Written Answers Nos. 226-247
226. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of budget funding in the 2015 for flood relief works; the amount spent to date; the budget for such works in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40297/15]
View answerThe total funding allocation, current and capital, for the Office of Public Works (OPW) overall Flood Risk Management Programme in 2015 is €87.815m. This includes provision for expenditure on capital flood relief works, on arterial drainage maintenance activities, the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme, purchase of plant and machinery, hydrometric and hydrological investigation and monitoring and on the general administrative costs of operating the programme. Full details are provided in the Revised Estimates Volume 2015.
The largest element of funding is allocated for the OPW's flood relief capital works activities at €61.284m. This allocation provides for the preparation and design of flood relief schemes, the construction of flood relief works, the payment of compensation costs arising from these works and the carrying out of minor coastal or non-coastal works by Local Authorities with funding provided by the OPW under the Minor Works Scheme. It also provides for the carrying out of CFRAM studies as required by the EU Flood Directive. The 2015 allocation also includes an amount in respect of funding for Local Authorities for the repair of coastal protection infrastructure damaged in the storms of Winter 2014.
Expenditure to 31st October, 2015 on the OPW's overall Flood Risk Management Programme is approximately €35.691 million. There have been unanticipated delays in the progression of some flood relief schemes but the outturn for expenditure in 2015 on the Programme overall is projected to be €73.323 million. The OPW intend to apply to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to carry forward an element of the capital saving to the 2016 estimate under the Deferred Surrender scheme.
The total budget allocation, current and capital, for the overall Flood Risk Management Programme in 2016 is €73.846 million of which €44.2m. is allocated for flood relief capital works.
227. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will confirm that the Valuation Office has instructed all local authorities to reduce the rateable valuation on energy and telecommunications infrastructure commencing in 2016; and the rationale behind this judgment. [40118/15]
View answerThe position in relation to the global valuation of public utility undertakings is that the Commissioner of Valuation has recently carried out a further valuation of seven utilities as required by section 53(6) of the Valuation Act 2001, as amended by the Valuation (Amendment) Act 2015. The Commissioner is independent in the exercise of his functions in this regard, by virtue of section 9(10) of the 2001 Act.
These utilities, or their predecessors, were first valued in 2005 and subsequently valued in 2010. In line with the 5-yearly cycle prescribed by section 53(6) of the Act of 2001, the Commissioner has recently completed the 2015 valuations for these seven utilities. The changes reflected in the 2015 valuations arise from changes in the value of each of the respective undertakings since last valued in 2010.
The basis of valuation of all rateable property throughout the State is "Net Annual Value", as defined in section 48 of the Act. This applies to both public utility undertakings valued on a global basis and conventional rateable properties such as shops, offices and industrial facilities operated by businesses. The global valuation process is also deployed in other common law jurisdictions and is an efficient mechanism for valuing public utility undertakings with a national or regional network on a five year cycle.
228. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has agreed final 2015 Estimates with the Department of Health; if he expects that Department's budget 2016 Estimate to increase during the course of 2016, as has happened with previous Supplementary Estimates for health since 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40137/15]
View answerDiscussions are ongoing with the Department of Health regarding the required supplementary estimate for 2015. This will be brought to Government for approval in the coming weeks. This Government has always prioritised spending in the health sector and it is expected that the 2016 allocation will be sufficient to fund the health service next year.
229. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has responsibility for a parcel of land (details supplied) in Dublin 22; why the legal process initiated by South Dublin County Council a number of years ago to acquire the lands by way of a deed of waiver has not yet been completed; and if he will expedite this transfer, as a matter of urgency. [40260/15]
View answerI am advise that the Commissioners of Public Works have no record of receiving an application from South Dublin County Council seeking a waiver of a parcel of land at Knockmitten Park, Clondalkin arising from the dissolution of Western Investments Ltd.
230. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of applications for reinstatement, following retirement on grounds of ill health with prior notice, granted since 2004; the legislation and rules or procedure under which they were granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40314/15]
View answerSince the establishment of my Department in July 2011, there have been no reinstatements following retirement on the grounds of ill health.
As the Deputy will be aware from my previous responses in relation to this matter, neither the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act, 2004 nor the relevant circular (Ill-Health Retirement from the Civil Service, 22/07) make provision for a mechanism under which an individual can apply for reinstatement following his or her retirement with prior notification on ill-health grounds.
231. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reduction in rates payable by local authorities and the State as a result of the revision of the global valuation on utilities, in tabular form; if it is appropriate that this measure was taken, considering small and medium-sized businesses cannot avail of these global revisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40440/15]
View answerThe position in relation to the global valuation of public utility undertakings is that the Commissioner of Valuation has recently carried out a further valuation of seven utilities as required by section 53(6) of the Valuation Act 2001, as amended by the Valuation (Amendment) Act 2015.
