Written Answers Nos. 238-255
238. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the next step to be taken by his Department, and a timeframe for this, in respect of a project (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29883/15]
View answerThe Commissioners of Public Works have completed a space audit of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine's accommodation in the State owned Government Offices, Abbeyleix Road, Portlaoise and of space leased for the Department at Knockmay, Portlaoise.
The Commissioners will be liaising directly with the Department on the outcomes of the surveys to ascertain how best to consolidate functions in Portlaoise to ensure that services are delivered and accommodation is used in the most efficient manner possible.
239. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a breakdown, by Department, of the annual amount of current and capital spending cuts for each year since 2008. [30401/15]
View answerGross voted expenditure was reduced from €62.4bn in 2008 to €54bn in 2014. Budget 2015 marked the first time since the onset of the crisis when reductions in overall voted expenditure were not required to meet our fiscal targets.
In the period between 2008 and 2014, gross voted current expenditure was reduced by €2.9bn with voted capital expenditure reduced by €5.5bn.
The following tables provide a breakdown of Departmental spending, split between current and capital, over the period. As the Deputy is aware, during the period there were several transfers of functions between various Departments; the notes to the tables indicate the key changes in this regard.
Table 1: Total Gross Voted Current Expenditure by Vote Group
|
€m |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
Total Vote |
53,384 |
55,719 |
54,179 |
52,847 |
52,149 |
50,986 |
50,483 |
|
Agriculture |
1,418 |
1,392 |
1,243 |
1,216 |
1,132 |
1,041 |
1,010 |
|
Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht |
434 |
401 |
348 |
221 |
232 |
222 |
210 |
|
Children and Youth Affairs1 |
- |
- |
- |
209 |
414 |
399 |
952 |
|
Communications, Energy and Natural Resources |
360 |
356 |
336 |
323 |
316 |
319 |
312 |
|
Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs2 |
388 |
338 |
328 |
99 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Defence |
1,053 |
999 |
947 |
914 |
893 |
882 |
889 |
|
Education |
8,465 |
8,589 |
8,954 |
8,636 |
8,534 |
8,332 |
8,291 |
|
Enterprise |
1,462 |
1,400 |
665 |
358 |
351 |
338 |
322 |
|
Environment |
954 |
865 |
642 |
589 |
450 |
451 |
451 |
|
Finance |
1,260 |
1,299 |
1,233 |
423 |
414 |
427 |
417 |
|
Foreign Affairs |
1,007 |
787 |
741 |
726 |
715 |
690 |
671 |
|
Health |
15,356 |
15,470 |
14,737 |
14,014 |
13,882 |
13,745 |
13,355 |
|
Justice |
2,565 |
2,514 |
2,362 |
2,390 |
2,243 |
2,215 |
2,196 |
|
Public Expenditure and Reform3 |
- |
- |
- |
789 |
868 |
787 |
832 |
|
Social Protection |
17,741 |
20,435 |
20,800 |
20,910 |
20,730 |
20,235 |
19,747 |
|
Taoiseach |
187 |
176 |
165 |
181 |
151 |
146 |
142 |
|
Transport |
733 |
698 |
678 |
850 |
825 |
756 |
686 |
1 Functions relating to Children and Youth Affairs transferred from the following Votes during 2011: 26 (Education & Skills), 39 (Health); 27 (Community, Equality & Gaeltacht Affairs) and 41 (Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs) and funding was transferred in 2014 from the Health Group to Children and Youth Affairs in the course of establishment of the Child and Family Agency.
2 The Functions, personnel and associated funding of this Vote were transferred to the following Votes during 2011; Vote 6 (Department of Finance); Vote 19 (Justice & Equality); Vote 20 (Garda Síochána); Vote 25 (Environment, Community & Local Government); Vote 31 (Agriculture, Fisheries & Food); Vote 32 (Transport, Tourism & Sport); Vote 35 (Arts, Heritage & the Gaeltacht); Vote 38 (Social Protection); Vote 39 (Health) and Vote 43 (Children and Youth Affairs).
