Written Answers Nos. 390-409
390. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to reform the performance measurement system in the Civil Service and public sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22189/15]
View answerMy Department has overall responsibility for policy on the measurement of individual staff performance in the Civil Service through the Performance Management System (PMDS). The management of staff performance in the wider Public Service is a matter for each individual sector.
Action 11 in the Civil Service Renewal Plan, launched in October 2014, is to 'strengthen the performance management process'. This action, which is strongly related to a range of other important HR objectives in the Plan, is aimed at fulfilling the commitment to 'maximising the performance and potential of all Civil Service employees and organisations' and includes the following:
- Replacement of the current performance ratings scheme for the 2016 PMDS cycle with a new model of performance assessment that is focused on identifying excellent performance, leadership potential and underperformance and that encourages regular and constructive feedback;
- Development of the integration of PMDS with learning and development through, for example, focused training for managers on the effective management of performance;
- Continuation of the simplification of the performance management process by building on the success of the ePMDS electronic system deployed in 2014 through the development and rollout of an eProbation system to manage the performance of new entrants.
A key challenge across the Civil Service is the delivery of high performance and to fully engage staff and managers in the management and improvement of performance. My Department will continue to review how we manage performance in the Civil Service and on the basis of this we will continue to make changes aimed at improving performance in the Civil Service.
391. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to set out, in tabular form, the gross and net impact on 1 January 2016 of the public service stability agreement for a single worker for each of the following salary levels: €20,000, €25,000, €30,000, €40,000, €50,000 and €65,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22406/15]
View answer392. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to set out, in tabular form, the gross and net impact on 1 September 2016 of the public service stability agreement for a single worker for each of the following salary levels: €20,000, €25,000, €30,000, €40,000, €50,000 and €65,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22407/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 391 and 392 together.
Under the terms of the proposed Agreement the following measures apply in 2016.
On 1 January the exemption threshold for payment of Pension Related Deduction (PRD) will increase from €15,000 per annum to €24,750 per annum.
On 1 January annualised salaries up to €24,000 are increased by 2.5%.
On 1 January annualised salaries from €24,001 up to €31,000 are increased by 1%.
On 1 September the exemption threshold for payment of Pension Related Deduction (PRD) will increase further from €24,750 per annum to €28,750 per annum.
The data sought by the Deputy are set out in the table.
|
|
€20,000 |
€25,000 |
€30,000 |
€40,000 |
€50,000 |
€65,000 |
||||||
|
|
January |
September |
January |
September |
January |
September |
January |
September |
January |
September |
January |
September |
|
Gross Annual Benefit (Pay Increases) |
€500 |
€500 |
€250 |
€250 |
€300 |
€300 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Net Annual Benefit (Net effect of Pay Increase plus PRD changes) |
€433 |
€433 |
€620 |
€660 |
€647 |
€967 |
€360 |
€600 |
€360 |
€600 |
€360 |
€600 |
The figures in the table are the gross and net annual value of each of the measures which will be implemented on a phased basis (January and September) in 2016.
Note: These are illustrative calculations reflecting the impact of the proposed Lansdowne Road Agreement measures only. Therefore, the 2015 tax rates, bands, USC, PRSI and pension contribution rates have been applied in calculating the 2016 figures. The calculations assume an individual under single assessment, with standard rate bands and tax credits, liable to PRSI at Class A.
398. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the cost of changes to the pension levy in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22413/15]
View answer399. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the expected yield from the Pension Levy in 2015 and the expected yield in 2016 following the Public Service Stability Agreement [22414/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 398 and 399 together.
It is assumed that the Deputy's question is referring to the public service Pension-Related Deduction (PRD). PRD is estimated to yield in the region of €890 million in 2015. This estimate does not include non-Exchequer PRD receipts, such as those arising for example in the local government sector.
The recently announced proposals formulated by the Labour Relations Commission in relation to the Lansdowne Road Agreement provide inter alia for a two-step increase in the PRD exemption threshold from €15,000 per annum to €28,750 in 2016 which will give an annualised reduction in PRD liability to each public servant of up to €1,000 per annum.
The estimated cost of this measure to the Exchequer in 2016 is €205 million. Accordingly, the 2016 estimated PRD yield for the Exchequer would be €685 million.
400. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform whether the Office of Public Works received any funding requests from either Dublin City Council or Fingal County Council in 2014 and to date in 2015 under the minor flood mitigation works and coastal protection scheme; if so, the details of same and whether they were granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22424/15]
View answerNo applications for funding under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme were submitted to the Office of Public Works (OPW) by Dublin City Council (DCC) in 2014 or 2015 to date.
No applications for funding under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme were submitted to the OPW by Fingal County Council (FCC) in 2015 to date.
Funding of €242,480 was approved to FCC in 2014 under the Scheme. This funding related to applications submitted by the Council to OPW in 2013. Details on the projects for which funding was approved are shown in the table.
|
Project location |
Approved Funding |
Project Details |
|
R127, Skerries Balbriggan Regional Road (coastal) |
€197,480 |
Emergency sea defence works- stonework pointing, replacement of existing wall, additional rock armour & re-instatement of damaged rock armour |
|
Malahide Town Centre (coastal) |
€45,000 |
Study |
This information is on the OPW website at: http://www.opw.ie/en/floodriskmanagement/operations/minorfloodworkscoastalprotectionscheme/listsofminorworksapprovals/.
It is open to DCC and FCC to undertake flood mitigation and coastal protection works using their own resources.
In addition to the above funding applications and approvals under the Minor works scheme, in 2014 FCC was allocated total funding up to a maximum of €200,000 by the Government for repair of public coastal defence infrastructure damaged during the severe weather in December 2013 to January 2014. A programme of coastal defence works based on the €200,000 funding amount was submitted by FCC and approved by the OPW. Details on the projects included in the approved programme are shown in the table.
|
Project location |
Approved Funding |
Project Details |
|
Portmarnock Beach |
€21,600 |
Repair/replacement of wooden revetment on north sections of Velvet Strand, Portmarnock |
|
Strand Road, Sutton |
€22,000 |
Repairs to 15m of collapsed sea wall at Strand Road, Sutton |
|
Portrane Beach - Road Opposite Seaview Park Tower Heights |
€14,200 |
Repairs to wall 50m at the location |
|
Sea Wall Barnageera, Skerries |
€10,500 |
Repairs to existing sea wall 10m approximately |
|
South Strand Street, Skerries |
€8,600 |
Repair to existing rock armour 250 metres in length |
|
Burrow Beach, Portrane |
€123,100 |
Coastal protection repairs |
To date FCC has drawn down €159,007 of the total approved amount of €200,000.
401. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he is satisfied with the current staffing levels of both the Valuation Office and the Valuation Tribunal, regarding the extensive workload in both offices, and the consequences for the task of setting valuations for counties other than the small number currently being examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22459/15]
View answerThere has been significant progress made by the Valuation Office in the national revaluation programme which aims to revalue all commercial property in the State for the first time in 150 years. The task of valuing c. 146,000 properties is significant as is the process of engagement with occupiers of properties who wish to make representations on their proposed valuations or to appeal their valuations to the Commissioner of Valuation or to the Valuation Tribunal. To date revaluation has been completed in the four Dublin local authority areas, in Waterford and in Limerick. These revaluations represent 1/3 of the number of commercial properties but over half of the valuation base. From a slow start, the revaluation programme has built a momentum and 2/3 of the revaluations have been completed between 2011 and 2014. This progress has primarily been achieved with the current staffing levels.
The Deputy will be aware that the Valuation (Amendment) Act 2015 was recently enacted and I signed the Order to commence this piece of legislation on 8 June 2015. This Act will allow the Commissioner of Valuation to outsource revaluation work and to value areas using Occupier Assisted Valuation. It also streamlines the appeals process, removing the appeal to the Commissioner of Valuation, and extending the period to make representations on proposed valuations. These measures will help to accelerate progress on the revaluation programme.
I am aware that the acceleration of the revaluation programme has increased the volume of appeals going to the Valuation Tribunal and additional staff were assigned to support the Valuation Tribunal on a temporary basis. Under their delegated sanction from DPER to incur expenditure in 2015, both bodies may fill vacancies up to Assistant Principal level within their approved pay bills. My Department also liaises with the Valuation Office and the Valuation Tribunal on workloads arising from the reform and overall staffing levels are kept under review as necessary.
402. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will report on the status of a works scheme (details supplied) in County Galway, in view of the delay to the project; and when it is envisaged works will commence. [22460/15]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) has submitted the proposals for the Clare River (Claregalway) scheme for statutory approval by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, as required by the Arterial Drainage Acts.
A report commissioned by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on a required independent evaluation of the Environmental Impact Statement prepared for the Scheme by the OPW is under consideration by that Department. A decision on the approval of the Scheme is expected shortly.
It is hoped that construction works could commence this Summer, with completion in 2017.
I wish to re-affirm that the OPW remains committed to carrying out the scheme, subject to the Minister's sanction, and has provided for its cost in its multi-annual capital expenditure profiles to 2017.
403. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on concerns regarding the downgrading of a heritage centre (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22486/15]
View answerThe present operational and presentation standards at the Blasket Centre will continue to be maintained. The forthcoming retirement of the present manager will be considered in the context of overall staffing requirements within the Office of Public Works. A separate recruitment process for a new supervisory position has commenced.
405. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the progress that has been made in boosting competitiveness and productivity and supporting innovation, research and development, arising from the joint statement by the Irish and British Governments in March 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22300/15]
View answerSince 2012, Ireland’s relative international competitiveness as measured by a range of international indices improved. We have moved from 20th to 16th in the IMD’s World Competitiveness Yearbook and from 29th to 25th in the WEF Global Competitiveness Report. In addition, the World Bank’s most recent “Doing Business” report shows Ireland is now ranked 13th out of 189 countries, up 3 places since 2012.
A key objective of the Action Plan for Jobs process which this Government commenced in 2012 was to rebuild our competitiveness and provide a solid foundation for future growth. The recovery in jobs and exports to date is in large part due to the considerable improvement in competitiveness that has taken place in recent years. Prices and labour costs have grown less in Ireland than in our trading partners. Combined with the recent depreciation of the euro, this has seen Irish competitiveness - as measured by the real effective exchange rate - recover most of the deterioration recorded during the boom years.
As noted in the Government’s Spring Economic Statement, this recovery in competitiveness has facilitated a reallocation of resources towards the tradable sectors of the economy. In the longer term productivity performance must be the vehicle through which we must improve our competitiveness and grow the economy. Relentlessly pursuing cost competitiveness which remains vital to us as a small, export oriented economy is important but we must also sustain our focus on productivity growth across all sectors of the economy. Structural reform, as championed through the Action Plan for Jobs, is essential to deliver the necessary productivity gains and improvements in competitiveness. Such reforms are recognised as essential to improving the competitiveness of our exporting sectors, which will be at the heart of delivering on our ambition of having full employment by 2018.
There are a number of initiatives underway in the research, development and innovation space that entail significant cooperation with the UK.
Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) researchers are engaged with 145 companies in the UK. These include British Sky Broadcasting, BT, Smith and Nephew, AstraZeneca, Cambridge Chemicals, Eli Lilly and many more. This represents about 12% of overall SFI funded researcher collaborations with industry partners. Eight of the top 10 international partner institutes for collaborations with SFI researchers in 2014 are UK based. These collaborations amount to just under 9% of all international academic collaborations. SFI and the Biotechnology and Biological Research Council (BBSRC) plan to launch a formal partnership in late Q3 2015. The BBSRC, one of seven Research Councils in the UK, is the largest UK public funder of non-medical bioscience with key priorities in the areas of agriculture and food security, industrial biotechnology and bioenergy and bioscience for health.
Enterprise Ireland recognises the strategic importance of the development of an all-island economy on the basis that, in taking on the global market challenge, we can be more than the sum of our parts and extensive links have been forged with various agencies and bodies in Northern Ireland and with the UK. Work in this context is focused on liaison with, and participation in, cross border bodies, close cooperation between Invest NI (INI) and Enterprise Ireland and close cooperation with UK agencies. The inter-agency 2015 work programme between Enterprise Ireland, the UK Trade and Investment Agency and Invest NI includes a project to explore options for collaboration related to our national contact point Horizon 2020 activities, which has the potential to be beneficial to all. Elsewhere, the all island Innovation Voucher initiative continues and this assists small firms to access innovative solutions available in the higher education sector north and south of the border, with the vouchers of €5,000/£4,000 giving these companies the financial support to get them on the first rung of the innovation ladder.