The Commissioner is independent in the exercise of his functions in this regard, by virtue of section 9(10) of the 2001 Act.
These utilities, or their predecessors, were first valued in 2005 and subsequently valued in 2010. In line with the 5-yearly cycle prescribed by section 53(6) of the 2001 Act, the Commissioner has recently completed the 2015 valuations for these seven utilities. The changes reflected in the 2015 valuations arise from changes in the value of each of the respective undertakings since last valued in 2010.
It is important to note that the global valuation process relates solely to the network occupied by the particular public utility undertaking and used by it for its principal objects or purposes such as the supply of electricity or gas or the provision of telecommunications or public transport. Retail units or offices or industrial space occupied by the undertaking but not used by it for its principal objects or purposes are not included in the global valuation. Such properties operated by the public utility are valued in the same manner as the small and medium size businesses to which the Deputy refers.
The basis of valuation of all rateable property throughout the State is "Net Annual Value", as defined in section 48 of the Act. This applies to both public utility undertakings valued on a global basis and conventional rateable properties such as shops, offices and industrial facilities operated by businesses. The global valuation process is also deployed in other common law jurisdictions and is an efficient mechanism for valuing public utility undertakings with a national or regional network on a five year cycle.
In relation to the impact of the global valuations on the rates take of local authorities, the position is that under Irish Law, there is a distinct separation of function between the valuation of rateable property and the setting and collection of commercial rates. The amount of rates paid by a ratepayer in any calendar year is a product of the valuation multiplied by the Annual Rate on Valuation (ARV), decided annually by the elected members of the rating authority. In effect, the rating authority determines the total amount of rates liable to be collected from ratepayers in a particular year.
It is too early to forecast the impact of the 2015 round of global valuations on the rates income of rating authorities generally as the 2016 rates have yet to be determined nationwide.
232. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the measures he will take to address the emerging two-tier public service, where recent new entrants are being paid substantially less than colleagues fulfilling similar roles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40449/15]
View answerI refer to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 36415/15 of 20 October 2015.
233. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to provide funding in respect of a submission by Galway County Council to the Office of Public Works in respect of flood relief works required to a road (details supplied) in County Galway; if this funding be made available as a matter of urgency, given the road's susceptibility to flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40451/15]
View answerI am advised that this appears to be a matter related to the flooding of a road, and therefore may not be appropriate for the Office of Public Works (OPW). It may be a matter for Galway County Council to address as part of its ongoing road maintenance and improvement programme or the Department of Transport as appropriate.
Local flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for Local Authorities to investigate and address. They may carry out flood mitigation or coastal protection works using their own resources. In certain circumstances local authorities also apply to the OPW for funding of flood mitigation works under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, the details of the scheme are available at http://www.opw.ie/en/floodriskmanagement/operations/minorfloodworkscoastalprotectionscheme/. Any application received will be assessed under the eligibility criteria, including a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, and having regard to the overall availability of funding.
The OPW has not received an application, as above, to date for funding with regard to the location mentioned in the Question by the Deputy.
234. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an explanation as to what is happening relative to the visit of the Office of Public Works to Durrow Abbey and the threat to break locks to gain entry; if the issue relative to the lease and grant awarded but unpaid that has been ongoing for five years has not been resolved; the efforts made to resolve matters; the timeline of events and actions from the first engagement with Art For Peace project to date to include meetings and the agreement to grant aid the project; and the efforts that were made to reconcile matters during the past five years [40469/15]
View answerThe Commissioners of Public Works manage a large and diverse property portfolio including the property known as Durrow Abbey House. Durrow Abbey House is leased to the Arts for Peace Foundation (AFP) charity on a 99 year lease which includes an obligation on the tenant to insure and keep the house in good repair.
A notice issued to the lessee under clause 2.13 of the lease giving notice that the property is to be inspected in line with the lease terms. Clause 2.13 of the lease allows the OPW to serve a notice giving 24 hours notice of intention to enter and examine the property for the purpose of ascertaining if any repairs need to be made.
The notice asked the Foundation to immediately inform the OPW of arrangements to allow the Commissioners, their servants or agents, to make, after the expiration of 24 hours after the service of the notice, the entry and examination referred to above.
That letter was issued after obtaining the advice of the Office of the Attorney General.
The property was visited on Monday 16th November. A condition report on the property will now be prepared by the Commissioners architects.
The Commissioners of Public Works have for a number of years engaged with the charity to resolve issues pertaining to this property. There have been a number of meetings and significant correspondence in an attempt to resolve matters. The Commissioners had agreed to provide funding (€250,000), for works to the fabric of the building, subject to standard governance and financial criteria being applied in the drawing down of funding. The AFP charity have not commenced works on the property in line with their stated objective.
235. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding pensioners and the Lansdowne Road agreement (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40497/15]
View answerI refer to my reply on 5 November 2015 to Parliamentary Question Number 38893/15. The position remains unchanged.
236. Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the date the Office of Public Works attached the minimum requirements document to the recent advertisement of a bicycle hire concession in the Phoenix Park through its eTenders portal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40513/15]
View answer237. Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason the Office of Public Works did not list, in order of importance, the minimum requirements, as is standard, in its recent advertisement of a bicycle hire concession in the Phoenix Park through its eTenders portal, the scoring system for the points on the minimum requirements document; the reason the points system was not made available at the beginning of the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40514/15]
View answer238. Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform why the Office of Public Works only raised the requirement for a business plan with one of the applicants following the recent advertisement of a bicycle hire concession in the Phoenix Park through its eTenders portal, after the close of applications, rather than having it listed in the advertisement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40515/15]
View answer239. Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views that it is appropriate for the Office of Public Works to make the points system on how the application was graded available to an applicant right before the interview meeting on 26 May 2015 following its recent advertisement of a bicycle hire concession in the Phoenix Park through its e-Tenders portal, and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40516/15]
View answer240. Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the actions of the Office of Public Works in how it awards concessions for commercial operations on its properties; the procedures that are in place to ensure that the tender application process for such concessions is open, transparent and accountable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40517/15]
View answer241. Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views that the winning tender to operate a bicycle hire in the Phoenix Park increased the price for hiring bicycles by 50%; his further views that this is appropriate, given the impact it might have on price-sensitive tourism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40518/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 236 to 241, inclusive, together.
I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that a notice inviting applications to operate a bicycle-hire concession in the Phoenix Park, with a detailed specification of requirements, was placed on the E-Tenders website portal on the 1st April 2015. Two applicants applied.
The listed criteria in the specification were deemed to be of equal importance and a pass/fail marking system was applied. As both applicants were deemed capable of providing the required level of service, they were called for interview to outline their business proposals. The marking system, which was used at the interview, was presented to both applicants in advance of their presentation. Both candidates were deemed suitable to operate the system and the concession was awarded to the applicant who offered the highest facility fee.
The OPW advertises all concessions using the E-Tender portal or by public advertisement. Concessions are awarded on the basis of quality, service delivery to the public in keeping with the overall conservation and protection of the relevant site. Equal opportunity is given to all applicants who wish to submit a proposal.
The OPW does not seek to control concessionaires pricing range.
242. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the role of his Department and the National Procurement Office in respect of vehicles being purchased for An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40597/15]
View answerThe Office of Government Procurement conducted the procurement for the recent purchase of Garda vehicles; both standard and high performance types, on behalf of An Garda Síochána. The competitive tender process resulted in An Garda Síochána receiving excellent value for money in the purchase of these vehicles.
243. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the terms of reference of the recently established community and voluntary forum; the chairperson; the membership; the number of meetings held to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40624/15]
View answerI held a constructive meeting with SIPTU and IMPACT trade unions in relation to the position of CE Supervisors in September. Having listened to their respective positions, I have reconvened the Community Sector Informal Forum which ceased operation some years ago, in order to have matters relating to CE Supervisors examined.
The Forum will be chaired at Assistant Secretary level from my Department, with representatives from interested groups, including the Department of Social Protection, the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, Pobal and representative trade unions. Terms of reference will be a matter for the Forum. The Forum's first meeting is to be held on 27th November 2015.
244. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the percentage reduction in the annualised amount of the public service pension for Ministers who will retire on a full combined ministerial and Oireachtas pension in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40626/15]
View answerPublic service pensions above specific money thresholds are subject to decrease by means of the Public Service Pension Reduction (PSPR). A partial unwinding or amelioration of the PSPR cuts to pensions, in three stages and commencing on 1 January 2016, is provided for in the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015.
The Deputy is seeking an estimate based on at least 10 years' service as a Cabinet Minister, and at least 20 years' service as a TD, those being the minimum required service blocks for full pension benefits in the Ministerial and Oireachtas pension schemes respectively. However, most persons who commence receipt of a Ministerial pension have not served long enough to reach both of those maximum pension qualifying thresholds.
Subject to that caveat, and assuming enactment of the 2015 Bill, in the event that a full-service Cabinet Minister were to retire in 2016, the annualised amount of public service pension then payable to him or her would be reduced, on account of PSPR, by €2,536, or 2.75%, to €89,762 in 2016 following application of the relevant PSPR table, as set out in the 2015 Bill.
It should be noted that the pension awarded to such a 2016 retiree would be based on the pay rates in place just before the public service pay adjustments of July 2013 under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2013. Higher pay rates, effectively those prevailing at end-2009 just prior to the January 2010 public service pay cuts, are reflected in the public service pensions of retired Ministers whose pensions were awarded before March 2012.
245. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reduction in annualised amounts of the public service pension, for those who retired before 29 February 2012, for those who retired after 29 February 2012, and for those who will retire in the future, by pensions of €60,000 plus, of €60,000 plus to €100,000, and of €100,000 plus, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40627/15]
View answerUnder the terms of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015, which is currently before the House, I propose adjustments to the PSPR tables (affecting entry thresholds, bands and rates) over three stages, on 1 January 2016, 1 January 2017 and 1 January 2018. These changes constitute a significant part-reversal of the PSPR burden on public service pensioners, and are expected to remove PSPR entirely from about 65,000 currently affected pensioners.
Based on the currently prevailing rates of Public Service Pension Reduction (PSPR), the figures which the Deputy seeks are set out.
For public servants who retired on or before 29 February 2012, the Public Service Pension Reduction (PSPR) applied to their pensions is:
|
Pension Awarded (€) |
PSPR (€) |
Pension in Payment (€) |
|
60,000 |
5,280 |
54,720 |
|
70,000 |
6,980 |
63,020 |
|
80,000 |
8,680 |
71,320 |
|
90,000 |
10,380 |
79,620 |
|
100,000 |
12,080 |
87,920 |
|
110,000 |
14,880 |
95,120 |
|
120,000 |
17,680 |
102,320 |
|
130,000 |
20,480 |
109,520 |
|
140,000 |
23,280 |
116,720 |
The scale of reductions under the PSPR in respect of those pensions for public servants who retired after 29 February 2012 is reduced as those pensions are calculated on the basis of the reduced pay scales then applying for pension purposes. The Public Service Pension Reduction (PSPR) applied to their pensions is:
|
Pension Awarded (€) |
PSPR (€) |
Pension in Payment (€) |
|
60,000 |
1,320 |
58,680 |
|
70,000 |
1,820 |
68,180 |
|
80,000 |
2,320 |
77,680 |
|
90,000 |
2,820 |
87,180 |
|
100,000 |
3,320 |
96,680 |
|
110,000 |
4,120 |
105,880 |
|
120,000 |
4,920 |
115,080 |
|
130,000 |
5,720 |
124,280 |
|
140,000 |
6,520 |
133,480 |
246. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of pensioners who are in receipt of pensions of €34,142 to €40,000, €40,000 plus to €50,000, €50,000 plus to €60,000, €60,000 plus to €70,000, €70,000 plus to €80,000, €80,000 plus to €90,000, €90,000 plus to €100,000, €100,000 plus to €110,000, €110,000 plus to €120,000, €120,000 plus to €130,000, €130,000 plus to €140,000, €140,000 plus to €150,000 and €150,000 plus; the costs in respect of each of the ranges; and if he will make a statement on the matter [40628/15]
View answerBased on the available data sets, and making reasonable assumptions regarding retirements and mortality rates, the estimates of the pensioner numbers and associated annual costs in the specified pension bands can be provided:
|
Pension Band |
Number of Pensioners |
Current Pension Cost |
|
€34,132 to €40,000 |
16,800 |
€580,000,000 |
|
€40,000 to €50,000 |
10,100 |
€410,000,000 |
|
€50,000 to €60,000 |
3,100 |
€155,000,000 |
|
€60,000 to €70,000 |
800 |
€45,000,000 |
|
€70,000 to €80,000 |
700 |
€50,000,000 |
|
€80,000 to €90,000 |
300 |
€20,000,000 |
|
€90,000 to €100,000 |
200 |
€15,000,000 |
|
More than €100,000 |
500 |
€55,000,000 |
247. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if grants, seed funding or development funding is available to a company (details supplied) in County Kildare with regard to the further development of its facility. [40220/15]
View answerMy understanding is that this Network is a community organisation. The only supports available for non-commercial bodies through Enterprise Ireland are through the competitive calls of the Community Enterprise Initiative. In May, I launched the €5 million Community Enterprise Initiative fund which was open to groups and organisations in every county that came together with ideas for projects to create jobs. However, the competitive call for proposals under this fund closed on 4 September 2015.
Being non-commercial, the Network is also unlikely to meet the eligibility criteria for direct financial assistance from the Local Enterprise Offices (LEO). However, any business proposal can seek advice and guidance from the LEOs on issues such as training, mentors and sources of finance.
Other Departments and Agencies across Government, for example, the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and its Agencies (e.g. through Leader funding) might be in a position to offer assistance. Pobal, in particular, might have a role in terms of its commitment to supporting national recovery and to discharging its charitable objective “the delivery and management of programmes which promote social inclusion, reconciliation and equality through integrated social and economic development within communities”.