3 The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform was established in 2011 with this Vote Group incorporating certain Votes and functions previously within the Finance Group.
Table 2: Total Gross Voted Capital Expenditure by Vote Group
|
€m |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
Total Vote |
9,011 |
7,333 |
6,385 |
4,515 |
3,809 |
3,387 |
3,468 |
|
Agriculture |
687 |
546 |
488 |
206 |
186 |
165 |
165 |
|
Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht |
298 |
137 |
113 |
56 |
43 |
41 |
58 |
|
Children and Youth Affairs |
- |
- |
- |
5 |
8 |
8 |
45 |
|
Communications, Energy and Natural Resources |
128 |
117 |
164 |
123 |
90 |
75 |
105 |
|
Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs |
153 |
121 |
107 |
14 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Defence |
30 |
20 |
15 |
13 |
8 |
9 |
9 |
|
Education |
830 |
767 |
787 |
557 |
410 |
440 |
556 |
|
Enterprise |
474 |
516 |
486 |
487 |
500 |
454 |
420 |
|
Environment |
2,215 |
1,809 |
1,467 |
1,008 |
802 |
698 |
393 |
|
Finance |
351 |
181 |
179 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
3 |
|
Foreign Affairs |
17 |
13 |
8 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
6 |
|
Health |
683 |
503 |
398 |
347 |
350 |
347 |
386 |
|
Justice |
148 |
118 |
104 |
75 |
55 |
59 |
75 |
|
Public Expenditure and Reform |
- |
- |
- |
113 |
119 |
125 |
121 |
|
Social Protection |
11 |
8 |
7 |
7 |
5 |
12 |
18 |
|
Transport |
2,986 |
2,477 |
2,061 |
1,496 |
1,225 |
944 |
1,109 |
240. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform her Department's priorities for the remainder of this Dáil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29590/15]
View answerIn answer to the Deputy's question my priorities for the remainder of my term in office are consistent with the priorities outlined previously in the Statement of Government Priorities 2014-2016.
In the area of responsible and sustainable management of the public finances, in addition to working towards maintaining the current stable economic environment, my Department will ensure that overall voted expenditure is managed to facilitate Ireland's successful exit from the Excessive Deficit Procedure at the end of 2015. In Budget 2016, we will look to set out increased allocations for overall Departmental spending that will allow Government to deal with underlying demographic pressures in key areas such as Social Protection, Education and Health and to target enhancements in key public services. We also intend to set out the results of the review of the public capital investment needs of the State identifying priority areas for investment to ensure that our limited resources are focused on the areas that can best support continued, sustainable and equitable growth. This will culminate in the publication of a new five year envelope for the period 2016-2020 in September.
Turning to public service pay, I intend to bring forward, subject to ratification of the Lansdowne Road Agreement by Public Services Committee of ICTU, amending legislation to FEMPI Acts to facilitate implementation of the agreement from 1 January 2016. More generally, I will continue to prioritise the continued management of the Public Service Pay and Pensions bill in a sustainable way to help meet the fiscal requirements of Stability and Growth Pact.
To aid and assist the rebuilding of trust in politics and public institutions my Department has already introduced significant political reforms. To further this my Department's key priorities in the area of government reform include the priority drafting and publication of the Public Sector Standards Bill, the commencement of the Regulation of Lobbying regime from 1 September 2015, the introduction of publication schemes for public bodies under FOI, the finalisation of guidance for public bodies in performing their functions under the Protected Disclosures Act, 2014 and the continued implementation of both the Open Data Initiative and the Open Government Partnership National Action Plan.
The wider process of Public Service Reform is a key element of the Government's overall strategy for recovery. Led by my Department, the reforms delivered over the past four years have enabled us to maintain and improve public services in the face of the necessary reduction in staff numbers and budgets, at a time of increased demand for public services. Our key priority in this area is continuing to drive, co-ordinate and support the implementation of the Government's Public Service Reform Plan 2014-16. We are half way through the lifetime of this Plan and strong progress has been made on its implementation, as set out in the Annual Progress Report published in March. Ongoing priorities include more online delivery of services and improved engagement with service users; implementation of shared services and alternative models of service delivery; more efficient and effective public procurement and property management; and increased accountability and transparency in public decision making.