Horizon 2020 represents a significant opportunity for North South cooperation. Increasing successful applications and funding awards from Horizon 2020 is an important objective not just of the Irish Government but also of the Northern Ireland Executive. The international collaborative nature of Horizon 2020 makes it ideally suited for Ireland and Northern Ireland to work together for mutual benefit. The importance of North South collaboration is recognised by both Administrations and the alignment of our Horizon 2020 support structures, North and South, means that there is now a strong basis on which to grow this cooperation.
The work of InterTradeIreland, the North South Trade and Business Development Body, has stimulated a move towards a more focused, coherent approach to co-operation that will be mutually beneficial. This work is paying dividends and the number of North/South collaborations has been rising steadily. To ensure that we build on this success and maximise the level of co-operation for the Horizon 2020 programme, a Strategic Action Plan for North South Cooperation in Horizon 2020 was launched in December 2014. This Strategic Action Plan sets out the rationale for a North/South target of €175million and actions for co-operation which will support the achievement of both Administrations’ internal priorities in respect of participation in Horizon 2020.
406. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if consideration will be given to making Drogheda, County Louth, a designated location for an advanced factory unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21259/15]
View answerAt the launch of the Regional Action plan for Jobs in February this year, the Government announced that an additional €150m over 5 years would be made available to IDA Ireland for a capital investment programme to help attract more multinational investment and jobs into each region.
The programme will build on the recent investment by IDA Ireland in facilities in Athlone and Waterford and will include investments over the coming years in construction of advance manufacturing and office facilities in Sligo, Tralee, Castlebar, Galway, Dundalk, Limerick, Athlone, Carlow and Waterford. Sligo, Tralee and Castlebar are to the forefront of the 2015 investment programme with others scheduled to follow in subsequent years. Galway, Dundalk and Limerick are earmarked for 2016, while Athlone, Carlow and Waterford are earmarked for 2017.
IDA Ireland regularly assesses property requirements in Regions and has identified locations where quality building and site solutions would enhance the winning of FDI for a region, commencing with the nine identified locations over the next 3-5 year period. The locations identified provide a good offering to companies seeking to invest, for example, a good population base, the presence of a third level college, an existing base of FDI and indigenous companies and good transportation links.
In addition, it should be noted that the Advance Facilities announced recently represent less than half of total investment in property solutions as part of the new IDA Strategy. Significant resources will be invested in utility intensive strategic sites which have a track record of attracting FDI as well as a substantial upgrade of large sections of the existing Business Park network to ensure an attractive suite of investment location options are available to potential investors.
As the Deputy is aware, officials of my Department and its agencies are actively engaged with regional stakeholders in the development of individual Action Plans for each of the regions, including the North East Region, which will be published in the near future.
407. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will report on his recent trade mission to Bahrain; his views on the European Union's strategic framework on human rights, which advocates promotion of human rights in trade and investment; and the way human rights were dealt with in his recent visit to Bahrain. [21262/15]
View answerI have not participated in a trade mission to Bahrain this year. I also understand that Enterprise Ireland has not organised or planned any trade mission to Bahrain during 2015.
With regard to the promotion and protection of human rights throughout the world, this is a priority for the Government and cooperation with our European Union partners provides an important and effective channel through which to promote and protect human rights worldwide.
Political clauses in agreements with third countries, which aim at promoting the EU’s values and political principles, constitute a tool at EU level that gives leverage for implementing EU external policy objectives, including respect for human rights, democracy and rule of law. Such agreements include, inter alia, Framework Agreements, Association Agreements, Trade Agreements and Partnership and Cooperation Agreements.
The EU’s approach on international human rights issues is informed by the comprehensive EU Strategic Framework and Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy adopted in 2012. Ireland was actively engaged in its formulation at that time. The EU Strategic Framework and Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy asked Member States to develop national plans on the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles in 2013.
The Government decided on 24 June 2014 that Ireland would develop a national plan for the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is leading the development of the plan.
