Written Answers Nos. 73-79
73. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which staff numbers have been reduced throughout the public service in each of the past five years to date; the savings accrued therefrom on an annual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17201/14]
View answerI refer the Deputy to the detailed information on public service staff numbers and expenditure available on my Department's website, at http://databank.per.gov.ie. The databank gives details of public service staff numbers by Sector and by Vote Group, and it also provides corresponding details of expenditure, both pay and non-pay, for the years to which the Deputy refers.
It will show that from 2008 to 2013, public service staff numbers reduced by just over 10%, from a peak of around 320,000 in 2008 to just under 288,000 at the end of 2013. It will also show that the public service Exchequer pay bill was reduced from a peak of €17.5 billion in 2009 to €14.1 billion (net of the Pension Related Deduction) at the end of 2013. This paybill reduction has made a significant contribution to the overall fiscal consolidation effort, and it has been achieved through a managed reduction in public service staff numbers, reductions in public service pay rates and the introduction of the pension related deduction, which is applied to public servant's gross pay.
77. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on the role and benefits of the PeoplePoint system in the public sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17238/14]
View answerPeoplePoint, the Civil Service HR and Pensions Shared Service will, when fully operational, be administering the transactional HR and Pensions activity for 38 Civil Service Departments and Offices. The role of PeoplePoint is to administer relevant transactional activity on behalf of Civil Service organisations. PeoplePoint commenced operation at the end of March 2013. To date 19 Departments/Offices have transitioned to the new shared service and PeoplePoint is servicing almost 23,000 customers. The Financial Appraisal prepared in April 2012 in respect of the establishment of PeoplePoint estimated that the annual cost of HR services for the civil service would reduce by €12.5m per annum and by 149 staff. These benefits were anticipated to be realised post 2014, when all in-scope organisations have transitioned, and the shared service is stabilised. PeoplePoint is also expected to yield significant non-financial benefits including improved effectiveness, consistency and service delivery.
78. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if, in addition to the form published by the Workplace Relations Commission for lodging a complaint with the Equality Tribunal, a specific form or a number of forms have been provided for complaints of discrimination in employment where such complaints must be made in the first instance to a body other than the Equality Tribunal in accordance with section 77(7) of the Employment Equality Act; and where those forms are published. [17021/14]
View answerAny person who believes that s/he has experienced discrimination which is contrary to the Employment Equality Acts may seek redress by referring a complaint to the Director of the Equality Tribunal. A complaint can be made using the Workplace Relations Complaint Form and this form is available from the Tribunal or can be downloaded from the Workplace Relations website www.workplacerelations.ie.
Section 77(7) of the Employment Equality Acts provides that any complaint of discrimination in relation to the recruitment procedures used by the Public Appointments Service, the Minister for Defence and the Garda Commissioner must first be made to the particular respondent as otherwise the Tribunal has no jurisdiction in the matter. If the complainant is not satisfied with the response or does not get a response s/he can then lodge a complaint with the Tribunal. There are no specific forms published by the Equality Tribunal for complaints which must be made at first instance to other bodies under section 77(7) of the Employment Equality Act.
79. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if vacant incubation units leased by the Industrial Development Agency are available for leasing (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17044/14]
View answerUnder the Industrial Development Acts the management of IDA Ireland’s property portfolio, including the leasing and rental of business units, is a day to day operational matter for the agency and is not one in which I have a function.
I am informed by IDA Ireland that in 1983 the Agency entered into a 35 year lease arrangement on 6 units, each approximately 300 square metres, in Newbridge, Co Kildare. At present, one of those units is leased out by IDA Ireland and the other 5 are available for marketing.
I understand from the Agency that it markets the available units through a national website portal, www.daft.ie, and appointed local estate agents.
IDA Ireland has stated that it would consider opportunities to utilise its non-core property portfolio to attract other non-traditional type investments into a region for investments which don’t fall under the general remit of IDA Ireland or Enterprise Ireland but which could create investment and employment opportunities. The available units in Newbridge are being marketed in this context. I am informed by the Agency that applications of the type mentioned by the Deputy are considered on a case by case basis.