Turning to renewal of the civil service, following the successful delivery of the 'first 200 days' milestone last week, my Department is also playing a leading role in implementing the remaining actions and achieving the ambitious programme of change in the Civil Service Renewal Plan. This represents a major programme to support the future development and enhance the capacity of the Civil Service to ensure that it provides a world-class service to the State and to the people of Ireland.
Reform of procurement across public service and the development of the Office of Government Procurement remains a priority. Procurement of supplies and services represents a very significant portion of overall Government spending. The Office of Government Procurement is tasked with delivering the Procurement Reform Programme enabling the public service to achieve economies of scale and maximum value for money in this area.
Shared Services is a key element of the Public Service Reform Plan and remains a core priority for my Department. The National Shared Services Office in my Department is directly responsible for Shared Service delivery and strategy in the Civil Service. It also supports other Public Service sectors as they implement Shared Services. Transitions to the Civil Service HR and Pensions Administration Shared Service Centre (PeoplePoint) and the Payroll Shared Service Centre (PSSC) will continue as a priority during 2016. When fully operational, PeoplePoint will service 31,500 public service employees and the PSSC will support 120,000 payees.
In January 2015, I launched the Public Service ICT Strategy - "Delivering better outcomes and efficiency through innovation and excellence in ICT". Building on the successful delivery of many existing services, the Strategy sets out how we can operate in a more efficient, shared and integrated manner across all of Government while delivering new and innovative digital services to citizens and businesses. Innovative use of ICT in the Public Service will deliver better value for taxpayers by creating efficiencies through integration, consolidation and sharing of common infrastructure, systems and resources. The Strategy sets out five key strategic objectives which are setting the future direction for innovation and excellence in ICT in Public Service. In parallel with developing a Strategic Implementation Plan, my Department is continuing to work with Departments to prioritise projects which support the transformation, modernisation and digitisation of the main citizen and business transactional services across the Public Service.
My Department and I will also continue to work towards protecting and enhancing peace in Northern Ireland and will continue to develop the North-South institutions.
In addition to the above high level priorities, I intend to continue to progress the other relevant commitments under the Programme for Government for which my Department is responsible.
241. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount paid in 2013 and 2014 and in 2015 to date, and the plans for future payments, under the national lottery good causes fund, in respect of the natural environment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29607/15]
View answerThe National Lottery provides funds for "Good Causes" in accordance with the National Lottery Act 2013. The areas to be funded are set out under section 41 (1) of the National Lottery Act as follows:
- sport and recreation;
- national culture and heritage (including the Irish language);
- the arts (within the meaning of the Arts Act 2003);
- health of the community;
- youth, welfare and amenities;
- natural environment (added in the 2013 Act);
- such other objectives (if any) as the Government may determine from time to time.
A breakdown by Department of all the expenditure areas that are supported by the proceeds of the National Lottery is set out in Appendix 1 of the annual Revised Estimates for Public Services (available at http://www.per.gov.ie/estpubexp2013/).
Funding is provided by the Oireachtas, in accordance with the Act, through expenditure subheads which form part of Departmental Programmes. For over a decade, the total allocation for these subheads has exceeded the amount available from the National Lottery. These subheads are described as being part-funded by the National Lottery and the balance of the expenditure allocation for the subheads comes from normal Exchequer sources (e.g. tax revenue or borrowing).
The 2013 Act provided for a new area the Natural Environment to be added to the list of categories that may be funded by the Lottery. To date lottery money has not been applied to this area. However, since 2011 some €259 million has been disbursed to the environment sector from the Environment Fund. To this should be added some €146 million provided to the environment sector by way of Exchequer Voted expenditure by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government. Decisions on lottery funding for the natural environment will be considered in the context of the level of funds available for Good Causes in the relevant year and the impact that it will have on other areas already in receipt of Lottery funds. The matter is being kept under review.
242. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the provisions of the financial emergency measures in the public interest legislation that are due to expire at the end of 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29765/15]
View answerThe measures contained in the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts 2009-2013 (FEMPI) continue in force, and continue to make a significant contribution to meeting our international fiscal obligations including bringing the general government deficit below 3 per cent of GDP. However, the measures provided under the legislation should only represent those that are critical to the achievement of our fiscal targets.
As provided for under section 12 of the FEMPI Act 2013, I am required to review annually the provisions, which gave effect to the reductions in the pay and pensions of public servants. Section 12 also requires that a written report of my findings is laid before each House of the Oireachtas. My most recent review was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas at the end of June 2015 and is available in the Oireachtas library.
In my review, I determined that, while we have seen clear signs of improvements in our economy and our public finances, any immediate reversal of the reductions in public service pay or pensions would significantly compromise our ongoing progress towards ensuring fiscal stability and meeting our fiscal consolidation targets. However, I also found that it is appropriate and prudent, taking account of the improvements brought about in the public finances, the continuing risks which remain and the need to meet our commitments to have a prudent fiscal policy under the Stability and Growth Pact, to-
a. continue to apply the public service Pension related Deduction while bringing forward legislative amendments to reduce the impact of this measure with effect from 1 January 2016,
b. maintain provisions in the legislation which allow the reduction of payments to health professionals but that, in consideration of the continuation of such measures from 2016, regard will be had to the need to commence the gradual amelioration of the measures as they apply to those affected,
c. continue to apply the relevant provisions controlling the cost of remuneration of public servants, and other measures controlling the cost of the public service pay and pensions bill, while bringing forward legislative amendments to the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act (No. 2) Act 2009 and the 2013 Act to reduce the impact of these measures with effect from 1 January 2016, and
d. continue to apply the Public Service Pension Reduction as imposed by the legislation and amended by the 2013 Act while bringing forward legislative amendments to reduce the impact of this measure with effect from 1 January 2016.
243. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of public servants enrolled in the single public service pension scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29802/15]
View answerBased on a survey of public service employers conducted in March 2015, there are an estimated 25,000 members of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme.
244. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide, in tabular form, the public sector posts, including in commercial State companies and Government advisers, for whom he has approved a breach of the pay cap; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29803/15]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my response to PQ No. 203 of 6 May 2014. The position has not changed.
245. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 92 of 2 July 2015, the steps the Office of Government Procurement has taken by to initiate a new competition for the stationery contract; the number of framework panel members who have expressed an interest in tendering for the contract; if framework panel members are now free to offer stationery services to the relevant public bodies; the arrangements that will be in place following the expiration of this contract on 3 September 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29819/15]
View answerThe framework member (who supplies stationary to "Group 4" customers under the Office Supplies Framework has given notice of termination to the Office of Government Procurement. The Office of Government Procurement are currently engaged in a competitive process to select an alternative supplier from the panel of suppliers on the Framework. This process is expected to be complete by the end of July with the intention being that a new contract will be in place within the timescale of the expiry of the termination notice period. In the meantime the existing contract remains in place and the relevant public bodies should continue to purchase their office supplies requirements via this arrangement.
246. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if local social welfare offices are exempt from the payment of rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29852/15]
View answerThe Valuation Acts 2001-2015 provide in Schedule 4, paragraph 12A that property, being a building or part of a building, land or a waterway or a harbour directly occupied by any Department or Office of State is property that is not rateable.
The Commissioner of Valuation, who is independent in the exercise of his duties under the Acts, has accordingly deemed that Social Welfare offices, occupied directly by the Department of Social Protection, are exempt from rates.
247. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of investment from capital spending his Department has made in County Kildare since 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29917/15]
View answerIn response to the Deputy's question I can confirm that the figure for the amount of investment from capital spending my Department has made to County Kildare since 2011 is not available.
In comparison with other Departments my capital budget spend is relatively small which is nearly all invested in Information Technology infrastructure across the Civil Service to enable delivery of better outcomes for citizens and businesses and improve efficiency. While some Departments may be in part located in County Kildare, it would not really be possible to quantify an amount of IT capital investment from my Department which related solely to parts of Departments located in County Kildare.
248. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the Office of Public Works' plans to conserve, protect, and restore the rare and historic Killmacurragh House in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29927/15]
View answerAs per my previous answer to Parliamentary Question No. 188 on 14 January 2015:
The Office of Public Works has no plans to restore Kilmacurragh House as the property was acquired for the purpose of preserving the arboretum, which was considered a significant piece of heritage, and on condition that the house would not be restored.
The OPW is considering options to ensure that the remaining building fabric is stabilised to limit any further deterioration and that as much of this historic fabric is conserved and protected.
249. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the opportunity and prospects for the promotion for existing civil servants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29949/15]
View answerRecruitment to the Civil Service is regulated by the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004.
The Act established the Public Appointments Service (PAS) as the centralised recruitment body for the Civil and Public Service. The Act also established the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA) as the regulator of civil service recruitment. The CPSA publishes codes of practice setting out how competitions are run and also issues recruitment licences to individual Departments to allow them to conduct their own recruitment. The majority of recruitment to the Civil Service is carried out by PAS.
Recruitment competitions are advertised on the PAS website: www.publicjobs.ie. By logging on to this website, individuals can also register to be notified by e-mail or text message of vacancies as they arise.
The following competitions across a broad range of Civil Service grades have recently been completed or are ongoing at present:
- Temporary Clerical Officer
- Clerical Officer;
- Administrative Officer (i.e. the graduate recruitment grade for the Civil Service), for general service as well as for the Irish Government Economic Evaluation Service (IGEES);
- Executive Officer (both for general service and for the ICT area);
- Assistant Principal Officer and
- Principal Officer.
These competitions are open to all including existing civil servants and many civil servants do well in these competitions.
Since earlier this year, Government Departments and bodies now have greater autonomy in managing staff resources to meet service needs, including hiring staff where warranted, subject to remaining within agreed pay ceilings and meeting reform and efficiency objectives. Subject to sanction Departments may also hold internal competitions.
The Deputy should also note that in July 2011, a report was issued by the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA) regarding eligibility criteria for promotion of staff in the civil service. The report recommended that:
'in establishing eligibility criteria for promotion to positions in the Civil Service, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform should remove any criteria that may prevent civil servants with the requisite skills, experience and attributes from applying for promotion positions.'
This means that eligibility for all recruitment and promotion competitions are now more widely open than previously and that eligibility is open to all grades below that of the post being filled.
Further consideration will be given throughout 2015 and 2016 to resourcing and staffing needs for the Civil Service.
250. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the cost of public advertising, statutory and non-statutory, funded by his Department in 2013 and 2014; the corresponding figure for agencies under the control of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30030/15]
View answerIn response to the Deputy's question the following table details the total cost of public advertising in 2013 and 2014 for my Department and those bodies under my aegis.
|
|
2013 |
2014 |
|
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform |
- |
€23,748.51 |
|
Institute of Public Administration (IPA) |
€35,432.81 |
€56,086.24 |
|
Public Appointments Services (PAS) |
€294,832 |
€341,323 |
|
The Valuation Office |
€8,317.26 |
€24,439.62 |
|
The State Laboratory |
€4,432.92 |
€4,236.12 |
|
The Office of the Ombudsman |
€45,000 |
€35,000 |
|
Special EU Programmes Board (SEUPB) |
£6,826.85* |
£16,301.73* |
*Please note the figures quoted are in sterling
The OPW will respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
251. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the cost in 2013 and 2014 of printing reports by his Department and agencies under the control of his Department; the corresponding figure for annual reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30045/15]
View answerIn response to the Deputy's question the Department of Finance provides a shared print service to my Department and details of annual expenditure for 2013 and 2014 will be provided in the reply from that department.