An inter-departmental working group has been formed consisting of focal points from each Government Department and state agencies. The National Plan on Business and Human Rights will build on Ireland’s National Plan on Corporate Social Responsibility which was published by my Department in April 2014.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade NGO Forum on Human Rights which took place on 7 November 2014 marked the start of the consultation process on Ireland’s National Plan. The Forum provided an opportunity for business, NGOs, trade unions and academics to exchange views on best practices in relation to Business and Human Rights and in particular with a view to informing the process of development and the content of a Plan to implement the UNGPS.
That Department also invited submissions from interested parties and received 30 submissions from civil society and the business community. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is now in the process of drafting Ireland’s National Plan on Business and Human Rights and I look forward to considering it when drafted.
408. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if any export licences for military list products to Israel have been granted since the end of the first quarter of 2014; if there have been any applications for licences which have been rejected during this period; and in view of the fact that military export licences to Israel are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, if human rights criteria are examined in each case; and if the possible end-use of items by the Israeli Defence Forces in Gaza would be a specific criterion used, as is the case in other European Union countries. [21400/15]
View answerMy Department is responsible for controls on the export of military items from Ireland. Under Irish law, military export licences have to be sought in respect of the goods and technology, and any components thereof, listed in the Annex to the Control of Exports (Goods and Technology) Order, S.I. 216 of 2012, which reflects the EU Common Military List.
No licences for the export of Military List products to Israel have been granted since the end of the first quarter of 2014. No applications for the export of Military List products to Israel have been received or rejected during that period.
The Deputy is correct in that all export licence applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. All military licence applications are subject to rigorous scrutiny and are considered in the light of the spirit and objectives of the 2008 EU Common Position on Arms Exports. Criterion two of the Common Position is “Respect for human rights in the country of final destination as well as respect by that country of international humanitarian law”. This criterion, along with the other criteria of the Common Position, is considered when reviewing any military export licence application.
All applications for military export licenses are very carefully assessed against well-established criteria. Proposed exports of Military List products to Israel, as with all other destinations, are subject to a rigorous licence application process which centres on a careful assessment of the proposed end-user and the end-use.
Furthermore, the Department consults with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in respect of all military export licence applications.
409. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if the introduction of investor-state dispute settlements to Ireland, as part of the proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership trade agreement between the European Union and the United States of America, could lead to the State being sued for enormous sums of money by private corporations if the Government were to enact any legislation or implement any policy which threatened the profitability of such a corporation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21512/15]
View answerThe EU Commission’s mandate to negotiate with the United States on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) includes in the scope (paragraphs 22 and 23) investment protection and investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS). The stated aim of negotiations on investment is to negotiate investment liberalisation and protection provisions on the basis of the highest levels of liberalisation and highest standards of protection that both sides have negotiated to date.
The mandate makes it clear that the inclusion of investment protection and ISDS will depend on EU interests being met and on the final balance of the Agreement. Importantly, the mandate states that the objectives of any investment protection provisions would be without prejudice to the right of the EU and the member states to adopt and enforce measures necessary to pursue legitimate public policy objectives such as social, environmental, security, stability of the financial system, public health and safety in a non-discriminatory manner.
This means that the type of investment arbitration system under TTIP would be a vast improvement on investment protection in existing Bilateral Investment Treaties, some of which date back to the 1950s.
In the case of the recently concluded negotiations between the EU and Canada, for example, a breach of the fair and equitable treatment obligation could only arise when there is:
- denial of justice in criminal, civil or administrative proceedings;
- a fundamental breach of due process, including a fundamental breach of transparency, in judicial and administrative proceedings;
- manifest arbitrariness;
- targeted discrimination on manifestly wrongful grounds, such as gender, race or religious belief; or
- abusive treatment of investors, such as coercion, duress and harassment.
In addition, in the Canada Agreement, there is provision for a list of arbitrators pre-agreed by the EU and Canada.
The Commission’s Concept Paper, “Investment in TTIP and beyond – the path for reform ”, published on 6 May, sets out the context for this reform and, building on the important progress that has been achieved in the investment agreements with Canada and Singapore, sets out four areas for further improvement: Governments’ right to regulate, establishment and functioning of tribunals, relationship between national judicial systems and an ISDS system, and an appellate mechanism.
These improvements are aimed at fixing the problems with dispute settlement in order to create a new modern system of investment arbitration. Ireland already provides the highest protection for investors by virtue of Article 43 of our Constitution, so the policy intention of the Commission in these negotiations is not new to Ireland.
