and acceptable from a cost/benefit point of view.
The Office of Public Works is not in a position to provide financial assistance to Dublin City Council to address this issue as the OPW has no responsibility in relation to funding of drainage infrastructure.
320. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on the implementation of the 2005 Royal Haskoning report on flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8009/14]
View answerDublin City Council commissioned the study referred to, the Dublin Coastal Flooding Protection Project Study, in 2005 with funding provided by the Office of Public Works (OPW). The Study examined the causes and impacts of flooding in the area from Portmarnock on the northern side of the City to Booterstown on the Southern side.
The main aims of the Study were to:
- Undertake a strategic examination of the risk to Dublin and Fingal from coastal flooding
- Identify appropriate strategies and policies to combat and manage that risk
- Identify options to reduce and/or manage the risk and to identify any capital funding required to deliver on the recommended strategy
- Specify an early warning system for coastal flooding.
Some of the recommendations have since been carried out by Dublin City Council with funding from the OPW, including the flood relief works on the River Tolka and Spencer Dock. Significant works have also been undertaken on the River Dodder with the tidal section now almost completed and further works under way in the area up to Ballsbridge. It is also understood that the City Council intend to commence flood defence works on the South Campshires on the River Liffey later this year.
The City Council has also undertaken some works in the Sandymount area with longer term works to be investigated later this year. It is understood that works are also to be carried out near the Bull Island Causeway later in 2014.
As the Deputy will be aware, Dublin City Council developed a flood relief scheme for Clontarf but it was rejected by the public. It is understood that discussions are ongoing with local residents and businesses before new proposals can be developed. Progression of any further measures recommended in the report would be a matter for the Council in the first instance.
A tidal surge forecasting system has been developed for the Dublin Bay area and is operated jointly by Dublin City Council & Met Éireann. It is worth noting that Dublin City recorded its highest tide ever on 3rd January 2014 and had very minimal damages, as a result of works undertaken, compared to a similar tide in February 2002 which flooded over 1250 buildings and caused over €60 million in damages.
321. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to give details on the value of contracts entered into by the State, its agencies and public bodies which went to contractors in Northern Ireland, the rest of the UK, other EU countries and to countries outside the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8010/14]
View answer323. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to outline the number and value of public procurement contracts, above and below the EU threshold requirements, which were issued to foreign companies from 2008 to 2012, inclusive. [8046/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 321 and 323 together.
Under EU Directives on public procurement public works, supplies and service contracts above certain thresholds must be advertised and award notices published on the Official Journal of the EU and awarded on the basis of objective and non-restrictive criteria. The EU Thresholds for the relevant years are listed as follows.
The main advertising thresholds in effect from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2009 were as follows:
|
Works |
Threshold |
Public Bodies |
|
Contract Notice |
€5,150,000 |
Government Departments and Offices, Local and Regional Authorities and other public bodies. |
|
Supplies and Services |
- |
- |
|
Contract Notice |
€133,000 |
Government Departments and Offices |
|
Contract Notice |
€206,000 |
Local and Regional Authorities and public bodies outside the Utilities sector. |
|
Utilities |
- |
- |
|
Works Contracts/Prior Indicative Notice |
€5,150,000 |
Entities in Utilities sectors covered by GPA |
|
Supplies and Services |
€412,000 |
Entities in Utilities sectors covered by GPA |
The main advertising thresholds in effect from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2011 were as follows:
|
Works |
Threshold |
Public Bodies |
|
Contract Notice |
€4,845,000 |
Government Departments and Offices, Local and Regional Authorities and other public bodies. |
|
Supplies and Services |
- |
- |
|
Contract Notice |
€125,000 |
Government Departments and Offices |
|
Contract Notice |
€193,000 |
Local and Regional Authorities and public bodies outside the Utilities sector. |
|
Utilities |
- |
- |
|
Works Contracts/Prior Indicative Notice |
€4,845,000 |
Entities in Utilities sectors covered by GPA |
|
Supplies and Services |
€ 387,000 |
Entities in Utilities sectors covered by GPA |
For contracts below these thresholds, the general requirement is that they be advertised on the national public procurement website www.etenders.gov.ie or, depending on value, awarded on the basis of a competitive process of direct invitation to an adequate number of suitable suppliers. Data relating to contracts awarded below EU thresholds would be held by relevant contracting authorities. The following information is based on data available on above EU threshold awards only:
- In 2008 296 Contracts valued at €568M of the total known awarded contract above threshold by the State went to non-domestic companies.
- In 2009, 172 Contracts valued at €753M of the total known awarded contract above threshold by the State went to non-domestic companies.
- In 2010, 115 Contracts valued at €293M of the total known awarded contract above threshold by the State went to non-domestic companies.
- In 2011, 123 Contracts valued at €240M of the total known awarded contract above threshold by the State went to non-domestic companies.
In 2011, the public procurement awards that went to non-domestic companies represented less than 5% of the overall annual public procurement spend (approximately €13.1 billion). The main centres of origin of companies that have been awarded public procurement contracts above the EU threshold in 2011 are:
|
Country/Region |
No. of Contracts |
|
Northern Ireland |
5 |
|
United Kingdom |
69 |
|
EU Other |
30 |
|
Non-EU (US, UAE etc..) |
18 |
Data 2012 and 2013 will be available later this year. I should point out that the Public Service Reform Plan published by my Department includes a recommendation to improve performance measurement and procurement expenditure analysis. In this regard, a key focus of the Office of Government Procurement 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 to procure in a more cost efficient manner but will also capture more informative data on SME participation.
It is important to remember that open tendering is a two way street and that it provides Irish companies with opportunities to compete abroad. The public procurement market in the EU is estimated to be valued in excess of €2.4 trillion. In this regard, it is worth pointing out that the open market regime also offers opportunities for Irish companies to win business abroad and reliable EU studies indicate that many Irish businesses are successful in this regard.