The tables provide information on expenditure of printing reports for bodies under my aegis in 2013 and 2014.
|
The Office of the Ombudsman |
2013 |
2014 |
|
Annual Reports |
€3,899 |
€2,328 |
|
Design and print of special reports |
- |
€5,805.60 |
|
Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) |
2013 |
2014 |
|
Annual Reports |
£518.75* |
£562.50* |
*Please note the amounts quoted are sterling
The OPW have indicated that they will respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
252. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the cost in 2013 and 2014 of issuing hard copy payslips to staff or retired staff by his Department and agencies under the control of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30060/15]
View answerIn response to the Deputy's question the Department of Finance provided a shared service to my Department in relation to the issuing of payslips to current members of staff up to September 2014 when the service was transferred to the Payroll Shared Services Centre. The Office of the Paymaster General provides the payment pension service for retired civil servants. The Department of Finance will answer this question on behalf of my Department.
The total costs for the NSSO related to the issuing of hard copy payslips in 2014 was €172,066, excluding staff costs. The 2014 payslip costs of €172,066.00 incurred by the NSSO were for the 13,500 members of An Garda Síochána, who were on a weekly payroll, and 3,200 Irish Prison Officers, who were on a fortnightly payroll. There were no 2013 costs to the NSSO as it only took on the payroll function for An Garda Síochána and the Prison Service at the very end of 2013. The Payroll Shared Services Project is working with all client organisations to implement the standard self-service design of the payroll system which facilitates on-line access to payslips and reduces the requirement for the issue of hard copy remittances.
As the Deputy may be aware on line payslips are available to staff members however where they are absent on maternity leave or sick leave their payslips are posted to their home addresses. The tables provide details of postages costs incurred by bodies under my aegis in 2013 and 2014.
|
|
2013 |
2014 |
|
Public Appointments Service (PAS) |
€85 |
€55 |
|
|
2013 |
2014 |
|
Institute of Public Administration (IPA) |
€31.20 |
€35.36 |
|
|
2013 |
2014 |
|
Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) |
£4.55 |
£4.55 |
*Please note the amounts are displayed in sterling
The OPW have indicated that they will respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
253. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will outline and itemise all expenditure undertaken by his Department on private travel for him and-or for his private office, on legal fees, on consultancy fees and on hotel accommodation, during the 12-month period to 30 June 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30075/15]
View answerThe Department of Public Expenditure and Reform does not pay for any private travel for me or my Private Office.
Turning to the specific question regarding hotel accommodation, the expenses for the period requested in respect of my Private Secretary, my Special Adviser and me:
- Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform: 11/09/14-12/09/14 - OECD Visit, Paris, €225.00; 23/02/15-24/02/15 - ERDF meeting and signing ceremony, Brussels , €149.28; 09/03/15-22/03/15 - Promote Ireland programme for St Patrick's Day, Japan/Rep of Korea, €1590.07.
- Private Secretary to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform: 1/09/14-12/09/14 - OECD Visit, Paris, €175.00; 23/02/15-24/02/15 - ERDF meeting and signing ceremony, Brussels, €149.28; 09/03/15-22/03/15 - Promote Ireland programme for St Patrick's Day, Japan/Rep of Korea, €1579.92; 07/06/15-09/06/15 - Informal meeting of Ministers responsible for Cohesion Policy, Riga, €280.00.
- Special Adviser to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform: 23/02/15-24/02/15 - ERDF meeting and signing ceremony, Brussels, €149.28.
For the Deputy's information, Ministerial Mileage from March 2011 to March 2015 is available on my Departments' website http://www.per.gov.ie
Information in respect of April 2015, May 2015, June 2015 will be published on the Departments' website shortly.
The following table outlines expenditure on legal fees from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015 in my Department.
Legal Fees from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015
|
Supplier |
Amount |
|
Eversheds Sweden |
€1,200 |
The following table outlines expenditure on consultancy fees from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015 in my Department.
Consultancy Fees from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015
|
Consultant |
Amount |
Reason |
|
PwC |
€36,900 |
External expert support for the implementation of Public Service Reform |
|
NERA Economic Consulting |
€8,853.39 |
Consultancy work in conjunction with the Chief State Solicitors Office |
|
Best Practice Group |
€11,264.54 |
ESD readiness assessment consultancy |
|
PwC |
€73,800 |
External expert support for the implementation of Public Service Reform |
|
Bearing Point |
€61,382.18 |
Debt management project manager |
|
Harvey Nash |
€136,161.00 |
Civil Service Human Resource and Pensions Shared Services: IT infrastructure |
|
Bearing Point |
€124,109.46 |
Civil Service Human Resource and Pensions Shared Services: Business Analyst |
|
Accenture Consulting |
€31,143.60 |
Civil Service Human Resource and Pensions Shared Services: Analytics |
|
Cupertino Consulting Ltd |
€32,287.50 |
National Shared Services Office: Operational Support |
|
Deloitte |
€67,875.35
€187,829.61 |
National Shared Services Office: Operations Audit for the Civil Service Human Resource and Pensions Shared Services. Expert Services for both Human Resource and Payroll Shared Services. |
|
Astec Global Consultancy Ltd |
€158,565.45 |
Civil Service Financial Management Shared Services Project: Project Management Services |
|
Capita Consulting |
€243,273.51 |
Civil Service Financial Management Shared Services Project: Consultancy Services |
|
Rocela Ltd (Version 1 Ltd) |
€47,970.00 |
Civil Service Financial Management Shared Services Project: Software Licensing Services |
|
Resolve Consulting Limited |
€194,271.83 |
Civil Service Financial Management Shared Services Project: Consultancy Services |
|
Ove Arup & Partners |
€16,303.65 |
Category Specific Advisory Services - Irish security services |
|
Peter Bacon & Associates |
€4,551.00 |
Economic Consultancy |
|
RATE Information Services |
€990.00 |
Category Specific Advisory Services - Petroleum Market |
|
System Dynamics Ltd |
€8,487.00 |
Business intelligence |
|
AA Ireland |
€6,150.00 |
Category Specific Advisory Services - Vehicle procurement |
|
EUS Holdings t/a EU Supply |
€3,150.00 |
e-Tenders system |
|
System Dynamics Ltd |
€15,276.60 |
Business intelligence |
|
Innovative Procurement Solutions |
€3,419.40 |
Procurement capacity support |
|
Achilles Procurement Services |
€16,242.15 |
Procurement capacity support |
|
Baker Tilly Ryan Glennon |
€28,167.00 |
Strategy Development |
|
Schneider Electric |
€128,859.82 |
Category Specific Advisory Services - Energy |
|
System Dynamics Ltd |
€10,184.40 |
Business intelligence |
|
KOSI Corporation |
€12,500.00 |
Provision of consultancy services - Spend data analysis |
|
RATE Information Services |
€990.00 |
Category Specific Advisory Services - Petroleum Market |
|
Innovative Procurement Solutions |
€6,838.80 |
Procurement capacity support |
|
Achilles Procurement Services |
€33,980.03 |
Procurement capacity support |
|
Achilles Procurement Services |
€38,892.26 |
Procurement capacity support |
|
Ove Arup & Partners |
€22,865.70 |
Category Specific Advisory Services - Irish cleaning services |
|
Papernet |
€4,615.00 |
Category Specific Advisory Services - Irish paper services |
|
Innovative Procurement Solutions |
€28,210.05 |
Procurement capacity support |
|
Schneider Electric |
€551.04 |
Category Specific Advisory Services - Energy |
|
Schneider Electric |
€16,806.72 |
Category Specific Advisory Services - Energy |
|
Peter Bacon & Associates |
€13,083.00 |
Economic Consultancy |
|
The Analytics Store |
€1,845.00 |
Business intelligence |
|
Peter Bacon & Associates |
€12,515.00 |
Economic Consultancy |
|
RATE Information Services |
€990.00 |
Category Specific Advisory Services - Petroleum Market |
|
Innovative Procurement Solutions |
€4,274.25 |
Procurement capacity support |
|
Schneider Electric |
€65,455.68 |
Category Specific Advisory Services - Energy |
|
Schneider Electric |
€7,510.38 |
Category Specific Advisory Services - Energy |
|
Pantaleon Consulting Limited |
€1,250.00 |
Category Specific Advisory Services |
|
Achilles Procurement Services |
€25,474.53 |
Procurement capacity support |
|
Schneider Electric |
€12,300.00 |
Category Specific Advisory Services - Energy |
|
Schneider Electric |
€40,457.16 |
Category Specific Advisory Services - Energy |
|
AA Ireland |
€2,460.00 |
Category Specific Advisory Services - Vehicle procurement |
|
Ove Arup & Partners |
€22,865.70 |
Category Specific Advisory Services - Irish security services |
|
Papernet |
€4,615.00 |
Category Specific Advisory Services - Irish paper services |
|
Schneider Electric |
€4,804.38 |
Category Specific Advisory Services - Energy |
|
RATE Information Services |
€990.00 |
Category Specific Advisory Services - Petroleum Market |
|
Clarion Limited |
€23,298 |
BPR work on the Disciplinary Code |
|
McGrath Associates |
€5,000 |
HR Facilitation Process and Reports |
|
Gartner (information technology research) |
€276,883.25 |
|
|
Total |
€2,349,789 |
|
My Department ensures that every effort is made to limit the use of consultants where possible. All contracts are negotiated with a view to achieving best value for money and are kept under review to ensure this is maintained. When the use of consultants is unavoidable the staff in my Department ensure appropriate skills transfer to reduce the requirement for consultants going forward.
The OPW will respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
254. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the investments in County Cork made by the Office of Public Works in each of the past four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30086/15]
View answerIn order to provide a comprehensive response to the questions raised, current expenditure on the Office of Public Works (OPW) Vote has been included in addition to capital investment expenditure by the OPW in Co. Cork for the years 2011 to 14 July 2015.
Expenditure on Office of Public Works Vote in County Cork (€)
|
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 (to 14/7/15) |
Total |
|
|
Purchase ofLand/Buildings |
523,566.44 |
175,000.00 |
- |
698,566.44 |
||
|
New Works |
3,156,909.42 |
726,391.94 |
3,972,595.84 |
2,286,777.97 |
1,024,402.63 |
11,167,077.80 |
|
PropertyMaintenance(Including Staff Costs) |
622,840.92 |
674,345.08 |
1,955,120.11 |
2,040,455.53 |
834,070.46 |
6,126,832.10 |
|
Rents |
4,229,323.96 |
3,834,846.46 |
3,516,433.74 |
3,370,386.06 |
1,412,707.78 |
16,363,698.00 |
|
Purchase & Mtce of Engineering Plant |
- |
- |
- |
- |
20,405.00 |
20,405.00 |
|
Flood RiskManagement |
6,727,123.03 |
10,272,994.64 |
12,422,646.45 |
7,280,341.26 |
725,637.25 |
37,428,742.63 |
|
HeritageServices(Including Staff Costs) |
2,980,970.16 |
2,857,349.35 |
2,754,986.65 |
3,031,134.69 |
1,514,836.53 |
13,139,277.38 |
|
TotalExpenditure |
17,717,167.49 |
18,889,493.91 |
24,621,782.79 |
18,184,095.51 |
5,532,059.65 |
84,944,599.35 |
255. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide details of work currently being carried out at an Office of Public Works managed tourist attraction (details supplied) in County Donegal; when this work began; the reason it has not progressed in the past number of months; the date by which the work is due to finish; the cost of this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30090/15]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) has developed plans to provide improved pedestrian access from the Council owned car park linking the existing paths to the Grianan of Aileach.
These works commenced last October and were carried out by the OPW's direct labour force but were suspended during the winter as weather conditions made progress impossible.
In this instance, the entire hill is archaeologically sensitive, no ground disturbance could be allowed so the path consists of a membrane laid over the thick layer of heather/sod, and then stone work put in place to support a final layer of decking. Due to the soft nature of the surface, a considerable period had to be allowed for settlement to reduce the risk of subsidence when the final surface was laid, with the OPW labour resources deployed to other projects in the meantime.
It is proposed that the final phase of the works – the laying of the surface will be carried out by a contractor with this procurement process to commence shortly, and so it is not possible to give a completion date for these works.
Costs incurred to date are not presently available but are being compiled and will be make available to the Deputy directly.
